Originally posted at YourHealthisLow

QuakeCon 2010: Be There!

Posted by Sharon on August 5, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Are you ready for QuakeCon?

In case you were not aware QuakeCon is a four-day, non-stop event that celebrates all things gaming.  This BYOC LAN style gathering is open to the public and best of all FREE! QuakeCon features a wide variety of sights and spectacles including LAN party for nearly 3,000 people, drawings and contests with big cash prizes, exhibits with the latest games and hardware, and non-stop entertainment, parties and events.

This year QuakeCon offers you something very special after 15yrs of success: exclusive QuakeCon broadcast coverage!

Quake Live TV has partnered with QuakeCon 2010 to provide complete coverage of the official QUAKE LIVE^® tournaments and Bring Your Own Computer (BYOC) events, in addition to interviews and community content. The Intel^® QUAKE LIVE^® Masters Championship will be hosted by world-renowned eSports commentators James “2GD” Harding and Joe “Joe” Miller. They will be partnering with Quake Live TV commentators Steve “GreasedScotsman” Huff and Alex “Jehar” Popa, who will be covering the Capture the Flag, Open Duel and BYOC tournaments. Together, they will capture all of the QUAKE LIVE^® action, energy, and excitement.

Intel^® Masters will help you follow QuakeCon via www.quakelive.com with supplementary content syndicated on www.quakelive.tv. For European viewers, the broadcast will be recorded and replayed outside of tournament hours.
The Quake Live TV team currently features fifteen staff members who volunteer their time and effort.

Don’t forget to go!

QuakeCon is returning for another year at the Hilton Anatole in downtown Dallas. The event is from August 12 to August 15, with the first day of the volunteer effort on Monday, August 9, 2010.

If tournaments are your thing keep your eye on QuakeCon’s tournament Center ( http://www.quakecon.org/tournament/ ) for more information about the tournaments being held and how to register.

Each year, QuakeCon plays host for some of the most exciting electronic gaming competitions in the world. Players travel from around the globe for a chance at the prize money and bragging rights that come with a QuakeCon victory.

So get yourself to Texas and explore QuakeCon or volunteer to help out with this amazing event! You only have a few more weeks to find a ride and pack up your computer. If not be sure to tune in to www.quakelive.com and see what all the fuss is about!

Originally posted at YourHealthisLow

Alan Wake DLC is here!

Posted by Sharon on July 28, 2010 · 2 Comments

The Signal

From Games Press:

LONDON – 27 July 2010 – Now is the time to descend into madness as you explore the dark and twisted world of “The Signal,” the first Game Add-on for “Alan Wake.” In this latest chapter to the critically acclaimed psychological action thriller exclusive to Xbox 360, our favourite writer is in greater peril than ever before as the boundaries between reality and nightmare become disturbingly distorted. Threatening to overwhelm Alan’s mind, the nightmarish mysteries feel chillingly familiar. Keep your flashlight nearby as you get ready to follow “The Signal.”

“Alan Wake” fans can take a glimpse into Alan’s terrifying world with the debut of a new trailer.  As the freakish landscapes and enemies become all-too-real, Alan must find a way to escape in “The Signal,” offering a heart-pounding thrill ride featuring new locations and innovative gameplay.

For “Alan Wake” fans that purchased new copies of the game, a token card is included in each copy to download “The Signal” at no cost. For those looking to purchase the Game Add-on, “The Signal” is available for download exclusively on Xbox LIVE for 560 Microsoft Points.

Fans can also further immerse themselves in the mystery of “Alan Wake” through the “Alan Wake” novel from Tor Books, the original soundtrack by Sumthing Else Music Works, the official strategy guide from Prima Games, and the “Alan Wake Illuminated” hardcover art book from Random House. Those who want to gear up properly for their adventure through Bright Falls can also stock up at the official “Alan Wake” store and at CafePress.

