RipTen Videogame Blog » single-player

RipTen Review: Battlefield 3 (PC, PS3)

Aaron Alexander — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 20:30:56 +0000

Battlefield 3 is in a tough position. Not only does it have to please veterans of the PC core series, it also has to cater to newer fans familiar with the Bad Company series. EA has also publicly positioned it to rival the Call of Duty series – not an easy feat by any means. Yet, despite all the odds being stacked against DICE’s latest shooter, the game passes every test with flying colors… in most departments.

Perhaps the most notable feature carried over from the Bad Company series is the inclusion of a full single-player campaign – the first for a core Battlefield game (previously, only single-player bot matches were available with little to no narrative.) You’ll spend most of your time playing as Henry Blackburn, a Marine detained and interrogated by members of homeland security. The campaign structure is much like that of Black Ops as you sit down in a chair and play through flashbacks of your previous military campaigns. The ultimate goal here is to find a missing nuclear bomb, which might be used to to level New York City. You’ll traverse some unique and beautiful landscapes while playing singleplayer – from the dusty cities of Iran/Iraq, to million dollar penthouses and Mirrors Edge-like offices in Paris. You won’t also play as Blackburn whilst undergoing missions on the other side of the world though – the game will frequently throw you in the shoes of various pilots and Russian militants all of whom you never get to know very well at all.

Get Back Here Soldier, You're Going Out of Bounds!

The problem here is the campaign is severely limited and also completely boring. It might sound odd to describe “run here and shoot” gameplay as mundane in a first person shooter, but Battlefield 3 does little to nothing in terms of keeping the campaign feeling fresh and exciting. For all the taunting EA have done about the massive maps and free-form nature of the game – none of this is present in the singleplayer. Doing anything other than your strict instructions while playing through SP will result in either your death or a countdown to death for going out of bounds. Seriously. There are few opportunities to flank opponents, or even to think for yourself. It’s also rife with potentially game breaking bugs. AI will occasionally walk through doors (that are required to be opened by them for the game to progress), bump you out of cover, or they’ll look at an enemy face on without firing. These are but a few of the issues I ran into while playing the single player campaign, but the list could go on for centuries.

However, I also have to mention that for a game that taunts vehicular combat as one of it’s strengths, it’s not at all a plus in the campaign. Can I fly the Jet? No, sit in the back and play a on-rails bombing section. Can I drive the Humvee? No, get on the 50.cal for a “brilliant” on-rails turret shooter sequence. Can I drive the Jeep we’re in? No, sit in the back and listen to a conversation. You’ll eventually be able to drive a tank in a straight line, so that should alleviate these issues… right? The story mode is a disappointing trudge through various plot-points that try too hard to be dramatic, ultimately wrapping up with an even weaker ending than expected. However, if the single player does succeed at one thing, it’s teaching you the controls for Battlefield 3′s incredible multiplayer experience.

I Bet You Thought You Could Fly This Jet In Single Player? NOPE.

The Multiplayer in Battlefield 3 is an immense beast – you have the rush mode for Bad Company vets and the Conquest mode for those who prefer the original game’s open playstyle. That’s not to say you should stick to either one though, as the game does a wonderful job of merging the two modes into something truly epic. On the PC, conquest battlefields will be gargantuan in scale, with 64 players fighting it out in Jets, Tanks, Helicopters, Light armoured vehicles and on foot. The console versions may be stuck to a 24 player count, but the maps are designed in such a way that frequent battles are never hard to find. I can assure you that your experience won’t be gimped on the PS3 at all. Quote me on that. The variety of maps are definitely all pleasing to the eye, and work well from a gameplay aspect as well. From the well known tight corridors of Operation Metro, to the sprawling deserts of Operation Firestorm, there’s sure to be a map that entertains you and your playstyle to the fullest.

There’s a large amount of unlockables and incentives to keep playing as well. Each gun can unlock a near armory of attachements, and the various classes will earn new gear that further enhance their capabilities. Vehicles can also unlock new pieces of equipment such as heat seeking missiles, smokescreens and flares. Support players will eventually gain the Mortar to reign death from afar, Engineers will be able to control EOD bots, while Recon’s can drop sensors for vital intel and Assaults will keep soldiers on their feet with defibrilators. Battlefield 3 definitely does a great job of catering to everyone’s playstyle, and the core mechanics are extremely solid and fun to take advantage of. The shooting itself just feels right – each gun has a distinct weight, and most really pack a punch. The vehicles are fun to control, and once you’ve mastered one, you’ll really dominate the battlefield and turn the tide of war.

Conquer This... If You Can.

