Top ten most emotional video game death scenes

When playing video games, it's very easy to get attached to the different heroes we play as, their faithful companions and in some cases, even the ruthless foes grow on us. It can be certain feelings the characters evoke in us or connections we've made to them throughout the game, from which our relationship with them develops. Unfortunately, these characters are not exempt from death and occasionally we have to watch some of our favorite characters perish. It's never easy and that's why I decided to compose a list of the most emotional death scenes in gaming.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare: Gaz

Gaz, recognizable by his British flag branded hat, quickly became a favorite of players in the first Modern Warfare game. The S.A.S. operative fought along side players in every mission of the first game making sarcastic remarks every now and then or offering his cunning skills to aid you in battle. While Modern Warfare wasn't a deep story, filled with deep connections between characters, you still felt that you had formed some kind of bond, with all your team members.

You fight your way through thousands of soldiers around the world with the same objective, along side this guy and that's what really ties you to him. In the last mission after your vehicle has been destroyed and thrown your team mates onto the bridge, Soap is shell shocked and searches for his squad mates. However, Soap is incapacitated and can't move when he sees Gaz up the road. He is confronted by main antagonist, Imran Zahkhaev who shoots Gaz in the head, ending his life. The fact you just had to sit there and watch it was one of the worst parts, there was nothing you could do for him. Players loved Gaz so much that many imagined that he had somehow survived a shot to the head from a high-caliber gun and was actually the face behind the mask of Ghost in Modern Warfare 2. Infinity Ward denied these claims, yet people still speculated that it may be true and literally forced themselves to believe that he did not die; that's some love for a character.

Bioshock: Andrew Ryan

Idealist and creator of underwater Utopian city, Rapture, Ryan is easily one of the most complex characters that players have ever encountered in a game. He sought to create a world in which artists would be able to freely express themselves, scientists would not be restricted by morality and that the great would not be constrained by the weak. He invited only the most successful and intelligent of people to make up the community of Rapture. His ideas and morals were however destroyed after the discovery of ADAM, a cellular source of power that became the fuel for plasmids. Andrew Ryan's hands off approach to Rapture led to people destroying themselves, losing their minds as they grew more ravenous for raw ADAM.

He taunts the player throughout the game and poses questions concerning morality and ideals to give players a glimpse of what he had attempted to create, all the while Atlas urges you to find and kill Ryan. When you finally come face to face with Ryan, you learn you are actually his illegitimate son and that you were actually a weapon created by Frank Fontaine. Shortly after this is revealed, Ryan hands you the golf club he had casually been playing with when you entered and orders you to kill him. The graphic scene has players beat Ryan to death with the club as he screams the famous words, "A man chooses, a slave obeys." Beside the fact you just met your biological father, you just bludgeoned this genius and failed idealist to a bloody pulp. You continue to beat him with the club until the head gets stuck in Ryan's skull. Its so visceral and so graphic and at the same time, after its over, you think to yourself, did I do the right thing?


Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater: The Boss

The legendary soldier of FOX Unit, mentor of Naked Snake and co-creator of the fighting technique dubbed CQC joins the list at number eight for her heart breaking death in Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater. In the first mission of the game, protege Snake, is betrayed by The Boss who has assumed the cover of a defecting American Agent. She badly injures Snake, a man who is almost like a son to her, in attempt to gain the trust of main antagonist, Colonel Volgin, and leaves him for dead.

Throughout the game, The Boss subtly helps Snake in his mission but hinders him even more. She's ordered to cut out one of his eyes and even shoot him at one point during an interrogation. She only complies to maintain her cover. All the while, Snake wears the bandanna she originally wore in the beginning of the game as a tribute to her, as a sign of his affection for his mentor. He doesn't harbor any kind of hatred for her despite what she's done to him. In a final standoff, The Boss orders Snake to kill her. They battle in a field of white flowers in a dramatic battle that tests Snake's CQC skills. Snake proves he has surpassed his mentor's abilities however and assassinates the boss in the field of flowers which become stained red as she dies. Players may not lament the loss of The Boss but no doubt feel the sadness experienced by Snake as he kills his teacher and friend.

Half-Life 2 Episode 2: Eli Vance

Eli Vance was not named until the second Half-Life game but he played a minor role in the first game which began Gordon Freeman's treacherous journey through the Black Mesa Research Facility. Vance is a physicist working in Black Mesa's anomalous materials sector. He is the scientist responsible for activating the retinal scanner which allows Gordon to travel deeper into the Black Mesa Facility. He is also responsible for forming the resistance movement against the Combine in City 17 during the events of the Half-Life 2 games. His achievements don't stop there though, he also built the ridiculously fun and addictive gravity gun weapon which Gordon obtains from him.

Why is his death number seven on the list you may ask? He considered Gordon something like a son in Half-Life 2, despite the fact he sends him to a near certain death on more than one occasion. He's aided the player over three different games (depending on how you count the episode installments of Half-Life 2) and throughout those games, you really feel close to the character. The gut wrenching death scene occurs at the end of Half-Life 2: Episode 2 after a pair of advisers infiltrate the hideout. Gordon and daughter of Eli, Alyx, are pinned helplessly against the wall as they watch Vance get apprehended by the mechanical beasts. He makes one final confession of love to his daughter before the tongue like tentacle of the adviser pierces his skull in bloody mess. After Dog disposes of the two advisers, the game ends with Alyx crying over the body of her father.

