Red Dead Redemption (PS3/X360)
Red Dead Redemption is a dark and epic story set against the dying years of the American West, as former outlaw John Marston is sent back across the frontier to track down the members of his former gang in a world where survival is a constant struggle. Red Dead Redemption’s single-player story takes players across the American frontier; down into Mexico, up into the mountains and northeast to the Great Plains, while the multiplayer experience offers a unique Free Roam mode for 16 players to form posses and explore the entire world, alongside Western variations on classic multiplayer competitive modes. Future downloadable content will include six co-operative missions available for free this June via Xbox LIVE® and PlayStation®Network. Red Dead Redemption’s original soundtrack is available now on the iTunes store.
“We wanted to bring our vision of the American West to life,” said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. “With Red Dead Redemption, we tried to make players actually feel like they are an outlaw living in the last days of the Wild West.”
Red Dead Redemption, rated M for Mature, is currently available for $59.99, and will release in Europe, Australia and Asia Pacific on May 21, 2010 and Japan in September 2010.
In Split/Second, players don’t just race to the finish line to beat their opponents, they build up their power meter through deft driving and trigger “power plays,” explosive moments that take out opponents or alter the track. The game takes place within a hyper-competitive reality television show with city-sized sets rigged for destruction. Each track has numerous power plays that can be strategically triggered by skilled drivers. Competitors in Split/Second don’t just collide with other vehicles to knock them from the track -- they can trigger blockbuster action film-like explosive events that drastically alter the dynamics of the race. Players must use strategy and pinpoint timing to derail opponents, tactically alter the track or create entirely new routes.
“With massive environments that players can dynamically change to take out opponents and alter the track, Split/Second redefines the action racing genre and provides a whole new level of fun for all video game fans,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president, global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Black Rock Studio is among the world’s best game development studios and Split/Second is an incredible entry in their impressive portfolio.”
As many as eight players can compete online in Split/Second through Xbox LIVE, PlayStation Network and online on Windows PC. Also, two players can race against each other on the same system in the same room through split-screen features.
Black Rock Studio pioneered the innovative heads up display (HUD) affixed to the back of the player’s vehicle. The Split/Second HUD showcases the player’s relevant information (place, lap number, etc.) on the back bumper of the car, the area of the screen where players primarily focus during racing games.
“When we were early in development on the concept, we expected racing fans throughout the world to be passionate about Split/Second but the feedback since we announced the game has far exceeded our expectations,” said Nick Baynes, game director, Black Rock Studio. “We wanted to create something really fun that had never been done before in the racing genre and Split/Second accomplishes that.”
Black Rock Studio has an impressive heritage in the racing video game genre. The studio became the first developer to win consecutive Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 in the racing category with two different franchises after having won with PURE in 2008 and Split/Second in 2009. Split/Second was also selected Best Racing Game of E3 2009 by G4TV and featured on the cover of PlayStation: The Official Magazine’s Hugest Games of 2010 issue. Also, Black Rock’s first game after joining Disney Interactive Studios, the action racing game PURE, won numerous awards. Along with the Game Critics Award, PURE was named among the top 10 video games of 2008 by Entertainment Weekly.
The Split/Second app for iPhone/iPod Touch, available via iTunes, was conceived and designed with help from Black Rock Studio. The game mirrors the console version and features diverse locations, including the airport, downtown, ports and power plant. A Black Rock Studio-designed entertainment district also appears exclusively in the app. The game includes 19 vehicles to select and a six-person network multiplayer over Wi-Fi and locally through Bluetooth.
Split/Second, rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and older, has a suggested retail price of $59.99 (Xbox 360 and PS3), $39.99 ( PC) and $6.99 (iPhone). Split/Second: Velocity, the console and PC game’s title in Europe only, will be available across Europe beginning on May 20.
Attack of the Movies 3-D (Wii/X360)
Packaged with four pairs of 3-D glasses to support four-player multiplayer action, the game transports players to six fantastic movie-themed worlds where they will battle monstrous insects, blast underwater sea creatures, join the resistance against the machines and much more. Featuring classic enemies culled from the annals of film history, this inspired 3-D shooter jumps right out of your television and into your living room.
In Attack of the Movies 3-D, players become an integral part of movie scenes they can typically only watch. Each scene features genre-based ultimate weapons to engage enemies, including zombie-slaying shotguns, automatic laser cannons and others. In addition, branching paths, changing enemy attack patterns, unique areas and environmental challenges ensure that players never experience the same fight twice.
Developed by Panic Button Games Inc., Attack of the Movies 3-D, rated T for Teen, is now available on Xbox 360 and Wii for $29.99.
Trauma Team offers gamers six different fields of medicine to master, putting Wii owners inside a living, breathing hospital and thrusting them into fun, fast-paced narratives filled with suspense, raw intensity, and drama.
"Trauma Team combines the best aspects of medical dramas and crime investigation TV shows with satisfying gameplay that anyone can pick up and play," stated Aram Jabbari, Manager of Public Relations and Sales at Atlus. "Whether it's the captivating narrative, the interesting cast of characters, the variety of gameplay modes, or the ability to play with a friend, Trauma Team delivers exactly what Wii owners and fans of medical dramas are looking for in a new game. And at the attractive price of just $39.99, it offers tremendous value as well."
Renowned gaming site GameSpot.com gave Trauma Team an 8 out of 10, calling it "...fun, engaging, and rewarding." Prominent industry magazines Game Informer and Nintendo Power also received the game warmly, scoring it 8 out of 10 as well.
Trauma Team is now available at retailers across North America with an affordable launch MSRP of $39.99.
Key Features
- 6 Ways to Play Doctor—Step into the roles of 6 different doctors to see their stories unfold and master their specialties in surgery, diagnosis, orthopedics, endoscopy, forensics, and first response.
- Dramatic, Dynamic Stories—Inside and outside the hospital, you'll witness the personal and medical exploits that set the stage for their intense brand of medicine.
- 2-player Cooperative Play—Whether you need support in surgery, emergency first response, orthopedics, or endoscopy, bring along another pair of hands and get the job done!
Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow(NDS)
In Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow, the sequel to the Blue Dragon Xbox 360 original, players will customize their character for the first time in the series and embark on epic quests to investigate the Shadows disappearance and stop evil forces from destroying humanity.
“We are offering an exciting, new way for fans to engage in the Blue Dragon world as Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadowis very different from its predecessor,” said Peter Andrew, vice president of production, D3Publisher. “Now gamers can not only create their own hero but can enjoy real-time, action role-playing combat and battle with their friends.”
In the game, the player can assume the role of the main character, choose the character’s gender, and customize their look, including hairstyles, facial details, and voice to fit the player's personality. The player can also strengthen equipment, helmet, weapons and armor, which are then visually reflected in the character’s appearance, by combining items through equipment synthesis.
Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow is designed to take full advantage of the Nintendo DS capabilities allowing players to engage in impressive boss battles with up to two friends and earn and trade items via the Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection in multiplayer mode. Players will be able to attack enemies faster than ever before with upgraded weapons and powerful Shadows, which can be switched for tactical advantages. Players will roam a 3D open world environment across several unique “cube” worlds as they take on formidable Otherworld bosses, complete multiple challenges, and recruit over a dozen characters in their own custom adventure.
Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow is currently rated E10+ by the ESRB.