Gaming Mojo

Bungie has said that it regrets leaving out matchmaking in Halo 3: ODST’s Firefight mode.

Community boss Brian Jarrard said that in the end, the studio didn’t have proper time to include it and admits that this may be one of the reasons ODST is not as popular as other Halo games.

I regret not being able to go back and make Firefight in ODST work and have match-making,” he told the site. “I think we would have loved to have done that.“We’ve heard it from the fans, we’ve heard it from the press. It’s definitely something we’d have loved to be able to do but we didn’t have the scope on the project. We didn’t have the time.

“We accomplished a tremendous amount, but that’s probably the reason ODST isn’t being played as much right now as we’d like. It has had a shorter lifecycle than any of the Halo titles before.

“But Reach is our big chance to make up for some of those things.

I really didn’t like the game to be honest, I thought it was going to be really good and instead it was really blah. I am counting on Reach to be the end all be all of the series.

Michael Pachter has called it: Natal will be $50 when it goes on sale in the US by the end of this year.

The Wedbush Morgan analyst, speaking in the latest edition of his Pach-Attack show on GT, said:

“My guess is, talking to my hardware specialist colleagues at Wedbush, it’s about $50 in cost,” he said.

“I’d be very surprised if the thing is more then $79, and I really think it’s going to be $50. Microsoft’s not trying to make money on the device, trying to get everybody to have the device so that they can sell us other things, eventually can sell us a lot more Xbox 360s.

“My call is $50, I think that’s where it’s going to be launched.”

This of course is just speculation on his part but what if he is right? I don’t know Microsoft is in the business to make money. I personally think it will be more that just a mere $50. But I have been wrong before.

An LA casting call for Call of Duty-related “voice over/motion capture” for an Activision “video game” has described character Frank Barnes as being part of an elite Vietnam unit, the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group.

SOG was responsible for covert operations in Vietnam, and was active from 1964-1972.

The call is for motion capture and VO work for what looks like four major characters from the game. The details come from a US casting site. Activision has yet to say anything about the Treyarch title other than it’s coming this year and it’s not expected to be bigger than Modern Warfare 2.

I have been dissapointed with the Modern series as we aren’t really fighting the real enemy in the game. Nothing “modern” about that. With this one and the series with the Nazi’s it’s a real enemy your taking on and that never gets old to me.

Konami has announced that it is bringing the next Ninety-Nine Nights game to the Xbox 360. The original Ninety-Nine Nights was published by Microsoft Game Studios, but Konami picks up the Ninety-Nine Nights series with N3II: Ninety-Nine Nights. Expect more of  a two-player online mode.

Here are the details on N3II: Ninety-Nine Nights from Konami:
“Set on a ravaged world, N3II:Ninety-Nine Nights invites the player to take on all comers in a series of spectacular battles. Players can enjoy the story from five different perspectives – including humans, elves and goblins – and are pitted against wave after wave of adversaries in the ultimate ‘last man standing’ free-for-all. Each of the species is given a specific back story which unfolds as the game progresses, while the various races also bring unique skills and abilities to the battle field.

At its heart, N3II:Ninety-Nine Nights is a vast combat title, with hundreds of enemy creatures on screen simultaneously. As the camera picks over the action, the player can use a wealth of easily-effected combo attacks to carve a path through the enemy, and also use whatever weapons and items come to hand. At the end of each skirmish, players will then face a ‘Titanic Boss Battle’ against the champion of their current adversary, with players forced to move quickly and locate the well hidden weak spots of these seemingly unstoppable behemoths.

N3II:Ninety-Nine Nights also has a stunning two-player co-op online mode, wherein players team up against the oncoming hordes, working together to expand their combo range to take out more enemy assailants at once. This two-player mode features online ranking boards detailing the most effective pairings across the globe.”

You can check out more at Konami.com

Ubisoft has announced that the second DLC for Assassins Creed 2, Bonfire of the Vanities, will be released February 18, 2010, via PSN and XBL. Players will gain access to a new district of Florence in the DLC as well as Ezio’s new “spring jump” move as they work with Machiavelli to free the city from the grip of the mad monk Savonarola by targeting influential citizens under his control.

Its going out for $4 or 320 MS Point, or you have the option to bundle with three Templar Secret Locations for $6.50 or 520 MS Points. Not sure about PSN pricing.

Palazzo Medici – Located in Florence, the player gets to explore the house of the Medici family. It is located in the San Marco district of Florence.

Santa Maria dei Frari – Located in Venice, in the San Polo district, the player gets to explore this renowned church built in the XIIIth century.

Arsenal Shipyard – Venice was known for its Arsenal, a shipyard that was settled in the eastern part of the city. The last Templars’ Lair is located there, and lets the player explore the Drydocks.

There are a couple of new screens from the DLC here and you can check out the trailer here

(Credit to gametrailers.com for links)

For PC fans, wondering about these DLC’s coming out, Ubisoft has announced that the PC released will include the DLC’s that are issued out before release in March

Those following Lionhead’s Fable franchise will be happy to know that the third instalment will be released in time to invite you back to Albion this coming holiday season. Also, some new in-game images from Fable III have emerged and are rather dark yet interesting to say the least.

News for more sneak-peeks and content to be coming out the months so I’ll keep you guys posted on this.

I’m really looking forward to this, played the first on the old Xbox and loved it, so much so i got a the Lost Chapters on PC, now with a definite exclusion of a PC version of Fable 2, can only hope that a PC version is released for this. Even so 360 fans can still relax as this will is guaranteed to hit the 360 at the end of this year. Let’s hope it has something to offer to improve on an average performance of the prior to issues.