Bringing a new style of storytelling to Xbox 360, “Alan Wake” is a psychological action thriller from Remedy, the renowned original developers of the successful “Max Payne” series. The game immerses players in an intense and expansive cinematic world with hyper-realistic and interactive environments modelled after real locations in Washington and Oregon. “Alan Wake” is episodic-based with a deeply engaging and suspenseful storyline inspired by the likes of Stephen King, “Lost” and “Twin Peaks,” unveiling new twists and profound character revelations at every turn.

If you haven’t yet  seen the newly released trailer for this DLC, check it out.  It’s chalk full of suspense and win.

Originally posted at YourHealthisLow

Original Duck Hunt on your iphone.

Posted by Sharon on June 24, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Duck Hunt is back! And it’s on your iphone.

There seems to be a lot of ongoing discussion, lately, regarding the validity of gaming on mobile devices. The simplicity, interface, short game play, and scores of terrible game-turned-apps, out there further perpetuate the thought from console and PC gamers that this new ‘platform’ is less respected than its competition. This topic, which I am still largely on the fence about, has some great points on either side but every once and a while something comes along to offer a new perspective. For me this new perspective came when I hesitantly downloaded Duck Hunt for my iphone.

With a bank full of Duck Hunt memories in tow, I opened up the game and was pleased with what I saw. In 1985 I stood in my living room, armed with my zapper, shooting all manner of flying ducks and clay pigeons, and revisiting the retro classic on my iphone seemed contradictory but much to my surprise was as satisfying as ever.

The graphics are spot on what you will recall from the original NES version, which (for those of you who don’t remember) was one of the two bundle games that came with the system purchase, and includes all the sounds that you enjoyed a mere 25 years ago.

After you download this game to your iphone or ipod touch, you will notice one glaring difference with this port… no zapper! Instead the controls of the touch screen are right and left thumb based. The left thumb will be used to navigate your crosshairs and the right to fire your deadly weaponry.

The only levels available to you are the one and two duck challenges, but that will be enough to satisfy your retro needs. The gun still fires, the dog still laughs and the ducks still fly ferociously away after 3 misfires, but you wouldn’t miss now would you? Visit the app store and pick up Original Duck Hunt By Triceratops Games for the best $0.99 you will spend today and do so with haste!

For a moment let us consider the validity of  the NES games of yesteryear.  Do we negate the games that got us playing and dub them casual, simple and easy or can a resurgence of NES games bring the iphone, ipod, and other mobile devices to a level of respectability with all gamers?

What do you think?

Origianlly posted at YourHealthisLow

Sweet Tooth is Back! All new Twisted Metal!

Posted by Sharon on June 17, 2010 · Leave a Comment

The closing announcement today from Sony at the Electronics Entertainment Expo in LA had the theater filled with gasps. After a recent rumor that a new Twisted Metal was on it’s way, creator David Jaffe was spotted posting a misleading status on twitter in May.

Jaffe posted

“By the way, I WISH we were making a new Twisted Metal. Making game you’ve already worked on is tons easier cuz your core blueprint is already there. This new game design stuff tho? Man, that is hard…reason I’m so stressed these days!”

But Jaffe was playing foolzies.

The appearance of Sweet Tooth and Doll Face filled the faces of gamers everywhere with ear to ear grins at the end of this highly anticipated conference.

With a big PS3 line up promised  for the coming year, this resurrection of the beloved twisted title looks to be a stand above release.

Our favorite multiplayer death match will  accommodate up to 16 players online and is said to have 4 player split screen capabilities. The gameplay demo began with helicopter use, a vehicle not used before now. The gameplay looked amazing, dark, and stylish and of course with familiar levels of destruction and anarchy.

Nuke Mode, new to Twisted Metal, debuted to an excited crowd and promised to give us the chance to pit two teams against one another in and effort to race against each other to destroy the opposing team’s flag which in this case happens to be a large areal suspended metal sculpture.

With an unscheduled 2011 release Twisted Metal will continue to keep us waiting for a while yet before it makes its way to our PS3

To get your peek, check out the official E3 trailer!

