Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)
Developed by Naughty Dog Inc., Uncharted 2: Among Thieves blends together the art of cinema and gaming to bring players a level of realism never before seen on a game console. With an extensive, story-driven single-player mode and thrilling competitive multiplayer and cooperative modes, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves demonstrates Hollywood blockbuster moments of roller coaster tension and exhilarating action through environments and characters brought to life.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves picks up the story of Nathan Drake, a fortune hunter with a shady reputation and an even shadier past who is lured back into the treacherous world of thieves and mercenary treasure-seekers. In this adventure, Drake embarks on a journey that will push him to his physical, emotional, and intellectual limits as he seeks to discover the truth behind the lost fleet of Marco Polo and the mythical Himalayan valley of Shambhala, and ultimately recover the legendary Cintamani Stone. Along the way Drake encounters a rogue paramilitary leader and fugitive war criminal who's seeking the treasure for his own nefarious purposes. Accompanied on this quest by allies both old and new, Drake is forced to confront crises of loyalty and betrayal within an underworld of smugglers and thieves.
"Since the first game play demonstration shown at E3 2009, Uncharted 2 has remained one of the most award winning and anticipated title launches for 2009," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President, Product Marketing, SCEA. "What sets the game apart from anything else on the market is that Naughty Dog has not only been able to deliver on the spectacle, they have infused it with meaning and emotion by telling a story that is so character driven it sets a new bar for the video game industry and is a technical masterpiece that truly demonstrates the capabilities of the PS3."
The Naughty Dog 2.0 engine provides Uncharted 2: Among Thieves with an open design, which allows players to take an aggressive or stealth approach to combat. While in combat Drake can jump across gaps in buildings during a rooftop fight, or drop off of a ledge to use the building as protection, opening up the opportunity for players to use the environment itself as a cover. In addition, free-flowing traversal gunplay adds a unique vertical element to familiar cover-based third-person shooting mechanics, allowing the player to engage in combat from any position in the environment - even while climbing or hanging. The environment also serves to challenge the player to interact with moving set pieces. Players will find themselves fighting through collapsing buildings, or battling enemies on a train taking sharp turns and moving around obstacles.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves holds a variety of environments from lush, green swamps and dense urban environments, all the way to trains, rooftops and the ice and snow of the Himalayas. In these environments, players will experience dramatic in-game events that make them an active participant in the cinematic experience. With combat at the core, players will experience gunplay and varied combat enhancements, including an expanded melee system, and a variety of enemy types with advanced AI routines. The journey is balanced with the addition of puzzles that include climbing, exploration, and the need for careful observation.
"This game just couldn't have been made on any other system; the Blu-ray is maxed and the entire game is played without loading thanks to the Hard Disc Drive," said Christophe Balestra, co-president, Naughty Dog. "Naughty Dog is known for pushing hardware; this is the most ambitious game we have ever made and the game PS3 owners have been waiting for."
The sheer amount of detail in Uncharted 2 sets an industry standard andis an achievement that only PS3 can provide. The Naughty Dog 2.0 engine creates a milestone in technology innovation by recreating reality and capturing human emotion and gives the game flawless visuals, life-like environments, seamless cut scenes, and no visible loading - a Naughty Dog hallmark. Complete with studio-scale effects, including 7.1-surround sound audio that rivals Hollywood's biggest blockbuster films, cutting-edge artificial intelligence, voice and motion capture, Uncharted 2 delivers the ultimate next generation game play experience.
The brainchild of legendary game developer Tim Schafer, Brütal Legend stars Jack Black as roadie Eddie Riggs who embarks on an epic rock adventure featuring rich combat, storytelling and humor along with mind blowing imagery inspired by classic heavy metal album art and music.
"I can't believe Rocktober 13th is actually here and we're able to share the complete experience of Brütal Legend with our fans," said Tim Schafer, President of Double Fine Productions. "It's like the Age of Metal is finally upon us and Brütal Legend is a chrome volcano that has been trembling and rumbling and belching smoke for the past four years, and today it is about to erupt and cover the world in Metal!"
