As I was strolling through Best Buy today I noticed that The Darkness in on store shelves.  Just in case you just back from being stranded on a desert island for the last year with the girl of your dreams and have not heard anything about this game let me quickly give you the basics.  Based on renowned comic book franchise and developed by Starbreeze Studios, The Darkness is set in the dark and seedy underbelly of New York City and the ethereal realm of The Darkness.  Players assume the role of mafia hitman Jackie Estacado, heir to “The Darkness,” an ancient power that awakens within him on his 21st birthday. Jackie must use traditional weapons as well as learn to command his terrible new powers to seek revenge on his own crime family. The Darkness is based on the best-selling comic book series of the same name, published by Top Cow Productions and created by Marc Silvestri, Garth Ennis, and David Wohl. “The Darkness” comic book launched in 1996 and is currently published in 19 different languages around the world.

“The Darkness takes the first-person action video game to new depths on both a visual and a gameplay level and brings the graphic novel to grisly new life,” said Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K. “Starbreeze Studios really captured the dark and gritty storyline of The Darkness comic book. Players can experience The Darkness through an intense and engaging game that will stay with them long after they’ve set their controllers down.”

“We are excited to work with 2K and Starbreeze Studios to bring The Darkness from the printed page to the next-generation consoles,” said Marc Silvestri, Founder of Top Cow Productions. “Since we have all worked very closely on this project, fans of the comic book will be pleased with how accurately and effectively it comes to life as an incredibly visceral and enjoyable video game.”

The Darkness features include:

• Varying manifestations of the Darkness allow you to devour, impale or implode your enemies.
• Use the Darkness to toss huge objects like cars as though they were toys.
• Summon darklings - impish and humorous demons - to do your bidding and eviscerate your foes.
• Cannibalize your victims - Slay your enemies and command the Darkness to eat their hearts and increase your strength and power.
• The light is your enemy - Extinguish any light in your path while seeking the shadows wherever possible in order to feed and replenish the Darkness.
• Insane multiplayer - Shapeshift between darkling and human in online multiplayer games and face other players in traditional as well as all-new innovative multiplayer modes.
• Diverse voice talent - An all-star cast adds authenticity to the characters and credibility to the overall cinematic experience, including Kirk Acevedo (Oz, Band of Brothers) as Jackie Estacado, Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) as Jenny Romano, and Mike Patton (Faith No More, Peeping Tom) as the voice of the Darkness.
• In-game television - Watch select shows in their entirety, including everything from Nosferatu to Popeye. Players can also tune into breaking news that directly relates to the storyline.

Want even more info on this game check out the game’s official website.
    

Via Press Release

Today only Amazon.com are selling Rayman Raving Rabbids for the Xbox360 for $37.99, reduced from $49.99 with free shipping.A fine and entertaining mini game collection, there’s not a lot like this for the 360.

Sadly for the 360 version the game was designed to take advantage of the Wii very well, so if you have one it might be worth paying the extra.

The BIGS should be sitting on store shelves today.  Why should you be excited about yet another sports game?  Well the fact that The BIGS boasts a small learning curve and delivering some of the best animations out there. 

“With The BIGS, we really wanted to put a whole new spin on baseball while still staying true to America’s favorite pastime,” said Greg Thomas, President of Visual Concepts, a 2K Sports studio. “We took all the big action plays intrinsic to the game and made them happen much more often, creating a hero-like presentation of the players and the sport. The BIGS will give gamers spectacular wall catches, dramatic diving grabs, acrobatic double plays and many more dramatic highlight reel moments to deliver a truly new, exciting brand of baseball.”

The BIGS allows players to use turbo and power-ups, which they claim adds a unique level of strategy to the game (of course Fusion Frenzy 2 promised the same thing with the use of “Cards”, and we all know how that turned out).  Now pitching, batting, or playing the outfield can utilize these modifiers to make momentous plays.  Of course real life Baseball has power ups, they are called Steroids. 

All kidding aside this looks like a great game that all sports fans should check out or at the very least give it a rental, and with the easy to learn game play try to get friends and significant excited about the all American pass time of Baseball.