Halo 3: Sgt. Johnson

The gung-ho UNSC sergeant aided legendary Spartan, Master Chief through multiple campaigns, wars and battles against alien forces until he met his demise. He was one of the few loyal and true friends to Master Chief throughout the Halo series and players bonded with him as they battled against endless waves of the covenant and the flood. Johnson's death was delivered by 343 Guilty Spark in his attempt to activate the Halo ring inside of the Ark, simultaneously destroying the ring, the flood and Gravemind. Spark could not let his ring be destroyed again and fired his sentinel beam into Johnson's chest, fatally wounding him. Johnson used his last ounce of energy to fire upon Spark, rendering him vulnerable to Master Chief's attacks. The sergeant died in Chief's arms with the last words 'send me out with a bang.'

Mass Effect 3: Thane Krios

The Drell assassin sneaks into the number five spot for his dramatic death in Mass Effect 3. Thane was easily one of the coolest characters of the second game and immediately became a fan favorite. He is rumored to be the most highly skilled assassin in all of the galaxy and once you've seen him in action, there's no doubt that there is some truth to that rumor. He is deeply spiritual and very intelligent; some of the best conversations you can have in all of Mass Effect 2 are with Thane. His insight and views on life really give him this quality that makes him feel like a real person.

Unfortunately, Thane suffers from a condition known as Kepral's Syndrome; an incurable disease that slowly kills its victims. The condition does not hinder him in Mass effect 2 but prevents him from joining Shepard on the Normandy in 3. He isn't completely absent from the third game though; Thane's final act is that of a hero as he saves the Salarian Councilor from Cerberus assassin, Kai Leng. Thane suffers a stab wound during a fight with Kai Leng and coupled with the increasing severity of his disease, he cannot hold onto life any longer. As Shepard, you have the choice to visit Thane in Huerta Memorial Hospital, which results in a scene with Thane's son, Kolyat and Shepard reading a Drell prayer for redemption. As Thane passes however,  Kolyat reveals that his father had intended the prayer for Shepard.

Final Fantasy VII: Aeris (Aerith) Gainsborough

The death scene of the innocent flower girl from Final Fantasy VII is one of the most iconic and well known scenes in all of gaming. Aeris travels to the forgotten city to summon Holy, a force capable of stopping Meteor, the impending doom of the planet. When love interest, Cloud Strife finds her praying at an altar, he finds he is too late to save her as he watches Sephiroth impale her with his sword, killing her. In the following scene, Cloud carries Aeris' lifeless body out to the lake and sets her down to be absorbed by the planet.

The scene is so heart breaking because Cloud had truly loved her and even without voice overs, players could just see how hurt Cloud was by Aeris' death. He's filled with sorrow, destroyed by the fact that he could not save her and that he's lost the girl he loves. Players loved the healer and felt the same sorrow as Cloud as he let her go in the lake of the Forgotten City.

Gears of War 3: Dominic Santiago

Whose death was more depressing than Maria Santiago's? Perhaps the death of her loving husband Dominic Santiago. Dom is another war buddy similar to Gaz and Sgt. Johnson but the relationship players build with him and that they see develop with Marcus is much more complex. Like a brother to Marcus Fenix, Dom fights the horrid Locust to save his home and the people he loves. He cannot save everyone that he loves however; In Gears of War 2, Dom finds his wife, killed by the locust, her corpse a dry shell of her former self. The death of Maria destroys Dom and he laments the loss of her throughout the second game and into the third and becomes more withdrawn from his squad mates.

Dom expresses emotions other than sadness and depression though. He's fleshed out with an occasional sense of humor, blood-lust, tactical intelligence and you know that he always has your back. Throughout the games, he's like your go-to-guy, a partner you can always count on. The relationship players have with Dom is very much like the relationship Marcus and Dom have themselves. It is all of these qualities that make him feel that  as if he were real, which is why is death takes number three on the list.

At a fuel depot in the third game, Marcus and Dom are surrounded by lambent and locust as they try to escape. Dom realizes there's no way they can both make it and protect the fuel truck. In a sacrificial move, Dom destroys a large fuel tank incinerating the locust and lambent force along with himself. The whole squad is affected by the death of Dom and players lost a character they love.

Grand Theft Auto IV: Roman Bellic

Cousin of protagonist, Niko Bellic, Roman claims to be living the American dream; however, he hasn't been very successful as he suffers from a gambling addiction and owes money to different criminals including the Mafia. Throughout the game, Niko looks for work but can't find an honest living, so he accepts some of the less legitimate work, his cousin Roman sends his way. Roman continues to gamble and get himself in trouble from which Niko must save him. Eventually Roman strikes big and wins a large amount of money, ultimately achieving his American dream. He buys a big house, upgrades his business and announces his plans to marry his girlfriend Mallorie.

Just as Roman attains his dreams, Niko is faced with a choice that will change his life. Now, Roman only dies if the player chooses to make the drug deal with Dimitri, if players choose revenge, the game ends with the death of Kate, Niko's girlfriend. I don't feel that the death of Kate was quite as sad as Roman and I'll explain why.

Should the player chose to make the deal, Niko will attend Roman's wedding but after the ceremony, an assassin drops in to kill Niko and a stray bullet hits Roman, killing him. Niko loses his closest friend, his cousin, the one person who had been there for him ever since he first arrived in America. He's killed at his wedding, a day to celebrate happiness and the beginning of a new life with his wife Mallorie. The fact that he's killed in front of his family and friends only makes the matter worse. The pain his wife must feel, just after they have been married, is unimaginable. An infuriated Niko exacts his revenge on the criminals but the game ends in uncertainty with Niko, depressed and unsure of the condition of his soul. He receives a call from widow, Mallorie who informs him she is pregnant with Roman's child; a child that will have no father.

Red Dead Redemption: John Marston

Former outlaw, John Marston, seeks to redeem the sins of his past in Red Dead Redemption but players learn that some demons can never be rid of. Marston left his gang days behind after his companions left him for dead during a botched robbery and decided he'd settle down for a normal life with his wife and son. The government hasn't forgotten John's past however and agents take his family in exchange for some work. They demand that he seek out his former gang members and turn them over, dead or alive.

