Ubisoft has inked a deal with another big time developer to implement one of their characters into AC: Brotherhood as a playable character. To find out who it is, hit the jump.

BOOM!!! IT'S RAIDEN!

A tipster has sent JoyStiq images revealing Raiden as a playable character in the upcoming Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood title. The tipster claims that the Raiden “outfit” is unlocked after completing all the tasks in the Animus’ new “virtual training” mode. Wow, this is really a surprise guest appearance, but one that should make MGS fans happy. Look out for Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood on November 16.

• Metal Gear Solid: Rising Coming in 3D – Watch the New TGS Demonstration
• Metal Gear Solid RISING Could be the Start of a New Series
• Five O’Clock Fan Art: Raiden
• Hideo Kojima Says He Would Have Made Metal Gear Rising Slower and More “Bushido”
• Hideo Kojima Talks Metal Gear Solid 5 in Upcoming Interview
• Five O’Clock Fan Art: Raiden Rising

That’s right Halo: Reach fanatics, after all the hard work we’ve put in to complete 117 million daily and weekly challenges, the Reach max level cap has finally been lifted.

With the max level cap lifted, Reach players can now move on to Commander, General, Brigader, etc. and now there’s new armor that has been unlocked. Now what are you waiting for? Get back to Reach and unlock that bad-ass helmet you’ve been waiting for!

• New Halo: Reach Details Announced
• Halo: Reach Release Date Announced
• Burn Blue In Halo Reach as Bungie Celebrates 20th Anniversary
• Bungie’s Next Game Coming To All Consoles and PC Online?
• Insane Halo: Reach Aerial Kill (Video)
• Halo: Reach First Map Pack Drops Nov. 30th – Maps Detailed with Pictures

This week’s highlights in new game releases include the GoldenEye 007 remake for the Wii, James Bond 007: Blood Stone, God of War: Ghost of Sparta for the PSP, and of course, the Kinect hardware for the 360 with launch games including MotionSports and Joy Ride.

Pick of the Week: GoldenEye 007 (Wii)

Xbox 360:

• Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2
• MegaMind: Ultimate Showdown
• Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage
• Fist of the North Star Musou
• Blood Drive
• James Bond 007: Blood Stone
• Auditorium
• MotionSports
• Kinect
• Sonic Free Riders
• Fighters Uncaged
• JoyRide
• Kinectimals
• Kinect Adventures
• Your Shape: Fitness Evolved
• Dance Central

PS3:

• Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2
• MegaMind: Ultimate Showdown
• Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage
• Fist of the North Star Musou
• Blood Drive
• James Bond 007: Blood Stone
• Hoard
• Auditorium
• MAG: Escalation

Wii:

• PokePark Wii Pikachu’s Great Adventure
• Robox
• Minute to Win It
• GoldenEye 007
• MegaMind: Mega Team Unite
• The Amazing Race
• Wheel of Fortune
• Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011
• The Biggest Loser Challenge
• Babysitting Mama

PC:

• James Bond 007: Blood Stone

PS2:

• PES 2011

DS:

• Intellivision Lives
• Hello Kitty Party
• Atari’s Greatest Hits: Volume 1
• Busy Scissors
• James Bond 007: Blood Stone
• GoldenEye 007
• Megamind: The Blue Defender

PSP:

• God of War: Ghost of Sparta
• Megamind: The Blue Defender
• PES 2011
• Ys: The Oath in Felghana
• EyePet

• Watch Kinect’s First Batch of TV Commercials (Video)
• Kinect Star Wars Announces Five New Modes, Dance Like C-3P0 April 3
• The Xbox 360 Kinect Reps Itself with Two Super Bowl XLVI Ads
• Mass Effect 3 Has Facebook Features to Unlock XBL Avatar Items
• Rumors Say The Next Xbox Will Play Blu-rays, But Not Used Games
• Darth Vader Goes to Bat in Latest Kinect Star Wars Commercial

Although the game isn’t out until February, Sony has announced the Killzone 3 “Helghast Edition” which will run you $130 and will come packed with a mini Helghast helmet.

Other collectibles and bonuses that come packed inside the helmet include a 6.5-inch Cloaking Helghast Marksman action figure, bonus video content, an art book, and a “Super Voucher.” The voucher includes a download of the Killzone 3 soundtrack, a PS3 dynamic theme, a Retro Map Pack with two maps from Killzone 2, and double XP and full access to weapons and abilities for the first 24 hours of multiplayer.

Again, the “Helghast Edition” is gonna run you more than double what the game costs alone. I don’t know how many Killzone fans will actually buy the bundle, unless they’ve just got plenty of money to blow or just huge Killzone fans. I mean the perks that come with it are pretty sweet, but $130? I’ll be content with just spending the $60 for the game itself.