Via Press Release

At first when I read this article I thought this was going to be a game about the current American President. But it turns out it is about the an animal kingdom political race. So basically it will help you to see if you have what it takes to be the King of the Jungle.

”No one has attempted to bring an over-the-top party game like Hail to the Chimp to next-gen consoles, much less one with biting political satire,” said Rick Stults, Console Chief for Gamecock Media Group. ”Keeping with its reputation, Wideload is going to give gamers something truly original.”

Hail to the Chimp begins after the Lion is deposed as King following a series of embarrassing scandals. The rest of the animals decide it’s time to give democracy a try and hold an election for the next King giving even the lowliest of animals (the Clams) a say in things. The election quickly becomes a chaotic multiplayer free-for-all, with each candidate using a combination of brute force and dirty tricks to turn out the Clam vote. Ten animals will compete to become the next King. During the game, all ten candidates will need to form, and break, alliances with their rivals to gain the upper hand. Multiple game types and hazard-filled arenas keep the action flowing nonstop as the shifting loyalties, truces and vendettas build up to epic proportions.

Look for this Spring of 2008, this promises to be a much more interesting political race then the United States Presidential Election.

Via Press Release

Today only Amazon.com are selling Tony Hawk’s Project 8 On for the Xbox 360, for $17.99 reduced from $59.99 with free shipping if you add another $7.01 to your order.

I actually picked this game up myself the last time it came around on the DOTD wheel, it’s proably the best Tony Hawk game to be released in quite some time.

Today only Amazon.com are selling Dead Or Alive Xtreme 2 for the Xbox360 for $24.99, reduced from $59.99 with free shipping if you add another $0.01 to your cart.

This would seem like a pretty good deal with over 50% off, a Jet ski, volleyball, Casino and Tug-of-war game. However what you have is a swimsuit collecting, butt battling game designed for people to gawk at the female models. I shudder to this what the online play and voice chat is like.

Today only Amazon.com are selling Sonic the Hedgehog for the Xbox360 for $19.99, reduced from $39.99 with free shipping if you add another $5.01 to your cart.

I Sonic has had a bad run over these last few years since he went 3D to keep up with his rival, Mario. Sadly the 3D games tend to slip beneath mediocrity and end up like Sonic the Hedgehog for the Xbox 360. I would suggest trying the demo from the market place before spending even $20 on this.

Today only Amazon.com are selling Eragon for the Xbox 360 for $16.99, reduced from $49.99 with free shipping if you add another $8.01 to your cart.

An action adventure game that has recieved simply horrible reviews, try at your own risk

Today only Amazon.com are selling WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2007 for the Xbox 360 for $19.99, reduced from $49.99 with free shipping if you add another $5.01 to your cart.

The latest in a series of wrestling games now for just twenty bucks on the 360. Definately worth it… I you like that kinda thing

For those of you who are still working on your “Seriously” Achievement here is some news to help bring some new life and new excitement to the world of Gears of War.

Eight new Achievements for the “Annex” game type and the “Hidden Fronts” Multiplayer Map Pack on Xbox LIVE.  In addition to adding new Achievements, worth a total of 250 points, “Gears of War” developer Epic has improved the Roadie Run controls so players have greater control of their movement and can better annihilate their pestilent enemies. The title update will also help squash multiplayer exploits and provide general housekeeping.

For more details visit the Gears of War Website.

 Via Press Release

Now that the beta has closed, consumers worldwide can gear up for the game’s release with a variety of new merchandise, including two new Xbox 360™ Limited Edition “Halo 3” Wireless Controllers designed by Spawn and McFarlane Toys creator Todd McFarlane, as well as an Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Halo 3” Wireless Headset, which lets gamers talk with friends over Xbox LIVE®. The controllers and headset will be available starting in early September and can be preordered at select retailers today, allowing “Halo” fans everywhere to prepare for the launch of this year’s biggest game.

• Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Halo 3” Wireless Controllers. Two new Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Controllers will be available starting Sept. 18 and can be preordered today at select retailers. Designed with original artwork by legendary Spawn artist Todd McFarlane, they will be available in either the Covenant Brute or Master Chief themes. Each controller will be packaged with a limited edition “Halo 3” collectible figurine created by McFarlane Toys will sell for an estimated retail price $59.99 (U.S.).
• Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Halo 3” Wireless Headset. For the “Halo 3” enthusiast who enjoys wireless mobility while playing with friends on Xbox LIVE, the Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Headset will sport the Spartan green and gold and provide high-quality voice connections over Xbox LIVE for an estimated retail price of $59.99 (U.S.). Available in early September, this accessory can be preordered today at select retailers.
• “Halo: Contact Harvest.” “Halo” fans can look forward to the latest book in the “Halo” saga, “Halo: Contact Harvest,” published by Tor Books and due Oct. 2, 2007. Written by Joseph Staten, the Bungie Studios cinematic and writing lead for the first two “Halo” games, the newest piece of fiction precedes the current New York Times’ best-selling book series, telling the tale of the first encounters between UNSC forces and the alien Covenant race that threatens to destroy all humanity. The trade paperback will cost $12.95 (U.S.).
• Marvel Comic miniseries. Bungie Studios has teamed up with Marvel Comics to release the monthly miniseries “Halo: Uprising.” The four-issue miniseries, featuring original storylines and artwork from the Eisner Award-winning team of superscribe Brian Michael Bendis and artist extraordinaire Alex Maleev, will launch with issue one on July 25, 2007 and cost $3.99 (U.S.) per issue.
• Zune™-Halo 3 edition. Encased in collectible packaging, the Zune-Halo 3 edition digital media player comes preloaded with artwork, trailers and music from all three “Halo” games, as well as an exclusive new episode of “Red vs. Blue” from the fan-adored machinima creator Rooster Teeth Productions LLC. The Zune-Halo 3 edition will be available exclusively at GameStop starting June 15 for an estimated retail price of $249 (U.S.).

Via Press Release

Most of us are now feeling like there is something missing in our lives.  A void, the feeling that our existence is not as full filling as it once was.  It is so bad that I actually stayed at work for an extra half hour yesterday, just because I felt like there was nothing to go home for.  Yes the Halo 3 Beta is over.  And now the cold harsh truth that we must wait until September 25th, to enjoy Halo 3.  But there is one group of people that are now shifting into high gear, and that is the game designers.  And here are some of the facts they are already revealing to us.

• 820,000 different accounts tried out the Halo 3 Beta, and who knows how many actual different people used those accounts.  I know from my personal experience seven of my friends all came over and played some Halo 3 under my account.
• All those players enjoyed a cumulative 12 million hours of online game play.  And for all us out there that are not Math Whizzes that is 1,400 years of continuous play by one person.
• 350 terabytes of data downloaded from Xbox LIVE.  Honestly I do not know how to describe that massive amount of data, but Microsoft claims that it is roughly the equivalent 82 million digital songs being downloads from the Internet.
• 580,000 saved films were created by users.  This adds up to more than a whopping 2.7 terabytes of data.

“The participation in the ‘Halo 3’ beta was staggering,” said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “Witnessing such a great reaction to a small portion of the game has been inspiring. It’s a testament to the fervor and anticipation that surrounds ‘Halo 3.’ We’re confident that on Sept. 25 Halo 3 will drive an unprecedented wave of new gamers to the Xbox 360 platform and Xbox LIVE.”

One of the new exciting features of the Halo 3 beta was the ability to save films.  Players can use this to improve in game strategy, train new clan members, or just brag to their friends and taunt fallen foes.  This seems to be a new trend with Microsoft Studio games is the integration of XBox 360 platform and Web 2.0.  Microsoft is really giving users new tools to create videos and pictures to show off over the internet.  From recording races to still shots of cars and being able to sell your custom configuration of cars in Forza 2 to battles in Halo 3 and who knows what else in future games, Microsoft is really leading the way in showing us a new definition to what “Next Gen” can mean. 

With the Beta now wrapped up the Bungie team is now pouring over all the data collected trying to find all the glitches, balance the weapons, and put that final polish on the game to make it the true gem that is what we have all come to expect from anything that Bungie produces.