7 posts tagged “xbox 360”
Just watch - I'm pretty speechless.
UPDATE - Multiple sources state that this project is a DLC extension to Halo 3 - essentially 'another act' in the campaign to download. The Halo story arc hasn't finished yet! Rumoured date for release is 06/01/09.
UPDATE 2 - Rumours say that this is indeed a sequel to Halo 3 (probably connected to the planet seen at the end of the Halo 3 cliffhanger) but is a squad based shooter (similar to Gears of War). Interestingly, it seems that this won't be DLC, but a whole new retail title. A Bungie spokesperson said to IGN - "We're always looking at ways to further expand and improve the Halo 3 experience, but there are currently no plans for an update to add new campaign content."
Following the recent release of the 'Cagney' pack on Xbox 360 and PS3, adding extra challenges and online modes, the Davis pack will be released within the month. This pack, as you may know, adds a full day/night and dynamic weather cycle, and for the first time ever in Burnout - motorcycles.
Here's a video (from GameTrailers) showing the new features of the new pack.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39268.html
Coming this November, little is known about this title, besides the fact that it's going back to the original roots of the franchise - illegal street racing.
A must-play sequel revealed! Trust us, you'll want to know about it. Every detail next month - watch oxm.co.uk for news!
Interesting...
The above words come from the next-week-preview of OXM UK magazine. So basically, now we know that Halo 4, Assassin's Creed 2, the next Rainbow Six, Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, Crackdown 2, Forza 3 and/or PGR5 will be announced tomorrow night at 5.30 pm. Or, not.
If you want to watch the Microsoft Press Briefing LIVE in HD (paid membership only, otherwise SD) direct from LA, use IGN's Livewire.
As promised, the next Call of Duty title, this time made by Treyarch (Call of Duty 3) and set back in the second world war but explores more of the darker areas of the battle, has been revealed. Here are the main details:
"This is a scarier Call of Duty than we've ever seen" - Mark Lamir, Treyarch President
While set in the second world war, the game will now explore areas not seen before on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It'll be set in the Pacific and will be focused more on survival rather than team-based warfare (while the latter still occurs). Now, Call of Duty 3 didn't go down well, mainly because it was shifted out in under a year. However, this [CoD: WAW] has been on the top of Treyarch's priority list and has been in active development since June 2006, four months before Call of Duty 3 even shipped. Also, if anyone is concerned about graphical capability, Infinity Ward has licensed the Call of Duty 4 engine "Proprietary" to Treyarch. Looking at the game, it has some of the sharpest graphics seen in a World War 2 shooter - very eery, dark and gloomy in places. A demo of the game was shown named "Maken Raid". It began with a torture scene and the execution of an American Prisoner of War with a katana to the throat while the player attempts to stop it while being tied up. Immediately you know that this game is probably the first one to reveal the true horror of war.
Destructible environments are here, with bullet-shred bamboo huts which collapse providing new entrances to new areas. Then a sequence of escaping through a jungle as silently as possible with beams of light passing above you and rain-soaked leaves surrounding you along with 96 channels of audio detailing the realism of the scene. While most people may be accustomed to World War II games, this one is like no others and provides a new, disturbing experience and viewpoint into the constant terror of the Pacific in WWII.
Taking a new turn on the WWII genre, certain missions require you to be stealthy and because of this you can now swim on the surface of water and under it. Which means, for example, you can be lurking at the edge of a guard post in a river and pull an enemy into the water to get into the base.
Of course, a new game equals new weapons and the most interesting addition is that of a flamethrower. Add that to the forest surroundings and you've got some good resistance. You wanna torch the undergrowth and cause a forest fire to clean out any hidden enemies? Sure, go ahead - (For fans of Return to Castle Wolfenstein, you'll probably recognise the flamethrower's design as it is based directly on it). But with 96 channels of audio spitting out terrifying sounds of burning vegetation and screaming soldiers as they burn, along with their melting faces - with added realism on this scale, you know you certainly won't be sleeping with a clean conscious.
"The only thing you don't get is the smell of burning flesh. The team felt from a game perspective they needed to approach these themes and they didn't shy away. Activision has supported us. It's scary for everybody to do something different, but that's what we're doing. Redefining it. We are very mindful of being respectful when it comes to portraying that - it's not just gore and violence for its own sake, but reflects what veterans have told us and the actual history." - Treyarch Producers.
Along with the campaign, for the first time, a 4 player co-op mode will be added and can be utilised over split-screen, system link and Xbox Live/Playstation Network. Additionally, the ranking and perk systems from CoD4: MW make a welcome return and are now more integrated with the single player experience too, not just multiplayer. Certain vehicle missions appear, notably a PBY Catalina search and rescue plane and a dramatic bombing on Japanese Aircraft carriers.