Check out the all new NUKE mode

Originally posted at YourHealthisLow

Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood arrives This November

Posted by Sharon on June 17, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Ezio’s adventures in Rome begin November 16th 2010.

During Day One of E3 Ubisoft gave a long, and somewhat unimpressive, presentation of their upcoming projects. One of the highlights of the Ubisoft conference was undoubtedly the sneak peek into the next Assassins Creed iteration created by the Ubisoft Montreal team.

Most notably the graphics were slick and environment rich, even during the gameplay portion of the demo the game seemed polished and action packed in the Rome setting.

While we watched the presentation Ubisoft informed us that in Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood you will find both new fight mechanics and more aggressive A.I.

“Strike First – Strike Fast!” they told us.

Available November 16^th 2010, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood will be released for your 360, PS3 and PC. You can pre order from Ubisoft’s website in time for the 2010 holiday season.

“Live and breathe as Ezio, a legendary Master Assassin, in his enduring struggle against the powerful Templar Order. He must journey into Italy’s greatest city, Rome, center of power, greed and corruption to strike at the heart of the enemy.” – Ubisoft

To preorder you copy of Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood visit Ubisoft

If you haven’t already, check out the trailer:

Originally posted at YourHealthisLow

DS Gamers Breaking World Records in London

Posted by Sharon on May 31, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Armed with a DS Londoners took to the record books at the May London MCM Expo.

This past weekend London gamers gathered at the Excel to participate in the world’s largest Handheld Game Console Party using their DS consoles.

Beating a 3 year old record of 381 held by Australia, 586 patrons of the London MCM Expo obliterated those numbers over the weekend of May 29-30 1020, which broke a total of 3 records. Along with the largest handheld game console party, the expo shattered records in turnout with 41,000 visitors and subsequently the less popular record of longest line of people ever to enter the show.

Gamespress reports that “The London MCM Expo is now the proud holder of two world records, having previously clinched the title of The Largest Gathering of People in Costumes from a Video Game.”

Damian Field, Guinness World Records’ Official Adjudicator, commented: “It is a tremendous achievement for the MCM Expo to reach a number … smashing the existing world record of … It’s rare for a UK mass participation to reach over 500.”

The London MCM Expo gives fans of all ages the chance to come face-to-face with their favorite film stars and TV personalities; get hands-on with the hottest new games; check out Britain’s biggest anime and manga distributors; watch previews of upcoming movies; catch up with the brightest comic book talent and strut their stuff at our famous cosplay masquerade.

The Expo was held May 29–30 at Excel London E16 1XL and will see future spooktacular dates of October 30-31, 2010. Tickets and further information about the expo are available at www.londonexpo.com

World’s Largest Handheld Game Console Party in London

Originally posted at YourHealthisLow

Ninja Time!

Posted by Sharon on May 28, 2010 · 3 Comments

Ninja Time!

Due to the never feigning fascination with ninjas, curiosity leads one to take a peek at the iphone’s 3 most popular ninja games TapTap Ninja, Fruit Ninja, and NinjaTown: Trees of Doom.

Tap Tap Ninja:

In Tap Tap Ninja the camera scrolls to the right and it is up to you, the ninja, to make it as far as you can without succumbing to the elements. As you get further into the game the scroll speed increases blurring the screen and making the attempt to avoid obstacles, and collect gems, all the more challenging.

There are three levels within the “Free Run” portion of the game, each requiring completion in order  to unlocked and pursue the next. The levels entitled Apprentice, Sensei and Master are of the same level construct appearing in the “Gem Hunter” variation. The graphics run smoothly, but 1^st gen and 3G users are advised after the title screen to turn off the music to ensure said smoothness is maintained.

The controls of this game are as easy as it gets; tap once to jump and again while in the air for a double jump. This is all you need to remember to be successful and the tap timing ratio is as accurate as any other tap controlled game out there.

Overall Tap Tap Ninja is a great way to hone your ninja speed while collecting precious gems and using your ninja reflexes to avoid disastrous outcomes a game for ninety nine cents which you will not regret parting with.