Oh, and didn’t Halo 3 come in a “Legendary Edition” that featured a mini Spartan helmet? I thought so. You can’t blame Sony for trying, but if you wanna know my opinion, Killzone will never be Halo. No matter how much Sony wants it to be.

• Rumor: Killzone 3 Details Coming in “Next Few Months”
• Sony is Porting Killzone to the PSN. Sorry, No HD
• Sony: 50m PS3s Sold, 8m Moves Shipped, Sharp Shooter Selling Well
• RipTen Review: Killzone 3
• Killzone 3 Single Player Demo Out February 16
• 2011: A Look into the Future of Video Games

For the third year in the row, EA has been hit with “seasonal roll-offs” during the holiday season and reportedly as many as 100 employees have been affected by the lay-offs, with EA Canada and EA Black Box both specifically being named.

Here’s what Jeff Brown, EA Corporate Communication Spokesperson,  had to say:

“As you know, seasonal roll-offs that follow game launches are common and vital to maintaining a healthy business. Because so many of our games ship in the holiday quarter, the team size adjustments tend to follow in the same timeframe. However, EA is growing and several of our studios are looking to hire talented people.”

Both the NBA Elite 11 and Skate 3 teams have said to be hit the hardest with the lay-offs. EA Canada was in charge of developing NBA Elite 11, which has been delayed indefinitely. According to reports, Tiburon is said to be the studio that takes over the NBA Elite 11 duties.

Tiburon is also responsible for the Madden series, so hopefully they can turn the NBA franchise in the right direction and get it out soon. No word yet on what becomes of Skate 3 with the lay-offs to EA Black Box. We’ll have more for you about this story once EA officially confirms.

• New SSX Gameplay Trailer Announces GeoTags and Shows Gameplay Modes
• Kevin Durant Named the Cover Athlete of NBA ELITE 11
• New SSX Trailer Shows the Awesome of the Himalayas
• Shank 2 Out Now to Slice You Up
• Medal of Honor 2 Unveiling this Coming March
• SSX: Uber Mondays – Elise Riggs Trailer ‘La La La Lockstep’

This week’s highlights in new game releases include Fable 3, Rock Band 3, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2, WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2011 and The Sims 3. What are you all planning on picking up?

Pick of the Week: Fable 3 (Xbox 360)

Xbox 360:

• Shaun White Skateboarding
• Tony Hawk Shred
• Backyard Sports: Rookie Rush
• Monopoly Streets
• CSI: Fatal Conspiracy
• Hasbro Family Game Night 3
• The Sims 3
• WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2011
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2
• Fable 3
• Rock Band 3
• Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition
• Bloody Good Time
• Pinball FX 2

PS3:

• Shaun White Skateboarding
• Tony Hawk Shred
• Monopoly Streets
• CSI: Fatal Conspiracy
• TV Superstars
• Hasbro Family Game Night 3
• The Sims 3
• The Fight: Lights Out
• WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2011
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2
• Rock Band 3
• Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition

Wii:

• Shaun White Skateboarding
• Bit.Trip FATE
• Deca Sports 3
• Monopoly Streets
• Backyard Sports: Rookie Rush
• Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure
• Tony Hawk Shred
• Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s: Dual Transer
• Hasbro Family Game Night 3
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2
• Rock Band 3
• WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2011

PC:

• Lego Universe
• Stronghold: Kingdoms
• CSI: Fatal Conspiracy
• The Sims 3 Late Night
• Bloody Good Time
• FIFA Manager 11

PS2:

• WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2011
• Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure

DS:

• Art Academy
• Backyard Sports: Rookie Rush
• Dora’s Cooking Club
• Challenge Me: Brain Puzzles 2
• The Sims 3
• Crafting Mama
• Intellivision Lives
• Rock Band 3

PSP:

• Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger Vs. Darkdeath Evilman
• Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Tag Force 5
• WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2011

• New Game Releases: 3/21 – 3/28
• New Game Releases: 10/17 – 10/23
• New Game Releases: 10/10 – 10/16
• New Game Releases: 10/3 – 10/9
• New Game Releases: 9/26 – 10/2
• New Game Releases: 9/12 – 9/18

Square Enix has finally come out to admit that Final Fantasy XIV is a broken game and is now making it up to those who purchased it before October 25 by offering a 60 day free trial instead of 30.

Here’s what Square Enix had to say:

“We would like to assure players that the world of FINAL FANTASY XIV is constantly growing and evolving, and the voices of the community are essential to that process. The development and management teams are carefully considering all player feedback, and working diligently to implement whatever changes and additions will serve to make Eorzea a better home for adventurers. We humbly ask for your continued support to this end.”

