Welcome back again to Level Up!So are you ready for the NEXT Xbox console?It seems that Microsoft is looking to hire engineers to work on their next generation console as job postings have popped up on Linkedin.Still, 360 owners don’t have to panic just yet.If they’re just starting to hire now it looks like a good two years at least before we see the next version of Microsoft’s console.
This week Level Up offers reviews of Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: The Fate of Two Worlds and Mindjack as well as some interesting news stories and a look at next week’s release schedule!
In the News…
New Resident Evil Film
Despite the fact that Resident Evil: Afterlife (Reviewed by me just a couple of months ago) was a total piece of crap, apparently it did so well in the foreign markets that Sony has greenlighted a fifth film in the series.Not title as of yet but its scheduled for a September 2012 release and will again be in 3D.
Ubisoft Announces Details about Call of Juarez: The Cartel
Ubisoft announced details for Call of Juarez: The Cartel, set to launch Summer 2011, and is the third game in the award-winning Call of Juarez series.Call of Juarez: The Cartel keeps the unique themes of the Wild West intact while taking gamers on an action-packed adventure set in present day. Call of Juarez: The Cartel has a deep and gritty storyline that begins with a fictional drug cartel bombing a U.S. law enforcement agency, devastating the building and killing hundreds of people. The attack is a surprise, leading the U.S. to believe that cartel members had somehow infiltrated federal agencies. In a last-ditch effort, the U.S. puts together a special task force to hunt down and stop the drug cartel.The Game will be available for the Xbox 360, PS3. and PC
New DLC for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
The first DLC package for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, will soon to be available on the PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE Arcade at a cost of $9.99.In this debut DLC package, players will return to the Castle as Gabriel to help Laura, the former servant from the vampire Carmilla, to destroy the unruly evil that was previously kept in check by the recently slain Queen.Fans of the series can also look forward to the second downloadable package 'Resurrection', later this year.
New 3D Silent Hill Film in the Works
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. announced that Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, the sequel to the horror film Silent Hill based on KONAMI's popular game franchise, has begun production by Davis Films in Toronto, Ontario."For over a decade, the Silent Hill franchise has been scaring players through psychological horror and the fear of the unknown," said Shinji Hirano, President of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "It's that proven blueprint for terror we know Samuel Hadida is capable of re-creating for the big screen. With him at the helm, we're confident Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, will bring a new dimension of fear for fans both old and new."
With much of the original creative body behind the first Silent Hill film, Silent Hill: Revelation 3D will be directed by Michael J. Bassett (Solomon Kane, Deathwatch), and will feature rising stars Adelaide Clemens (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Vampire, Camilla Dickinson, Wasted on the Young) and Kit Harington (Game of Thrones).
New DLC for Pro Evolution Soccer 2011
Konami revealed the content of its latest free DLC pack for Pro Evolution Soccer 2011. The update will be available to PlayStation3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360, and PC-DVD on March 15th, and updates a number of elements to the full game. Winter transfers and movements up to the end of the January transfer window have been updated for 135 Club teams, while Spain's new kit, and the Swedish national team's away kit, have been added. Additionally, 10 new boot styles from Adidas, NIKE, PUMA and Umbro have also been added.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution Delayed until August
Originally scheduled for a release in early 2011, Deus Ex: Human Revolution has been delayed until August 23.Square Enix explained it as a decision "to spend additional time to further polish our upcoming game, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, resulting in a shift in release timing from our prior plan of the current fiscal year to next fiscal year."
DUE OUT NEXT WEEK
Okamiden (Capcom) Rated E Nintendo DS
Okamiden is a single player action-adventure game for DS and DSi. Sequel to Capcom's critically acclaimed Okami, Okamiden is a whole new adventure that picks up where the original game left off and features an all-new new, but familiar hero in the form of the young deity Chibiterasu and integrates Japanese calligraphy and scroll paintings with the game's action-adventure and puzzle-solving gameplay mechanics. Additional features include the return of the franchises "Celestial Brush" game mechanic, an in-game partner system allowing players to join forces with AI characters, DS stylus and touchscreen driven action, interactive puzzle play and more.