Fruit Ninja:

Are you ready to use that ninja sword you have hanging above your mantle? Well, what are you waiting for? Go grab it and join me in ….the kitchen?

Fruit Ninja is a game of reflexes and gives you the opportunity to slice up all kinds of fruit with splattering authority.

As the game begins you are faced with a wooden wall that contains nothing more than a few shadowy scratch marks and before you know it fruit is being tossed into frame from below. Slide your finger across the fruit to slice it and allow it to fall off screen in what I can only imagine to be the biggest messiest bowl of fruit salad on the planet.

The controls are smooth, graphics rich and vibrant and points are awarded for each successful slice of the sword but be sure to avoid the bombs because one slice into the bomb means doom for all and the end of your fruit salad!

Fruit Ninja allows for online competition through OpenFeint and divulges a world of leaderboards and achievements.

Fruit Ninja is easy to use, pretty to look at and has as much online capabilities as an app can expect but you may find that its simplicity equates to repetitiveness and the game grows tired quickly reducing the replay factor of Fruit Ninja significantly.

NinjaTown: Trees of Doom:

Wee Ninja recently leapt from Ninja Town on the DS, a tower defence title you may be familiar with, and into your app store with this jump interpretation, Trees of DOOM!

The compellingly cute character is found in our title screen sleeping at the foot of a large tree until you select play and he jumps to attention ready for action.  Your Wee Ninja is then able to jump up the trees higher and higher while asked to avoid many challenges and collect bonus items.

The controls are straight forward and ask you to tap your way to the top. Tree branches are offered to catapult you longer distances and a guidance arrow helps you to calculate your range from enemies or other aspects you wish to avoid. As you climb higher your challenges become more difficult and a level of patience and timing become part of your strategy for this you are rewarded with small celebrations of achievements.

The replay value of this game comes from the ability to share your score with your friends via Facebook or Twitter but having to restart with a significant drop in ‘level’ and build your way up through the easy areas can be perceived as a test to your patience and determination.

Overall Trees of Doom is a great way to ninja jump your way to the top, it has excellent replay value and the characters and graphics are cute as a button! For $0.99 in the app store you too can be a Wee Ninja and brag to all your social networking friends with NinjaTown: Trees of Doom!

So while the world has turned vampires and zombies, don’t toss away your shuriken just yet; get into your app store and check out some of these, and other, titles to satisfy that ninja blood lust.

Originally posted at YourHealthisLow

ModNation Racers arrives on Tuesday!

Posted by Sharon on May 24, 2010 · Leave a Comment

ModNation Racers Preview

Vancouver based United Front Games gives us a strong interpretation of the “Play, Create, Share” manifesto with ModNation Racers which will see a PS3 and PSP release this Tuesday.

First introduced at E3 ’09, a demo version of the game is available in the playstation store now and is filled with lots of customizable fun. Giving you the opportunity to play with the customization of character, kart and track, the ModNation Racers demo includes a ‘quick play’ option which will help you become familiar with the controls and give you a taste of what to expect from the title.

ModNation Racers is cute and stylish, easy to play and will allow for some nice E rated online play. Collecting turbo, dispensing and blocking attacks from other racers are all elements you will find in this demo, a concept not unique but one that never becomes tired.

Fans of kart racers will enjoy drifting their way through ModNation Racers which is available Tuesday May 25 for PS3 and PSP. You can get a closer look at the demo now by downloading through your playstation store.

Originally published at YourHealthisLow

Rock the Tragic Kingdom!

Posted by Sharon on May 11, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Still playing RockBand?

Well then you are going to love the new DL Content for RockBand 2 available now on the Wii, 360 and PS3.

As of last week all three consoles are now offering a new package for fans of the 1995 No Doubt Album ‘Tragic Kingdom’. The third release for No Doubt, Tragic Kingdom, sold over 16 million copies worldwide and received a Grammy nomination for ‘Best Rock Album’. The album included 14 tracks and 7 singles, pushing the album to certified diamond status in Canada and the US, platinum in the United Kingdom, and triple platinum in Australia.

