Tag Archives: Microsoft
Microsoft Cordially Invites You to Xbox Reveal May 21
Microsoft is holding a live stream via Xbox Live, Xbox.com and Spike TV for the next Xbox reveal on May 21 at 10am PDT. What exactly that means is anyone’s guess since the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is only nineteen days later. Likely we will be given a name to attach to the face of this new Xbox system currently codenamed Durango. Is it a Xbox 720? Or Next Xbox? Or maybe Nextbox?
Major Nelson’s blog states that blockbluster games shall be revealed at E3.
Stay tuned for more info as it comes.
Source: Major Nelson
Halo 4 Xbox 360 Review – A Shadow of its Former Self
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Developer: 343 Industries
Release Date: November 6th, 2012
Platform: Xbox 360
ESRB: M – Mature
Many people considered Halo 4 to be the biggest release of the year. The kickstarter for a new trilogy featuring the return of Master Chief and the introduction of the Forerunners as a new main enemy, Halo 4 begins where Halo 3 left off. The Chief and his AI companion, Cortana, are once again thrown into action when the crippled frigate Forward Unto Dawn encounters a mysterious Forerunner shield world. Waking up to a fight is nothing new for Spartan-117, but this battle has more than a few new twists.
The transfer of the Halo franchise to 343 Industries has been the subject of hot debate since before the new Reclaimer Trilogy was even announced. Many longtime fans were dubious about the infant developer’s ability to carry on the legacy and retain the high quality of classic Halo titles. Others have expressed their unyielding faith in 343 for years. So where does this new title fall? Is it the masterpiece of game design that we all hoped for, or the lackluster shell of what it could have been?
Microsoft Investigating Purported Halo 4 Leaks
An image of what appears to be a case containing Halo 4′s two discs (pictured left) appeared on NeoGAF early yesterday, and was later followed by more images of Xbox Live dashboards showing the game ready to boot up.
Many forum users are suggesting it’s only evidence of early review copies being sent out, but Microsoft’s response to the ordeal indicates otherwise.
Speaking with Game Informer, a spokesperson for Microsoft said that the company was working with law enforcement and their security team to “address the situation,” but when asked outright whether a leak had taken place before the game’s official release on November 6, the spokesperson offered no reply. A similiar statement from Microsoft was given to Joystiq.
Game Informer also says numerous YouTube videos featuring leaked Halo 4 content have been removed.
We’ll update this story if any additional information becomes available.
Source: NeoGAF, Game Informer, Joystiq
Dragon’s Dogma Xbox 360 Review – Mayhap Capcom Knows Aught of the WRPG?
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Roleplaying
Platform: Xbox 360
Release Date: May 22, 2012
ESRB: M – Mature
The griffin swoops down on us and I launch myself at it, clinging to a talon, hanging on for dear life as it beats its wings, taking us higher and higher into the sky. I manage to compose myself enough to scramble up its leg toward its back. With one hand, I fumble for my sword, almost losing my grip with the other. I make the mistake of looking down and I see the ground far below me, baiting me to leap knowing full well the end result of that scenario.
I right myself and rear back with my sword and stab as hard as I can. The griffin bucks and roars from the pain. Far below, my Pawn finishes casting a spell that engulfs the griffin in flames, charring its feathers and flesh, filling my nostrils with a putrid smell of overgrown roasted fowl. We plummet towards the earth like a stone. Just as the griffin crashes into the ground, I leap for safety. I’m exhausted, my stamina completely drained, but the battle isn’t finished yet. I lock eyes with this monstrosity one last time as I raise my blade to deliver the killing blow.
Such is the tale of Seria the Arisen and her Pawn, Nalavara.
Dishonored’s “The Tales From Dunwall” Webisode Series
Bethesda recently released three webisode episodes set in the world of Dishonored. “The Tales from Dunwall” tells the story of three different people from separate walks of life. Check out the videos below and let us know what you think by leaving a comment.
Killer Instinct for XBLA in the works?
Could you be playing Killer Instinct on Xbox Live in the near (or not so near) future? According to Playxbla.com, a website by Microsoft devoted to all things Xbox Live related, Microsoft felt like breaking the news of refiling for trademark application for the old school fighter title. A lot of news about possible future titles from publishers has been broken by people who sift through trademark filing sites, in this day and age it’s getting harder and harder for companies to be sneaky and keep things secret. I guess, in this case, it could work in Microsoft’s advantage to throw out a little buzz about a possible re-kindling of the Killer Instinct brand.
My guess is Killer Instinct, in some form be it Reboot, HD Remake, or something else altogether, is going to wind up on Xbox Live Arcade sometime in the unforeseen future.
What do you think about this? Leave a comment or hop onto our forums and join the discussion!
Source: Playxbla
Earn The Dongblainer and More Achievements In Halo 4
343 Industries, the developers tasked with carrying the Halo torch, released the achievements list for Halo 4.
They realize that achievement hunting is an important part of the gaming experience and set out to create achievements that according to their blog, “reward milestones and increase replay value while balancing both difficulty and the breadth of game modes.” They also like to think up funny names like The Dongblainer.
In my professional achievement hunting opinion, this looks like a very good, solid list. I’ve always like the level of difficulty, the types of achievements and their creativity, and the names. The graphic designer in me actually likes these icons much moreso than some of the previous Halo games as well.
You can view the list after the jump. Be warned, there are possible spoilers.
Dust: An Elysian Tail Review – Fun Combat Meets Beautiful Visuals
Dust: An Elysian Tail was first made known to the video game industry back in 2009 when it won Microsoft’s Dream.Build.Play challenge. Now, almost three years later, it has finally gotten its release on Xbox Live. The fact that this game was almost entirely made by just one man makes its quality all the more surprising. Dean Dodrill, the creator of the game, has crafted not only the best title in this year’s Summer of Arcade promotion, but also one of the best downloadable titles on the Xbox 360, period.
The game opens with the titular character waking up in the middle of a glade, absent any memories of what came before. He is soon joined by a talking sword, Ahrah, and a Nimbat named Fidget. After a short discussion, the three newly acquainted characters set off on a journey to reclaim Dust’s wayward memories. It only takes mere moments to notice the game’s most striking feature, its visuals.
Dust: An Elysian Tail Launch Trailer
Xbox Live’s Summer of Arcade officially concludes on Wednesday when Dust: An Elysian Tail releases. If you don’t yet know about this game, chances are you will soon as it is already getting rave reviews from several sites and publications. Check out the beautiful launch trailer below and make sure to check back for our review of the title later this week.
Max Payne 3 Xbox 360 Review – Shoot-dodge Through the Pain
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar Vancouver
Genre: Third-Person Shooter
Platform: Xbox 360
Release Date: May 15, 2012
ESRB: M – Mature
I’ve been through it all before, numerous times. I’m just a guy who tries to do the right thing but always ends up in a bad way time and time again. I wouldn’t have any luck at all if I didn’t have bad luck. I try to outrun the problems. It doesn’t matter if I’m 5,000 miles away from home or 5,000 miles down the bottomless pit of a whiskey bottle. Everywhere I go, there I am. I suffer through no-win situations every day and people get hurt. I can only hope that I can make it through another day.
This is Max Payne’s story in Max Payne 3. It is the story of any alcoholic. The gritty, noir drama manages to tell a story seldom done successfully in gaming. The incomprehensible demoralization that Max suffers from is well known to me and that is a big reason why Max Payne 3 and I connect.