New Battlefield 3 Single Player Screens Showcase Frostbite 2

Dave Oshry — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:00:40 +0000

With all the talk surrounding the Battlefield 3 multiplayer beta as of late, you may have forgotten that there’s also a lengthy solo campaign.

Well, to remind you, EA and DICE have released some lovely new screens.

Enjoy:

New Battlefield 3 Screens To Drool Over

Chris Carlson — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 23:00:21 +0000

DICE has released brand new screenshots from Battlefield 3 showcasing missions from the single player portion of the game; Operation Guillotine and Exfiltration, plus one of the games multiplayer maps, Caspian Border.

Yes they’re gorgeous. As if we needed to tell you that… right?

Battlefield 3 is set to release on October 25th for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

For more on Battlefield 3, be sure to check out Steph Gutowski’s hands-on preview from PAX.

These New and Awesome Battlefield 3 Screens Will Get You Hype

Bryce Wilson — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 07:30:24 +0000

Battlefield 3 looks fucking amazing. There, I said it.

The team over at DICE seems to be making one of the most visually impressive games ever to release on PC with console versions not lagging far behind.

Anyhow, a slew of new screens have been released for your viewing pleasure.

Check them out below:

US PlayStation Store Update 2-15-11

Garrett Hartman — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 04:17:59 +0000

It’s time for another PlayStation Store Update and we’ve got all the new information for you. From the Killzone 3 single player demo to the Back to the Future series of games. Read about it all below.

Information is courtesy of the US PS Blog

PlayStation Plus

Full Game Trial
ATV Pure (Free and exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers)

Featured Demo
Yakuza 4 Demo

Featured Games
Let’s Golf – Playstation minis (Free to PlayStation Plus subscribers, regular price $4.99)

Discounted Games & DLC
Blacklight Tango Down (PlayStation Plus price $7.99, regular price $9.99)
R.U.S.E. – Pack of the Sun (PlayStation Plus price $7.49, regular price $9.99)
Gravity Crash (PS3) (PlayStation Plus Price $5.00, regular price $9.99)
Crash Bandicoot (PlayStation Plus price $3.00, regular price $5.99)
MAG Starter Kit (PlayStation Plus price $7.50, regular price $14.99)

Featured Themes & Avatars
Devil May Cry 4 Avatar Bundle (13 avatars ) (Exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers for $0.99)
DarkStalker Avatar Bundle (18 avatars) (Exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers for $1.99)
Femme Abstraction Theme (Free and exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers)
Snowman Dynamic Theme (Free and exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers)
Chinese New Year Dynamic Theme (Free and exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers)

Updates

Penny Arcade Adventures: Episode 1 And 2 Bundle – Sale (PS3) (now $2.99, original price $14.99)
Tales Of Monkey Island – Full Season – Sale (PS3) (now $9.99, original price $19.99)
Let’s Golf – Minis – Sale (PS3/PSP) (now $0.99, original price $4.99)
Funky Lab Rat + Trial – Sale (PS3) (now $6.99, original price $9.99)
Blacklight: Tango Down – Sale (PS3) (now $9.99, original price $14.99)
Alien Breed 2: Assault – Sale (PS3) (now $6.99, original price $9.99)
Alien Breed: Impact – Sale (PS3) (now $6.99, original price $9.99)
5-In-1 Arcade Hits – Minis – Sale (PS3/PSP) (now $1.99, original price $3.99)
Mass Effect 2 – Terminus Pack – Perm Price Change (PS3) (now $1.99, original price Free)

Downloadable Games

Acceleration of SUGURI X-Edition ($5.99)
Acceleration of SUGURI X Edition, the ultimate in anime-style, robot fighting-action is here! Leap into beautifully rendered battle environments, wield innovative, pulse-pounding weaponry, survive 11 levels of captivating doujin gameplay and crank up the volume on the techno-trance soundtrack. Battle the CPU or challenge a friend. Three different Arcade and Versus modes, local and online leaderboards, replay videos and 14 PSN trophies to enjoy
ESRB Rated E10+
File size:338 MB

ATV Pure ($19.99)
Throttle up your quad bike, check your fear at the starting line & compete against fifteen rival riders in over 30 unique off-road trick-racing events. Build your quad bike from the ground up & leap off snow-capped Italian mountains; jump gaping chasms in New Mexico or ride the rim of active volcanoes. Experience super speed, catch massive air & nail spectacular airborne tricks. Welcome to off-road trick racing. Welcome to Pure.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 4.58 GB

Back To The Future: The Game – Episode 1 – Free With Season Pass (Free)
ESRB Rated T
File size: 217 MB