Okamiden is a picturesque action adventure game for the Nintendo DS and DSi. Taking place a few months after the events of the original game, Okami, Okamiden follows the adventures of Chibiterasu - a young sun god who is summoned to protect the land. Following in the footsteps of its parent Amaterasu, the sun-god-turned-wolf in Okami, Chibiterasu takes the form of an adorable wolf pup for the mission ahead. Chibiterasu joins forces with a rich cast of characters to fight off a new threat that has leeched the world of its vibrant color again. Beyond the battles, Chibiterasu and buddies comes to realize their inner potential and accept the kinship that comes with being the children of great heroes and gods.
Top Spin 4 (2K Games) Rated E Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii
Adrenaline fills your veins, sweat pours down your face. Your heart is beating faster than should be humanly possible. It's all riding on this moment, this final serve that will determine your place in professional tennis history. With one last inhale, you smash the ball toward your opponent, silently hoping he fails to return the serve. The crowd sits silent for just another second or two and then erupts into a riotous roar. This is the world of tennis champions. This is Top Spin 4.
Get into the intensity and emotion of professional tennis by playing as any one of 25 pros from around the world, including Andre Agassi and Boris Becker. More than 4,000 Signature Style animations provide authentic player looks and actions complete with specific outfits, appearances, swing styles, behaviors and celebrations. Compete your way to the top in the in-depth Career mode and get carried away by the scintillating stadium atmosphere and enhanced TV-style presentation. Execute slices, drops, top spin shots, lob shots and serves with the innovative game controls that are satisfying for the experts and easy for beginners to use. In this high-intensity journey to become one of the greats, do you have what it takes?
Yakuza 4 (Sega) Rated M Playstation 3
Yakuza 4 is single player, third-person, Action-Adventure game exclusively for play on PlayStation 3. The fourth localized US release in the gritty Japanese Yakuza series, the game challenges players to rise or fall in a fictional representation of the Japanese criminal underworld. The game features mission based gameplay, street fighting combat, light RPG attributes and mini-games. Additional features include: four playable characters, character specific finishing moves, movie quality storylines and nearly all the content released in the original Japanese version, including in-game dating functionality.
Follow-up game to the widely praised PlayStation 3 exclusive Yakuza 3, Yakuza 4 recreates a realistic underground world of Tokyo and tasks the player to rise or fall in an intensely deep crime-action game where four men cross paths over a woman and dead man. No other gaming experience brings you this close to the mature themed realities of the Japanese criminal underworld - and you can only get it on PlayStation 3.
As with previous releases in the Yakuza game franchise, Yakuza 4 is a localized version of the original Japanese action-adventure release. The game is played predominantly from a third-person perspective and features a blend of mission-based gameplay, light RPG functionality and mini-games. Within the game players take on the role of four different characters as they literally fight their way through the Japanese underworld. Each of these characters has a different storyline, although these do overlap. Each also possesses a different fighting style. During street brawls characters gain or lose strength indicated by their on-screen meter. When this meter is full players gain access to finishing moves with which to defeat opponents. These moves are different from one character to the next. With success characters level up, gain access to new areas and can partake of a variety of rewards, including clubs where they will encounter women who they can socialize with. Additional features include: the new Chase battle mode, character specific side games and Japanese themed mini-games like pachinko, table tennis, karaoke and more.
God Eater Burst (D3 Publisher) Rated T PSP
God Eater Burst is a fast-paced survival action game that allows players to defeat and devour legions of hostile gods, called Aragami. Players will command the God Arc, a powerful weapon able to transform instantly in combat from sword, gun, and predator form which allows them to absorb the powers of the terrifying Aragami.
