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Video Games - September 2006

Confirmed: Halo RTS!

September 29th 2006 11:01


The news is out and it is big…Microsoft will be releasing a real time strategy game based on the blockbuster Halo franchise and will be titled Halo Wars! The release date is yet to be announced but at the moment it will be exclusive to the Xbox360 and PC only.

For those who have been living under a rock for the past 4 years, Halo is the epic battle between the human Marines and the alien Covenant which has so far taken place in two highly successful first person shooter titles on the Xbox. Halo 1 and 2 made console FPS playing rather enjoyable and became very popular for its intuitive gameplay and good storyline. Let’s not forget the excellent multiplayer fun that could also be dished out using the Xbox controller! (who would of thought without a mouse and keyboard combo!).


Although RTS games run very well on PCs control wise, consoles have always found it hard to run RTS games easily with players unable to execute precision and speed in selecting units and issuing commands especially with the joystick. Ensemble Studios, the creator for this upcoming title have stated that the Xbox360 version will be created from scratch and will focus on the Xbox360 controller (unlike the mouse keyboard combination found on the PC version). This leads me to be very sceptical on how an RTS can be that successful or enjoyable for that matter using a controller. Moreover, what will happen when multiplayer battles become so over crowded and it becomes difficult to select individual characters? I hope Ensemble doesn’t make the Xbox360 version very simple by almost ‘automating’ directions of troops.


Well the game looks great and I suggest you view the trailer to get a sneak peak on what is installed in what should be a ground breaking RTS for the PC and Xbox360.


Pictures taken from the Official website (also contains trailer).

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PS3 games to cost AU$120?!

September 27th 2006 09:15


Sony has just set the price for seven of the launch titles for its PS3 console and the prices do look dear. Gamers will expect to pay US$59.99 for each PS3 title, which amounts to US$10 more than the Xbox360 and Wii game prices. These launch titles include Call of Duty 3, Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Sonic the Hedgehog to name a few.

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A BIG Marvel package approaching…

September 26th 2006 12:08


Marvel Ultimate Alliance will herald the new step in the Marvel franchise of games, and hopefully this title will prove worthy of playing. Activision along with Raven Software will be releasing this title in November and have stated that it will hold over 140 official Marvel characters! Moreover, this title will be available on almost every console, including handhelds, current-gen and new-gen consoles. Big names, big list of characters but what is all the hype about?

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DS gets Final Fantasy XII

September 25th 2006 11:07
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PaRappa rappin onto the PSP

September 22nd 2006 08:28


It has been 10 years since the original PaRappa the Rapper appeared on the PSX, and fans who loved the original (and new gamers alike) will be in for a treat when this re-release lands on the PSP by the end of this year (or early next). This is a bizarre game but an enjoyable one to say the least. I set my gaming mitts on this title shortly after it was released on the PSX and it does bring back fond memories…kick chop!

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Capcom is following the ‘re-release’ band wagon with Powerstone Compilation coming out next month for the PSP. This nice little compilation is formed of Powerstone 1 and 2 which were released on the Sega Dreamcast around 6 years ago (yes it has been 6 years…wow!).

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Rainbow Six Vegas looking pretty sweet

September 18th 2006 13:01


This November, Ubisoft is planning to release the new instalment for the Rainbow Six series and this time will be themed in the glittering night life of Las Vegas. So does it really add anything special to the series? I always ask this question since every Rainbow Six game feels the same as the other. On the contrary, the Splinter Cell series was a nice diversion from the game type (even though it wasn’t directly focused on Rainbow Six).

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Nintendo have recently unveiled a heap of info on their upcoming console Wii and this includes a nifty little list of titles to boot. Of these titles, I was particularly drawed to Wii Sports! Wii Sports is essentially a compilation of mini-games which make full use of the wireless motion captured Wii controller. Such games include tennis, bowling, baseball and even golf!

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God Hand…classic beat em up action

September 14th 2006 11:52


Capcom is at it again…with the creators of the Viewtiful Joe series putting together a button bashing but quirky fighting game. God Hand follows a mystical Japanese story line that places the gamer in the control of Gene who will be able to dish out a large variety of combos and power moves on all incoming enemies.

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Capcom brings back the classics

September 12th 2006 15:48


I love when big gaming companies re-release classic titles which I used to play when I was a kid. Boy I miss those Mega Drive and Super Nintendo days. I bet a lot of older gamers out there feel the same way when they see that the simplistic and addictiveness of such old games cannot be beaten by the latest high tech games available these days. Capcom has realised this gaming market and are set to release Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded on the PSP which is comprised of a nice bundle of Capcom goodies for gamers to poke their gaming minds at.

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Forza 2 to kill the Gran Turismo series

September 9th 2006 06:56


Next month Microsoft Game Studios will release the next instalment for the realistic car sim, Forza. Forza 2 however will be released on the Xbox 360 only and after looking at the trailers and reading what is going to be included in the game, I am very impressed. Ever since Forza was released on the Xbox, Sony’s Gran Turismo had a true competitor for that ‘ultimate driving simulator’ title. Forza was loaded with features including a massive list of cars and tracks along with excellent multiplayer modes which saw players racing their modified cars against each other using Microsoft’s Live service.

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Here we go again, another street sim racer is set to be released by the end of this month and will be published by Ubisoft for the Xbox 360. Import Tuner Challenge is the title and looks like a remake of Need for Speed Underground, Juiced, and the Fast and The Furious mixed together. Needless to say, games of this genre are selling quite well and since the demand is high, games like this will continue to be released. The only question is whether they will be more innovative over time.

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Playstation 3 delayed till 2007!

September 6th 2006 13:18


The news is in and it doesn’t sound good at all for most gamers around the world with Sony announcing that the PS3 will not be launched in November this year…but in March next year! Europe and Australasia are just some regions that have been placed back once again due to ‘shortage of consoles due to mass demand’. Don’t despair though, Japan and North America release dates still remain set on the 11th and 17th of November which will keep the ‘important’ segment of gamers happy (well NTSC wise).

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Another expansion for Guild Wars!

September 5th 2006 10:22
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Pokemon returns in a new RPG for the DS

September 3rd 2006 07:05
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Following the hit cartoon series, Xiaolin Showdown will be released in gaming format this November on all major consoles and handhelds (excluding new-gens!). The title will be released by Konami and really packs a multiplayer punch with gameplay similarity to that of Powerstone and Super Smash Bros. Not familiar with these titles and have been living under a rock for the past few years?...well the basic structure of these games follow the ‘beat-em up’ principle where players choose a character and are pit in a arena or moving stage filled with weapons and pick-ups to use against enemies.

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