Back To The Future: The Game – Full Series ($19.99)
Marty McFly & Doc Brown return in a brand new Back to the Future adventure!
Six months after the events of the third film, the DeLorean Time Machine mysteriously returns to Hill Valley – driverless! Travel through time as you meet up with McFlys, Tannens and Browns through the ages to right wrongs, amend timelines, and prevent terrible terrible mistakes. Five episodes, releasing monthly!
ESRB Rated T
File size: 217 MB

Sam And Max Episode 2: The Tomb Of Sammun-Mak (PSN Exclusive) ($8.99)
ESRB Rated T
File size: 482 MB

Sam And Max Episode 3: They Stole Max’S Brain (PSN Exclusive) ($8.99)
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 411 MB

Sam And Max Episode 4: Beyond The Alley Of The Dolls (PSN Exclusive) ($8.99)
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 376 MB

Sam And Max Episode 5: The City That Dares Not Sleep (PSN Exclusive) ($8.99)
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 365 MB

Game Demos (free)

MotoGP 10/11 Demo
The new in-game physics in MotoGP 10/11 deliver the most authentic bike racing experience ever. The new rider assist feature allows you to fully customize your bike set up, giving experienced players a pure simulation experience whilst new comers can get help where they need it. The demo includes 2 playable GP class bikes in either a single ‘Championship’ race or ‘Time Trial’ mode. Download now!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 394 MB

Nail’D Demo
As the fastest all-terrain arcade racing game ever, “nail’d” is pure adrenaline! Try it now!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 1.19 GB

Back To The Future: The Game – Episode 1: Its About Time – Trial
This is a free trial of Back to the Future Episode 1: It’s About Time. In Episode 1, Marty McFly is just getting re-acquainted with the 1980’s when the DeLorean Time Machine he saw destroyed by a speeding train materializes before him. He finds out that Doc Brown is trapped somewhere in the past and that he must travel back in time to save Doc’s future! Five episodes, releasing monthly!
ESRB Rated T
File size: 217 MB

Killzone 3 Single Player Demo
Download this free demo and come face-to-face with the ruthless Helghast war machine. Join the battered ISA forces on the front line and fight your way through a merciless enemy. This demo can be played with a wireless controller or a PlayStation Move motion controller and PlayStation Eye camera.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 1.49 GB

Killzone 3 Single Player 3D Demo
ESRB Rated M
File size: 1.48 GB

PSone Classics

SAIYUKI Journey West ($5.99)
Relive the epic journey based on the popular Chinese legend in this tactical role-playing game. Guide Sanzo and his friends in battles to save the world. Download this PSone Classic today!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 336 MB

DESTREGA($5.99)
Rock-paper-scissors combat is here! Take down your rivals with long-range magical attacks and intense close-range fighting within strategic 3D environments. Download this PSone Classic today!
ESRB Rated T
File size: 298 MB

Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV: Wall of Fire ($5.99)
During a time of constant warfare, ancient China relies upon your strategic skills as its next ruler to save it from complete turmoil! Download this PSone Classic today!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 183 MB

Add-on Game Content

ModNation Racers – Lovebug Kart And Mod (Free)
Get bit by the Lovebug!! This original Mod and his Swan Kart are ready to race for romance. Download this bundle and get both Mod and Kart and get the following pieces for your own creations!
Mod:

Creepy Crawly (Skin)
Bug Mask (Accessories)
Feeler (Odds & Ends)

Kart:

Swan (Body)
Affection Confection (Engine)
Rose Bud (Wheels)
Candy Heart (Steering Wheel)

File size: 200 KB

ModNation Racers – Lovebug Mod (Free)
Get bit by the Lovebug!! This original Mod is ready to race for romance. Download this Mod and get the following pieces for your own creations!

Creepy Crawly (Skin)
Bug Mask (Accessories)
Feeler (Odds & Ends)

File size: 100 KB

ModNation Racers – Lovebug’s Swan Kart (Free)
Lovebug’s Swan Kart is faster than cupid’s arrow and is ready to race. Download this Kart and get the following pieces for your own creations!