In a recent interview with WorthPlaying.com, Battlefield: Bad Company 2’s senior producer Patrick Bach discussed many aspects of the highly-anticipated shooter including the game’s humour, level design, locations, and more. One aspect that came up, voluntarily, was that of DLC where Bach had the following to say:

One thing that’s also very interesting is how we see our customers. We see the game as the first step to a longer experience. We have an in-game store where you get free content or you can buy new content to the game, so it’s a very integral part of the game that we will have a long post-launch campaign. I think people will be thrilled to see what’s in that already. On day one, you will get some really cool stuff.

So, not surprisingly, we learn that BFBC2 will support DLC of both the free and paid variety, although we don’t know what will be featured in the DLC on day one. The above quote had been in debate about the content of this first coming DLC, and what its worth. As with some recent games, it’s possible a major DLC could be offer via a one-time-use code posted in a every copy. Or have an in-game catalogue of the available DLC’s, free or pay.

Anyways, its refreshing to know extra content and DLC’s are become more common in games these days, extended the play duration and enjoy for the majority of players. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 ships this March for the PS3, 360, and PC.

Those anxiously awaiting the release of Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing, will be pleased to know (myself included), that a demo has been released on the Xbox 360 Marketplace. At the moment the demo is only available to Gold subscribers, with it becoming available to everyone in the next few days. The demo is 1.3GB.

You can choose between Sonic or Banjo Kazooie in the demo, with one map open.  While it may be great for Sonic fans, it is very much like Mario Kart and Crash Kart Racing, with power ups to collect which give you items to throw at other players, or power ups which give you a speed boost, or shield.

Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing will be released on the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii (with an optional wheel), DS/DSi and on PC. American release date is 23rd of February, while Europe will get the game on the 26th.

BioWare has sent word that gamers taking a break from hitting on Miranda will be able to get the new Cerberus Assault Armor and M-22a Eviscerator Shotgun DLC for free through the Cerberus network within Mass Effect 2. The content should be available for all fans, both on PC and Xbox 360, at 12:00pm Mountain Standard Time.

Cerberus Assault Armor

Cerberus assault armor is designed for shock troops, turn the tide of battle against creatures or forces that would decimate normal soldiers.
Increases heavy weapon ammo capacity by +10%
Increases shields by +10%
Increases health by +10%

M-22a Eviscerator Shotgun

The M-22a Eviscerator Shotgun is a longer-range shotgun with armor-piercing loads. This design also violates several intergalactic weapons treaties, so the M-22a is not distributed to militaries.

(from gametrilers.com)

Personally, if players have done their 100+ hrs and extra play throughs, and delved into all possible depths of the story i dont think armour is gonna bring them back to a game they have put down. But you never no, at least this is a sign of a future of DLC to come, big or small it may still keep this game running for those insane fans that have already finished it… MB lol

For more info on ME2 content visit here

Well the all awaited sequel to the appealing yet quirky take on the RPG franchise is back with its 1st Sequel, Does it deliver the goods to hold up to it predecessor

You return to Rapture; an underwater utopia created in the 40’s. This time its 10 years after the 1st, but you now take on the role as Delta, the original big daddy. As per to Rapture’s renown atmosphere, this place is complicated with deranged personal, Big Sister’s and the watchful eye of Sofia Lamb. Your role is simple though, track down your little sister; Eleanor Lamb and get the hell out there. The story does dip from time to time, but the emotional tethers will keep on toe, with Lamb’s revelations amounting to grave evils, an off putting travel companion and plenty on fan pandering cameos. Regardless the story is strong with choices that will affect the outcome.

The design of the game hasn’t change much from the original, you explore and scavenge derelict environments, rescue little sisters, hack vending machines, and put the drill to anyone that stands in your way, literally. With completing the main objectives that stand in your way. What’s different this time, is that the game is designed in a linear fashion, no back tracking for forgotten sisters and hackables that you missed which kills the illusion of a living, breathing city that first provided.

A few rumours and game play videos may have given off wrong impressions, the all advertised Big Sisters striking at anytime turns out to be scripted and triggered. Also the underwater routings are actually scenic scuba transitions as you wade to the next point. Being a Big Daddy has you swapping your wrench for a fuel powered drill, just remember to re-fuel or it will remain useless. You will still fight other Big Daddy’s have to choice to adopt their little sisters to harvest ADAM for you.

Multiplayer has been added, with a chaotic 5v5 match out with weapons and powers achieved through levelling and ranks, its a nice bonus to play with but you’ll probably be down with it in a few hours and move you to your usual.

There are some truly great moments that pick up the repetition and the end game really picks up and drives the story home. Its disappoint that it picks up as its ending but multiple ending may encourage you to play it again, though this is no Mass Effect 2.

Bioshock is a FPS, with a tactical, slower feel. Accuracy and reflexes will serve you to a point, but weapon management and ammo variations is what will keep you alive. The old NPC return with some added new ones to keep things fresh, with the Big Daddy’s and new Big Sisters you and the ability to change up your approach to combat, this aspect shouldn’t tire. The old plumbing hacking game is gone, replaced with a new real-time challenge that you can attempt whilst in combat, a definite improvement but just be careful not to spam the med kits.

Even if the setting is familiar, Rapture is still deep. Art direction and voice acting stand par with the first, this excellent work make it a place that you can’t help but inhabit even as you try to escape. The hidden rooms show of great architecture that its lacks the variety that the 1st so well provided.

A feeling of “Blockbuster” just doesn’t fit this game as oppose to the 1st, having been built up from the outrageous success of the 1st, it is a bit of a hit and miss. But it might be harsh to stack up against its predecessor. It does have great combat, some truly stand out set pieces and a story you’ll want to see through to the end.

Bioshock is a thinkers FPS and it stands out for this reason.

Bioshock 2 Review – gametrailers.com