Brütal Legend is the epic 3rd person open-world action game created by visionary game developer Tim Schafer and his team at Double Fine Productions. Starring Jack Black as the voice of Eddie Riggs, Brütal Legend tells the tale of Eddie, the ultimate Metal roadie who is knocked unconscious in a stage accident and awakens to a world where heavy metal breathes life through mountains made of amplifiers, killer spiders spinning guitar strings and rock gods roaming the lands. Faced with the daunting task of saving humanity from the evil loins of demon Emperor Doviculus, Eddie must quickly learn to battle through the metal mayhem as he comes face-to-face with devilish druids and unrelenting demons ready to melt his face off.
In addition to Jack Black, Brütal Legend features an exceptional cast with vocal talent provided by some of metal's biggest names, including Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead, Lita Ford, Ozzy Osbourne and more. Brütal Legend also boasts an impressive soundtrack featuring more than 100 fist-pumping tracks for over 75 bands including Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Motorhead and more.
Brütal Legend, rated M for Mature, is available for MSRP $59.99 on the Xbox 360 and PS3.
Developed by SoftMax, the team behind the original Magna Carta: Tears of Blood, Magnacarta 2 delivers more than 40 hours of gameplay and combinesan original storyline driven by intense themes of love, hate, politics, betrayal and the ultimate question of choosing one’s own fate. Featuring state of the art graphics designs by acclaimed Korean artist Hyung-Tae Kim and a signature gameplay battle system, Magnacarta 2 promises to deliver an enthralling RPG experience.
Amidst the tragedy of civil war, Juto, a man with no recollection of his past is destined to end the cycle of bloodshed and save the Lanzheim Kingdom from a power hungry warlord who has usurped the throne. Together with Princess Zephie, the rightful heir to the kingdom, Juto must navigate an uncertain world full of tragedy and chaos to regain his own identity and forge a new one for the conflict-ridden land divided by civil war.
Magnacarta 2 features a signature Chain System that combines real-time action and a turn-based stamina mechanic to deliver a unique RPG experience. The innovative battle system offers an original and engaging take on the traditional combat RPG system by adding real-time attack timing, stamina bar limiter, and massive combat bonuses for the adept.
Additionally, Magnacarta 2 features a robust magic system and a massive weapon customization and upgrade system. The KAN magic system enables the player to buff up magic attacks by building up KAN energy with normal melee attacks. This offers magic users the ability to limitedly upgrade their attacks for a specific area. Featuring multiple signature game features, Magnacarta 2 is a multilayered RPG game with extraordinary gameplay and story design.
Magnacarta 2, rated “T” for Teen, retails for $59.99.
Dreamkiller for Windows PC features 50 Steam Achievements, Leaderboards and frantic online multiplayer action.
In Dreamkiller gamers take on the role of Alice Drake, a psychologist with the extraordinary ability to enter the minds of her patients and combat the ravenous foes haunting their dreams. Utilizing a host of fantastic weapons and her own special abilities, Alice confronts our common demons only to discover an even deeper menace reigns within. Dreamkiller features 12 rich levels of single-player gameplay each laced with swarms of hideous and disturbing enemies reflecting the mind’s infinite palette of fear. The onslaught continues with numerous multiplayer modes and a host of over-the-top weapons and supernatural abilities.
Dreamkiller, rated M for Mature, will ship later this month for the Xbox 360.
Where the Wild Things Are (NDS/Wii)
For the first time ever, kids can join the Wild Things in this action-adventure game inspired by the highly anticipated Warner Bros. theatrical release from Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures and based on the best-selling children’s picture book by Maurice Sendak.
In Where the Wild Things Are the videogame, players assume the role of the rambunctious young Max to explore the island of the Wild Things, journey across its dangerous terrain, overcome hazardous obstacles and battle fierce creatures. After landing his boat on the mysterious island of the Wild Things – Max quickly befriends these fearsome but loveable creatures and becomes “King of All Wild Things.” He soon learns that the island is on the brink of destruction and that it’s up to him and the Wild Things to work together to find a way to escape to safety before it’s too late.
“Where the Wild Things Are is a wonderful game for kids, which brings their favorite story and characters to life with fun adventure game play,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Production and Development, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Playing as the mischievous Max, they can run, jump, climb, fly and swing across the island, explore its unique environments and team-up with the Wild Things on new adventures.”
In Where the Wild Things Are the videogame, the Wild Things test the player at every turn, but they help them too! Ride a Wild Thing over difficult terrain, gain their assistance when facing large obstacles, and follow them through fantastic landscapes to uncover the mysteries of the island. Along the way players discover each Wild Things’ unique personality and special talents as they interact with them. Players can return at any time to the Wild Things Village to play a variety of environmental puzzles, start dirt clod fights and have a rumpus of a good time!
