Disney Universe Trailer and Screens | E3 2011

As promised, we'd be back with more individual posts about the unique line-up of games from the Disney camp this year. Three specifically are high up on our radar, but we've saved the next few lines of white-space for the likes of Disney Universe.  Unveiled at E3 2011, this all new property, at first glance, sounds like some sort of casual MMO or something along those lines. But in reality, it feels more like Disney versions of the ever-popular LEGO series of family-friendly titles.  In fact, I believe players will feel right at home in the easily approachable genre, that's also good pull for more mature gamers.  I'm a huge Disney fan, and after playing through with some quick drop-in coop (same screen); with the Disney folks, I immediately added it to my wishlist.  I love when a game comes out o left-field that you just didn't expect, and quickly finds a place atop the (ever growing) list of titles upcoming.

Disney Universe mixes Characters and worlds from various animated and live-action Disney movies, such as The Lion King, Tron, Monsters Inc, and others as you explore their unique themed worlds.  You can collect and be different characters throughout as well and pull from their respective repertoire of special moves and animations, all infused with that trademark Disney fun and life.

Embedded below is the launch trailer of the new series from Disney Interactive Studios.  The title will be available this Fall for Xbox, PlayStation, Wii, and PC/Mac. 



See after the break for more screenshots and artwork

LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game

Just in time before this summer's 5th most-anticipated movie, Pirates of the Caribbean, comes the video game counter-part to be released on May 10th.  Well, if that's still too long to wait to see some swashbuckling action; starting today you can play the demo of said new Lego game on Xbox Live (I hear the PSN is having some issues, so they won't have the demo available).

If you've played any of the LEGO games, they're a fun time for all ages, I always get a kick out of the simple gameplay, and the quirky telling of the source material, it's always fun.  In many cases, these games are better than most serious video-game adaptations of a summer blockbuster (Matrix, Iron Man, Kung Fu Panda, you get the idea).

Check it out, LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game will be available on May 10th, on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PC, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS and Sony PSP.  Whew.

In other news, the movie will be in theatres on May 20th.

Prey on these new screens from Prey 2

Bethesda has been putting out new content faster than we can post; bad for my carpel tunnel, but good for us gamers!  Here's the latest from the upcoming sequel to the 2006 Prey.  Bethesda took over publishing duties from 2K, while developer Human Head Studios continues as lead on the project.  The first title was a critically praised but took a while for it to truly become successful.  It's not a game most people remember as a stand-out from 2006 (same year as the Epic release Gears of War).

I personally never had a chance to play it, I tried the demo that I liked (it even included pre-Portal-like teleportation game-play devices that truly set the game a part); I think now I'll have to pick up a copy on the cheap and give it a whirl before the upcoming sequel.  Here's to the current gaming drought that allows to play catch-up.

Take a look at the new screens and let us know what you think.

SSX is FINALLY coming out!

One of the lesser pieces of info to come out of the VGA's last weekend (lesser only since the mega-jackpot of Elder Scrolls V is killer!), was the announcement of EA's SSX re-boot "SSX: Deadly Descents".  No, this isn't a new genre-bending Snowboard-Survival-Horror game (though, what a grand idea, I think I'll patent that); this is the re-imagining/re-boot/re-start of the incredible PS2 launch title that helped define a generation.

Originally put out on EA's BIG label (now, I'm pretty sure that's defunct); if you had a PlayStation 2, you probably played, SSX, SSX Tricky, or even the full-mountain-spanning SSX 3!  All where phenomenal games, in the same vein of the Tony Hawk series (but way better).  Each new installment added new moves, features, and no-loading, that continued to up the ante.

Then they disappeared...no SSX games since 2005 (if you say the SSX Blur for Wii, we don't count that one); but just announced a few days ago, EA Canada is once-again taking the reigns to bring us an all-new mountain adventure, of sick snowboarding.  If you're not jazzed, check yo-self!

SSX: Deadly Descents will be available for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360; no release date is known yet. 

New Blur trailer

Former Microsoft-exclusive developer Bizarre Creations is working on wrapping up their latest racing creation, in the form of Blur; this time published by Activision.  A new take on the standard racing career formula, this new game will blur the lines between realistic racing action, and the arcade-like fun found in any of the "Kart" games.

You won't just race around a track, attempting to out-drive your opponents; you'll have access to an assortment of power-ups, including shooting other cars with bursts of energy, boosting your speed, and more.  From looking at the video below, you'll see some of these examples.  I get the feeling it's going to be a cross between their own Project Gotham series, injecting a storyline from the Need For Speed games, and polishing up with the action from a Mario Kart.

Check out the latest trailer showcasing the development team talking about their latest (bizarre) creation.




Blur will be available this spring on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC

Dante's Inferno Super Bowl Spot ; Pre-Super Bowl

Be the first on your block to check out the upcoming 30-second Super Bowl spot for the exciting Dante's Inferno set to the musical track; "Ain't no sunshine when she's gone".  This is EA's first foray into the highly lucrative (and highly expensive) Super Bowl time slot.  Other than the internet, you will not be able to see this anywhere until Sunday, February 7th.  Don't risk not being able to see it, if CBS doesn't give the green-light!  You can check it out right here.

Enjoy




Dante's Inferno is available February 9th on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and the PSP

Is Mass Effect 2 an Xbox 360 exclusive?

So almost 1 year ago to the day, my house was broken into. You see, the little ne'er-do-gooder made off with some pretty nice stuff, my LCD TV, our laptop, and by shock, my Xbox 360. (They failed to take my PS3 though, strange?) Anyhow, in the disc-tray of my Xbox 360 was my copy of Mass Effect, probably about a third of the way into the game. Because of these unfortunate events, I've not gone back and played Mass Effect, but I've been told I need to.

Well cut to current day and we have news of Mass Effect 2 and it's imminent release in 'early 2010' as a "sorta" Xbox 360 timed exclusive. If Matt Atwood is to believed, (and he IS from BioWare), he says "I believe we'll be Xbox 360 exclusive for at least a short period of time. We're still working out the details on that, but we've had a great relationship with Microsoft and done very well."

That being said, I'll have to go back and finish the first game before I can even worry about this. Exclusivity or not.

Do you feel it's necessary for consoles to have exclusive games? Without it, I fear we'd all get along too much. Be sure to check out the Teaser Trailer below.

Why, oh why, does the PC get a Street Fighter 4/MadCats joypad bundle

Answer me this Capcom!!! Being the only fan of fighting games in Fungdark, I have been holding off on raving about Street Fighter 4, mainly because of the flaming to be receive shortly afterwards.

But here it is, almost 2 weeks after Capcom's Street Fighter 4 was released, I have logged a hefty 20 hours into brushing up on skills lost, unlocking characters and fighting people from all over.

My only gripe about the game is trying to perform an ultra combo repeatedly to finish my opponent, but the Xbox controller just won't recognize the move sequence. Shortly before the release of this game MadCatz release a couple fighter friendly entries in the form of a joypad and two joysticks.

Now these releases could not have come at a better time, but the price tag on the joysticks and the lack of bundles were just not incentive enough for me to save my thumbs from cramps and pains. Just a couple weeks too late, Capcom stated they are considering a bundle which includes the PC version of the game along with the MadCatz fighting joypad.

Thanks a lot Capcom, at least it was not a Playstation 3 exclusive.