Bethesda Announces "Hearthfire" DLC for Skyrim

Bethesda recently announced some very unique DLC for Skyrim that will allow players to build and customize their very own house. Hearthfire will allow you to construct your own house outside of city walls on your own plot of land where you can fill the insides with a multitude of items and furnishings. 

  

 

A new drafting and carpenter's table allow you to craft items that will fill your house. Looking at the video that was released with the announcement of Hearthfire, it looks like you'll also be responsible for crafting not only your furniture and decorations, but even the fine details such as locks and hinges for doors will be important in constructing your home.

You'll be able to construct various rooms that meet your characters needs such as an alchemy lab, mage's tower, training room, an armory or even a trophy room. The trophy room in the video shows off some awesome looking trophies which look like preserved enemies ranging from trolls and Draugr, to Hagravens and Dwemer sphere warriors.

The customization doesn't end inside though;outside you can build gardens and other areas responsible for harvesting food and consumable items. Stewards can be hired to maintain your home, provide transport and deliver furniture to your home as well. A new adoption system will allow you and your spouse to adopt children to live in you house. You can raise your children by assigning them chores or playing a game with them. In maintaining your house, it is important to wipe out skeever infestations and fend off those nosy, dumb giants to protect your family and livestock.

This is a new level of customization to The Elder Scrolls and should be popular among players. Allowing players to build a house to their liking is so cool because you can really interject your character's personality and skills into the game. If you're a mage or an alchemist, having a large greenhouse, garden, and mage's tower complete with a lab can be built to meets your character's specific needs. If you have a lot of rare weaponry and armor you want to show off, you can now build an entire room dedicated to displaying your collection. Being outside of city walls and being able to choose your own plot of land is even more intriguing since you can find the perfect climate and piece of land to settle your estate on. 

 

Right now, Hearthfire is only slated to release on the Xbox 360 on September 4, for 400 Microsoft points. As for the PS3 and PC however, there has been no word on when or if they will receive the Hearthfire content. This raises concerns, especially for PS3 players who are still waiting for the release of "Dawnguard" the first DLC released for Skyrim. Dawnguard has been available to Xbox 360 players and recently to PC players but is still not ready for the PS3 due to "performance errors". 

I'm sure Hearthfire will be released on the PS3 and PC eventually but Bethesda is playing catch-up still. Bethesda VP, Pete Hines explains that they "are working on multiple projects, even beyond those two things," and that Hearthfire will not effect the work on Dawnguard for the PS3. No release date on Dawnguard for PS3 has been given but we can only hope that it will be soon.

Star Wars 1313 Takes Players to "Hell"

Star Wars 1313 is a more gritty take on Star Wars that will take players below the surface of Coruscant to the criminal filled, deadly underworld of level 1313. The developer diary below describes the dark world of 1313 as the most dangerous place in the galaxy and it is even equated with Hell at one point. I think it's safe to say 1313 doesn't play host to common thugs but is full of deadly and formidable criminals.

The video also shows off some great looking artwork that'll give you an idea of what to expect from the world of 1313. Unfortunately there isn't any new gameplay but the video is definitely worth a watch. Will you be a resourceful enough Bounty Hunter to survive 1313? Star Wars 1313 doesn't have a release date as of now but will release on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

[source] IGN

New Dishonored Trailer Schools You in Stealth

Corvo, the protagonist of Bethesda and Arkane Studios' new game Dishonored, is a deadly assassin who is out for revenge after being framed for a murder he did not commit. As an assassin, stealth will play a very important role in achieving your goals as you guide Corvo.

A new trailer released by Arkane Studios gives some tips on sneaking around and assassinating unsuspecting guards. Dishonored allows you to employ many traditional stealth tactics such as putting out lights, peeking around corners or keyholes, and using distractions; qualities that are sure to please sneaky players. In addition to these abilities, Corvo can also utilize unique powers that he's been endowed with. You can see everything in the video below which is sure to get you even more excited for Dishonored.

Dishonored hits store shelves October 9 and will be available on the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

Routine: An Indie Survival Horror Game

Lunar Software, an Indie game developer debuted the first trailer for their survival horror game Routine earlier this week at Gamescom.

Routine is a first person horror experience that tasks players as a cosmonaut to explore an abandoned moon base from which everyone has disappeared. The game is non-linear allowing players to explore any part of the base to uncover clues that will reveal the truth behind the strange disappearances. What adds to Routine's terrifying experience is that there is no HUD, no health packs, no lives and the game utilizes a perma death system which means when you die in the game, you're dead for good and must start all over. Routine's website states that you may even have to resort to running and hiding to survive.

Don't worry though, you will be able to defend yourself with a weapon known as a CAT or a Cosmonaut Assistance Tool. The tool was designed to perform maitnence work but doubles as a weapon. You can upgrade the CAT using a floppy drive and a 3.5 inch screen on the gun will assist you with aiming. I can already see upgrades for the screen ranging from night vision to Infrared.

Routine seems like an awesome Indie title and the trailer below shows the teams amazing work so far. The chilling gameplay is exemplified perfectly in the video. The design looks like a throwback to old science fiction horror movies like Alien with some modern influence from games like Dead Space. The perma death system is very likely to keep players on edge and the clue searching reminds me of another very popular and successful indie horror title; Slender.

So far release is scheduled for the PC sometime in 2013 and there is currently no price listed either. You can follow the Routine website here and visit the website of Lunar Software here. Keep on eye out for more updates on Routine as I will make sure to update my blog with anything new on the game.