Top Shot Arcade (Activision) Rated T Nintendo Wii
Shootin' fun for everyone! Have a Blast in 4 player head-to-head arcade action! Enjoy non-stop laughs and the wildest shootin' action ever as you compete in 75 arcade style shootin' galleries and 15 over the top bonus games. Featuring 4 person head-to-head arcade style gameplay, this is the ultimate game for a party or family night.
MotoGP 10/11 (Capcom) Rated E Playstation 3
Moto GP 10/11 will bring fans the most authentic and realistic Moto GP experience of the series. Gamers will get all of the 2010 Moto GP season content and downloadable updates for the 2011 Moto GP championship shortly after the season starts. The all new handling system and improved physics in Moto GP 10/11 will deliver a level of authenticity never seen before in the GP series. The inclusion of the brand new customizable player assists feature allows fans of both simulation and arcade racing to alter their racing style. Those wanting to take less of a risk with their riding technique will be able to switch on the player assists for a more forgiving style of racing. For players who want to feel the full intensity of Moto GP racing, all the in-game player assists can be turned off delivering challenging and realistic gameplay that emulates the Moto GP experience. 'Career' mode will be complemented with the addition of brand new co-op play. Through local split-screen gameplay a second player can jump into the race and become a team mate, helping to take your team to pole position. The classic 'Championship' and 'Time Trial' modes are back along with a revised 'Challenge' mode. This year fans of the Moto GP will be able to play as their racing hero from the start in all three of these game modes. As with Moto GP 09/10, Moto GP 10/11 will continue to offer the most robust online mode in a racing title, allowing up to 20 players to compete in a Championship race. Gamers can choose their racing settings and join in mid-race with spectator mode to check out the competition before the race starts.
History Great Battles Medieval (Maximum Family Games) Rated T Xbox 360
HISTORY Great Battles Medieval is a Real Time Strategy game set during the Hundred Years' War. It features different conflicts between England and France and allows you to play as either the English or the French. The English campaign is designed for beginners and you have the opportunity to fight as the Black Prince or Henry V. The French campaign is for experienced players and allows you to command Joan of Arc or the King of France.
Jikandia: The Timeless Land (Aksys) Rated T Sony PSP
For thousands of years, the people of Jikandia were happy and peaceful, utterly ignorant of the concept of time. Then one day, uncountable hordes of dangerous creatures appeared, bringing chaos to Jikandia and setting the wheels of time turning once again. Plunged suddenly into this newly-temporal reality, the people of Jikandia fell into confusion, terror, and anarchy. In the midst of the mayhem gripping the land, an ancient spirit known as Temtem, hoping to restore peace and harmony to the troubled land, somehow gained mastery over time and space. With this new-found power, Temtem attempted to summon the nine heroes of legend. Nine kids on their way to school found themselves summoned through time and space to become the champions of Jikandia. However, only Al, who was separated from his friends while traveling through the void, appeared before Temtem. Neither of them knew what had happened to Al’s friends, but it soon become clear that Al had to find them, and right Jikandia's wrongs, if he was ever to return home. In Jikandia, you must travel through dungeons in search of your friends.
LEVEL UP’S HOT PICK OF THE WEEK
Homefront (THQ) Rated M Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Homefront is a first-person shooter that challenges players to survive and impact a fictional future scenario in which America has been economically devastated and occupied by a foreign power. In the face of overwhelming oppression, you must choose whether to submit to military forces, take the fight to the enemy or even throw your lot in with the invaders. Additional features include: a single player campaign written by Hollywood screenwriter John Milius, online multiplayer support for up to 32 players, ground and vehicular combat, and more.
The year is 2027, and the world as we know it is unraveling after fifteen years of economic meltdown and widespread global conflict over dwindling natural resources. A once proud America has fallen, her infrastructure shattered and military in disarray. To make matters worse, crippled by a devastating EMP strike, the USA is powerless to resist the ever expanding occupation of a savage, nuclear armed Greater Korean Republic. Abandoned by her former allies, the United States is a bleak landscape of walled towns and abandoned suburbs. This is a police state where high school stadiums have become detention centers, and shopping malls shelter armored attack vehicles. A once-free people are now prisoners... or collaborators... or revolutionaries.