I have yet to try Final Fantasy XIV, but after reading some of the reviews on the net, I can understand why all those who bought the game might be a little pissed off. However, it’s nice to see Square Enix come out and admit that the game is broken and then apologize for it. Hopefully they can get all the bugs and defects fixed soon so that fans of the game can really enjoy what they have paid for.

Here are the Free Trial Extension details:

- Eligibility
Only customers who have registered FINAL FANTASY XIV service account and purchased a character by Oct. 25, 2010 will be eligible for the extension of the free trial period. Customers purchasing their first character after that date will be entitled to the standard 30 day free trial period only.

* Character purchase must be done by 23:59 (GMT) on Oct. 25, 2010 / 00:59 BST on Oct.26, 2010.
* Accounts that have been terminated due to violation of the User Agreement are not eligible.
* If multiple service accounts are registered, all service accounts will be eligible.

- Extended Period
The free trial period will be extended by 30 Days (By combining with the initial free trial period, the total will be 60 days.)

* Both the end date of free trial period and billing start date will be extended automatically. There is no change or update that needs to be done manually. A Reminder Notice will be issued before the billing start date.
* Despite the length of the contract period that was selected, whether it be 30 days, 60 days, or 180 days, the extended period will remain 30 days for all eligible players.
After the extended free trial period has come to an end, billing will be processed based on the selected contract period.
* Even in cases where auto-renewable options have been disabled, the free trial period will be extended and players will be allowed to play FINAL FANTASY XIV until the new end date of free trial period.
* Even if you have already received the notification mail on the end of free trial period and the schedule on monthly fee billing, the extension of free trial period will apply.
* The process of extension of the free trial period within the Square Enix Account Management System is scheduled to take place on Oct. 19, 2010. An announcement will be made once the process is complete.
* After the free trial period is extended, the new billing start date will become available on the Square Enix Account Management System.

Source

• Stockholder Drops Support for Square-Enix
• Final Fantasy XIV to Merge Servers in March
• Final Fantasy XIII-2 Playable Demo Available Now
• Final Fantasy XIV’s Free Play Period Ending; Game to Receive Major Overhaul
• Is Square Enix Gunning For A Rebrand?
• Chrono Trigger Coming To North American Wii Virtual Console May 16th

A huge week in new game releases with Kirby’s Epic Yarn, DJ Hero 2, Fallout: New Vegas, Vanquish, EA Sports MMA and lots more coming out. What will you guys be picking up?

Pick of the Week: DJ Hero 2 (360, PS3, Wii)

Xbox 360:

• ArcaniA: Gothic 4
• Ben 10: Ultimate Alien
• Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011
• DJ Hero 2
• EA Sports MMA
• Fallout: New Vegas
• Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2
• Power Gig: Rise of the SixString
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2011
• Super Meat Boy
• Vanquish

PS3:

• Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011
• DJ Hero 2
• EA Sports MMA
• Fallout: New Vegas
• Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2
• Power Gig: Rise of the SixString
• Time Crisis: Razing Storm
• Vanquish

Wii:

• Active Life Explorer
• Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011
• DJ Hero 2
• Flip’s Twisted World
• Kirby’s Epic Yarn

PC:

• ArcaniA: Gothic 4
• Fallout: New Vegas
• nail’d

DS:

• Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011

PSP:

• Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team

• Buy 2 Get 1 Free Game from Amazon
• New Game Releases: 10/24 – 10/30
• New Game Releases: 10/10 – 10/16
• New Game Releases: 10/3 – 10/9
• New Game Releases: 9/26 – 10/2
• New Game Releases: 9/12 – 9/18

This week’s highlights have to be Medal of Honor, Borderlands Game of the Year Edition, Dragon Age Origins: Ultimate Edition and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Game of the Year Edition.

Jeez, that’s a bunch of special editions in one week. What are you guys gonna pick up?

Pick of the Week: Medal of Honor (360, PS3, PC)

Xbox 360:

• ArcaniA: Gothic 4
• Borderlands Game of the Year Edition
• Dragon Age Origins: Ultimate Edition
• Lucha Libre AAA Heroes of the Ring
• Medal of Honor

PS3:

• Borderlands Game of the Year Edition
• Disney Sing It: Party Hits
• Dragon Age Origins: Ultimate Edition
• Lucha Libre AAA Heroes of the Ring
• Medal of Honor
• Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Game of the Year Edition

Wii:

• Canada Hunt
• Disney Sing It: Party Hits
• Dragon’s Lair Trilogy
• Just Dance 2
• Lucha Libre AAA Heroes of the Ring
• Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes
• Sled Shred featuring the Jamaican Bobsled Team
• ZhuZhu Pets: Featuring the Wild Bunch