Sony Reveals PlayStation Network game, Rain

At Gamescom yesterday, Sony revealed a new PlayStation Network game entitled, Rain. In Rain, you play as an invisible boy who can only be seen under pouring rain. The boy is not alone however and the trailer below suggests there is an entire world that rain can reveal. As the boy explores in the rain, you can see other invisible characters and even enemies. A four legged invisible creature is seen chasing the boy at one point. Sony is staying tight-lipped about the game right now so not much more is known concerning the actual story or gameplay but the concept is very intriguing. So far there is no release date but I think it'd be safe to say we can expect to see the Rain on the PS3 sometime in 2013. Keep an eye on Game Quest for future updates on Rain.

Capcom Announces Remember Me

At Gamescom today, Capcom announced a new title being developed by Dontnod named Remember Me. The game is set in the year 2084 in Neo-Paris which is much fancier, lighter and cooler looking than regular old Paris. Players will take control of Nilin, a former memory hunter who went rogue after losing her memory and now seeks the truth that has been hidden from her.


Remember Me focuses on human memories and their significance. As Nilin, you can access the memories of other people in the world through a digital disc like object located at the nape of the neck. What Nilin does is presumably not something just anybody could do. Her unique skill to tap into memories allows her to steal the memory which can reveal vital information to her mission or she can alter the memory. Altering a memory can have a variety of different effects depending on how and what is altered. For instance, in the gameplay trailer revealed, Nilin alters a man's memory to make him believe he killed his wife. When the police approach him, he panics and shoots himself. The gameplay sequence in which the memory is altered almost acts as a small minigame. It challenges players with a puzzle; you are given a set of objects to manipulate which may seem insignificant but prove to have more serious ramifications in the end. The trailer demonstrates that choosing the wrong object doesn't result in immediate failure so it poses the question of whether or no there will be a limited number of attempts. 

Other skills that Nilin posses include the ever so popular and useful art of parkour. She can scale buildings, shimmy on ledges and make dangerous jumps allowing her to get around in a variety of ways.You can catch a glimpse of combat in the announcement trailer which shows Nilin utilizing a lot of hand-to-hand melee combat against large groups of enemies.The gameplay trailer shows off some great visuals; the futuristic skyline of Neo-Paris looks stunning. as Nilin roams the streets, we get a good look at all sorts of digital advertisements, commercials and even a wanted ad for Nilin herself. The city is under heavy surveillance and Nilin is forced to evade floating security bots and other authorities. At a couple points in the gameplay demonstration, she uses some kind of scanning device which lets her identify enemies and their fields of view which are highlighted in red.

Announcement Trailer

Gameplay Trailer

Remember Me is a great concept which resonates with something similar to the story of Jason Bourne. The focus on memory stealing and alteration should also provide great plot elements as well for a story more unique to game players. As of now, I have to say that I'm impressed and personally can't wait to see more on Remember Me. The game is slated for a May 2013 release on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC as of now.

Hitman: Absolution Contract Mode

In Hitman: Absolution, you won't be restricted to assassinating but you'll be able to put hits out yourself in the new Contract Mode. This new challenge will allow players to customize a contract in which they select the target or targets, the level, and which weapons the player is allowed to employ in their assassination. You can also customize witness specifications and designate a time limit for the contract as well. Once the contract is created, you can share it online with the world or challenge your friends directly to complete your contract.

You can also browse through other players contracts which have been uploaded. Completing a contract awards you with a unique type of currency, depending on your performance, which can be used in contract mode to purchase weapons or other features to include in you contract to make it even more challenging and diverse. The currency used in contract mode can also be earned throughout the campaign, likely by completing challenges. Hitman: Absolution will come pre-loaded with several contracts that you can use to get started or draw inspiration from.

IO Interactive's Contract challenge is an awesome idea and will undoubtedly add great value to Agent 47's new adventure. Designing ways for people to be killed should provide endless fun. Hitman: Absolution is set to release on November 20, 2012 for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.

Sony Announces Until Dawn

Today at Gamescom, Sony announced Until Dawn, a survival horror title being developed by Supermassive Games exclusively for the PS Move. Additionally, Sony revealed a chilling trailer showing some tense gameplay. Until Dawn is based on cliche teen horror movies such as Friday the 13th, Scream and Halloween, so you can expect a lot of dead phone lines, sudden power outages and a hot, ditzy cheerleader.

The plot will follow a group of classmates (presumably High School) who on the anniversary of a former friends disappearance, decide to visit the last place he was seen. Strangely enough, it was a log cabin in the woods on a mountain side; it doesn't get much more isolated than that. After people in the group start turning up dead though, the teens suddenly regret digging up the past.

You'll be able to play as different characters in the party throughout the game. Sometimes you will be alone and sometimes you will have a partner as you fight to stay alive and frantically search for clues to investigate who is killing your friends. Executive Creative Director Will Byles [expects] that Until Dawn will draw you in with its characters, chilling setting and shocking, twisted story. He also suggests in his statements about the game that as you play, you will make choices which will determine which of your friends survive and what kind of ending you get.

Since Until Dawn is being developed exclusively for the PS Move, players will utilize the move controller to aim a flashlight in the darkness, examine clues and activate things such as levers. Sony promises the move controller will reflect natural movements of players in the game which will even further immerse them in the horror experience of Until Dawn.

So what do you think? Does the prospect of a survival horror title engineered for the PS Move sound intriguing or is it too soon to tell? The last motion based survival horror game, Rise of Nightmares for the Kinect definitely came up short but Until Dawn already looks like it has much more potential. The survival horror genre has been a little weak recently with very few titles or games that don't live up to the survival horror experience; so it is nice to see an original title being developed. Check out the trailer and keep an eye out here for more news on Until Dawn.