Swan (Body)
Affection Confection (Engine)
Rose Bud (Wheels)
Candy Heart (Steering Wheel)

File size: 100 KB

Dj Hero 2: Pendulum Mix Pack ($7.99)
Downloadable Mix Pack featuring ‘Watercolour’, ‘Set Me On Fire’, and ‘Salt In The Wounds’ by Pendulum. For all song credits, please visit www.djhero.com.
File size: 55 MB

Fifa Soccer 11 – Fifa Ultimate Team (Free)
Build your own Ultimate Team with all your favorite soccer stars, choose to manage one or multiple squads & then compete in dynamically updated online tournaments.
File size: 139 MB

Hyperdimension Neptunia: Alchemy Helper (Free)
A request from an Alchemy School student. The assignment is to craft Ruby Prism. A rare item called a Giant’s Soul is needed to make a Ruby Prism. Go collect a Giant’s Soul for the student. Obtain IF’s special weapon, Triple Edge!
File size: 100 KB

Hyperdimension Neptunia: Dragon With A Blue Shadow (Free)
The shadow of a boy in Leanbox suddenly changed its shape into a dragon. The shadow is completely out of control and destroying the town against the boy’s will. Defeat the shadow and help the boy! Obtain Compa’s special weapon, Soda. The power of its carbonation is vicious!
File size: 100 KB

Hyperdimension Neptunia: Giant Bull Awakens (Free)
An additional quest to celebrate the release of Hyperdimension Neptunia is finally here!
The objective of this quest is to defeat the awakened Big Buffalo in Planeptune’s Sealed Ruin. Obtain Neptune’s special weapon, the Bamboo Sword!
File size: 100 KB

Hyperdimension Neptunia: Out-Of-Control Robot (Free)
Crisis in the Mega Storage 3, managed by Sir President Stringer! The automated security robot is going out of control due to a virus! Go defeat the robot and help Sir President Stringer. Obtain Neptune’s special weapon, Laser Bamboo!
File size: 100 KB

Mindjack – Extra Map Pack 1 ($6.99)
Extra Map Pack 1 Includes:

Airport Shootout: Defend yourself against a raid of Nerkas soldiers coming from every direction at the San Mira Airport.
Construction Carnage: Take cover behind make-shift barricades to battle against countless waves of enemies.
Container Maze: Survive through a maze of shipping containers and snipers waiting behind every corner.

File size: 90 MB

Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet The Thanos Throwdown ($4.99)
All new content featuring Thanos, the most formidable villain in the galaxy!
File size: 96 MB

You Don’t Know Jack: Jack Pack 1 ($4.99)
Want MORE TRIVIA? Good, because Cookie Masterson isn’t done with you yet. Check out these 10 ALL-NEW EPISODES of everyone’s favorite quiz show party game, and match wits with the cheeky yet fresh-smelling host. This pack is simply engorged with extra trivia, more prizes, and several housecats. Think you know your pop stars from your nebulous stars? Then crank this baby up and prove it. ‘Cause we’re willing to bet: YOU DON’T KNOW JACK!
File size: 201 MB

R.U.S.E. – Pack Of The Rising Sun ($9.99)
The Pack of The Rising Sun gives you the opportunity to command the Japanese Army in solo and multiplayer modes. You will also make the most of 28 new units and factories in 3 exclusive operations dedicated to the Imperial Japanese Army (Gold for the Brave, Ostfriesland, and For Honour).
File size: 300 MB

Def Jam Rapstar
(Music Downloads Not Rated by the ESRB) Expand your DEF JAM RAPSTAR library with these songs. DEF JAM RAPSTAR game disc is required to play this downloadable content:

“The Light” – Common ($1.99)
“Understanding” – Crada ($1.99)
“Limit” – Deichkind ($1.99)
“Pression” – Koudjo ($1.99)
“Ms. Fat Booty” – Mos Def ($1.99)
“Fire” – Shuko ($1.99)
“Get By” – Talib Kweli ($1.99)
“Bad Mood” – Trackdilla ($1.99)
Backpack Pack ($5.49) – Expand your DEF JAM RAPSTAR library with this pack, which includes the songs: “The Light” by Common, “Ms. Fat Booty” by Mos Def and “Get By” by Talib Kweli.

File size: 3.76 MB – 48 MB (singles), 171 MB (Backpack Pack)

Rock Band Network

“Alive And Kicking” – Nonpoint ($1.99)
“Antman” – The Red Chord ($0.99)
“Flag In The Ground” – Sonata Arctica ($1.99)
“Have Faith In Me” – A Day to Remember ($1.99)
“I Still Feel Her, Part III” – Jonny Craig ($1.99)

File size: 19 MB – 28 MB (singles)

Bundles

SPLATTERHOUSE: Survival Arena 4 Pack ($4.99)
Four Survival Arenas for a low price. “Killing Floor,” “Lost Islands,” “Hall of Mirrors,” “Heart of the Mansion” all in one package.
File size: 81 MB

Avatars

Devil May Cry 4 – Dante Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 108 KB