Wii users are given the opportunity to download their favorite tunes one by one while Playstation and Xbox users can grab them as a bundle.

According to Games Editor at Softpedia “The band sued the publishers [of Guitar Hero] claiming that their likenesses were used without permission in the Band Hero spinoff to play songs coming from other bands although they only gave permission for their own material. Activision tried to defend itself by saying that both freedom of speech and copyright provisions allowed it to do what it did but a judge ruled that No Doubt could go ahead with the suit and ask for reparations from the videogame publisher.”

Now with No Doubt and RockBand2 we can rock our way through one of the most notable No Doubt albums, Tragic Kingdom.

No Doubt album art from Tragic Kingdom

Origianal Album Tracks included:

1. Spiderwebs
2. Excuse Me Mr.
3. Just a Girl
4. Happy Now
5. Different People
6. Hey You
7. The Climb
8. Sixteen
9. Sunday Morning
10. Don’t Speak.
11. You Can Do It
12. .World Go ‘Round
13. End It on This
14. Tragic Kingdom

Rock Band continues the popular franchise with Green Day: Rockband expected to drop later this year, as well news of the third edition of Rock Band which has been confirmed as being in development without specific details regarding release date or platform.

Originally published at YourHealthisLow

Plants vs Zombies for iPhone

Posted by Sharon on May 10, 2010 · 3 Comments

There’s a Zombie on your lawn!

Well it is zombie awareness month and look what’s happened; another apocalypse. These zombies, unlike in some previous predictions, are slow moving and fiendishly adorable. With Multiple IAA Nominee, Plants vs Zombies, it is your time to defend the place that you call home. First released for Windows in May 2009, Plants vs Zombies may have just celebrated its one year anniversary but only recently reached iphone February of this year.

This tower defense game by Seattle based PopCap Games, may contain some not so original concepts (zombies, tower defense, etc) but is delivered with a twist of fun originality and smooth graphics with easy to learn game play. Appealing to the casual gamer, and to some who like to be a bit more strategic, Plants vs Zombies is a well received game for your mobile device.

The game begins with a plan view of a yard, your yard, which has lost all but a single strip of sod. The early part of the game acts as a general tutorial, introducing you to the plants and vegetation needed to fend of the slow approaching zombies from the neighborhood. At the end of each strip of sod (increasing in number as you further in the tutorial until you may utilize the entirety of your yard) is a running lawnmower; your last line of defense should those pesky brain seekers penetrate all the way to your domicile.

The unlikely infantry, your plants, are purchased with sunlight. For this reason it is imperative to plant sunflowers in abundance to secure a steady income. As you maintain your sunlight supply you are able to purchase various other types of undead fighting … plants. Potato Mines, Peashooters, Cattails, Hypno-shrooms, Cabbage and Melon-pults, and  Planterns, etc are all able to be seeded to fend of the unwanted house guests.

Buy your infantry from Crazy Dave

Now it is important to bear in mind that you are fighting zombies with…. plants.

Heck, even *I* eat plants, so yes, once arrived, the zombies will help themselves to a salad before the main course. Because of the relative static (and by relative I mean completely unmoving) nature of your warriors a certain level of strategy is involved to truly succeed which can equate to approximately 6-8hrs of game play in total. Each level of the game requires strategic play for you to achieve an ultimate zombie-less existence. The plants as well as the zombies are chalk full of personality and humor. One of PopCap Games most celebrated details, the sound, is also enthralling. The music and sound bytes contain just enough silliness to make the game light hearted and addictive.

The game has a contrasting sense of depth and simplicity. Plants vs Zombies can be learned quickly but lends to more thought out game play and has definite replay value. There is a huge variety of plants with varying capabilities that are offered slowly with each level completion to fend of the endearing deceased. With such clever execution of this contribution to the tower defense genre, PopCap Games has been wildly successful with Plant vs Zombies and for just $2.99 in the app store, you will enjoy the visuals, the music and the humorously engaging elements.

Check out the trailer and the music video!