New Terrifying Trailer for Dead Space III

If you're excited for Dead Space 3 next year, this new trailer from EA Games is sure to increase that excitement exponentially. The new trailer assures that Dead Space 3 will be full of terror and intense survival situations that the series has become known for executing so well. Isaac Clarke along with partner Ellie and newcomer John Carver is still after the Markers, seeking to stop them and the Unitologists at all costs. The dialogue and visuals of coffins in the trailer implies that wherever the trio are, there seems to have been some kind of mass execution or genocide and then there's a subsequent breakout in which Isaac commands everyone to arm themselves. Who everyone is, we don't know. He could simply be referring to Ellie and  Carver or could he be addressing more people?

Luckily, the wait isn't too long from now. Dead Space 3 has an official release date of February 5, 2013 in North America and February 8, 2013 in Europe for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

Check Out Naval Combat in Assassin's Creed III

Protagonist of Assassin's Creed III, Connor is a master when it comes to adapting in the wild surroundings of the colonial New England but when he's not hunting wild game or massacring Redcoats with his tomahawks, he's taking to the high seas to engage the royal navy. Previous Assassin's Creed games have featured vehicles ranging from Leonardo Devinci's war machines to simple horse drawn carriages but the naval battles featured in Assassin's Creed take things to  whole new level.

In the new trailer released by Ubisoft, Connor, in naval garb and a tricorn takes command of a large ship fully equipped with an able bodied crew and canons. As Connor, you take control of the ship, guiding it through the ocean and commending your crew. The trailer features some intense fights full of canon fire, storming seas, mines and even ship commandeering. You can engage enemy ships and board their vessel to put those tomahawks to use.

The naval combat looks like a great addition to the series and will no doubt, distinguish Assassin's Creed III even more from the other games in the series. Look for Assassin's Creed III on the Xbox 360 and PS3 on October 30 and November 20 on the PC. Ubisoft has also announced that Assassin's Creed III will be available as one of the first games on the Wii U.

Mass Effect 3: Leviathan DLC Revealed

Bioware recently announced the first single-player DLC (aside from the extended endings) for Mass Effect 3, entitled "Leviathan". Bioware says the DLC will add about 3-4 hours of gameplay featuring new environments, more cinematic scenes, new characters and two new weapons. Leviathan will provide more insight regarding the origins of the Reapers as Shepard and the crew of the Normandy travel to the darkest reaches of the galaxy in search of the Leviathan.

Leviathan takes place during the events of Mass Effect 3 and can be played from a new game or on your save before the assault on the Cerberus base. An email in Shepard's inbox initiates the search for the legendary Leviathan; a mysterious creature, centuries old, that has never before been seen but is apparently capable of killing Reapers. The Protheans were the first to suspect the presence of the Leviathan when they discovered a Reaper corpse. The creature is believed to be so powerful that it instills fear in even the Reapers.

The search takes Shepard to the distant uncharted reaches of the galaxy. A mysterious planet covered in vast oceans serves as the home for the Leviathan and much of the DLC's setting. In a race against time, you'll explore a derelict ship and even access the Triton; an Atlas that has been modified to explore the ocean floors. Bioware promises the all new underwater sequences will provide breath-taking visuals as you discover never before seen alien life that lurks beneath the water.

Bioware has stated that the Leviathan DLC will have a nice balance of exploration and combat. Bioware has always prided themselves in developing a compelling story driven by charismatic characters and Leviathan will be no exception. The DLC will encourage players to investigate clues to unravel the dark history of the Reapers even further and following leads to discover the extraordinary Leviathan. While uncovering artifacts and learning the history of the beast will be fun, a slightly modified combat experience will spice things up as well. Bioware reports the combat has been amped up to provide more challenging fights against hordes of reaper mutants.The new AT-12 Raider shotgun and the M-55 Argus combat rifle will be able to provide a hand these tougher battles.

Aside from the new planet, players will also be able to explore new areas of the citadel; hopefully this will unlock some side quests to play through. So far no release date has been set but the DLC is reported to be available this summer, so the wait shouldn't be long. Look for Mass Effect 3: Leviathan in the next coming weeks for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 for $9.99 or 800 Microsoft points.

The Amazing Spiderman: Movie Review

When Sony Studios announced that the next Spider-Man movie would be a reboot, most people reacted with confusion. The series had only been dormant for about three years after the third movie and a reboot seemed unnecessary to most; so why was the series rebooted? The third film was arguably the worst in the series and showed considerable signs that new talent was needed. Disagreements between director, Sam Raimi and Sony made Spider-Man 3 into a huge mess with too many subplots. Leading actor Tobey Maguire was being paid upwards of $50 million dollars to come back for another film and rising paychecks for Kirsten Dunst and other supporting actors inflated the budget to a point where it would be more economical to just start fresh.

So The Amazing Spider-Man was born; a new take on the old origin story utilizes smarter writing and a fresh cast to inject new life into the Spider-Man story. Director Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer) teams up with writer, James Vanderbilt to retell the beginning of Spider-Man.

Left in the care of his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field), the film focuses on Peter Parker's (Andrew Garfield) emotional issues with the mysterious disappearance of his parents rather than his nerd status and bullies at high school. Peter comes across his father's old briefcase containing files on cross-species genetics which leads Peter to his father's friend and partner, Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans) at Oscorp. Peter and a one-armed Connors get along great swapping scientific equations and discussing Connor's research but Peter's curiosity at Oscorp leaves his DNA mutated with that of a spider. While Peter copes with his powers, Dr. Connors continues his experiments under the demands of the elusive Norman Osborne and is pressured into prematurely beginning experiments on live subjects, himself first. The experiment results in Connors mutating in a giant lizard man; he's driven mad by the power and craves more of the drug that transforms him and Spider-Man is the only one who can stop him.