Throughout the game, players as John are presented with choices to do good or bad deeds, to gain honor and redeem the past of John Marston. These tasks can range from saving a farm from a gang of bandits or donating money to a church. There's a wide variety of different choices John can make and they change how people in the world view him. The more honor you have, the more people will respect you and praise you. If you played anything like I did, you maxed out your honor redeeming your past making up for all the wrong you had done in your life. John does as the government agents asked, turning over or killing his former partners and his family is returned to him.

He returns to life on his ranch and gets back to the simple things in life. He does farm work, herds cattle, spends time with his wife and son until his past comes back to haunt him once more. The government goes back on their promise to pardon John's crimes and sends a militia to his house resulting in a shootout. John rushes to the barn with his wife and son confessing his love for them and saying his last goodbyes as he puts them on a horse to escape out the back. As they ride off, John faces the army soldiers and government agents on the outside of the barn. The screen flashes into dead eye and John can take out a few men before he is ultimately gunned down by twenty or so men. His body riddled with bullet holes, he slowly falls to the ground coughing up blood and dies. His wife and son hear the gun shots and return to the farm which the soldiers have abandoned. His wife rushes to his side, sobbing, as he lies, lifeless in a pool of blood. The scene ends with son Jack and his mother embracing one another, crying over the death of John.

I personally felt so betrayed, likely just as John and his family would have felt. He made up for what he did in the past, he kept his end of the deal but the government stabbed him in the back. It felt so unfair but at the same time illustrated the concept that no matter what you do, you cannot undo the actions of your past.

That makes up my list of the top ten most emotional video game death scenes. I realize these are only my opinions and that they do not reflect the views of everyone. Some people may have considered the death of Ashley Williams or Kaiden Alenko more emotional than the death of Thane or perhaps found the death of Jack sadder than the death of Andrew Ryan. Whatever it be, there's no doubt that when you play a game, you get attached to the characters and their deaths can be hard to take. If you feel there's a death I missed that deserves a spot on the top ten list, feel free to sound off in a comment. Otherwise just feel free to share your thoughts on my list.

Dead Space 3 Officially Announced

UPDATE: Check out the Dead Space 3 trailer here.

We all knew it was coming but EA Games has officially announced Dead Space 3 and confirmed its presence at E3 during Microsoft's press conference on Monday. EA Games had earlier hinted that a Dead Space game will be hitting store shelves before March of 2013 and I think its safe to assume they were referring to Dead Space 3.

Leaked images also support the rumor that Isaac won't brave the necromorph infested game alone. A companion wearing armor similar to Isaac's with a red glowing spine and visor looks like he may be accompanying him on his treacherous journey. Now this could be the rumored 'Shadow Isaac'; the split personality of Isaac and that represents his diminishing sanity or it could simply be another human. This companion of Isaac's also provides evidence that dead Space 3 will feature a split-screen co-op mode.

The rumor that Dead Space 3 will take place on an icy planet, possibly by the name of 'Tau Volantis' seems to have been confirmed by the images as well. Necromorph hunter, Isaac Clarke is sporting his usual armor along with some comfy looking fur material lining the outside. Looks like necromorphs won't be Isaac's only concern on a frigid planet with intense blizzards. Check out the images below to get your first look at Dead Space 3 and tune into Microsoft's press conference on Monday to get the full scoop on Dead Space 3.

Skyrim: Dawnguard trailer revealed

Bethesda gave us a glimpse of the first DLC pack for Skyrim entitled Dawnguard today. The plot gives players a choice of joining a vampire cult that plans to eclipse the sun eternally or you can align with Dawnguard, a clan of vampire hunters who seem to be longtime rivals of the vampire cult. Bethesda is also making good on their promise that the DLC for Skyrim won't simply feature more gameplay, but will change different aspects of the game. Vampires (enemies and players alike) look like they'll be getting some kind of beast form capable of flying or hovering above the ground. The beast form looks much more bat-like or something similar to a demon with bony wings protruding from its back.

Also present in the trailer was the addition of the rumored crossbow weapon which players can use to take down some new enemies. A look at a troll looking creature, new vampire monsters and some goblin looking enemies seem to be new additions to Skyrim's bestiary. Skyrim doesn't have a set release date as of now but I'm sure one will be available soon. Check out the trailer below and feel free to share your thoughts.

New Hitman: Absolution trailer pits Agent 47 against Nun Assassins

In the latest trailer (below) for Hitman: Absolution, we see Agent 47 take on some unique looking, rival assassins. The leather clad nuns, armed to the teeth with guns and rocket launchers, ambush 47 in an old looking motel but quickly learn that they are outmatched. In a stylistic fight scene, Agent 47 uses stealth, hand-to-hand combat, and his trusty Silver-Ballers to take out each of the nuns.

While the nuns serve as a cheap effort to implement sexuality into Absolution, the trailer highlights some of the games other strengths. The visuals look absolutely stunning; at one point, early in the video, the game almost looked like a live action sequence. Even during the actual fight scene, the graphics just looked so fine and detailed. The general movement of the characters, their clothes, the behavior of the rain water all made it into a brilliant looking trailer. I really hope to see more in the future and hope that sequences such as this will be abundant throughout Hitman: Absolution. Hitman: Absolution will sneak onto store shelves in November for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

Prepare for mounted combat in Skyrim

Earlier today, the official Bethesda blog unveiled the premiere feature of the newest update for Skyrim, mounted combat. That's right, you'll be able to slash, hack and shoot bandits and monsters from the saddle of your trusted steed. There's no word yet on when we can expect the update to hit but PC players can get early access can access the beta through steam, now. 

