Wii 2?

According to Game Informer Nintendo is set to officially announce its next console that should be available in 2012. The console is said to be HD compatible and more powerful than the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. Nintendo is hoping to recapture the hardcore audience with this new console.

Here is a link to IGN's article on it: http://wii.ign.com/articles/116/1161875p1.html

Nazi Dinosaurs...wait what?

Ok, this is one of the craziest and most awesome ideas ever. The upcoming PC game Dino D-Day asks the question "what would happen if Hitler found a way to use dinosaurs against the allies?" I don't know the answer but am pretty sure it would be freaking awesome! At least as far as being a game goes, I don't know that the Nazis having dinosaurs in real life would have been cool but I digress... I don't know that this will be a good game but it sure as heck is going to be a random game. Jurassic Park meets Saving Private Ryan? I am tempted to say weirder things have happened but none come to mind.

Don't believe me? I don't blame you, check out IGN's page for the game here: http://pc.ign.com/objects/094/094409.html

Review: Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime

In 2009 Atari and developer Terminal Reality released Ghostbusters: The Video Game to a mostly positive reception. The game featured the likenesses and voice talents of the 4 main Ghostbusters from the films and some other familiar voices. Atari has finally released their next title in the Ghostbusters franchise and it is nothing like the original game.

The first main difference is that the developer is no longer Terminal Reality, Behaviour interactive is at the helm for this installment. The game also features none of the voice talent from the original game, in fact no voice talent at all. All of the dialogue appears in boxes or in cut scenes that are like panels of a comic. The original Ghostbusters play a background role but the main characters are 4 new recruits who get no character development and I can barely tell them apart. This is the first main problem I have with the game, it completely strays from the authenticity of having the original actors reprise the characters we all love and instead it gives us these throw away rookies that are hard to get behind.

The story begins with the Ghostbusters sending the rookies to check out paranormal activity at the Sedgewick hotel, now don't get me wrong I loved revisiting the Sedgewick in Ghostbusters: The Video Game, but come on give us some new locales please. The game is a top down four person shooter. You use one thumbstick to move and one to shoot and aim your weapon. There are three weapon modes and they are color coded to the monsters that you need to use them for. For example, a blue ghost will be dispatched more easily with the blue weapon setting. The color coding makes the game seem childish, in the first game the equipment settings were more effective for different enemies but it was left to the player to decide which weapon to use, the game didn't treat you like a little kid.

The emphasis of the game is on multiplayer so it is meant to be played with friends but the computer will play as the other squad members if you are alone. The gameplay itself is unbelievably repetitive, you go into a room, get locked in, fight off the ghosts, then a door opens, and you go to the next room. It gets boring and it honestly isn't really that fun. The story itself is interesting enough but I find myself wishing I was just reading a Ghostbusters comic and not having to play the game.

The enemies knock you out very quickly and when that happens your teammates rush over to help. It takes time to revive you can in that period of time your teammate is likely to get knocked out, if everyone is out the game is over. When you are trying to revive a teammate you need to tap the "A" button and you will most likely get knocked out by a swarm of small ghosts. This mechanic is very frustrating and makes the game incredibly hard.

The cut scenes, as I mentioned, are like panels of a comic book but the dialogue boxes change in size so much that it is hard to read the text and I missed several pieces of dialogue because I couldn't read it. The artwork is ok but the original Ghostbusters, especially Ray, look ridiculous, and I really hate that they got those characters wrong.

Many of the sound effects are recycled and while some of this is fine, in this case, it seems like a lazy way to cut back on adding original content. The ghosts are very similar to ghosts in the first game and it just seems like they changed the style of play but kept the locations the same, or very similar.

While the game is not a total bust (no pun intended) it is not a good game by any measure. The characters are throw away, the gameplay is awful, and it just feels like a lazy cash in. Hopefully Terminal Reality will be allowed to helm a full game (not a marketplace download) in the future and it will go back to the high quality of the first game.