This new take on the origins of Spider-Man takes the opportunity to explore Peter Parker's life as a high school kid, before he even became Spider-Man. Peter Parker isn't bitten by a spider in the first ten minutes of the movie, don't expect that to happen until you're about an hour in. No, The Amazing Spider-Man takes the time to show us what kind of person Peter Parker is and Andrew Garfield does an excellent job of fleshing the character out whether he's behind the mask or not.

Peter Parker and friendly neighborhood web-slinger, Spider-Man are played by the leaner and younger Andrew Garfield. He embodies the physical appearance of Peter Parker better than Tobey Maguire and while he's still a debate team participant and mathlete, he has this quality of independence and he's more of an outcast rather than some geeky loser. He carries around a skateboard that he rides along on the streets of New York or around school, until he's warned by a teacher passing by. This new Peter Parker isn't afraid to break some rules or deviate from the status quo. With glasses replaced by contact lenses and calculator by smart phone, it's safe to say that Peter Parker can actually be described as cool. Garfield's more rebellious Peter Parker is still at heart a good kid but is constantly bemoaned with the disappearance of his parents. Garfield really makes you care about Peter Parker so that when we see a nasty argument with his aunt and uncle or hear a gut-wrenching, emotional voice mail from Uncle Ben, feelings of sympathy are amplified.

 Emma Stone is a fresh addition to the cast as well, replacing the boring and annoying Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst). She's an adept intellectual science major who works at Oscorp as an asistant to Dr. Connors and she is also the love interest of Peter Parker. Gwen is coincidentally the daughter of police captain George Stacey (Dennis Leary) who aims to arrest Spider-Man. The characters go well together and compliment each other perfectly; they're both model students and have a rebellious side. Some of the best moments of the movie are scenes that focus on the flirtatious couple whether it be Peter sneaking into Gwen's room from the fire escape or the scene in which Gwen is truly worried about the safety of a battered Peter being the hero Spider-Man.Garfield and Stone have obvious chemistry and their scenes together were a joy to watch.

After Peter dons the new Spider-Man suit which has noticeably darker colors, the film shifts to feature more action and combat but doesn't ditch Peter's turmoil between his life as a kid and a hero. Action scenes with the assistance of CGI are expertly shot and won't give you a headache like most films these days. The camera doesn't frantically move, wildly around the screen or from frame to frame in milliseconds. You can actually see what's going on and when you do, you'll definitely notice that Spider-Man actually fights like a spider. His movements are much more agile, quick and unpredictable. His webs, which are now supported by devices on his wrists (like in the comics) come into play during combat a lot more as well, unlike Raimi's Spider-Man who was more of a brawler. This new fighting style definitely comes into play during Spider-man's fights with The Lizard who is rendered perfectly to resemble a man and a lizard.The 3D is also awesome but you might regret choosing so since there's no action or web swinging until about an hour in and the beginning scenes just aren't that interesting in 3D.

The themes of power and responsibility are still a strong element in the movie and play a role in Peter's decision making throughout the movie. Not only are Peter's spidey powers the focus here but his intellectual prowess is also something that he realizes can hurt people. Something I enjoyed more though was seeing Peter return home from his outings as Spider-Man bruised and scuffed up. While he is superhuman and has these powers, he's still taking hits and experiencing pain. It's a clear indication that he's not invincible and that he's putting his own well being on the line to protect the people of New York.

Marc Webb does a commendable job of rebooting the Spider-Man series with much more engaging actors, better writing and direction.Webb and the new refreshing cast do an excellent job of engaging the audience and capturing your attention. There are actually elements of tension, suspense, true romance and you can expect the occasional laugh to relieve some of the more emotional scenes. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone alone made the movie much more compelling and entertaining than their predecessors from Raimi's era. The movie is suitable for the whole family as well. Younger children may find The Lizard a little scary but the rest of the film is appropriate for most ages. And as always, you can expect a brief scene teasing sequel which comes about two minutes into the credits. All-in-All the reboot is great and scores better than the original three. If you like Spider-Man or heroes in general, I would definitely recommend the Amazing Spider-Man.

Hitman: Absolution Video Walkthrough

Hitman: Absolution release date in October isn't far off but Square-Enix decided they want to give players an even greater look at Agent 47 in action despite the countless other videos and Sniper Challenge mini game. Game director, Tore Blystad and Travis Barbour provide commentary as Agent 47 searches for answers concerning the whereabouts of Victoria. In the level entitled "The Streets of Hope" he's after Lenny "The Limp" Dexter, the leader of a local street gang that goes by "The Cougars". In addition to kidnapping Lenny, you are also tasked with taking out the members of his gang.

The non-linear style of play allows you to approach in your missions in your own unique way and at your own pace. You can explore the environment and find tools and other assets that will aid you in your completion of the mission. Improvised weapons and disguises are two of the biggest assets you will come across. These improvised weapons will prove invaluable to making quick kills or creating accidental deaths to drawing suspicion. Disguises, as always will be your key into restricted areas. In some cases however, characters can see through your disguise if you aren't careful or linger in their line of sight too long, so they aren't fool-proof this time around.