And it's not just the American assault - there's going to be a Russian campaign too, yet details are scarce on this at the moment.
Additionally, the party mode in multiplayer makes a comeback and this time it's a little more advanced. The leader of the party can now issue orders to team-mates corresponding with their map and/or HUD and can even promote certain team-members for extra abilities. This title looks very promising and certainly won't disappoint. Some might say it'll be bigger, better and more badass. Where have I heard that before?
"That was actually the kind of scary shit they encountered" - Mark Lamir, Treyarch president.
Source: Official Xbox Magazine UK (www.oxm.co.uk)
Game Informer magazine in the US has just been released and it includes some new juicy information about Gears of War 2 for the Xbox 360. Obviously, I'm in the UK so I can't read it. However, someone on the NeoGaf forums has, and this is what they have to say.
The following was posted on the NeoGaf forums, just moments ago:
About some of the Characters (from NeoGAF):
"Tai Kaliso: While Cole and Baird are still a big part of the story, they won't be attached to Delta Squad as the new game opens. The reunion with those popular characters will have some lead up first, and until then, you'll be meeting some new personalities. The most memorable of these new additions may be Tai, a spiritual and meditative warrior from a tradition of honor-bound fighters. This familiar archetype should add a fun and perhaps mystical dynamic to the squad."
"Chairman Prescott: Lots of gamers found themselves wondering if Marcus' domineering superior officer was the head of the human government. It turns out that Hoffman is only second in command. Above him stands the Chairman, an almost dictatorial military leader who nonetheless has made the hard choices necessary to keep humanity alive through decades of warfare. As Gears 2 opens, this leader of the COG forces will deliver a speech to the troops before sending them reeling into the suicidal mission ahead."
"Dizzy: In the seemingly unending struggle with the Locust Horde, the military forces of the COG have taken massive casualties. Somewhere along the way, Operation Lifeboat was enacted to bring in some fresh blood. Under this new act, the Coalition government will rescue a Stranded family and bring them into the relative story of a COG-protected zone. In return, the able-bodied men of that family join up and contribute their skills to the war effort. Such is the case with hardened soldier Dizzy, a new character who drives the massive Derrick on which Delta Squad ascends into the mountains. With a trademark drawl and an insistence on calling his truck "Betty", he's a colorful new addition to the cast."
"Maria Santiago: When Emergence Day struck, Dom's wife Maria became a victim as surely as if she had died in that first attack. On that day, her children were killed. Unable to deal with the shock and loss, Maria lost herself in the ruins of civilization. For Dominic, who joined the COG to protect his family, no priority is higher than to retrieve his lost love - his very personal quest to find her is a major part of the story that unfolds in Gears 2."
"Tai Kaliso: While Cole and Baird are still a big part of the story, they won't be attached to Delta Squad as the new game opens. The reunion with those popular characters will have some lead up first, and until then, you'll be meeting some new personalities. The most memorable of these new additions may be Tai, a spiritual and meditative warrior from a tradition of honor-bound fighters. This familiar archetype should add a fun and perhaps mystical dynamic to the squad."
"Chairman Prescott: Lots of gamers found themselves wondering if Marcus' domineering superior officer was the head of the human government. It turns out that Hoffman is only second in command. Above him stands the Chairman, an almost dictatorial military leader who nonetheless has made the hard choices necessary to keep humanity alive through decades of warfare. As Gears 2 opens, this leader of the COG forces will deliver a speech to the troops before sending them reeling into the suicidal mission ahead."
"Dizzy: In the seemingly unending struggle with the Locust Horde, the military forces of the COG have taken massive casualties. Somewhere along the way, Operation Lifeboat was enacted to bring in some fresh blood. Under this new act, the Coalition government will rescue a Stranded family and bring them into the relative story of a COG-protected zone. In return, the able-bodied men of that family join up and contribute their skills to the war effort. Such is the case with hardened soldier Dizzy, a new character who drives the massive Derrick on which Delta Squad ascends into the mountains. With a trademark drawl and an insistence on calling his truck "Betty", he's a colorful new addition to the cast."
"Maria Santiago: When Emergence Day struck, Dom's wife Maria became a victim as surely as if she had died in that first attack. On that day, her children were killed. Unable to deal with the shock and loss, Maria lost herself in the ruins of civilization. For Dominic, who joined the COG to protect his family, no priority is higher than to retrieve his lost love - his very personal quest to find her is a major part of the story that unfolds in Gears 2."