This is definitely a feature I thought the game would have shipped with but I'm happy to see that it's now being added. I know I'll have a great time launching arrows from the back of Shadowmere and maybe we can even expect some special kill cams for mounted kills.

The list of delays gets longer

The list of games delayed into 2013 gets even longer. Developers are delaying games like it might go out of fashion lately and these aren't small titles. Games like Tomb Raider and Bioshock: Infinite are a couple heavy hitters followed up by the indefinitely delayed Prey 2, South Park, and Aliens: Colonial Marines. Now two more titles and a third which has entered game development limbo, like Prey 2, join the club of games delayed games.

Ninja Theory's Devil May Cry reboot was aiming for an unspecified 2012 release date but it seems after a recent reassessment, the game won't be ready until January of 2013. Thankfully we won't have to wait too far into 2013 to assume the role of the newly redesigned demonic badass, Dante, and get to work slashing and blasting away a demon army from hell. The game is still slated to be shown at E3, so keep an eye out for it there.

Take-Two recently announced that their Sci-fi shooter, XCOM has been delayed yet again and there is no solid release date in sight. According to GameInformer, the earliest in which we may see XCOM would be April of 2013 but not even that is a sure bet right now. No comment was provided to detail reasons behind the second delay of the game but let's just hope it means the game will be that much better. Again, keep an eye out for XCOM at E3 as it will no doubt be present.

While Devil May Cry and XCOM are only delays, Ubisoft's Brothers in Arms: Furious 4 may be suffering from  more serious problems. Furious 4 was aiming for a 2012 release date but signs it wouldn't hit that mark should have been obvious after there was literally nothing on the game after its announcement at E3 of 2011. Now it seems that Ubisoft dropped the trademarks for the game which hints that this may be more than a mere delay. Ubisoft representatives aren't sharing any information behind these recent discoveries either. Personally, I was really excited for this game and I'm really hoping that it isn't canceled. [source: GameInformer]

What do you think of all these game delays. I know the beginning of this article sounded like a rant but it is a little annoying to see so many games being delayed. I do view delays as a good thing though. They're bittersweet; while it sucks we won't get to play the game for a while, there's the chance that the delay will allow developers to make it that much more entertaining. Let's just hope this is the last of the game delays we'll see for a while.

Check out the trailer for James Bond: Skyfall

After having dealt with some financial issues, MGM is finally ready to make a return to the James Bond franchise. Daniel Craig will also be making a return as the iconic MI6 agent in an all new adventure entitled, Skyfall. Bond's relationship with M (Judi Dench) is tested after she reveals dark secrets concerning her past and an attack on MI6 headquarters spurs Bond to track down and eliminate the threat. While the new trailer indicates 007 will enthrall us with his suave style, fast paced action and cunning intuition, there is another aspect of the spy that Skyfall will explore.

Director of Skyfall, Sam Mendes has stated that the film will explore the troubled psyche of James Bond. Skyfall will break from the usual Bond formula and we won't see a fearless, untroubled, Bond who is constantly able to focus under pressure. Bond's inner demons will be explored as he regrets his past, his career choice and may even suffer from depression. Bond was a much more complex character in the novels written by Ian Flemming and in Skyfall, Bond will suffer from these complexities that true spies have to endure.

Craig is easily capable of fleshing out Bond's character in these ways as well, especially after his performance in the thriller, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Craig has already been at work talking with real-life agents to prepare for his role as this new guilt-ridden James Bond. The movie is set to be released on October 26, 2012 in the U.K. and the U.S. release should follow shortly after. Check out the teaser trailer for Skyfall below.

Aliens: Colonial Marines update

SEGA has some good news and some bad news concerning Aliens: Colonial Marines. The good news is that the game finally has a release date, the bad news, it's been delayed until 2013. Aliens: Colonial Marines will be available on the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC on February 12, 2013. The Wii U version of the game will get a later release date.

While Colonial Marines is joining a laundry list of games being delayed until 2013, it isn't all that bad; SEGA was kind enough to share an awesome trailer, entirely of gameplay. The visuals look spectacular with the classic blood-splashed walls, dimly-lit corridors and the xenomorphs themselves pouring out from every crack and crevice of the ship. The gameplay looks suspenseful as the characters explore the ship with the ever present, ominous beeping, emitted from the motion detector. The action is frantic as shots seem to fly in every direction as the xenomoprhs approach from the ceilings and walls and disappear just as quickly through holes and vents. The game almost made me think of something similar to a first person Dead Space experience.

I was already interested in Colonial Marines (I'm a big alien fan) but after watching the trailer, I have to say I'm even more excited than before. Hopefully we'll get even more news and a nice demonstration during E3. What do you think of Aliens: Colonial Marines so far? You can watch the trailer down below.

Can you escape The Walking Dead?

If you've ever wanted to live out your fantasy of surviving a zombie outbreak, now is your chance at this year's Comic-Con event in San Diego. Hosted at the Petco Baseball Stadium, an event named, 'Escape The Walking Dead' will challenge zombie enthusiasts to survive a course crawling with walkers and different kinds of obstacles. The event will last three days, July 12 to July 13 and will allow you to participate as a survivor venturing through the infected zone, a walker embracing your inevitable fate, or a spectator if you just prefer to watch people be eaten.

Escape The Walking Dead's website states that survivors will have to climb, hide and slide to survive the course. Obstacles included range from cargo nets and rope bridges which survivors can bypass but risk being infected by a walker. The infected zone will be complete with hordes of zombies which a get a professional makeover by the pros for realism and those participating as survivors are encouraged to put together a costume free of any weapons, real or not. Survivors will have to avoid any contact with walkers to stay infection free. It doesn't seem like there will be any killing of the undead and that the event will focus solely on escape. Some tips on the website encourage survivors to hide if they encounter a horde of walkers and use obstacles to avoid smaller groups or individuals. The government controlled decontamination zone at the end of the course will have scientists determine if you are infected. If you're swift enough and make some smart choices throughout the course, you can come out unscathed.