A new notebook feature, similar to the PDA from Blood Money, allows you to track your progress in the current mission. You can see your completed objectives and view challenges in the notebook as you play. Challenges are similar to those in the Sniper Challenge game and if completed will earn you more money. The notebook tracks how much money you've earned for the current mission as well and tells you what negative and what positive scores you have received. Playing more stealthily and covering your tracks will earn you more money.

The new instinct feature shows off how it can be utilized to discover hiding places, weapons and to locate targets. Instinct can be turned off however along with other various advice tools and tips that display on the screen. A new "trespassing" alert will appear if you're in an area that you aren't supposed to be so you know to be careful or to find a disguise. Unlike other Hitman games though, trespassing won"t instantly get you shot at by armed guards. In Absolution, you're simply escorted out of the area, permitting you didn't see any potentially incriminating material. The other alert lets you know that there is a visible weapon equipped so that you can put it away before you're caught. The tips and instinct can all be disabled though for veteran players or those who want more of a challenge.

The trailer shows off a couple of other new features but i'll let you watch to discover those yourself. the visuals look better than any Hitman game before it with excellent lighting effects, facial detail and general body movement and environment detail. Look for Hitman: Absolution on November 20, 2012 and be sure to pre-order the game to earn one of four cool in-game bonuses.

Walking Dead Season 3 Trailer

AMC's critically acclaimed thriller, The Walking Dead, will be airing its third season in October; if a few months is a little too long to wait, you can check out this awesome trailer full of zombie killing action to hold you over. The trailer shows off a generous amount of footage and reveals some of the new plot points of the third season. Rick Grimes, his family and other survivors discover a possible safe haven in a nearby prison but they find making the facility safe is more difficult than they assumed. Their struggle to survive is exacerbated by a nearby colony of survivors led by a violent man who some will recognize as Philip Blake, or by his title, The Governor.

The trailer also highlights newcomer, Michonne played by Danai Gurira, who makes her debut in the third season of The Walking Dead. The Katana wielding loner seems to be teaming up with Andrea who was left behind by her group. Also joining the cast, or perhaps rejoining is Michael Rooker as Merle Dixon, brother of Daryl Dixon. It should be interesting to see how he fits into the mix of things.

After watching the trailer, October cannot come soon enough. The Walking Dead looks better than ever and is sure to be the most intense season yet. Be sure to tune into AMC on October 14th to rejoin Rick Grimes and the other survivors this fall. 

Michael Fassbender Cast in Assassin's Creed Movie

Ubisoft Motion Pictures recently revealed that Michael Fassbender will be donning the cloaks of Assassin, Altair for the movie adaptation of Assassin's Creed. Fassbender's most notable roles include Lt. Archie Hicox from Inglorious Bastards, Magneto from X-Men: First Class and the Android, David from Prometheus.

According to Jean-Julien Baronnet, CEO of Ubisoft Motion Pictures, Fassbender was their first choice and he will also co-produce the film. Ubisoft Motion Pictures originally had plans to work with Sony on the movie but chose to develop the film on their own to maintain greater control over the story line and deliver an experience fans of the game will also enjoy.

I've brainstormed several times about what possible actors could play the role of Altair and I had never considered Fassbender. However, after reading the report, he seems like an obvious and excellent choice. Fassbender is a very talented actor and should have no trouble portraying Altair. If you haven't yet, you should see him in Prometheus or X-Men: First Class where his excellent acting abilities are really showcased.

How do you feel about Michael Fassbender being cast as Altair? Will he pull it off or did you have someone else in mind?

Source [Variety]

Top Ten Video Game Weapons of All Time

Over the years video games have shown us a variety of different weapons, from blades to guns, bombs to chainsaws and let's admit, they make gaming fun. While weapons are common in many games these days, there are definitely those that stand out among the rest. They're those weapons that you that are so elusive you may spend days trying to get it. They're the weapons that may not be the strongest but are the most fun to use. Or it could simply be that they are the most powerful weapon in the game. With a handful of these great weapons to choose from, I decided to compose a list and countdown the top ten greatest video game weapons of all time.


10. Crowbar - Half-Life

It is the iconic weapon of the Half-Life series and the signature weapon of Alien killer, Gordon Freeman. The  crowbar is the first weapon that Gordon acquires in each game and aids him in combat and solving puzzles throughout the Black Mesa facility, City 17 and beyond. The single piece of cast iron painted red with silver tipped ends has made the crowbar one of the most noticeable weapons in gaming. Whether it be destroying crates, clearing obstacles, breaking padlocks or being your last defense after running out of ammo, the crowbar has always served as a trusty weapon.



9. Mehrunes' Razor - The Elder scrolls V: Skyrim

The deadly Deadric artifact is one of the most powerful blades in all of Skyrim and with a 3% chance to kill your opponent in one hit, the razor is definitely a weapon you'll want in your inventory. You can acquire Mehrunes' Razor after being prompted by Mythic Dawn fanatic, Silus Vesuius. Silus operates a museum featuring several artifacts of the Mythic Dawn but he also has a keen interest in the Deadric Prince, Mehrunes Dagon. To complete his collection, he employs the player to collect the pieces of the fabled dagger so that he can prey to the Deadric Prince to repair it. However, at the shrine, Mehrunes prompts the player to kill Silus and take the dagger which he will only repair for you. Killing Silus is a no-brainer, as it rewards you with one of the best weapons in the game and it's a one-of-a-kind once owned by a god. The razor is the perfect weapon for any stealth player but no doubt, its power and deadly effects can be useful to any character. Oh yeah, the 3% chance to kill a target in one hit, applies to dragons as well.