Devil May Cry 4 – Trish Avatar ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Devil May Cry 4 – Weapon (x3) ($0.49)
File size: 100 KB

Game Videos (free)

Tester Season 2 – Reunion Show
File size: 903 MB (SD), 1.33 GB (1080)

Acceleration of SUGURI X-Edition Trailer
File size: 29 MB (SD), 50 MB (HD), 82 MB (1080)

Major League Baseball 2K11 – Perfect Game Trailer – Us Store Release Only
File size: 64 MB (HD)

Yakuza 4 Battles Trailer
File size: 102 MB (HD)

Homefront – Occupation Trailer
File size: 70 MB (HD)

SOCOM 4 “Not for Self” MP Trailer
File size: 76 MB (HD), 128 MB (1080)

Music

Acceleration of SUGURI Music Track (x13) (Free)
File size: 245 KB – 7.13 MB

PS3 Themes

Acceleration of SUGURI X-Edition Theme (Free)
File size: 1.46 MB

Ford Sync Theme (Free)
File size: 882 KB

Boston Celtics Dynamic NBA Theme ($2.99)
File size: 4.79 MB

Chicago Bulls Dynamic NBA Theme ($2.99)
File size: 4.83 MB

LA Lakers Dynamic NBA Theme ($2.99)
File size: 4.79 MB

Miami Heat Dynamic NBA Theme ($2.99)
File size: 4.96 MB

NY Knicks Dynamic NBA Theme ($2.99)
File size: 4.54 MB

Oklahoma City Thunder Dynamic NBA Theme ($2.99)
File size: 4.26 MB

Orlando Magic Dynamic NBA Theme ($2.99)
File size: 4.98 MB

San Antonio Spurs Dynamic NBA Theme ($2.99)
File size: 4.40 Mb

PS3 Wallpapers (free)

Acceleration of SUGURI X-Edition Wallpaper
File size: 293 KB

Plants Vs. Zombies Wallpaper (x2)
File size: 1 MB – 1.02 MB

Space Ace Wallpaper
File size: 278 KB

Tales From Space: About A Blob – Wallpaper #1
File size: 674 KB

PlayStation Store for PSP

Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)

TNT Racers ($7.99)
Have you got what it takes to outrun your rivals? TNT Racers is a fun multiplayer racing game full of variety, combining fast as lightning race action with brand new features.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 45 MB

TACTICS OGRE: Let Us Cling Together ($39.99)
From the creators of the celebrated FINAL FANTASY TACTICS comes one of the most highly anticipated sequels to the “Tactics” franchise. In TACTICS OGRE: Let Us Cling Together, you will experience a lost tale of political intrigue, conquest, and rebellion. It is your choices through a branching storyline that determine the fate of the Walister Resistance, characters in the game, and the story as a whole.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 1.10 GB

Game Demos (also available from PS3 Storefront) (free)

Naruto Shippuden: Kizuna Drive Demo
Experience team battles like never before in the Naruto Shippuden: Kizuna Drive demo! Play as Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, or Shikamaru as your four-man team works together to defeat their enemies using a combination of melee and Jutsu attacks, ultimately facing off in a battle against the One Tail, Shukaku. Play alone or team up with up to three other friends via wi-fi Ad Hoc play to experience true cooperative team play!
ESRB Rated T
File size: 37 MB

Add-on Game Content (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Lord Of Arcana – Pack 1 (Free)
New quests come to LORD OF ARCANA! This pack contains the missions “Noble in the Fog,” “Burning Forest,” “Azure Flames,” and “Sheltered Maiden.” Defeat fairy knights, save the Neumellow Woods from destruction, keep a hotpot hot, and search for unmatched beauty in these all-new missions! More quests will be available soon — check back on the PlayStation Store!
File size: 982 KB

PSP minis (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Soccer Bashi – Minis ($3.99)
ESRB Rated E
File size: 36 MB

Core Blaster – Minis ($3.99)
ESRB Rated E
File size: 23 MB

Game Videos (free)

Tester Season 2 – Reunion Show
File size: 214 MB

PSP Themes (also available from PS3 Storefront

Azmodeus Dark Angels PSP Theme (x3) ($1.99)
File size: 540 KB – 588 KB

PSP Wallpapers (free)

Legends Of War: Patton’s Campaign Wallpaper 7
File size: 202 KB

Rocksteady – Batman: Arkham City a ‘Single-player only’ Experience

Garrett Hartman — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 21:37:59 +0000

Despite previous rumors of a multiplayer mode, Rocksteady has confirmed multiplayer will not be a part of Batman: Arkham City.