- "We were shown a vast underground cave level wherein Marcus and his companions will take the fight to the Locust. Unlike the sometimes cramped and and linear subterranean paths from the first game, the cavern complex is vast and breathtaking. Branching levels and open spaces give players true tactical choices as they decide which way to tackle an assault. Whatever path you choose, bio-luminescent plants light light the faces of the new Locust Kantus enemies. These monk-like devils hum low and droning chants that can be focused into sonic attacks against you. They wield weapons like the new Gorgon burst pistol and poison grenades, both of which can become part of your arsenal if you play your cards right. However, the Kantus' true danger lies in their ability to revive their fallen brethren from afar. Where before you could rest easy after taking down an enemy soldier, now there is the constant danger of them rising back up to continue to fight. The only alternative is to brave the hail of gunfire to break through enemy ranks and kill the Kantus sulking in the rear. Along the way, you may not have access to stable cover anymore, so you'll have to make do with the moving kind. Massive Locust rock worms will emerge from the cavern walls during battle, guided by the Kantus' chanting. Luckily, the creatures are so large you can hide behind them as they slither about, and you too will be able to guide them to an advantageous firing position."
- "We want to fulfill the promise - it is a war. It's more than just these four guys. The first game felt very personal, and in a lot of ways that was good," senior producer Rod Fergusson tells us. However, it's clear from our time with the team that Gears 2 will shoot for a much larger conflict. "In order to save Jacinto, they have no choice but to take the war to the Locust," Fergusson continues. "They're going to push back and go underground, and bring the battle to them."
- The team at Epic is well aware that many players out there hunger for a deeper and more involved storytelling experience. Lots of emotion this time. Joshua Ortega has been brought on, he is a novelist / comic writer. Really sounds like they are working a lot on the story. Sense of depth with the characters. A "darker and more heartfelt narrative."
We want to fulfill the promise - it is a war. It's more than just these four guys. The first game felt very personal, and in a lot of ways that was good," senior producer Rod Fergusson tells us. However, it's clear from our time with the team that Gears 2 will shoot for a much larger conflict. "In order to save jacinto, they have no choice but to take the war to the Locust," Fergusson continues. "They're going to push back and go underground, and bring the battle to them."
Seems interesting. Expect much more information on this soon.
Edit - If you want to see the full thing, here's the article in it's entirety:
Lots of talk about the new Unreal tech. GI says the story and gameplay are a pretty major leap forward from the original game, but an equally large step is being made in the behind-the-scenes tech. Gears 2 is set to impress just like Gears 1 did. New character lighting, it's a step away from realistic lighting and towards cinematic lighting. New version of Unreal 3 constantly shifts the lighting technique in order to make a character stand out in the environment. Ambient occlusion is another tech being used. Unreal's new ability to render huge numbers of individual creatures at the same time... hundereds of Locust troops, each moving independently and as unique individuals. Awesome water effects, soft body physics.
Most multiplayer details are under wraps. There is a remake of Gridlock. Step up in technology is obvious. "We hear hints of all sorts of new multiplayer features, from dramatically expanded co-op modes to multiplayer content that takes advantage of Unreal's new ability to deliver huge numbers of the Locust horde at one time, but confirmed details will have to wait until a later date."
"Gameplay of Gears 2 will appear mostly familiar to fans, with a few small variations. The core cover/shoot mechanics remain largely intact, but the use of cover has been carefully retouched so it will be harder to get hit while protected, as the character will rest a little further back from the corners. Active reloads won't be dramatically altered, particularly with the returning weapons. However, some of the new arsenal may vary the way in whihc active reloads are used. New chainsaw duels expand that gruesome combat mechanic to deliver even more excitement. Boss battles return, but a big push is geared towards refining them, making them more fun and epic in scale.
"We have creatures that make the Brumak look like a baby panda bear." -Cliff Bleszinski
Drop in and drop out co-op.
Multiple save files to maintain the integrity of each playthrough without abandoning your other attempts.
Gears 2 will have different difficulty settings for each player in co-op. One person can play on Hardcore, one on Casual, for instance. When you are together, the game will understand what that means, and when you split up, you will have individual experiences. Details on how this works exactly are under wraps.
A fourth difficulty is being added for the most casual gamers. Harder difficulty settings will remain "truly devastating." They say Casual in the first game wasn't casual enough. This way everyone who wants to pick up the controller will be embraced.
COG Centaur tank. Takes the best parts of a monster truck and a military tank and combines them. There's a dedicated level where you'll pilot one.