8. 211-V Plasma Cutter - Dead Space

The plasma cutter is to Isaac Clarke like the crowbar is to Gordon Freeman. The plasma cutter offers unrivaled reliability with firing options that allow players to dismember necromorphs with vertically fired lines of ionized plasma or horizontally fired lines for maximum potential. Ammo is plentiful, which in a game Like Dead Space is sure to make the plasma cutter one of your best friends when fighting through necromorph hordes. The ability to upgrade weapons allows you to craft an even deadlier plasma cutter and in the second game, you even have to option to ignite enemies in flames. Again, the plasma cutter is one of those weapons that has become a trademark or icon for a game series. The plasma cutter is often one of the first weapons people think of or recognize from Dead Space despite the large arsenal that is available to Isaac throughout the game, which earns it a spot on this top ten list.







7. Mk 2 Lancer Assault Rifle - Gears of War

The Mk 2 Lancer Assault Rifle is unlike any other rifle due to the fact it has an attached chainsaw for cutting up Locust hordes. Not only is the chainsaw intimidating, it's actually practical. The original Mk 1 Lancer only had a bayonet fixed to it which was not very effective against locust armor. Marcus Fenix and his father, Adam Fenix are actually the brains behind the Mk 2 Lancer and the design was conceived by Adam Fenix himself. The chainsaw addition allowed Gears to easily cut through Locust armor and aerved as a better melee component on the rifle itself. The rifle holds a whopping 660 rounds (550 in Gears 2) allowing you to mow down Locust hordes easily. However, if they close in or flank your cover, they'll be sorry when the mean-looking teeth of that chainsaw rips them apart.

6. Energy Sword - Halo

Easily one of the most popular weapons from the Halo series, the Energy Sword takes spot six on this list. The Energy sword is one of the most deadly weapons in all of Halo and is only wielded by the Covenant Elite or the Sangheili. The sword is extremely effective in close quarters combat and successful strikes from the sword almost always result in a fatality. The razor sharp ionized blades of the Energy Sword can cut through the densest of metals, reduce enemy shields to zero and kill in a single strike. White-hot energy produced by the blades burns and cauterizes flesh, organs and tissue inside the body creating wounds that are nearly impossible to recover from. The tactful Sangheili also devised a fail safe within the sword which destroys the weapon if the original user drops it. The energy housed within the sword destroys the hilt preventing enemy soldiers from retrieving it. One of the most awful sights a player can see in Halo during multiplayer is that of an enemy player running toward them with an energy sword equipped. If you don't have a rocket launcher, sniper rifle or sword to defend yourself, you'll add a tally to your deaths.With the ability to kill an enemy in a single strike or cause permanent damage, the Energy Sword easily earns its place among the top ten weapons of all time.

5. Fat Man - Fallout 3 (New Vegas)

Fat Man was originally the codename for the atomic bomb detonated over Nagasaki; in the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout, it is a gun that catapults 'mini nukes' that will decimate your enemy. Don't misinterpret 'mini nukes' because there is nothing mini about this gun. The nuke which is loaded into the catapult like device is slightly larger than the average human head. Weighing in at about 30 pounds, the Fat Man is the perfect weapon for taking out small armies, enemy strongholds, or a pack of mutants with a nuclear strike. It makes the perfect explosive weapon, from far range; get to close and you could find yourself feeling the blast as well. It is much wiser to fire the weapon upward, similar to a mortar to avoid be caught in the nuclear blast range. Another variant of the Fat Man, the Experimental MIRV is even more destructive with the ability to fire eight mini nukes at once. The resulting explosion is a small mushroom cloud and a bunch of dismembered bodies. Also, be sure not to head into that blast radius to scavenge without a radsuit, or some radaway as the entire area with be irradiated.

4. Crissaegrim -Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

The Crissaegrim is considered to be the ultimate weapon of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. The weapon allows the player to walk while swinging and each attack results in four great, successive swings. The swings cover the entire area in front of Alucard from above his head to below his feet allowing players to slash anything in their path. The lightning fast swings and power of the sword make it the most powerful weapon in the game. Coincidentally, it is also the most elusive weapon in the game. It can only be found by killing a schmoo in the Forbidden Library section of the castle. Schmoos are difficult enough to find and the chances they drop a Crisseagrim are very rare at best. With enough dedication though, players will obtain this legendary sword and if they feel up to the task can find a second to equip in their left hand making them a killing machine.

3. Master Sword - The Legend of Zelda

Possibly the most iconic weapon of video game history comes from a franchise that is 20 years old and one of the most famous game series of all time. The Master Sword is a recurring weapon in the Zelda games forged by the goddess Hylia and only worthy of being wielded by a true hero, Link. Imbued with the power to vanquish evil, the sword embodies much more than being just a weapon. It symbolizes true good, power, and is the definition of what it means to be a man and a hero of the people. It is the only weapon capable of destroying, Link's nemesis, Ganon and has become so recognizable with the Triforce etched blade and winged hilt. The moment in which Link pulls the sword from its alter within the Temple of Time is always a highlight in each title and gives players this ultimate feeling of accomplishment. The Master Sword may not be the biggest sword or the most deadly but you won't ever see Link fighting the forces of evil with any sword but the fabled Master Sword.

2. BFG 9000 - Doom

It isn't hard to figure out what the acronym BFG stands for and it fits the weapon well. With the ability to vaporize demons and other hellish monsters with a single blast of plasma, the BFG 9000 is hailed as the most powerful weapon in the Doom series and possibly gaming history. Described in the game as 'the most advanced firearm ever designed' the BFG is able to decimate anything within 15 meters of the blast radius. Each plasma projectile contains a computer chip capable of tracking and identifying enemies. The BFG has the ability to eliminate any enemy with a single blast of plasma and with the friend or foe identification system built into the gun, it is the perfect weapon. Carry this gun around Hell and you'll be unstoppable.