Join the Resistance, stand united and fight for freedom against an overwhelming military force in Homefront's gripping single player campaign penned by John Milius ("Apocalypse Now," "Red Dawn"). Stand alongside a cast of memorable characters as an emotional plot unfolds in this terrifyingly plausible near-future world. Experience visceral, cinematic first-person shooter action as you fight your way across occupied USA using guerrilla tactics, and commandeer military vehicles and advanced drone technology to defeat the enemy.
Multiplayer support brings epic warfare to the online arena as infantry, tanks, attack helicopters and combat drones battle across huge, open battlefields. Homefront's rich feature set offering layers of tactical depth combined with a game-changing innovation in the multiplayer space sets a new benchmark in online warfare.
Reviews
Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds Rated T Playstation 3
While fighting games ruled the videogame roost in the 1990s they’ve taken a back seat to other types of games on the next-gen consoles.But Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds proves there’s still a lot of life left in the genre.MvC3 has been slimmed down somewhat since the last incarnation.The roster of available fighters to start has been pared down from 56 to 36, four of which are locked at the start of the game.More characters will be available to download.On one hand the reduced roster takes away characters like venom, Wear Machine, most of the X-Men on the Marvel side as well as Mega Man, Cammy, M. Bison, and Zangief on the Capcom side.But on the other hand, there’s the real feeling that you can actually win with any of the characters and there won’t be such a reliance on a handful of characters like in MvC2.The push is obviously here towards Marvel’s Avenger heroes with Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, and the Hulk all making the cut.And dozens more characters make cameo appearances.
The game has also been trimmed down in its controls going from a four-button attack system to a three-button system of light, medium, and heavy attacks. This serves to simplify the overall attack system without necessarily sacrificing any combo nuances. Larger, two-dimensional arenas feature three-dimensional background graphics and really help open up space. This helps to be able to plan attacks better rather than feel your opponent is on top of you ever step of the way. Even with the simplified attack system, triple digit combos are still pulled off when your Special Meter is filled and still a blast to see. The game even offers an even simpler attack mode for newbies where combos can be performed much more easily although with a bit of a reduced arsenal of movies. A new attack to launch your opponent into the air allows you to begin a combo with one character and then try to switch to another to finish the combo off, often with devastating effect. It really puts a smile on your face to pull these off.
It is the graphics that really suck you in from the time you fire the game up.The characters special moves are truly awesome to behold from Iron Man’s Repulsor rays to Dormammu’s spinning black hole, you can find yourself just getting hypnotized at the dazzling action taking place onscreen.As with the previous version you put together a team of three fighters to take on a rival team.You can switch between them throughout the round or call one in for a quick assist attack.This leads to what I call “tinkering time”.This is really where you begin to experiment with your combination of fighters, attacks, and defenses to see what works for you.Undoubtedly you’ll soon have your favorites.
The game offers two modes: Online and Offline.Offline you can play in Versus mode against another player, Arcade mode against the CPU, Training mode, and Mission Mode which is also essentially a training mode where you have to complete several types of moves and combos.There isn’t quite as much to the Arcade Mode as one might have hoped and it’s relatively easy to finish.There’s some sort of back-story there but not enough to dwell on.Of course this is a game that is made for online play.You can play in ranked and unranked matches.The game keeps a “license card” for each player that will keep track of player tendencies based on fighting style, record player points and total number of wins and losses, and allow players to see the positive and negative points of their play styles.You can create your own lobbies to invite your friends and even allow yourself to get challenges while you play Arcade Mode.Online play as been extremely smooth with very few glitches or disconnects.
Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds doesn’t reinvent the wheel by any means.But it has presented fighting game fans with a game that is absolutely a blast to play.