PC:

• ArcaniA: Gothic 4
• Borderlands Game of the Year Edition
• Dragon Age Origins: Ultimate Edition
• EverQuest: House of Thule
• LEGO Universe
• Lost Planet 2
• Medal of Honor
• Painkiller Pandemonium

DS:

• Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals
• My Baby 3 & Friends
• Solitaire Overload Plus
• Super Scribblenauts
• Zhu Zhu Pets Kung Zhu

PSP:

• Invizimals
• Lucha Libre AAA Heroes of the Ring

• Buy 2 Get 1 Free Game from Amazon
• New Game Releases: 10/24 – 10/30
• New Game Releases: 10/17 – 10/23
• New Game Releases: 10/3 – 10/9
• New Game Releases: 9/26 – 10/2
• New Game Releases: 9/12 – 9/18

While the current sports gaming generation has introduced gorgeous HD graphics, incredibly deep franchise modes, and vast online gameplay, NBA Jam doesn’t need any of those perks to show gamers how to have a good time.

NBA Jam is a lot of fun, especially when playing with friends and spending several hours performing high-flying dunks, nasty blocks and draining three pointers to win games. It plays almost exactly like the old school Jams you may have grown up with and EA Sports even hired original Jam announcer Tim Kitzrow to re-record classic lines like “Boom-shaka-laka” and “He’s on fire”. It’s still the game you know and love with simple, fast-paced, arcade style fun, but now with new players and better graphics.

It’s impossible not to have fun playing NBA Jam. From tip-off to final whistle, EA has done a spectacular job re-creating Jam’s glory days, and you’ll be flying around the court performing insane dunks in no time. The player models look amazing (especially the digital photo faces that change expression) and the backgrounds are pretty legit too.

Controls take only a few minutes to get used to, but it turns out they’re great. I spent my time playing using the standard Wiimote-Nunchuk setup, and it couldn’t be simpler. But if you don’t like the feel of that setup, the game also utilizes the Classic Controller, for you old-school players. Regardless of which controller you use, after a few minutes you’ll have no trouble draining threes and dunking on your homeboys.

While the offense in Jam is fast-paced and high scoring, playing defense is just as much fun and a key element to the game’s strategy. Taking risks to try and shove down an opponent or steal the ball won’t work every time, but when they do, it can really turn a game around. While I had some trouble mastering shot blocking (and got called for goal tending numerous times), it was hardly the controller’s fault, but more of my own for not being quick enough.

Jam is always more fun playing with or against a buddy, with both co-op and head-to-head game modes available. That’s always been NBA Jam’s best quality, the ability to bring everyone together, whether or not fans of basketball. Just select a two-man team, hit the court and try to outscore your opponent by any means necessary, even if it means shoving him to the floor.

However, that’s not to say the single-player game modes aren’t thrilling. First off, there’s the old-school Campaign mode that takes you on a mission against every team, advancing until you’ve defeated the entire league.

There’s also the Remix campaign mode, which introduces power-ups, non-traditional modes like Elimination and 21, and Boss Battles that place you against a number of different NBA Legends. Some of these modes switch up the view, offering a distinctly different look, challenge and style of play.

It wouldn’t be Jam without tons of secret unlockable characters (athletes and other surprising characters), and it won’t be too long before you’re playing with and against NBA Legends you played with back in the day such as Dennis Rodman, Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Larry Johnson, just to name a few.

One of the few complaints I had with the game is the cheap AI. At times it’s nearly impossible to get on fire or blow out the other team, as the computer always seems to manage its way back into the game with miraculous plays and highly aggressive defense, even on the medium difficulty setting. There were times I was up twelve at the beginning of the fourth quarter and then I would suddenly find myself down two with under a minute to play.

My other big complaint is obviously the lack of online play for the Wii version, but EA Sports is planning on releasing NBA Jam for the 360 and PS3 on November 17, complete with HD graphics and online play.

Even without the online play, Jam is still one of my favorite sports title of the year (especially on the Wii). Yea, I know it may be a lot of the same as it was in the 90’s, but that’s what I love most about Jam. Being able to easily pick up a controller and immediately get sucked into the game without all the advanced controls and steep learning curves. All I must say is “Boom-shaka-laka” is most definitely back!

Here’s The Rundown:

+ Simple, yet addictive gameplay
+ Great multiplayer fun
+ Tons of unlockable characters
- Cheap A.I. at times
- No online play

NBA Jam was developed by EA Canada and was published by EA Sports for the Wii. The game released in the United States on October 5, 2010.  The copy used in this review was for the Wii and given to us by EA Sports. It was played through various game modes, both single player and multiplayer, for about 10-12 hours.