The experience is estimated to last about 35-45 minutes and the site reminds those wishing to participate as a survivor that the course is not a race but there will be times in which running may come in handy. After the course, all walkers and survivors will receive an exclusive special edition of the 100th issue of The Walking Dead and all spectators will receive an exclusive special edition cover poster. It wasn't clear whether it matters if you were infected or not but I don't think there are going to be any disqualifications since this is more of an experience based event. This is your chance to live the experience of a zombie outbreak (sort of) and I know I'd be there if i could afford a ticket to California and take off work. I'm sure many others will be lining up to test their zombie surviving skills and see how they fare in this simulated apocalypse.

The Last of Us new trailer

The Last of Us, developed by Naughty Dog, is a game with a unique approach to the recently overused post-apocalyptic theme. Protagonist, Joel and his teenage companion, Ellie rely on each other to survive a biological epidemic that has left the world swallowed by nature itself, forcing survivors to struggle for their lives.

The trailer shows a scene in which Joel and Ellie are ambushed by a group of scavengers who seem relentless to stop the two. The scene leads up to the preview Gameinformer was given and featured in their cover story for the game. The visuals of the game look great, and with developer Naughty Dog at the wheel, The Last of Us is sure to be an excellent game. So far no gameplay has been revealed yet but we can only hope we'll get a taste when E3 comes around this year. What do you think of The Last of Us so far? Are you pretty excited for this game or is it too soon to tell?

Hitman: Absolution's Sniper Challenge is a riot

After work yesterday at approximately 6 P.M. I made my way over to my local Gamestop to pre-order my copy of Hitman: Absolution. After my receipt printed, the cashier handed it to me and kindly pointed out the redeemable code for one of the coolest pre-order bonuses ever. Sniper Challenge is a downloadable game you can play if you pre-order Hitman: Absolution from Gamestop. I was skeptical about this bonus game but it's well worth the two minutes it'll take for you to pre-order the game. It's based on a single re-playable mission in which you can compete for the highest score or just find different and creative ways to complete the objectives.

As Agent 47, you are assigned a target, a one Jr. Strong to eliminate. Strong is making an appearance at  a party being held atop a Chicago high-rise. In your briefing, you're informed that Strong is very punctual and will only be in attendance for 15 minutes. He's also surrounded by a small army of guards who are either by his side or patrolling the building.

Perched atop a neighboring building, it is your job to eliminate Strong and all of his body guards in whatever fashion you deem necessary. You can make a lot of noise and scare everybody off or you can keep a low profile, like a true assassin. You can time your kills carefully and 'hide' bodies; for instance when guards walk over to a ledge, you can plant a bullet in the back of their skull to send them to street-level. A fountain and elevator shaft also provide excellent spots to dump bodies. By hiding and timing your kills carefully, you can avoid being 'exposed' and earn the legendary Silent Assassin bonus to be added to your score. You also get bonuses for making quick, successive kills, landing head shots, moving shots and how much time you have left when you've eliminated all of the targets.

The bonuses don't stop there however. You're given a list of challenges, which if completed earn you a permanent score modifier. Some challenges offer a tough goal but other challenges aren't so much difficult as they are quirky. The Hitman games have always had a subtle brand of comedy in them and Sniper Challenge is no exception. Be prepared to take out some gnomes, activate some mines, cap a ninja and even remove evidence of a stripper when you go after the challenges. High scores earn you upgrades for your rifle such as enhanced sights, a faster bolt and reload times. These upgrades are also transferred to your game when you play Absolution.

While I have had a blast so far competing for a high score, completing my still incomplete challenge list and just sniping as Agent 47, I have to admit, one of the most impressive features of the game were the actual visuals. The graphics are leagues better than Blood Money (yes I know it came out a long time ago) and the game just looked beautiful. The Chicago skyline is coated in orange hues from a setting sun and it just looks brilliant. You're also given snippets of cinematic and gameplay video when you restart the mission each time and I feel as though I'm awed each time I watch them. I also feel the controls deserve a mention as well. They're set pretty standard (you can really only, aim, shoot, reload) but following guards in the scope felt unusually smooth. I feel like in most games when I use a sniper, the scope staggers, goes to fast and I lose control. In Sniper Challenge, it felt very easy to control the rifle and the scope followed guards very fluidly. There's also a button that activates Agent 47's 'instincts'. When in instinct mode, 47 can see enemies through walls and obstacles highlighted in yellow or the main target in red.

Bottom line, Sniper Challenge is awesome and easily one of the best bonuses I've ever gotten for pre-ordering a game. If you haven't reserved your copy of Hitman: Absolution yet, go to Gamestop and do so now and redeem your free copy of Sniper Challenge!

Multiple game delays

Bioshock Infinite was slated to be one of the biggest games at E3 and launches of this year but it looks like no one will be seeing Bioshock Infinite at E3 or be playing it this year. The game was recently delayed until an approximate date of February, 23 of the year 2013. Ken Levine, of Irrational Games, released a statement apologizing for the delay but promises that some specific tweaks and improvements will make Infinite into something even more extraordinary. Levine goes on to promise that the wait will be worth it and that Irrational Games feels they owe it to their fans to make the game great. He also noted that Bioshock will not be present at E3 due to the fact Irrational wants to make sure they show-off the finished product only.

While I was initially pretty disappointed when I read about the delay, I realize that Levine's statement sounded very sincere and I trust him, along with Irrational Games to make Bioshock Infinite into an amazing game. Infinite was my most anticipated title this year and it's almost ironic that I had pre-ordered it just days before the delay. It's also funny that I thought to myself that I still have Tomb Raider to look forward too.