1. Zero-Point Energy Field Manipulator (Gravity Gun) - Half-Life 2

Gordon is famous for carrying around his crowbar but there's another weapon that he's very often associated with. Simply known as the gravity gun, the ZPEFM was originally intended to handle hazardous materials or move heavy objects. The tractor beam on the weapon which is able to lift and manipulate any object in the game is powered by a Xen crystal.The gravity gun has two functions which make it especially useful. The first allows you to pick up and manipulate objects. It is useful for creating paths by stacking or moving objects. You can also create shields out of some objects which gives it a defensive use as well. The secondary function allows you to launch items from the primary mode or you can launch items while they aren't in the primary mode. The combination of these two functions allows players to pick up deadly objects such as saw blades and use them to kill enemies. A kill with a saw blade usually results in cutting the target in half. Other objects such as oil drums and propane tanks also make deadly projectiles to be launched from the gravity gun. Its ability to use a variety of different projectiles make it the most powerful weapon in the game. Paired with its ability to create shields, create paths and build barriers it is also the most effective and useful weapons in Half-Life 2.

There are a lot of other powerful and just plain awesome video game weapons out there. Did your favorite weapons make it on the list or are the others you would have preferred to see on here? share your thoughts in comment.

Mass Effect 3 Extended Endings Available Tuesday

Bioware recently announced that the extended endings for Mass Effect 3 will be available on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC this coming Tuesday.

After some serious backlash from fans disappointed with the seemingly, simple endings, Bioware responded with this free to download DLC which will go more in depth to explain the endings and give players a better idea of what other ramifications their choices throughout the series had on the galaxy. The DLC is not meant to change the current endings or add new ones but is rather meant to expand and elaborate on the current endings with new scenes and dialogue. Bioware promises the extended cut will "provide more of the answers and closure that players have been asking for. It gives a sense of what the future holds as a result of the decisions made throughout the series. And it shows greater detail in the successes or failures based on how players achieved their endings."

I was initially somewhat disappointed with the endings of Mass Effect 3 but over time, I have come to respect them and actually embrace them. I am however interested in seeing what the extended cut will reveal. What do you think of the idea of these extended endings? Are you one of the players that was looking for more closure or were you fine with the endings as is?
Source [Gameinformer]

Agent 47 makes a visit to China Town

He's not there for Orange Chicken.

In the first hands-on footage for Hitman: Absolution, shown at E3, Producer at IO Interactive, Luke Valentine gives us some insight on what we can expect in the game. Our favorite bald assassin is after the King of China Town and the demo shows how assignments in Absolution can be completed in a variety of different ways. As Agent 47, you can draw attention to yourself and make a scene, do things quietly or just make the hit look like an accident. In the game, it's up to you.

The gameplay also does an excellent job of demonstrating the crowd effects in Absolution. Unlike the Mardi Gras level from Hitman: Blood Money, the crowd in Absolution behaves realistically. You can overhear conversations, you see people eating, buying or doing different kinds of jobs on the jumbled streets. All of it adds up to create an experience that feels like a real situation. Absolution also makes fine use of a more present soundtrack as well featuring plenty of low, foreboding tones.

You can see some of 47's new tricks and all the methods he employs to complete his assignment in the video below. What do you think of Hitman: Absolution so far?

20 minutes of Dead Space 3 Gameplay

EA games has released a 20 minute long video showing off the new features, deadly enemies and harsh environment that Isaac Clarke must endure in Dead Space 3. We're also given a closer look at Isaac's companion, John Carter who can be controlled by a second player in a cooperative mode. The single player campaign allows players to play as Isaac without Carter and the co-op campaign allows players to explore new paths, explore the past of John Carter and experience Dead Space in new ways.

Steve Papoutsis, Vice President of developer, Visceral Games gives us the intro to the video. He also gives brief commentary throughout the video, explaining what you're seeing. Dead Space 3 looks great so far and is looking to be the best entry in the series yet!

E3 Preview for Lego Lord of the Rings

Just when you thought Traveler's Tales had run out of Lego game ideas, they announce that they'll be recreating the famous Lord of the Rings characters as miniature heroes. In this preview, executive producer Nick Ricks explains how Lego Lord of the Rings will be different from past Lego games. Lego LOTR will feature RPG elements such as a backpack where you keep stored items. The game will also be the first ever to feature actual voices which are dubbed over from the movie.

You'll be able to play as all your favorite characters from the fellowship and other characters of Middle-Earth. Lego LOTR will span across all three movies; in the trailer below, we're given a glimpse of some gameplay from the Mines of Moria, a scene from The Fellowship of the Ring. We can still expect the usual dose of humor that the Lego games are associated with however and the endless coin collecting.

Source and video courtesy of G4TV.com

HyperSmash.com

Prometheus: Movie Review

Prometheus, the third ever science fiction movie directed by Ridley Scott is the long awaited prequel fans of the Alien series have been anticipating for over a decade. Director Scott teamed up with writer Damon Lindelof to deliver a film that would serve as a prequel to the Alien series but at the same time, would explore new ideas that allow Prometheus to stand apart from the Alien movies as an original film. There's no doubt that Prometheus does exactly that; the feeling of the movie reminds you of Alien and there are plenty of cues for fans of the series to pick up on but Prometheus easily separates itself and delivers a truly unique alien movie.