In a conversation with IGN, Rocksteady Studio boss Seaton Hill confirmed the game a “single player only” experience.

“Our thought process behind this was fairly simple: when we investigated adding multiplayer we asked, ‘If we use all of the energy that is required to create multiplayer and instead focus this on the single player, would that deliver a better overall game?’”

“With the game now coming to the final stages, I can honestly say it would not have been possible to deliver Arkham City the way we wanted to if we’d have added multiplayer.

“So it might not be the fashionable choice, it might not get us an extra tick on the box, but we are convinced, and we hope that gamers will agree when they get to play the finished game, that we have made the right decision. ”

Was this a good decision? Frankly I agree with Rocksteady’s decision. What do you think?

Batman: Arkham City releases this fall for PS3, 360 and PC.

Duke Nukem Forever Campaign “16 to 18″ Hours Long

Garrett Hartman — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:38:34 +0000

News regarding Duke Nukem Forever just keeps getting better. First, we were rocked with the awesome news several months ago when Gearbox bought the rights to Duke Nukem that the long awaited Duke Nukem Forever would finally transcend the development hell it had been in for more than 1o years.

Now, Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford has more great news. In a conversation with GTTV’s Geoff Keighly, he announced Duke Nukem Forever single-player campaign is “16-18 hours” long.

“Average play-times are more like 16-18 hours, that’s like three or four Call of Duty’s, right?”

Great news for any first person shooter fan. The Duke is back and Gearbox isn’t messing around.

Source

Paxton Fettel Available For Single Player In F.E.A.R. 3 (Video/Screenshots)

Matthew Sims — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 18:25:50 +0000

Looks like Mr. Paxton Fattel will be available to use in the Single Player mode of F.E.A.R. 3. Warner Brother’s announced that, in honor of Valentine’s Day, they are letting the world know that after completing a level with his brother, Point Man, players will be able to replay those levels with Paxton. What does that have to do with Valentine’s Day? Your guess is as good as mine.

Paxton offers a twist on playing through the campaign as the majority of his abilities are telekinetic, allowing him to perform feats that his super-soldier bro cannot. Players will have to ability to suspend, crush, and stun enemies, making a play through with Paxton completely different than one with Point Man.

Warner Brothers was also nice enough to give us a video and some screenshots that we’ve compiled below.

F.E.A.R. 3 is set to release this May on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC

Exciting New Homefront Single-Player Trailer Hits Home

Garrett Hartman — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 01:26:45 +0000

With the recent news of North Korea’s aggression as Kim Jong-Il seeks to leave the country to his son and successor Kim Jong-Un, the upcoming shooter Homefront seems much more relevant.

Although Occupation of the United States is unlikely, it definitely makes for an interesting premise. Which is what the developers are backing on.

Enjoy the new single-player trailer.

Bioshock 2 Single-Player DLC ‘Minerva’s Den’ Announced

Sam Naylor — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:08:18 +0000

Bioshock 2 publisher 2K Games has announced today that the game will be getting some new Single-player DLC, which the publisher describes as “narrative-driven.”

The DLC will be coming to PS3, PC and Xbox 360 in the Autumn, and is described as “a self-contained narrative experience” with “an all-new character.”

You’ll be helping Brigid Tenenbaum to “uncover the dark secrets hidden in its founder’s past” in a new area of Rapture, with the aid of “new high-tech weaponry and a devastating new Plasmid.” You’ll be facing off against splicers and security bots and a new type of Big Daddy.”

“Minerva’s Den is a substantial addition that will give players more of what they’re looking for: more story, more narrative, more gameplay and more of Rapture,” said 2K president Christoph Hartmann. “The core team has created an exciting product that further enhances the mystery and allure of the world of Rapture. Minerva’s Den will be a fitting conclusion to the BioShock 2 saga.”

If this DLC is anything like as good as the single-player DLC for Borderlands was, then Bioshock 2 fans should be looking forward to this. Let us know what you think in the comments.

Used Game Market Not the Problem, Lack of New Purchase Incentive the Real Issue

Chad Lakkis — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:57:02 +0000

Look, I’ve been reading a heap of articles lately citing both the Eurogamer and GI.biz sit down with Frontier Developments’ founder, David Braben, and I simply couldn’t take it anymore.

For those of you that missed the hoopla, Braben’s gripe is that the used game market will eventually kill the single player aspect of games and force all developers to focus instead on multiplayer due to its high replay factor. While I agree that multiplayer does offer a much higher replay value, I certainly don’t agree with his proposed fix.

My argument is that for every game there are two versions. One is personal, not for resale and it’s made abundantly clear you can’t sell it. And it’s made available for something like GBP 25 [$40]. And a resale and rental copy, which in film is actually about GBP 80 [$130].