Just a few days later, Square-Enix announced that Tomb Raider wouldn't be hitting store shelves until the first quarter of 2013 as well. Studio head at developer, Crystal Dynamics, Dave Gallagher, stated that to achieve the goals that had originally been set for this ambitious game, that more time was needed. However, we can still look forward to seeing the game at E3 and Gallagher said the game is already looking amazing. As an extended apology, Crystal Dynamics released a screenshot of the game as well. Somehow, it's just my luck the two games I wanted most this year are being delayed.

Finally, the less anticipated but sure to be a hit, South Park game has also been delayed until early 2013. THQ did not provide a reason for the game's delay but I feel that it may have been some of the differences in ideas between designers and the original South Park creators that led to a delay. While I wasn't specifically excited for South Park and it likely won't measure up to Bioshock or Tomb Raider, the game still looked pretty solid. The concepts and innovations going into South Park really intrigued me and is still looking to be a good game.

 I suppose we'll just have to wait until the first quarter of 2013 however to play any of these games. I have to admit, I was initially surprised when I heard the October release date for Infinite, so I guess I almost expected it. Tomb Raider on the other hand I did not expect but I'm glad developers are taking the time to really make these games worth it to their fans. How do you feel about these delays? Were you planning on getting any of these games when they came out? This also poses the question of any other games possibly being delayed. Grand Theft Auto V is speculated to be released this year but I"m really beginning to doubt that and I'm getting the feeling Borderlands 2 may be delayed as well. I'll keep my fingers crossed though and hope that all launches go as according to plan.

The Walking Dead Episode One: A New Day

I recently played through the first episode of The Walking Dead game, developed by Telltale Games and I have to say, I was pretty surprised. Telltale Games is best known for the Sam and Max franchise or the more recent Back to the Future series which are both solid games and fun to play but don't deliver a truly great experience overall. The Walking Dead is a different case though; a compelling story, great writing, interesting characters and fun gameplay are all key ingredients that make The Walking Dead the best title done by Telltale Games yet.

Most fans of The Walking Dead would probably assume the story follows the comics or the show but in fact, Telltale has constructed a unique story set during the same zombie apocalypse seen through the eyes of some different survivors. You will play as Lee Everett, a convict with a dark past which is revealed throughout the events of the first game. Lee is a great character and perhaps one of the most compelling elements of the game was discovering his past and watching him interact with other characters. I really felt a connection when I played as Lee and I quickly grew to like him. The game begins with Lee handcuffed in the back of a cop car driving away from Atlanta, as emergency vehicles speed toward the doomed city. Lee and the officer fail to realize all the commotion as they have a casual conversation. Without spoiling to much, the car loses control, freeing Lee and he is left to fend for himself among the army of the dead.

Lee teams up with an inquisitive young girl by the name of Clementine, who has been separated from her family and bands together with other survivors throughout the first episode. what I quickly realized while playing is that, The Walking Dead isn't your typical post-apocalyptic zombie game. You won't be toting around an arsenal of weapons and taking out hordes of zombies, instead Telltale is focusing on a character driven narrative very similar to the comics or the show itself. The story of the game almost feels as though it was lifted from the pages of the graphic novels themselves, especially with the comic book art styled graphics which looked great. Unlike most zombie themed games, the most entertaining aspect of The Walking Dead comes in the dialogue, which challenges players to make sometimes difficult choices. In conversations, players are prompted with several responses; your responses are timed however. If you fail to respond in time, characters will assume you prefer silence or someone could even end up dead.

Your choices throughout the game will decide who your loyalty lies with, who trusts you, and who lives and who dies. Your choices can change the story dramatically and you'll find yourself getting a little more pressured in some more confrontational encounters, where your choices bear even greater weight and things can quickly escalate out of control if you aren't careful. Characters take note of your choices as well, remembering when you side with them or when you don't back them up and there's no doubt these choices will have ramifications in the episodes still to come. A well developed cast of characters ensures you'll have some great personalities to interact with no matter who lives or dies. You can also expect to see a few familiar faces from the comics as well. The voice acting isn't amazing but is leagues better than what has been presented in some triple A titles and still offered some great performances, especially on Lee's part who turned out to be the best and most believable.

Puzzle sequences balance out the heavy narrative based gameplay and all offer unique solutions that take some real time paired with some item gathering. I was reminded of the Lucas Arts game, Grim Fandango when I played through many of these sequences which I thoroughly enjoyed. These puzzle sequences will require you to distract zombie hordes, use unconventional items to take out a few walkers or gain access to locked or blocked off areas. What I enjoyed most was that the solutions were never clear cut and require players to consider all these different items and all the possible ways they can be utilized. The only thing I didn't like about the exploration or item gathering sequence of the puzzle, was that it did at times feel a little too simple. Exploration offers few rewards but there are some items you should be careful not to overlook that reveal some story details. I just felt that looking around in the different environments yielded small results and I would have liked to see more interaction with the different settings.

While the story and puzzle sequences of The Walking Dead are very entertaining, the action stumbles a bit. Don't expect much from the action since it's very similar to quick-time events and involves little more than hovering over the zombie and making a single button press. Combat is simple and the least entertaining aspect of the game. At times you'll make a kill that feels empowering but most zombie take-downs are pretty dull and usually end with the old ax or hammer in the skull.

Despite the rough edges on the combat though, the game really did impress me with it's other gameplay aspects and plot which featured some great writing and interesting characters. The game has a great vibe and for the 3 to 4 hours it takes to beat the first episode, it makes for an entertaining experience. Whether you're a fan of the books or the show, The Walking Dead game has a unique story and cast that anyone should enjoy. I'm already pretty excited to get started on the second episode and I'll be downloading it the day it's available. Telltale offers a 'season pass' which allows you to download each of the five episodes for only $20 on either the PS3, Xbox 360, or PC.