Late in the 21st century, archaeological scientists, Dr. Elizabeth Shaw and love interest, Charlie Holloway discover illustrations that show men pointing to what seem to be a formation of stars that are consistent with the writings and drawings of several different cultures. This discovery leads them to believe the drawings are related and may reveal the origin of mankind. After sparking the interest of Peter Weyland, multi-billionaire CEO of Weyland Corporation, a team is put together and he funds a journey for crew aboard the titular Prometheus to follow the map to the darkest depths of the universe where the crew will learn the dark truth behind mankind's creation.

The plot of Prometheus is easily one of its strong-points but is not without its shortcomings. Instead of making the movie into a science fiction, horror-filled thrill ride, Scott and Lindelof focus on the themes of truth and religious ideologies as the characters strive for knowledge concerning their beginnings. Prometheus has a much more serious undertone than the alien movies; its about so much more than shooting Xenomorphs or fighting to escape a ship over run by aliens. Without spoiling any of the plot I can only say that Prometheus  provides answers and new insights for fans of the original Alien series but more importantly, raises new questions concerning the dark past of our creation. I found myself leaving the theater with more questions than answers but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

My only complaint with the plot was that I feel it wasn't developed enough. Prometheus is just over two hours long but I felt it was so brief. As the falling action began, I could sense the end of the movie was near and all I could think was, "Already!?" The whole movie seems to move a bit fast though. The Prometheus crew of 17 is easily forgettable with a couple of exceptions (which I will get to in a moment). Most of the characters felt like extras or were just annoying so I really didn't feel I cared about them at all. They were uninteresting and just felt flat and didn't really evoke any kind of emotion. I feel their personalities and backgrounds could have been developed much more if a scene were added.

Strangely enough, the character I enjoyed the most was the android David played expertly by Michael Fassbender. He's the one character without a brain, a soul or a heart yet he was the most interesting crew member without a doubt. Fassbender stole the show with his excellent performance as David and his acting expertise really shines. David is meant to look and behave exactly as a human. David has an almost unlimited source of knowledge but he can't quite comprehend the reasoning behind the voyage to the strange planet. Each scene with Fassbender is a delight and to me, his portrayal of David was the highlight of the movie. Fassbender says he was heavily influenced by the replicants of Ridley Scott's, Blade Runner and also took cues from David Bowie's, The Man Who Fell to Earth. 




Noomi Rapace plays opposite of the emotionless and moral devoid David as Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, who is desperately seeking answers behind the creation of man. Her limits are tested as she learns that planet they are own holds dark secrets. Noomi fit the role well but I feel like there was more to her character than the film let on. A brief flashback gives us a glimpse of her skeptical views on religion, yet Shaw wears a cross around her neck. Her complicated views are the focus of some scenes and her beliefs do spur some interesting thoughts. She does an excellent job in a few solo scenes which aren't for the squeamish and you won't want the kids to see. Similar to Ripley from Alien, you will feel sorry for her as she does endure quite a bit of punishment but again, I would have liked to learn more about her.

The visual presentation of Prometheus also drew my attention. The movie was shot entirely with 3D cameras and also relied on more conventional video effects rather than CGI, as most films do these days. Scott's direction mastery is exemplified by his intense set-pieces and the fact that green-screens were used less than six times during filming. The dark caverns, the futuristic technology and mysterious planets are nothing new but Scott presents them perfectly to evoke feelings of fear and awe. New monsters and alien species also provide some excellent visuals that are sure to leave you terrified.

While Prometheus was Scott's first time filming in 3D, he testified it was pretty simple and instead of creating scenes that pop out at you, Scott focused on adding illusory-depth to the movie to really immerse viewers. The opening scene of the movie caught me by surprise. It provides an impressive fly-over montage of different parts of Iceland panning over majestic mountain-scapes, waterfalls and endless plains which is beautifully shot and took a reported two weeks to finish.

You shouldn't let the fact you haven't seen the original Alien movies keep you from seeing Prometheus. No prior knowledge of the original movies is needed as Prometheus can stand perfectly well on its own and delivers a rich and satisfying plot full of disturbing elements that'll make you cringe. Scott and Lindelof purposely left many questions unanswered but encourage fans to seek answers throughout the film. I personally enjoyed the movie and I would recommend seeing it. Two expert performances made up for a cast that mostly fell flat and the story alone of Prometheus is as exciting and grim as they come.

New screen shots of Black Mesa Source unveiled

Black Mesa Source is the ambitious project of a third party developer to modify the first Half-Life game using more advanced capabilities of Valve's source engine. Essentially the team is recreating the first Half-Life game with all new voice acting, sound effects, AI, improved graphics and much more. The game was planned to be distributed as free-to-play but the 2009 spring release date window came and went with no release. No definitive release date was rescheduled nor was then any kind of time frame; the team simply said, "when it's done."

Black Mesa Source seems to have come out of the dark now and the team has been drip feeding tidbits of info and media on their Facebook page since March of 2012. On June 9, they announced to their Facebook fans that once the hit 20,000 likes that they will release new media. The likes on their page soared over 20,000 before the end of Sunday and they treated fans to some new screen-shots featuring some familiar environments from the Black Mesa research facility. The newly rendered environments, enemies and characters all look amazing and will surely provide an entertaining experience.

The update was also posted with the promise of more content to come in the future. This seems to indicate Black Mesa Source is back on track and that the release of the game may be imminent if the team is ready to show off their work. Hopefully, in the coming weeks, we can expect more information and possibly a trailer for this long awaited game. Check out the screen-shots below and head over to the Black Mesa Facebook page and give them a like to get more updates on the game.