Where the Wild Things Are, rated “E10+” for Everyone 10+, is available on Wii ( $39.99), X360/PS3 ($49.99), and NDS ($29.99) which is rated “E” for Everyone.
Developed by WayForward Technologies, this reimagining of the classic Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) game is available for a new generation of fans on the 20th Anniversary of the original game. Fans new and old will be captivated by the beautiful hand-drawn art that creates a standout aesthetic.
"WayForward infused their unique creative vision into a boy and his blob while remaining true to the classic game," said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer of Majesco Entertainment. "The result has been an overwhelmingly positive response from critics and we are eager to get the game into the hands of a new generation of players."
After the inhabitants of Blobolonia are taken captive by an evil emperor, one blob manages to escape in search of help only to crash on Earth and find a young boy. Together the boy and his new blob friend work as a team to solve 40 levels of challenging side-scrolling adventure featuring hidden treasures, deadly monsters, perilous dangers and boss baddies. Armed with jellybeans, the boy can transform the blob into cool and useful items including classics like the Licorice Ladder, Apple Jack and Tangerine Trampoline and all-new ones such as the Cream Cannon and Bubble Gum Bubble. As the boy and his blob work together on their journey to Blobolonia, players will be enchanted by their heartwarming tale of friendship.
a boy and his blob is rated E for Everyone and is in stores now for the suggested retail price of $39.99.
Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy (PC)
The fall semester unfolds upon the girls at the prestigious Waverly Academy with a paper trail of cunning, creative writing as Her Interactive announced Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy is now available at retailers nationwide and for digital distribution.
A literary icon for nearly 80 years, Her Interactive’s Nancy Drew games continue to inspire today’s generation to become tomorrow’s leaders. Heralded for her intelligence, determination and independence, Nancy will need all of those traits if she is to go undercover and successfully stop a plan to sabotage Waverly Academy’s most promising students.
“The Nancy Drew books were always more than great reads; they truly made readers feel as though they could embody Nancy’s positive character traits,” said Megan Gaiser, president and CEO of Her Interactive. “Ultimately, we want to create games that empower our users the same way, so when they use deductive reasoning and problem solving skills to play our interactive mysteries, they feel a strong sense of accomplishment and pride.”
In Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy, players are Nancy Drew as she heads undercover at an elite all-girls boarding school to discover the culprit behind threatening notes and dangerous accidents that seem to be targeted towards the academy’s valedictorian candidates.
Players will immerse themselves in the boarding school culture by exploring the campus, helping other girls with projects and navigating the social scene. To build the case, players will surreptitiously snoop through dorm rooms and snap cell phone pictures of evidence they come across. A handy feature lets players choose to play as a Junior or Senior Detective depending on their mystery-solving abilities.
Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy is available now at retailers nationwide at a suggested retail price of $19.99. The digital version is available for download only at Her Interactive’s website.
The high-pitched squeals of animated characters and plenty of adult laughter already are being reported after mysterious crates washed ashore from the Pacific Ocean this morning.
Authorities speaking on the condition of anonymity said they believe the alarming amount of happiness and guilty pleasure is related to the upcoming national release of “Squeeballs Party,” a new video game for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS and as an iPhone/iPod Touch application.
Witness accounts describe the crates, marked “this side up” and “handle with care,” washing ashore in the early morning hours. Small, furry objects left the crates and soon were headed across the United States. Already, video footage showing the Squeeballs strolling down the Las Vegas Strip and on Venice Beach has surfaced on YouTube.
The brain behind “Squeeballs Party” isaming accessory company Performance Designed Products LLC (“PDP”). Authorities say that the company boldly predicted today’s events, saying, “The game’s mischievous antics provide a nice mix of fun and guilty pleasure that both kids and adults will enjoy.”
Sources said Squeeballs are toys that are manufactured on a secret island somewhere in the Pacific and they must be fully tested by the players of the game before they can be sold to children around the world. “Squeeballs Party” features more than 150 unique challenges where players can blow up, cook, slice, bat, bowl, shoot and bounce the Squeeballs.
The Wii and DS versions of the game retail for $29.99. The NDS version includes a limited edition Squeeballs character stylus. The iPhone/iPod Touch app is available for $2.99 and a light version is available for free.