Max Payne 3 launch trailer kick starts the hype

If you're not really excited for Max Payne 3 or just not that into it, this launch trailer from Rockstar Games may change your mind. In this gunfire packed and blood filled trailer we get a glimpse of the former detective's new life in Brazil. The game picks up eight years after Max Payne 2 and has Max working as security detail for a wealthy family. However, after a kidnapping Max is forced to face the warring street-gangs of Brazil and must delve into a web of conspiracy to get the answers he needs.

The trailer reveals a troubled Max Payne who reminisces about the past. Don't worry though, that isn't stopping him from pumping bad guys full of lead and just being badass. The over the top action looks better than ever and will carry over to an all new multiplayer aspect for Max Payne 3. The game hits stores May 15, less than a week away! get excited!

Dishonored locks in a release date

Dishonored secures a release date of October 9 with a slew of other games hitting stores this fall. The game will be available on the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. Developed by Bethesda, Dishonored is looking to be one of the biggest titles to be released this year.

 You play as Corvo, personal body guard to an empress who's mysterious murder is pinned on you. Employing Corvo's deadly skills with a blade, expert marksmanship and god-like super natural powers you will seek revenge.

The game looks awesome so far and a new trailer was released not long ago; check it out below if you haven't seen it yet. This is easily one of my most anticipated games of this year and I know I'll be playing it the night it comes out.

Hitman: Absolution gets release date

Square-Enix announced this morning that Hitman: Absolution will be hitting stores November 20 and will be available for the PS3, Xbox 360 and the PC. There are a load of pre-order bonuses for Hitman like unique suits and firearms depending on where you pre-order the game from. Gamestop however, is offering the Sniper Challenge bonus game which will be available on May 15. Hitman: Absolution is being released with a list of killer titles this fall, you can take a look at the list here.

Assassin's Creed 3 first gameplay trailer unlocked!

After getting enough likes on the Assassin's Creed Unite page, Ubisoft kept their end of the bargain and released the first ever gameplay trailer for Assassin's Creed 3. Watch carefully to spot protagonist Connor's new weapon. The all new 'chain blade' looks like it will come in use for maiming Redcoats and should make for some awesome assassination kills. The combat looks fresh with all new animations as well and the new tomahawk weapon should make for even more brutal kills.

The new 'wilderness' setting of the game looks promising as Connor uses stealth to dispatch of enemies from the trees above or dodges hails of gunfire on a huge battlefield. The openness of it all seems really intriguing as well and the trailer makes you realize all the possibilities, such as having to combat with a wild bear or help the rebels take on a whole army of British soldiers! Check out the trailer below and keep an eye out for more news on Assassin's Creed 3 here.

What games are you most excited for this year?

I was recently looking at the list of games waiting to be released this year and I literally said to myself, "Holy schnikes!" There are a lot of great looking games that will be shipping this year, almost all of them are part of an already well known franchise. With so many awesome games on the way, which ones are you saving your cash for? Take a look at the list below to get an idea of what's coming in 2012.

Sleeping Dogs – August 17
Dark Souls (PC) – August 24
Madden NFL 13 – August 28
Far Cry 3 – September 4
Borderlands 2 – September 18
Resident Evil 6 – October 2
Medal of Honor: Warfighter – October 23
Assassin's Creed III – October 30
Halo 4 – November 6
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 – November 13

That's not all though, there's also quite a few titles already confirmed for 2012 but waiting for an exact date. You can expect to see dates soon for games like Tomb Raider (reboot), Hitman: Absolution, Dishonored, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Brothers in Arms: Furious 4, Aliens: Colonial Marines, Skylanders Giants, and Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two. There is even speculation that Grand Theft Auto V will hit stores this year as well. 

I've been debating which games I'm most excited for and I have to say that with this year's lineup its going to be  tough. I would have said Bioshock Infinite would be the one game I'm most anticipating but it was recently delayed until February of 2013. My runner up (currently) would have to be the Tomb Raider reboot. It just looks so raw and so real and I can't wait to see how the game has been changed. While details have been scarce since E3 of last year, the game sounds like it will focus a lot more on survival. Lara won't be carrying an arsenal that could supply a small army or her own personal set of gadgets to get her out of trouble. This time around she will have to rely on her instincts to survive. I'm just so intrigued by all the new ideas being implemented and I can't wait to get more details on the plot.

After Tomb Raider, it's a really close tie between, Assassin's Creed 3, Dishonored and Hitman: Absolution. I love Assassin's Creed and I'm really glad they're taking the next step with a completely new game and moving on with the series. As for Hitman, it has been quite a while since Blood Money and I've really missed Agent 47. The game's graphics look amazing and the gameplay trailers show off some of 47's new tricks. He's now able to handle a lot more objects in the environment and employ them to bash an enemy's skull. There's also an ability much like Eagle Vision in Assassin's Creed which 47 can use to aid him in sneaking past enemies or taking them out.

As for Dishonored, I have to say I'm excited because it is influenced by Thief and looks/sounds like it'll play somewhat like Bioshock. Set in the middle ages with some steam punk flair, Dishonored follows the story of former personal guard to the empress, Corvo. He's also a master assassin that has been imbued with super natural powers. He has a skill set that make him a deadly swordsman, expert marksman and skilled infiltrator. The story starts with Corvo having been framed for the murder of the empress, the very person he was assigned to protect. Out for revenge, Corvo vows to eliminate those responsible for framing him and those who have been oppressing the people in the dystopian setting. The game has parkour, powers which can be wielded with weapons much like Bioshock and an awesome sounding plot (there's more to it than I explained). Those ingredients sound like they'll make a mean game and I can't wait. 

