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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Coming This November

Released last week at the Game Developer's Conference, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is coming November 10, 2009:

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 'Security Teaser' trailer

The rather unusual trailer can be analyzed at the official Modern Warfare 2 website.

Let me know if you pick up anything interesting by taking a closer look at the trailer.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Debut Trailer

The newest installment to the Legend of Zelda series on the Nintendo DS appears to feature some locomotive action:

Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks 'GDC 2009 Nintendo Keynote Debut' video

I never thought I would see Link as a train conductor.

From the trailer, it looks like Spirit Tracks follows directly in-step with Phantom Hourglass via the same graphical style and general premise.

This time Link is on a train and not floating across the sea. What appears to be so strange is that limiting action to predetermined train tracks appears to be a step backward from Phantom Hourglass's free roaming sea scape.

Unfortunately no release date has been set and it does not appear to utilize any new features of the Nintendo DSi although it is likely it will provide an option without limiting it solely to DSi owners.

"Beatles" Rock Band Release Date Set

It appears that a release date has been set for the highly anticipated Beatles edition of EA's Rock Band rhythm series.

Mark your calenders: 9-9-09!

A press release and now an official site has been launched to boast the game's launch date.

The third, and first band-exclusive, addition to the Rock Band series is said to feature the full catalog of Beatles ranging from across the bands 10+ year career.

Also, new instruments will be introduced to highlight the dynamic complexity of The Beatles's library of work.

September 9th cannot get here fast enough!

Hands on with the DSi

Take at look at CNET's video with a hands on look of the new Nintendo DSi due stateside on April 5 for $170:

Mirror's Edge Review

6.5 out of 10









When I first saw footage of EA's first-person action adventure title Mirror's Edge it looked to be a refreshing and unique experience.

It looked to be a first-person shooter minus the shooting and adding exciting acrobatics likened to the Prince of Persia series.

To top it all off, amazing visuals that helped to propel this action certainly made this a game I was eager to get my hands on - that was before I had to play it.

This is a game to which the phrase "Don't judge a book by its cover" could easily be applied. However, in this case, the book is a frustrating read to the extent that it would have been better to just gaze at it from the shelf.

Metaphors aside, Mirror's Edge is a good looking game with a refreshing twist on a tired genre but is mortally hindered due to frustrating and redundant game play.

You play as Faith, a "Runner" in an unnamed city of tomorrow plagued by an all watching surveillance government. As a "Runner" you retrieve all forms of objects and literally run them through buildings and across rooftops to transport them from place-to-place.

The action starts as Faith's sister - Kate - is framed for a murder that eventually unveils a plot that threatens the way of life for the acrobatic urban ninja crew of "Runners."

The plot is not very important and adds little to the game's nearly identical nine missions. Each mission typically consists of Faith jumping from building-to-building reaching her destination to only be met with resistance shortly after arrival.

There are certainly some environments that are unique from others such as a subway and slightly different looking office buildings, but the game follows a very explicit formula.

Likewise, the game steers you in the correct route thanks to a red on objects you use to jump from, on to, or climb up. These are very easy to identify since it is one of the few non-blindingly white objects you can see in exterior environments.

The controls of the game are actually well laid out and are as unique as the game's spin from the genre itself. Mostly the L1, L2, R1, and R2 are the only buttons used which allow you to jump, crouch, punch, and turn 180 degrees although they create high-octane Hollywood style moves when strung together correctly.

The action and pacing of Mirror's Edge feels like an exciting Hollywood film one moment, as you literally straighten your back to give Faith the extra boost she needs for a big jump, yet is like an action take on Bill Murray's "Groundhog Day" the next.

Since Mirror's Edge demands much by way of swinging, jumping, crouching, sliding, wall walking, and punching all stringed together, there is a lot of room for failure.

And you will fail again, and again, and again.

Mirror's Edge is relentlessness in facing you with death by any slight misstep in the game's complicated acrobatic puzzle environments. Sure, you can jump from this platform and swing on the pole followed by a wall walk and jump to the next platform, but can you then defeat the 4 guards with automatic rifles?

No?

Well too bad, because after you die you have to do the whole stunt again.

To make matters worse after you complete the game's chaotic dance in any given scenario it may just freeze on you causing your last hour of replying the same thing to be all for not.

That sort of thing frustrates and irritates people who want to enjoy the game.

I also had the noble notion to attempt to complete the game without shooting anyone. I was progressing well in this feat until the game forced me to knock-out ten guards while I make my way down an office building. Once again, after an hour of attempting every way I saw possible, I had to succumb and shoot them.

Have I mentioned the game is frustrating?

The game's less than 10 hours it takes to complete the game can be followed by completing time trials of each mission for more prestige across the internet and more trophies/achievements to be unlocked. Too bad it would take hours to master each mission's insane game play fiasco to meet their unrealistic completion time expectations.

Nevertheless, Mirror's Edge is a game that is easy to pick up and play, but painful to master. It's repetitive level design and frustrating difficulty restrain this beautiful adventure from being anything other than a slightly refreshing and mediocre flop.

Killzone 2 Podcast Review and Rebuttal

Click below for my supplemental podcast review of Killzone 2 with a rebuttal from my published review at www.cm-life.com:

Killzone 2 Review

8.5 out of 10










Below is what was published as a web feature on www.cm-life.com. I was ripped a new one by comments that folks made on the site. Look for my podcast rebuttal on VGF soon.

When "Killzone" was released exclusively on the Playstation 2 in 2004, it was dubbed "The 'Halo' Killer" because it was supposed to surpass Xbox's "Halo" in nearly every way.

Four and a half years later, the Playstation 3 exclusive "Killzone 2" could be considered "'The Gears of War' killer," because the two games are eerily similar in several ways.

In "Killzone 2," you take the role of Tomas "Sev" Sevcheniko, a member of the Interplanetary Strategic Alliance in an invasion of Halghan, home of the Helghast, the villains from the game's predecessor.

Likewise, "Gears of War 2" features an underground invasion to assault the Locust Horde, former antagonists of the original "Gears of War."

The controls of "Killzone 2" are straightforward first-person shooter with the added option to take refuge behind structures, rubble, pillars, and anything you can find in the environment. This allows you to peak and shoot enemies from cover - a common gameplay element in "Gears of War 2."

Nevertheless, the game's controls take some time to hone even after tweaking the game's sluggish analog stick controls.

For the full article click below:
'Killzone' sequel a bizzaro 'Gears of War' clone