• Video: NBA Jam Gameplay Footage, Magic Johnson Boss Battle
• No Online Multiplayer for NBA Jam on Wii
• ESRB Lists NBA Jam for Xbox 360 and PS3
• NBA Jam Dated, Cover Art Revealed
• NBA Jam Concept Art – It’s On Fire!
• E310 Hands-On Preview: NBA Jam, Boomshakalaka!

Some big time releases this week with NBA 2K11, NBA Jam, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Def Jam Rapstar and Enslaved: Odyssey to the West all hitting stores.

Wii and DS owners get a huge selection of new releases this week, but outside of Wii Party, NBA Jam and Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, most of them are kiddie games my nine year old brother wouldn’t even wanna play.

Pick of the Week: NBA 2K11 (360, PS3, PC, PS3, Wii, PSP,)

Xbox 360:

• Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
• Def Jam Rapstar
• Enslaved: Odyssey to the West
• John Daly’s ProStroke Golf
• NBA 2K11

PS3:

• Ben 10: Ultimate Alien
• Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
• Def Jam Rapstar
• Enslaved: Odyssey to the West
• John Daly’s ProStroke Golf
• NBA 2K11

Wii:

• Ben 10: Ultimate Alien
• Def Jam Rapstar
• FIFA Soccer 11
• Hollywood Squares
• NBA 2K11
• NBA Jam
• Oops! Prank Party
• Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
• Wii Party

PC:

• John Daly’s ProStroke Golf
• Lionheart: Kings’ Crusade
• NBA 2K11

PS2:

• Ben 10: Ultimate Alien
• NBA 2K11

DS:

• Ben 10: Ultimate Alien
• Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light
• Freddi Fish: ABC Under the Sea
• I Love Puppies
• Jewel Master: Cradle of Athena
• Jewels of Tropical Lost Island
• Littlest Pet Shop 3: Biggest Stars Blue
• Littlest Pet Shop 3: Biggest Stars Pink
• Littlest Pet Shop 3: Biggest Stars Purple
• Petz Fantasy: Sunshine Magic
• Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs
• Rock Blast
• Sports Collection
• Vampire Moon: The Mystery of the Hidden Sun
• Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

PSP:

• Ben 10: Ultimate Alien
• NBA 2K11

• Buy 2 Get 1 Free Game from Amazon
• New Game Releases: 10/24 – 10/30
• New Game Releases: 10/17 – 10/23
• New Game Releases: 10/10 – 10/16
• New Game Releases: 9/26 – 10/2
• New Game Releases: 9/12 – 9/18

Dead Rising 2 continues the zombie slaying madness of the original, but this time takes the mayhem to Fortune City, Nevada. Inspired by Las Vegas, it’s a city that never sleeps, filled with booze, gambling, strippers that’s also infested with blood-hungry zombies.

Taking place five years after the original Dead Rising, the sequel introduces a new main character in the shape of former motocross champion Chuck Greene. The infection is now widespread and many of the zombies are used as entertainment in a gruesome game show called Terror is Reality, in which contestants have to kill zombies for cash prizes. Chuck heads to Fortune City to compete in the show to afford the daily dose of Zombrex (a drug that prevents the infection from spreading after one has been bitten) that his daughter Katey needs to prevent her from becoming a zombie.  As the story rolls on, things get a little crazy of course and it’s not long before Fortune City is flooded with zombies and our hero Chuck is the one accused of this latest outbreak.

Like its predecessor you’re given 72 hours to… well pretty much do whatever the hell you want. However, time is a central mechanic for the Dead Rising series, it’s something that you’ll constantly have to grapple with as you decide who to save, which missions to complete and whether or not you really have time to kill every zombie that runs your way. Dead Rising 2′s campaign stretches around 15 hours for each playthrough, and ordinarily when a game puts a list of objectives in front of you it’s easy to believe that you can complete them all in a timely manner, but as Dead Rising fans will know, that isn’t always so easy.

On your first run through Dead Rising 2 it’s simply about surviving the 72 hours, rescuing enough survivors and killing plenty of zombies. While there are plenty of missions available at your disposal, you’ll have to pick and choose which one’s you’ll want to take on because of the time limit in the game, thus preventing you from receiving the best ending of the game. As time goes on, some missions will eventually expire, but don’t worry; you’ll get to those on your second, or third, run if you choose to do so.  Both the core missions and optional quests — which typically involve escorting survivors (who can actually fend for themselves this time around) to the safe house or battling psychotic bosses — can feel like chores at times, and the plot twists are unlikely to throw anyone for a loop, but even with some still-clunky gameplay elements, Dead Rising 2 remains wildly entertaining.