Huh? That has got to be the most ass backwards solution I’ve ever heard of. I understand the need for a developer to generate higher revenue, but handcuffing a consumer to their product is not the answer.

The better solution, which is admittedly more difficult, is to come up with incentives that motivate gamers to buy games new. Companies and retailers alike are already putting this plan into action. Look no further than the upcoming release of Gears of War 2 to see this in action. Those who buy the game new will get access to fan favorite levels from the original Gears. Other titles like LittleBigPlanet have been offering up tons of exclusive costumes, levels, and even real world branded merchandise for pre-order customers.

While both of these games have multiplayer aspects, there’s nothing preventing the creators of single player only titles from utilizing these tactics as well. They may not have the luxury of relying on an internet connected consumer, but that wouldn’t prevent them from embedding content into their games that requires a one time use code to unlock via telephone, smoke signal, bong juice, or bat signal.

The point I am trying to make here is that there are other options. And when you’re a company comprised of the type of talent and creativity capable of putting together an interactive game, I have a hard time feeling sorry for you. If you can’t think up ways to help strengthen your consumer bond without the use of restraints, you need to stop pointing fingers at consumers and retail chains and instead point them at yourself.

Chains like GameStop have every right to sell used games without developers pointing their fingers at them in disgust. Looking at the situation realistically, chains like GameStop will cease to exist as soon as more consumers begin to realize that they don’t need fancy middle man pawn shops, offering ridiculously low trade in value, in order to connect with gamers looking for used content.

Personally, you will never catch me selling a used game to a chain like GameStop, but that’s not because I don’t believe they should have the right to sell used products. It’s because I believe the price they offer consumers in exchange for their game is highway robbery. If I have games (or anything for that matter) that I want to sell, I use this lovely tool called the internet created by Al Gore in the 70s. And when I don’t feel like doing that, I whip up a yard sale sign and sit my ass in a lawn chair on my front lawn.

In closing, the solution is not to offer us less by doing away with single player content and it’s not forcing us to retain our copy by placing legal copy on the back of each box. Gamers will respond unanimously to one thing and one thing only — a superior product. If that means the addition of multiplayer, do it. If that means going above and beyond with extra promotional content, do it. Knapsacks, notebooks, pencil sharpers, condoms, lunchboxes, viewfinders — whatever it is — do it, do it, do it, do it.

Deliver a high enough quality product and gamers will not only never sell your title, they’ll worship your box art by framing it on their wall for the whole world to see.

Afterthought: Ok, my rant time is over. What say you loyal readers? Have I lost my mind? Is Braben on to something or should games come with boat loads of swag and other cool perks if we are willing to dish out the cash to buy them new?

Play Call of Duty 4 At Select GameStop Locations October 17th

Drake Hess — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:42:27 +0000

An open invite has just gone out courtesy of Activision and Infinity Ward! Select GameStop locations will be opening their doors allowing eager gamers to experience the single player version of the game hands on before the official release on November 6th.

To get in on the fun, be one of the first 100 to enlist on the scene at participating GameStop locations. Swag and prizes include a signed call sheet from Infinity Ward.

Here is the list of participating stores currently listed on GameStop.com (this list may change)

New York
Store# 1363 33rd/Broadway
1282 Broadway,10001
(212) 967-9070 Los Angeles
Store# 4619 Universal Citywalk
1000 Universal Studios Blvd, Ste 101, 91608
(818) 980-5766

Chicago
Store# 4866 Broadview Village
7550 Braodview Village Sq, 60155
708-410-1830 San Francisco
Store# 4437 San Francisco/Powell
151 Powell St, 94102
(415) 362-7601

Dallas-Ft Worth
Store# 815 Arlington B&N
934 East Copeland Road, 76011
(817) 261-8981 Houston-Galveston
Store# 4558 Woodlands Mall
1201 Lake Woodlands Drive, Space 2182, 77380
(281) 296-8315

Philadelphia
Store# 620 Whitman Plaza
330 Oregon Ave., 19148
(215) 271-9399 Washington DC
Store# 662 Smoketown Square
13277 Worth Avenue, 22192
(703) 492-8627

Atlanta
Store# 2373 Camp Creek
3662 Marketplace Blvd., 30344
(404) 349-5719 Minneapolis
Store# 606 Rosedale Commons
2480 Fairview Ave. N., 55113
(651) 638-9551

For more information, including an up to date list of participating GameStop locations, head on over to: http://www.gamestop.com/gs/cod4ftp/default.asp. Good luck.