Pros
-Story is interesting

Cons
-Terrible Gameplay
-None of the original actors are involved
-Recycled and lazy locales and enemies

3/10

My Top 10 Supporting Characters

We all know the main characters and heroes of video games but what about the guy that helps our hero out? Whether it be for comic relief or actual help a video hero’s supporting cast can be crucial to the success of the mission. Here are my 10 favorite supporting characters. Note: A supporting character is any character that you don't usually play as, sometimes in multiplayer you will play as another character but I'm defining supporting character as anyone who isn't the main guy.

10. Elena Fisher- Uncharted 1 and 2Elena is one of those characters that seems like she could be a real person, she is ambitious, loyal, and capable but in a way that is believable. Sometimes she can’t do some of the physical feats that Drake does (but let’s be honest, who could? The man puts Olympic gymnasts to shame) and she shows real emotions that you can relate to. Her relationship with Drake influences a lot of his decisions and it seems that he is better for having her around.

9. Yoshi- Mario Games (a lot of them)
Yoshi is a huge asset to Mario as he tries to save Princess Peach. When Mario gets to Yoshi he can ride him like a horse, letting Mario move faster. Yoshi can also swallow enemies and spit them out at other enemies. Yoshi is the vehicle in Mario’s world and he makes it much easier to navigate the sea of baddies.

8. Fawkes- Fallout 3
A super mutant who can talk? Cool. One who isn’t out to kill you? Great. One who has a gatling laser that will obliterate anything in its path? Freaking awesome! Fawkes is definitely the best follower you can have in Fallout 3, he will almost never get knocked out, has a weapon that will annihilate enemies, and if you are low on health you can just stick back while he tears them apart. Having him on your team makes everything much easier.

7. Augustus Cole- Gears of War 1 and 2
The “Cole Train” is one of my favorite supporting characters because he brings the pain and the comedy to the game. Whenever Cole is around you know you’ll get a good laugh and he’ll actually be helpful in your mission. His entrance in Gears of War 2 should tell you everything you need to know about him. He’s a wrecking ball with a sense of humor and for that he deserves to be on this list.

6. Barry Wheeler- Alan Wake


When trying to fight off demons and poltergeists at night in the woods it helps to have a friend who can lighten the mood. Barry does just that for Alan Wake, his sense of humor and slight help throughout the game keeps Alan from going completely insane with fear. Barry is there when Alan needs him with his “flaming light of mordor” and is a true friend.

5. Canderous Ordo- Knights of the Old Republic 1 and 2(as Mandalore)
Canderous is one of those characters that you love to have on your side in a fight but don’t necessarily enjoy knowing. He’s a Mandalorian who has done some terrible things in war (he’s seriously trump anyone at Nuremberg) but begins to regret his actions and change his ways as the game progresses. He is loyal, capable, and can spin a good yarn about his younger days. All of these traits make him fun and useful to have around. Just don’t piss him off.

4. Alyx Vance- Half Life 2


Where would Gordon Freeman be without Alyx? Who knows but he wouldn’t have been able to pull off what he did quite as well if not for her help. Alyx is Eli Vance’s daughter and a huge asset to Gordon over the course of the game. Alyx helps Gordon navigate military bases, hold off alien invaders, and do just about everything else that happens in the game.

3. Knuckles- Sonic Franchise
Knuckles is one of those supporting characters who puts the main character to shame. Knuckles can glide, climb walls, and bust through barriers that Sonic can’t. He starts as an adversary to Sonic but they eventually realize that they are on the same side. Knuckles is technically a supporting character but he could probably beat Sonic in a fight, just saying...

2. Cortana- Halo 1,2 and 3


The Master Chief is one of the coolest characters in video games but he would be almost nowhere without the help of Cortana, the Pillar of Autumn’s AI. She marks nav points for him, strategizes for him, and interfaces with computer systems when needed. She is the classic “brains” of the operation to the Master Chief’s “brawn.”

1. Dominic Santiago- Gears of War 1 and 2

Dominic, or Dom for short, is Marcus Fenix’s best friend and ally in the war against the Locust and despite being a supporting character he has a surprising amount of character development. Gears of War 2 could easily have been Dominic’s story and not Marcus’. His search for his wife is some of the most emotional and deep stuff that the franchise offers and his constant aid to Marcus is crucial for their survival.

Those are my favorite, who are yours?

PS: Sorry about the changes in text size, I don't know why it's doing that and I can't fix it.