"We were shown a vast underground cave level wherin Marcus and his companions will take the fight to the Locust. Unlike the sometimes cramped and and linear subterranean paths from the first game, the cavern complex is vast and breathtaking. Branching levels and open spaces give players true tactical choices as they decide which way to tackle an assault. Whatever path you choose, bio-luminescent plants light light the faces of the new Locust Kantus enemies. These monk-like devils hum low and droning chants that can be focused into sonic attacks against you. They wield weapons like the new Gorgon burst pistol and poison grenades, both of which can become part of your arsenal if you play your cards right. However, the Kantus' true danger lies in their ability to revive their fallen bretheren from afar. Where before you could rest easy after taking down an enemy soldier, now there is the constant danger of them rising back up to continue to fight. The only alternative is to brave the hail of gunfire to break through enemy ranks and kill the Kantus sulking in the rear. Along the way, you may not have access to stable cover anymore, so you'll have to make do with the moving kind. Massive Locust rock worms will emerge from the cavern walls during battle, guided by the Kantus' chanting. Luckily, the creatures are so large you can hide behind them as they sliter about, and you too will be able to guide them to an advantageous firing position."
The team at Epic is well aware that many players out there hunger for a deeper and more involved storytelling experience. Lots of emotion this time. Joshua Ortega has been brought on, he is a novelist / comic writer. Really sounds like they are working a lot on the story. Sense of depth with the characters. A "darker and more heartfelt narrative." "THE STAKES ARE RAISED. THIS IS HUMANITY'S LAST STAND. EVERYTHING IS AT RISK. NOTHING IS SAFE." -Joshua Ortega
Voice actors returning include John DiMaggio as Marcus Fenix, and Carlos Ferro as Dominic Santiago. They will be recording the dialogue side by side, more authentic this way.
Forced walking scenes that masked loading time have been replaced with a dynamic conversation camera system - focused facial close ups, shifting dramatic angles, but the player is still in control. There is a "SHUT UP" button that will let you have Marcus end the conversation early and get back to the action.
"There's a certain percentage of the audience that wants to skip all that, and they just want to shoot some s---, and we're more than willing to cater to that." -Cliff Bleszinski
There are collectibles that are relevant to the story. COG tags can be examined to learn about who owned them. War Journal from the pause screen shows your collectibles and what you're missing, and the locations to search for them.
Many Achievements will be able to be earned in Single or Multiplayer. You can check for instance, if you need 1,000 headshots, you can look at your progress in the journal.
Your floating robot has a video screen now, so Anya can give you mission updates face to face.
"Gears of War 2 is real, and it looks every bit as formidable and impressive as we hoped. It's bigger and better than before, and the people making it are insistent that you'll be playing it in its entirety in just over half a year." -Game Informer
Most multiplayer details are under wraps. There is a remake of Gridlock. Step up in technology is obvious. "We hear hints of all sorts of new multiplayer features, from dramatically expanded co-op modes to multiplayer content that takes advantage of Unreal's new ability to deliver huge numbers of the Locust horde at one time, but confirmed details will have to wait until a later date."
"Gameplay of Gears 2 will appear mostly familiar to fans, with a few small variations. The core cover/shoot mechanics remain largely intact, but the use of cover has been carefully retouched so it will be harder to get hit while protected, as the character will rest a little further back from the corners. Active reloads won't be dramatically altered, particularly with the returning weapons. However, some of the new arsenal may vary the way in whihc active reloads are used. New chainsaw duels expand that gruesome combat mechanic to deliver even more excitement. Boss battles return, but a big push is geared towards refining them, making them more fun and epic in scale.
"We have creatures that make the Brumak look like a baby panda bear." -Cliff Bleszinski
Drop in and drop out co-op.
Multiple save files to maintain the integrity of each playthrough without abandoning your other attempts.
Gears 2 will have different difficulty settings for each player in co-op. One person can play on Hardcore, one on Casual, for instance. When you are together, the game will understand what that means, and when you split up, you will have individual experiences. Details on how this works exactly are under wraps.
A fourth difficulty is being added for the most casual gamers. Harder difficulty settings will remain "truly devastating." They say Casual in the first game wasn't casual enough. This way everyone who wants to pick up the controller will be embraced.
COG Centaur tank. Takes the best parts of a monster truck and a military tank and combines them. There's a dedicated level where you'll pilot one.