Beyond survival, the first playthrough is more about leveling up in a similar manner to grinding through an RPG. The plentiful supply of zombies are not only there to provide entertainment for the many humorous ways of disposing of them, but allow Chuck to upgrade his stats and make it possible to progress further into Dead Rising 2 and eventually earn the best ending. It’s easy to lose track of time parading through the malls and casinos, racking up kills while experimenting with a wide array of found items, but don’t bullshit around too much; it’s much harder to screw up your campaign progress by skipping out on essential missions. While the campaign maintains the structured, watch-the-clock approach of the first, the addition of three separate save slots means you can more easily roll back to an earlier point in the game if you miss a crucial mission.

Dead Rising 2 is no longer just about finding intense and absurd ways to slay zombies — it’s also about inventing new contraptions and ways to kill all the zombies. Specific items in the game can be combined with others, with dozens of different pairings that create some amazing zombie slaying devices. For example, the Spiked Bat (baseball bat + nails) and Drill Bucket (power drill + bucket) are some of the earlier entertaining combos, but are eventually surpassed by much more ridiculous creations like the Paddlesaw (canoe paddle + chainsaw) and Exsanguinator (vacuum + sawblades). Finding the items and discovering new combinations add a completely fresh and totally optional layer of depth to the Dead Rising experience, one that is sure to keep players entertained way passed their first run through of the game.

Multiplayer seems to have a been a focused point of Dead Rising 2, as both a co-op mode and competitive online mini-games make an appearance. A second online player can jump into your campaign as a co-op buddy at any time, and while the influence of a second player doesn’t significantly alter the experience, it’s most definitely more fun killing zombies with a buddy. Plus, the online mini-games based on the fictional Terror is Reality game show (which by no means is a full-fledged online multiplayer) are actually quite fun, and can earn you a lot of in-game cash for use in the campaign.

Dead Rising 2 isn’t a perfect game though, and a few design quirks are sure to irritate a few.  For instance, there’s the horrid vehicle controls, and not to mention that at times items are put so closely together, you often pick up the wrong item while zombies are attacking you. (ouch) Also, the fact that the game still uses the timer and that it’s very easy to miss a mission that would have kept the story going is quite annoying. Really though, these complaints are minor, and most gamers will be able to look past them as they are slaying hundreds and hundreds of mindless zombies.

There’s no denying it, Dead Rising 2 is not only the natural progression from the original, it’s also just a really fun game. There’s tons to explore and if you want the entire Dead Rising 2 experience, you’re damn sure going to enjoy multiple playthroughs. If you’re looking for a fun game that you’re going to be able to invest a lot of time in, you can’t go wrong with Dead Rising 2.

Here’s The Rundown:

+ Ton of different ways to kill zombies
+ Great arcade-like replay value that encourages multiple playthroughs
+ Ton of different weapons and creating combo weapons adds a new level of depth
- Clunky controls at times
- A few design miscues, such as item placement

Dead Rising 2 was developed by Blue Castle Games and was published by Capcom for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. The game released in the United States on September 28th, 2010.  The multiple copies used in this review were provided to us by Publisher.  Each was played one time through (around 15 hours) til completion.

• Dead Rising 2: Off The Record Gets Sandbox Mode, Screens and Trailer
• Dead Rising 2: Off The Record Box Art Revealed
• Creepy Fan-made Dead Rising Trailer
• Dead Rising 2 “Terror is Reality” Mode Minigame Detailed
• Dead Rising 2: More Custom Weapons Than You Can Shake an Electrified Rake At!! . . . and Co-Op!!
• Dead Rising 2 to feature multiplayer

With Reach out of the way, lots of the big name titles are ready to shine this week.  FIFA 11, Dead Rising 2, Final Fantasy XIV and Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock are all hitting stores.

Other notable titles include Front Mission Evolved from Square-Enix, along with Lara Croft and The Guardian of Light for the PS3 and PC, and Battle vs. Chess from SouthPeak Games.

Pick of the Week: FIFA Soccer 11 (360, PS3, PC, PS2, DS, PSP)

Xbox 360:

• Battle vs. Chess
• Dead Rising 2
• FIFA Soccer 11
• Front Mission Evolved
• Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock
• Hydrophobia
• MorphX
• Quantum Theory

PS3:

• Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland
• Battle vs. Chess
• Dead Rising 2
• Ferrari The Race Experience
• FIFA Soccer 11
• Front Mission Evolved
• Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock
• Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
• Quantum Theory

Wii:

• FIFA Soccer 11
• Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock
• Samurai Warriors 3

PC:

• Battle vs. Chess
• Dead Rising 2
• FIFA Soccer 11
• Final Fantasy XIV
• Front Mission Evolved
• Knights in Shining Armor: Our King’s Tale Episode One
• Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

PS2:

• FIFA Soccer 11

DS:

• FIFA Soccer 11

PSP:

• FIFA Soccer 11

• New Game Releases: 10/24 – 10/30
• New Game Releases: 10/17 – 10/23
• New Game Releases: 10/10 – 10/16
• New Game Releases: 10/3 – 10/9
• New Game Releases: 9/12 – 9/18
• New Game Releases: 9/5 – 9/11

The demo for NBA Elite 11 from EA Sports is out now on both the PS3 and 360, and gamers can now get their first chance to try the all-new Hands-On Control system.