COD4 PC Beta – Official Recommended & Minimum Specs Announced

Chad Lakkis — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 23:34:31 +0000

“Your processor speed is killing us Sergent”

The Single Player demo of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is set to hit PC’s tomorrow, October 11th. Don’t be caught with your pants around your ankles when it does.

Make sure you check the specs of your PC against the official recommended and minimum specs courtesy of fourtwozero, Infinity Ward’s blogging informant.

And remember, if you don’t like what you see, you can always make a quick run to your local Best Buy — there are no excuses for being an unprepared soldier. Specs available after the jump.

Recommended Specs

CPU: 2.4 GHz dual core or better is recommended
RAM: 1GB for XP; 2GB for Vista is recommended
Harddrive: 8GB of free hard drive space
Video card: 3.0 Shader Support recommended. Nvidia Geforce 7800 or better or ATI Radeon X1800 or better

Required Minimum Specs

CPU: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 2.4 GHz or AMD(R) Athlon(TM) 64 2800+ processor or any 1.8Ghz Dual Core Processor or better supported
RAM: 512MB RAM (768MB for Windows Vista)
Harddrive: 8GB of free hard drive space
Video card (generic): NVIDIA(R) Geforce(TM) 6600 or better or ATI(R) Radeon(R) 9800Pro or better

There you have it. Check back with us often as we will be following this blockbuster title very closely in the coming weeks.

Halo 3 Campaign Review

Rob Way — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:50:21 +0000

Halo’s storyline finally comes full circle, and not the good kind of circle I used to draw in math class with a compass — the bad kind of circle I used to draw on the asphalt when I was five!

If Bungie’s mission was to make us feel like pigeons, preordering the game, waiting three months, and ultimately paying $60 for a game that doesn’t deliver anything that remotely resembles a decent story, then CONGRATULATIONS!

If I didn’t preorder it, wait three months, and drop $60, I would throw the Halo 3 game disk into my bathroom sink and set it on fire, then use it to line Pirate’s (my cat) cat box.

If you think I’m being harsh, lets take a trip down memory lane. There I was sitting at my computer watching the first CGI trailer for Halo 3 (you know, the one with the two kids staring at the stars asking philosophical questions) then BAM, in comes Master Chief caught up in some massive battle putting on his helmet. The first thing that crossed my mind was “are we finally going to learn about Master Chief’s past?” The answer: Of course not! I mean, why would I ever think that?

And the actual storyline (I use that word loosely) is a much bigger letdown than being denied a glimpse under the Chief’s helmet. For starters, how about the fact that they cut the entire “Arbiter” storyline right out of the game? Heck, why not — it’s not like he had a role in Halo 2 or a big part in Halo 3 — he’s just your right hand man for the entire game!

Let’s not forget about Cortana. In fact, you couldn’t even if you wanted to since she pops up on your screen every 15 to 30 minutes slowing your gameplay down. Her random babble annoyed me and didn’t have a direct connection to the story at all. Oh, and does anyone remember Gravemind from Halo 2? Well, you might as well forget him, because he’s not in Halo 3 — unless you count his one-sided dialogue, which like Cortana, slows down your gameplay.

As far as weapons go, there are few new additions, and what was added wasn’t very impressive or useful for that matter. I found myself using the Assault Rifle throughout the majority of the game, that is until I ran into a tank, then I would either use the rocket launcher or run into it with a Ghost, firing repeatedly until it exploded.

There are some new vehicles as well, like the Chopper (the brute version of an ATV) which closely resembles a 1980′s Big Wheel, and the Hornet (the human version of the Banshee) which looks a lot like the Turtle Glider from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles .

One new feature they added, which I thought was awesome, was the ability to destroy the Scarabs, the giant spider like tanks featured in cut scenes from past iterations of the game. Of course that lost its luster once I realized all you had to do to destroy it was stand underneath its leg joints and fire away.

Graphics are what you would expect from a next gen Halo game, as it features bright shiny colors throughout. In terms of sound, though, it didn’t take long before the same Halo theme beat me into submission. Although with new renditions of the theme added, there were moments where I expected a Brown Coat or Reavers to jump out (yea a Firefly references — I’m a nerd).

Overall, I was not impressed with Bungie and Microsoft’s agenda to make more money by milking a franchise for all its worth (did you get your Halo themed Xbox 360?), and I can assure you this won’t be the last time we all see Master Chief.

Campaign – Reviewed by Rob Way.

Multiplayer – Reviewed by Andrew Podolsky. (click here to read)

Overall – Rob Way & Andrew Podolsky fight it out…results below.