In Yakuza 4, you encounter the gritty atmosphere of Kiryu Kazuma's experiences, and three other characters are also available to play, each with an engaging backstory and a gripping, interwoven plot.

French publisher/distributor Anuman Interactive announced that it has acquired Microids, founded in 1985, known for titles such as Syberia, Amerzone, and Still Life. On Nov. 23, 2009 Anuman Interactive finalized the purchase of the Microids brand and all of its IP, which will become effective as of Jan. 1, 2010. Anuman CEO Stéphane Longeard confirmed the acquisition, as well as Microids president Emmanuel Olivier.

Home sweet home!

Sorry about missing the MotD yesterday. Too much food and a long day of shopping wore us out.

I managed to get a new graphics card, a Geforce GTX 275. The bad news is that my current power supply is so weak that the PC does not even want to boot, so now I need to look for a more powerful PSU. The joys of upgrading. Luckily, the Black Friday sales continue online on Cyber Monday, so I should be able to hunt down a good deal on that as well.

Namco Bandai's God Eater looks like an attempt to piggyback on the success of Capcom's Monster Hunter in Japan, as the action rpg has replaced dinosaurs with gods and demons sent down to purify Earth. Featuring plenty of customization options and not only includes a solo mode but also 4 player co-op.

Need for Speed World Online takes the race into the largest open world in the franchise's history. This Play 4 Free action racing game will give fans access to licensed cars, parts, multiple game modes, sophisticated online matchmaking features and fully customizable profile and rides.

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising will see the most realistic modeling of conflict scenarios in a new contemporary theatre of war. By offering a multitude of military disciplines, gameplay will deliver warfare more realistic and intense than ever before, while an extensive multiplayer component will create battles on an incredible scale. While the first DLC was released earlier this month, Codemasters revealed that  a second premuim pack is already in the works and will include new multiplayer modes.

An investigation into his daughter's death unwittingly leads former agent Sam Fisher to discover he's been betrayed by his prior agency, the Third Echelon. Now a renegade, Fisher finds himself in a race against time to thwart a deadly terrorist plot that threatens millions. The latest issue of PC Zone teases on the back that its Jan. 2010 edition (available on Dec. 23rd) will feature a hands-on look at SCC including the return of co-op and a brand new multiplayer mode.

DJ Hero expands Guitar Hero's signature social gaming to all-new consumers with the addition of diverse music genres including hip-hop, R&B, Motown, electronica and dance. An all-new turntable controller transforms players into DJs by creating original mixes of popular songs and music from the world's most exciting artists and DJs.

Star Wars: The Old Republic will let you explore an age thousands of years before the rise of Darth Vader when war between the Old Republic and the Sith Empire divides the galaxy. Choose to play as Jedi, Sith, or a variety of other classic Star Wars roles, defining your personal story and determining your path down the light or dark side of the Force.

Lucidity is a puzzle platform game, where players are tasked with keeping Sofi safe as she drifts deeper into the strange new world of her dreams with a persistent desire to explore new worlds and overcome all obstacles in her way.

Hellion: Mystery of the Inquisition uses the latest technology to present an outstanding reality, authentic locations and impressive combats within the 13th century. Hellion also represents an epic plot set in a lively medieval world charged with upgradeable exorcisms and uncompromising brutality according to this period.

In Boom Blox Bash Party the destructive fun reaches new heights with richer multiplayer action and more than 400 new levels that will have players of all ages gaming together and solving action-packed puzzles under water, in zero gravity, and beyond!

1C Company and Battlefront.com's new expansion pack for their tactical WWII strategy title Theatre of War 2: Africa 1943 is dedicated to the 131st Armored Division Centauro and the battles it took part in North Africa starting from December 1942 till mid-May 1943.

Another day, another batch of game trailers was released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for:

• Dead to Rights: Retribution [PS3/X360] - Characters Dev Diary Trailer
• James Cameron's Avatar: The Game [ALL] - Dev Diary Trailer #4

We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

FF XIII provides tangible, intuitive controls while delivering seamless transitions between real-time gameplay and stunning in-game cinematics. The latest in cutting-edge technology has been utilized in development of Final Fantasy XIII, thus making this newest addition to the Final Fantasy series worthy of the title next generation.

Modern Warfare 2 continues the gripping and heart-racing saga with an unprecedented level of action as players face off against a new threat dedicated to bringing the world to the brink of collapse.

G4BOX announced that its free-to-play, online military first-person shooter Cross Fire has entered closed beta. Join one of two International Mercenary Forces Corporations locked in a global struggle.

Super Street Fighter IV features the full roster of 25 characters from Street Fighter IV such as Ryu, Ken, Crimson Viper, Abel, El Fuerte and Rufus, while adding about eight characters new to the world of Street Fighter IV, such as classic combatants from previous SF games like T. Hawk as well as all-new characters such as the mysterious and deadly female fighter, Juri.

Players can navigate the side-scrolling worlds alone as before or invite up to three others to join them at the same time on the same level at any point in the game for competitive and cooperative multiplayer fun in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

Based on the trading card game and animated TV series, Chaotic combines action, role playing and turn-based strategy gameplay elements for an epic adventure in Perim. Players adventure through vibrant, fully-realized 3D environments and interact with various characters from the best-selling trading card game and hit animated series.

"Avatar" is the story of an ex-Marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. As an Avatar, a human mind in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising features a new playable army, and continues the epic journey of the Blood Ravens as they battle this new, more personal enemy. Chaos Rising offers new single-player and co-op campaigns, a level cap increase from 20 to 30, more powerful war-gear and a suite of innovative multiplayer options.

Set during a tumultuous period of Japanese history, Sengoku Basara Samurai Heroes follows players as they fight their way to the dramatic battle of Sekigahara. Players will take up the swords and spears of more than a dozen fierce samurai warriors in huge battles against hundreds of opponents in many exciting stages that lead up to the main event.

Forza Motorsport 3 unites the racing game genre, making it possible for everyone to experience the thrill of more than 400 of the world’s most exotic and exquisite cars on over 100 renowned real-world tracks and exotic road courses from around the globe.

Thanksgiving is over, so we're all stuffed with turkey, corn casserole, stuffing, horseradish mashed potatoes, and eggnog cheesecake for dessert. Good stuff.

In a few hours, Black Friday begins, the biggest retail day of the year. Usually I don't even bother to wake up bright and early like all the other crazies, but I'm in the market for a new high-end video card for my gaming rig, so I'm going to brave the crowds to see if I can scoop one up.