The demo consists of three different modes in the form of regular gameplay with the fourth quarter of game seven of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and Lakers, the Jordan Showcase game in the Become Legendary career mode, and a tutorial practice mode. Gamers can also switch between the new analog-heavy control scheme and the standard control scheme of year’s past, if they choose to do so.

“Like putting in time at the gym, there’s a learning curve with Hands-On Control, says David Littman, Creative Director, NBA ELITE 11. “But once you feel the difference between Hands-On Control and the traditional button configuration, you’ll understand why we chose the direction we did.”

NBA ELITE 11 will be available for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on October 5, and both will include a downloadable code to redeem NBA Jam.

• NBA Elite 11 Officially Canned
• No Online Multiplayer for NBA Jam on Wii
• NBA Jam gets Bundled with 360, PS3 Copies of NBA Elite 11
• RipTen Review: NBA Jam (Wii)
• ESRB Lists NBA Jam for Xbox 360 and PS3
• Video: NBA Jam Gameplay Footage, Magic Johnson Boss Battle

With millions of gamers stuck to their 360s playing Halo: Reach, I’m guessing this week’s new game releases will be overlooked by many. That being said, there are still a few notable titles hitting stores this week including Civilization V (PC), F1: 2010 (PS3, 360) and a few bowling games for the PlayStation Move.

Pick of the Week: Civilization V (PC)

Xbox 360

• F1: 2010

PlayStation 3

• Brunswick Pro Bowling (PlayStation Move)
• F1: 2010
• High Velocity Bowling (PlayStation Move)

Wii

• Club Penguin: Game Day
• Family Party: Fitness Fun
• New Carnival Games
• New Carnival Games Bundle with Wii Motion Plus

PC

• Final Fantasy XIV Collector’s Edition
• Sid Meier’s Civilization V
• Sid Meier’s Civilization V Special Edition
• Darksiders

DS

• Disney Fairies Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue
• Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City
• Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy
• New Carnival Games

• New Video Game Releases: Dec. 12 – Dec. 18
• New Video Game Releases: Nov. 14 – Nov. 20
• New Video Game Releases: Nov. 7 – Nov. 13
• New Video Game Releases: Oct. 24 – Oct. 30
• RipTen Review: F1 2011 (Xbox 360, PC)
• 2K Games Announces Civilization V GOTY Edition

The game we’ve all been waiting for this year is finally amongst us, the wait is over. Bungie’s final Halo game, Halo: Reach, hits stores worldwide this Tuesday, September 14. If for some odd reason you’re not a Halo fan, there’s still plenty to be excited about this week in new game releases.

Pick of the Week: Halo: Reach (360)

Xbox 360

• Halo: Reach – 9/14
• Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole- 9/14
• Truth or Lies- 9/14
• Cabela’s North American Adventures 2011- 9/14
• Space Invaders: Infinity Gene- 9/15
• Sonic Adventure – 9/15

PlayStation 3

• Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest- 9/14
• Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole- 9/14
• Truth or Lies- 9/14
• Cabela’s North American Adventures 2011- 9/14
• Racquet Sports- 9/14
• Space Invaders: Infinity Gene- 9/14
• Ferrari The Race Experience – 9/15
• Flight Control HD – 9/15
• Brunswick Pro Bowling- 9/17

Wii

• Scooby Doo and the Spooky Swamp – 9/14
• Swords- 9/14
• Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Duel Transer- 9/14
• Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest- 9/14
• Gormiti: The Lords of Nature!- 9/14
• Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole- 9/14
• Truth or Lies- 9/14
• Cabela’s North American Adventures 2011- 9/14
• Horse Life Adventures- 9/18

PC

• House, M.D. – 9/13
• Patrician IV- 9/14

Nintendo DS

• Professor Layton and the Unwound Future – 9/12
• Scooby Doo and the Spooky Swamp- 9/14
• Intellivision Lives – Nintendo DS- 9/14
• Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest- 9/14
• Gormiti: The Lords of Nature!- 9/14
• Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole- 9/14
• House, M.D.- 9/15
• Horse Life Adventures- 9/18

PSP

• Gladiator Begins- 9/14
• Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest- 9/14
• Cabela’s North American Adventures 2011- 9/14
• Phantasy Star Portable 2- 9/14

• Burn Blue In Halo Reach as Bungie Celebrates 20th Anniversary
• Halo Reach – ‘Defiant Map Pack’ Details and Trailer
• Halo: Reach Stats Boast 33 Billion Served
• Halo: Reach Level Cap Raised, New Armor Unlocked
• New Game Releases: 10/24 – 10/30
• Insane Halo: Reach Aerial Kill (Video)

Ubisoft has released the second Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood dev diary, detailing more of the game’s story and new features.