Grade: A-
Mindjack (Square Enix) Rated M Reviewed for Xbox 360
Mindjack offers a great cyber-punk concept and its one that I was thoroughly looking forward to but ultimately, poor gameplay mechanics sink what could have been an intriguing game. Its premise is certainly menacing to say the least…taking a cue from Ghost in the Shell you are able to send your consciousness out and literally hijack the minds of others and control them in a third-person style shooter play mode. Unfortunately we have a game that has come up with a good idea but didn’t really know what to do with it.
Set in the year 2031 when mega-corporations essentially rule the world, you play as Jim, an agent who is trying to infiltrate a particularly nasty corporation called NERKAS. You are joined by a female companion, Rebecca, who aids you in your efforts. Now, the one very cool element to Mindjack is that you can allow other players jump into your own campaign in a unique multi-player option to aid, or hinder you. They jump in and hack a mind and can be friend or foe. It’s fun to grab hold on an enemy’s mind and turn him into an ally…at the very worst they can make great human shields. You can even jump into the brain of a robot and control it as well. The notion of using innocent civilians as your mind-controlled pawns definitely has the grim futuristic feel to it. All good so far, but endless pitched gunfights filled with glitchy play soon overwhelms all the positive elements.
As far as being a shooter, the controls are basic…you have guns and grenades for weapons…you can dash, role, and duck for cover…and hack or un-hack minds with the L3 and R3 buttons. Problems arise immediately with control and video quirks. As you try to shoot an enemy from around a corner you’ll often find yourself spraying bullets uselessly into an invisible wall. Character movement is sluggish and stilted but then move like your dash and rolls often seem uncontrollable and you might just find yourself trying to duck for cover and leave yourself right out in the open for the enemy’s fire.
The control issues pale next to the horrendous AI. Enemy movements are repetitive and predictable and they’ll often just seem to move without any sense of purpose. Add that to respawns where several enemies pop up in the same spot in a mass of bodies. Despite the futuristic setting of Mindjack the visuals are drab and mostly uninspired.
The saving grace for Mindjack is the multi-player option. You can allow up to six players to “jump” into your game. Other players appear in the form of floating energy clouds. Blue energy clouds are friendly players and Red energy clouds are enemy players. They can hack into any of the numerous characters making your task much more challenging but also much more enjoyable than simply going it alone.
This isn’t a game I can recommend but if the developer, Feelplus, can clean up the technical issues, I’d still be interested in giving a sequel a try.
I have been waiting for Homefront...although, invasion from North Korea seems more than a bit unlikey. But hey, you never know. In the year 2027, I will be as old as some of the oldtimers that I see in the screenshots...ya know, the freedom fighters...or what we call, insurgents, today.
Thats sad news about having to wait even more for the new Deus Ex game, but if they are going to make it look and work even better im all for it!
Homefront does look sweet, but im nervous to jump on it right when it comes out. I think i will pick it up after hearing reviews and maybe even wait till its used at gamestop.
Only country that would have even the slightest chance of invading us if they had a full standing military that was as good as ours would be Canada. Becasue of the size of the size of the border they have to us. Mexico wouldnt work because their border is like a bottle neck and would be easy to defend and push back. Any sort of sea or air invasion on us by a foreign nation would be nearly impossible, unless they sent everything at once and then they may have a small chance of success.
Jedi...I am trying to get a copy of Dragon Age II from EA but they've told me that the copies have been limited so i should know by next week. I did get Homefront and should have something up on that within a couple of weeks.
Cool man...cool! I was gonna look into DA2, as well...loved the first one. I was hoping for a sav game transfer on this one, like ME2...but...it wasn't meant to be. Jedi, you are right about this column...great work!!
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I have been waiting for Homefront...although, invasion from North Korea seems more than a bit unlikey. But hey, you never know. In the year 2027, I will be as old as some of the oldtimers that I see in the screenshots...ya know, the freedom fighters...or what we call, insurgents, today.