"We were shown a vast underground cave level wherin Marcus and his companions will take the fight to the Locust. Unlike the sometimes cramped and and linear subterranean paths from the first game, the cavern complex is vast and breathtaking. Branching levels and open spaces give players true tactical choices as they decide which way to tackle an assault. Whatever path you choose, bio-luminescent plants light light the faces of the new Locust Kantus enemies. These monk-like devils hum low and droning chants that can be focused into sonic attacks against you. They wield weapons like the new Gorgon burst pistol and poison grenades, both of which can become part of your arsenal if you play your cards right. However, the Kantus' true danger lies in their ability to revive their fallen bretheren from afar. Where before you could rest easy after taking down an enemy soldier, now there is the constant danger of them rising back up to continue to fight. The only alternative is to brave the hail of gunfire to break through enemy ranks and kill the Kantus sulking in the rear. Along the way, you may not have access to stable cover anymore, so you'll have to make do with the moving kind. Massive Locust rock worms will emerge from the cavern walls during battle, guided by the Kantus' chanting. Luckily, the creatures are so large you can hide behind them as they sliter about, and you too will be able to guide them to an advantageous firing position."
The team at Epic is well aware that many players out there hunger for a deeper and more involved storytelling experience. Lots of emotion this time. Joshua Ortega has been brought on, he is a novelist / comic writer. Really sounds like they are working a lot on the story. Sense of depth with the characters. A "darker and more heartfelt narrative." "THE STAKES ARE RAISED. THIS IS HUMANITY'S LAST STAND. EVERYTHING IS AT RISK. NOTHING IS SAFE." -Joshua Ortega
Voice actors returning include John DiMaggio as Marcus Fenix, and Carlos Ferro as Dominic Santiago. They will be recording the dialogue side by side, more authentic this way.
Forced walking scenes that masked loading time have been replaced with a dynamic conversation camera system - focused facial close ups, shifting dramatic angles, but the player is still in control. There is a "SHUT UP" button that will let you have Marcus end the conversation early and get back to the action.
"There's a certain percentage of the audience that wants to skip all that, and they just want to shoot some s---, and we're more than willing to cater to that." -Cliff Bleszinski
There are collectibles that are relevant to the story. COG tags can be examined to learn about who owned them. War Journal from the pause screen shows your collectibles and what you're missing, and the locations to search for them.
Many Achievements will be able to be earned in Single or Multiplayer. You can check for instance, if you need 1,000 headshots, you can look at your progress in the journal.
Your floating robot has a video screen now, so Anya can give you mission updates face to face.
Quote:
A SLICE OF ACTION. As seen in the second level of Gears of War 2, Assault. The sun-dappled pine forests are in stark contrast to the roiling convoy of human machinery as it rolls up the pristine mountain pass. Fenix and his squad stand atop their massive wheeled transport. Dizzy, the driver of their derrick, is shouting curses over the roar of the engine. As a breathtaking valley vista opens up to the west, the first mortar slams into a nearby derrick, leaving behind a flaming husk. The flying nemacyst and their explosive assaults are only the spear point of the Locust defense. After some near misses, the derrick tunbles off the dirst road and stalls. An emergence hole opens up nearby and Locust infantry begin to pour out. Firing wildly, Marcus and his team push back the assault. Even as Dizzy gets the truck running, a Brumak appears and gives chase. Crashing headlong throught he cracking and snapping trees, Dizzy forces the derrick into high gear, even as the transport across the way is overrun. Leaping from their new attack platform, enemy troops attempt to board, and Marcus rushes out from cover to curb stomp the assailants. Ahead, in the distance, a narrow bridge stands, wide enough for only one vehicle. The Locust driver sneers and speeds up his derrick as the drop into the gorge up ahead looms large. |
"Gears of War 2 is real, and it looks every bit as formidable and impressive as we hoped. It's bigger and better than before, and the people making it are insistent that you'll be playing it in its entirety in just over half a year." -Game Informer
Sources: GameInformer, NeoGaf, Xbox 360 Fanboy
Yes, if you're planning on posting a comment saying something along the lines of 'dude, this is 2 days old' please see my 'London' post :D.
Broadcast, Creek, Chinatown and Killhouse are all now available exclusively from the Xbox Live Marketplace for 800 points. That's £6.80 basically. Here's a quick summary of the price for major countries:
| USD |  | $10.00 |
| GBP |  | £6.80 |
| EURO |  | €9.30 |
| CAD |  | $12.79 |
| AUD |  | $13.20 |
| JPY |  | Y 1184 |
| CHF |  | 17.12 CHF |
| NOK |  | 65.60 NOK |
These maps are ONLY available on the Xbox 360 at the moment. They'll become available on the PC and PlayStation Network in June 2008 for similar prices, I assume (PC maps should be free, but nothing's been confirmed yet).