The dev diary describes how the Templars have taken over Rome and made it their main base of operations. Check out the dev diary below for a great sneak peek at Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood.

Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood is out on November 19 on PS3 and 360.

• Cosplay Spotlight: Malfatto (Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood)
• Ghost Recon Online Devs Talk Teamwork
• E3 2011: Assassin’s Creed Revelations Forgoes Stealth For Epic Action
• New ‘From Dust’ Art Direction Dev Diary
• New Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood DLC to Feature Leonardo Da Vinci (Detailed with Screens and Trailer)
• Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood Guide to Secrets and Unlockables

Treyarch studio head Mark Lamia, has said that Call of Duty: Black Ops online multiplayer will always be free and believes you don’t need an Online Pass to compete with used games sales.

Speaking with MCV, Lamia focused on the fact that the multiplayer is included with the game you buy, and there won’t be any need for a download code to play it.

“I want to take that in the other direction and bring consumers really great reasons to keep their games, rather than trade them in,” Lamia said. “Multiplayer is critical to the success of this series. It has such tremendous staying power – there are millions of people playing Call of Duty every day.

“The effort that goes into the multiplayer is a living thing – we have a team that continues to work on it for World At War. We’ve done that for a long time and expect to do so for this game.

“We’re going to support the hell out of Black Ops. That will be our focus post-release: making sure we keep our fans engaged, and hopefully as a result, they’ll want to keep playing our game and won’t want to trade it in.”

Look out for Call of Duty: Black Ops is out November 9 for Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Wii.

• Call of Duty: Black Ops Rezurrection – Zombie Authority Trailer
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Rezurrection Behind-the-Scenes Preview Video
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Rezurrection Zombie Map Pack Announced
• Treyarch Explains How They Build and Balance Multiplayer Maps
• Call of Duty: Black Ops “Title Update 11″ Drops – What it Fixed
• Welcome to The Jungle in New Black Ops Annihilation Zombie Trailer

Bungie designers Lars Bakken, Josh Hamrick and Sage Merrill are featured in a new gameplay video for Halo: Reach, discussing and showing off the new Firefight mode.

In the video below, you can hear each designer talk about the new levels and new elements of Firefight, as well as see some awesome gameplay footage.

Can’t wait for Halo: Reach when it ships worldwide on Tuesday, please check out this video for a sneak peek at what you’ll have in just a few days.

• Burn Blue In Halo Reach as Bungie Celebrates 20th Anniversary
• Halo Reach – ‘Defiant Map Pack’ Details and Trailer
• Halo: Reach Stats Boast 33 Billion Served
• Halo: Reach Level Cap Raised, New Armor Unlocked
• Insane Halo: Reach Aerial Kill (Video)
• Halo: Reach First Map Pack Drops Nov. 30th – Maps Detailed with Pictures

EA Sports Vancouver has confirmed today that there will be no online multiplayer for NBA Jam on Wii, not even through Nintendo’s Wi-Fi connection.

A surprise for some, but many have come to expect this sort of thing with Wii titles because of Nintendo’s bad rep for gaming online. NHL Slapshot, the Wii hockey title also made by EA Vancouver, also does not have online multiplayer. But other current EA Sports Wii versions of Madden NFL, FIFA, Tiger Woods PGA Tour and even last year’s Grand Slam Tennis do have an online multiplayer.

Those purchasing a new copy of NBA Elite 11 on PS3 or Xbox 360, will be provided with a free one-use download code for NBA Jam, which will actually feature online multiplayer. Unlike the Wii version, that version will not have the Remix Tour, which has boss battles and unique challenges in single and local co-op matches.

All versions of the game will use the same lineup of players, secret characters, and NBA Legends.

NBA Jam ships for Wii October 5, and NBA Elite 11 for Xbox 360 and PS3 ships the same day.

• ESRB Lists NBA Jam for Xbox 360 and PS3
• NBA Elite 11 Officially Canned
• RipTen Review: NBA Jam (Wii)
• Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011 – This Ain’t Yer Daddy’s Huntin’ Game!!
• NBA Elite 11 Demo Now Available
• Xbox 360 Slim Outselling Wii and DS