Four Player Co-Op

OnLive To Begin Testing WiFi Connections

Jim Plachy — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:24:30 +0000

OnLive has announced that it will begin beta testing WiFi connections to it’s instant streaming video game service by the beginning of October. So dry your tears those of you who can’t afford 20ft of Ethernet cable your time has finally come. To make it up to you for your months of crying OnLive is extending it’s founding member program through the end of the year. You now have until January 1st to claim your free year of the service and then pay only $4.95 a month for the next year. If that’s not enough to entice you how about 50% EVERY game in OnLive’s relatively small catalog? Well that’s what’s happening this Labor day weekend. You can pick up Assassin’s Creed II for just $20 or Kane & Lynch 2 for $25. I mean, that’s a friggin steal and a half. Are you not enticed!?

Alex’s Rest of the Crap 2010

Alex — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:41:08 +0000

This has been a ridiculous year. On the movie front we’ve already had Inception, Toy Story 3, Scott Pilgrim, and tons of other great films. On the music side of things we’ve had a proper release of Dark Night of the Soul and a new album from Eminem that is blowing everybody away. And, in our medium, we’ve had triple-A title after triple-A title released already. Bioshock2, God of War 3, Mass Effect 2, Limbo, and Heavy Rain are just a handful of titles that have already been released this year. So, what’s left? Well, I’m glad you asked that because it’s exactly this week’s topic here at Pixelosophy. Aaron and I are each going to give you our five most anticipated games for the rest of the year, with number one being revealed on Monday’s episode of Pixelosophy. So, without further adieu…
5. 007 Blood Stone-PS3, Xbox 360 (Nov. 2)
I’m going to be perfectly honest. I have only seen one Bond movie, and it was Goldeneye. That’s right, I haven’t even seen the recent reboot of the character, which everybody raves about. However, after seeing the initial teaser for Blood Stone, I quickly went to my Netflix queue and added both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. The game is being produced by Bizarre Creations, creators of Geometry Wars, The Club, and Project Gotham Racing. If you’ve been a loyal Pixelosophy follower, you know that I am quite fond of Bizarre Creations. It’s this very reason that I’m excited for the game. If they can inject this game with some of the same heart-pounding action that all of their games seem to have, then this one is sure to be a hit. Each one of their games has a great level of polish, and I hope that this is no different. I will concede, however, that this is the one game on my list that could really go either way.

4. Epic Mickey-Wii (Holiday)
This is definitely one of the most intriguing titles because I don’t think we can grasp how awesome this game is going to be until we get to play it. From just watching video on it, I don’t think it looks like anything too special, but understanding what is happening in these videos is what makes the game really stand out. The paint/thinner mechanic seems like it could be the coolest gameplay mechanic of the year, and that’s only part of the game. Add on top of that a moral system, what seems to be an amazing story, and a cool atmosphere that oozes with style, and this game is going to be one that we can’t miss. My only hope is that gamers don’t write this one off as just some Mickey game.

3. Professor Layton and the Unwound Future-DS (Sept. 12)
Even if it weren’t for the fact that this game deals with future selves getting in touch with past selves and presumably having to mess with time to rewrite history, the fact that this is a new Professor Layton game is enough to put this in my top five. The first two games in the series are among my favorite games ever, and I don’t expect this one to disappoint. Then add on top of that all of the cool time elements of the story, and I think this one is definitely going to find a special place on my shelf. The developers are also saying that this game is going to have even more voice over and cut scenes than the previous games, which for this series is always a welcome addition since they are incredibly well done each time. Now, if only that damn DVD would come stateside.

2. Donkey Kong Country Returns-Wii (Nov. 21)
I said earlier that Blood Stone is the one game on my list that could go either way. I know that a lot of you may have that same feeling with this game, Aaron. But, I’ve got faith in this one. If nothing else, Retro Studios is developing, so that’s a step in the right direction already. Even if I didn’t know that, you don’t have to be a genius to watch the E3 video and see how amazing that level design is. The flow of the levels looks great, and everything looks like it was created so that the player must run through it perfectly to complete the level. Also, I hear the game is super hard, which should make the entire experience bananas. That’s right, I just did that.

First 2 Split/Second DLC Packs Available Nowish

Jim Plachy — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:28:46 +0000

The first two DLC packs for Split/Second are available now. First up is the Elite Vehicle Livery Pack which adds liveries for the Brawn, Raptor and Vixen cars. This DLC is free, but if you feel like shelling out some money you can pick up the High Octane Supercar Pack which adds three new supercars and a livery for the Ryback Cyclone. How much would you expect to pay for this DLC? 10 dollars? 5 dollars? How about 2 dollars! That’s right just $2 or 160MS points. Like I said, it should be up on Xbox Live Marketplace now, and on Playstation Network tomorrow. Also, unannounced but appearing on the XBLM all the same is a free Ryback Cyclone Special Edition, so maybe you should grab that too.