Enough about me though, what are you excited for? Maybe Borderlands 2 or Resident Evil 6? Whatever it is, you really can't go wrong here since all of these games look very promising. 

Where is Thief 4!?

I'm sure a lot of people reading this wondering are wondering, "What the heck is Thief 4?" Then there are those of you who are wondering the same exact thing as me. Thief 4 is the fourth entry into the Thief game series and was announced almost two years ago (May 11 is the two year anniversary). Since then there has been absolutely no news on it or any kind of mention, tease or anything anywhere. I have to admit it has kind of been driving me crazy and I'm wondering if it's even still in development.

Thief is a game series set in the medieval ages with some steam punk inspiration (steam powered technology). You play as a thief named Garrett who comes from a sacred order called the 'Keepers' where he gained the the skills and abilities that make him so adept at his profession. He's a thief with a bounty on his head who tends to get himself mixed up a supernatural situations that threaten the well-being of 'The City' he lives in. The game relied a lot on stealth and using shadows to hide while creating distractions. Garrett had an gadget arsenal that could rival James Bond's (or at least a medieval version of James Bond) complete with flash bombs, mines, specialized arrows, and other items that help you gain access into locked areas and scout for guard patrols. The game reminds me a lot of Hitman because it has plenty of quirky comedic moments in it but takes a nice spin on stealth.

I'm a big Thief fan, I remember playing the original two (Dark Project and Metal Age) on the PC back in the 90s. Yes that's right, the 90s. The third game, Thief Deadly Shadows expanded the series when it was released on PC and the original Xbox back in 2004. New technology played a role in the game's many new features, its presentation and overall capabilities making it a great entry in the series. Now that gaming technology has evolved even further, there's so much more opportunity for new developer Eidos to make Thief 4 even better than its predecessor which is what excites me most. Thing is I've been waiting eight years for this game and 2 of them have been spent waiting for a single shred of news on the game after it has already been announced.

So what happened to Thief 4? Was it Eidos' intention to keep it dark for this long the whole time or has the game fallen into limbo. I feel like Eidos should have been ready to share some of the game if they made the decision to announce it but i guess developers work in mysterious ways. Producer, Square-Enix will be present at E3 so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for some news regarding Thief 4.

N7 Bounty Weekend - Operation Silencer

Bioware has organized another mission for all us N7 operatives. Beginning Friday, May 11, at 6 P.M. PST players are being tasked with killing 3,000,000 Banshees! That is a lot of Banshees and they seem to be the one foe that everybody hates most. Bioware is making it well worth your while though. For participating in this banshee extermination and should it be successful, players will be awarded a victory pack. As a secondary objective, players are being challenged to survive any enemy on any map on gold difficulty. Success will earn you and your squad mates a commendation pack. What's better than free stuff for playing an awesome game? I know I'll be out there but I have to admit I'm not excited about an increase in the abundance of Banshees.

The challenge will run until Monday, may 14 at 5 P.M. PST and will be available to players on the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

Hitman: Absolution sniper challenge revealed with other pre-order bonuses

IO interactive and Square-Enix teased earlier this week that they'd be making some big announcement related to Hitman: Absolution on May 10 but it seems someone spilled the beans. Hitman: Sniper Challenge is being made available for those who preorder Hitman: Absolution. Not much is known but the picture that spoiled it all came from Gameinformer magazine; it states, as Agent 47 you can engage in a "replayable sniping mission" and customize an "exclusive rifle". As of now it sounds like the game is composed of a single mission and up-gradable rifle - doesn't sound very promising. However there are some other pre-order bonuses you can get your hands on depending on where you get the game from.

Amazon is offering a suit simply called the "High Tech Suit" which increases Agent 47's armor rating by 50%. Also included will be the Bartoli custom pistol, a powerful handgun equipped with a suppressor and sight that will no doubt come in use if you want to be stealthy.

If you pre-order the game at Best Buy, you will get the "Public Enemy Suit" and agent 47 will resemble a gangster worthy of the name John Dillinger. You can also equip 47 with the Bronson m1928 to really fit the role and mow down some bad guys if you get into a tight fix.

Last but not least, a Walmart pre-order nets you the "High Roller Suit" which will let you kill in style with this sharp looking tuxedo. You'll also get the Krugermeier 2-2 pistol, another deadly stealth firearm equipped with a silencer. It's also a great accessory to go with that tux.

So who will you be ordering from now that you know what you can get. I have to say I'm leaning toward Best Buy or Amazon but I also like the bald James Bond look 47 is sporting in the high roller suit. Also, what do you think of this sniper challenge bonus that has also been revealed? Do you think there will be more levels or just the one repayable one described in the article.

Microsoft offering Xbox 360 for $99 with subscription

Microsoft is offering a coupon that can be redeemed at a Microsoft store for a $99 Xbox 360 with a new 2 year contract. No, you read that right; it's almost like buying a cellphone. The two year contract includes a 2 year Xbox Live Gold membership at 14.99 a month and The 4GB Xbox 360 system with Kinect. The two year contract will cost you about $360 (haha, Xbox 360) as opposed to paying only $100 when you buy an Xbox 360 without a contract and pay for 2 years of Gold membership. You save one hundred dollars on the system but that still means you're paying an extra $60 to sign your name on the dotted line; weird.

 This is most definitely a deal geared toward people who don't plan on playing many games (a much needed hard drive will run you another $100) but for those who plan on using the system to stream digital media like Netflix, Hulu, Pandora etc. The Kinect is also convenient because it allows users to navigate through the menu through voice commands.

What do you think of this? I'm failing to see what the advantage is to signing a contract. I don't know, did I miss something or is this a really good deal?