Via a Press Release, but with an assist from Joystiq

New Xbox 360 Controller With Improved D-Pad Comes At A Price

Jim Plachy — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:55:09 +0000

That price is $64.99. Why so expensive? It comes bundled with a play and charge kit of course. The new controller a matte gray with gray and black buttons also features a “revolutionary” d-pad. It looks and feels like the current Xbox 360 controller d-pad, but when you twist it, the cross part pops up allowing you to use a more sturdy d-pad and not the mushy disc you’re used to. Why does this thing have to come with a play and charge kit for an extra 15 bucks? Beats us, but hopefully Microsoft will start bundling this controller with systems or at the very least selling it sans play and charge kit. If you’re interested it hits stores on November 9th.

Via Major Nelson

Microsoft Can’t Stop Branding Weeks Of XBLA Titles

Jim Plachy — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:45:58 +0000

Did you enjoy your Xbox Live Summer of Arcade? Well, then MEAT the Xbox Live Arcade Game Feast. Get it? Yeah, we don’t really either, since it’s not really close to Thanksgiving or anything. Anyway, beginning September 29th and running through October 20th you can get your hands on Comic Jumper, Hydrophobia, Pinball FX 2, and Super Meat Boy. Hydrophobia and Comic Jumper will run you the new standard of 1200MS points, while Pinball FX 2 will be free, but it will cost points for new tables. Pricing hasn’t been determined yet on Super Meat Boy, but….come on, right?

Via Major Nelson

Jimmy’s Vendetta Shoots Up Mafia II 9/7

Jim Plachy — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:31:05 +0000

We will have a reviewcast coming soon for Mafia II, but if you already own the game, on September 7th 2K will release the Jimmy’s Vendetta DLC. It’s a sequel to the PS3 exclusive The Betrayal of Jimmy DLC. The good news is, ANYONE can buy Jimmy’s Vendetta. It will run you 800MS points or $9.99 on the PS3 or PC. The DLC will feature 30 new missions and you’ll earn points for your kills which will then be ranked on a leaderboard. That’s kind of interesting, right?

Broke Gamer

Aaron — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:33:12 +0000

Wii owners, it’s your time to shine! Tomorrow on Amazon, an entire day of Gold Box goodness will be dedicated to your precious motion machine. However, before we get ahead of ourselves here, we don’t have the clues yet to try and guess what will be up for grabs tomorrow. These Wii events can be a mixed bag sometimes. We could a whole string of great first-party Nintendo titles along with a solid smattering of the best third-party stuff, or we could get just one or two good games and then a total crap-pile of useless controller accessories and fitness gadgets. I guess we’ll find out tomorrow, so cross your fingers and get your credit cards ready just in case!

This Week 8/30

Aaron and Alex — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:28:05 +0000

This week, on Pixelosophy, we’re back! That’s right, pixelosophers, we’ve been gone for a while now but we finally make our glorious, unshaven return. To kick it off, we give you the newest episode of Pixelosophy. Watch as we get you caught up on everything that happened while we were away. Wednesday, we jump right back, or ease back, into articles with a top five list. Read as Alex gives you his top five games that he is looking forward to for the rest of the year. Friday, Aaron closes the week with his list, which we all know will be a hodgepodge of Imagine games. That’s it for now, pixelosophers, we hope that you’re as happy to have us back as we are to be back.

Monday
Pixelosophy Episode 56-Guess who is the man behind the beard

Wednesday
Alex’s Top 5 rest of the crap

Friday
No Bioshock, no God of War…what will Aaron pick?

Sony Announces Details For GOW: Ghost of Sparta PSP Bundle

Dave — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:21:08 +0000

When God of War: Ghost of Sparta comes to the PSP in November, you’ll have the option of picking up a $199 bundle that will include:

a UMD copy of God of War: Ghost of Sparta
a Black & Red colored PSP-3000
God of War: Chains of Olympus PlayStation Network Downloadable Game Voucher
Kick Ass on UMD
2 GB Memory Stick Pro Duo

That’s a veritable pantheon of awesomeness, so if you’ve been waiting to get a PSP, this would be a good time to get on that.

via Joystiq

Ubisoft Unveils PAX Lineup & Mystery Title

Dave — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:33:28 +0000

This weekend, the gaming world will have its eyes set on Seattle for PAX. Ubisoft is bringing its A-game with plans to let gamers get their hands on Your Shape, Motion Sports, Just Dance 2, Child of Eden, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, and H.A.W.X. 2′s multiplayer. The real news from their PAX press release was a little blurb about Outland, a previously unannounced game that will be coming to PSN and XBLA. Ubisoft isn’t giving out any more info than the title, so check back this weekend for an update.