SUPERGHOST's Haunted House of XBOX

Dead Space is quickly shaping up to be the BioShock of 2008 (FYI, BioShock was released on 360 and PC in August of 2007).  In saying that I mean that this will be the action-adventure that will make gamers stand up and take notice this Fall.  All this from a publisher that is not well known for its original IP's or action titles, EA.  I have taken notice and Dead Space has quickly become one of my most anticipated titles!

The reason I am talking about Dead Space today is that a trailer was released for a prequal animated movie that will set the stage for the upcoming game.  The DVD and Blue-Ray of Dead Space: Downfall will be available on October 28, 2008, just in time to get your juices going for the games Halloween release.  Like Enter the Matrix provided a great supplement and additional flavor to that universe, look for Downfall to do the same.  Check out the trailer below and see for your self.

-SG

All Gold (Professional Series): Achieve a gold medal in every Career event of the Pro Series Race Type

Gamerscore = 60   Acquired 21/7/2008

Well as the title insinuates, I am getting very close to completing the career mode in Forza Motorsport 2.  All that I have in my way is the Endurance Events, and I am already nearly half way through that series!  Won't be long now.

-SG

Previously in my blog I touched on the fact that I would be revisiting early 360 games as well as classic Xbox titles as well.  In this first instalment of Classic XBOX I will look at one of the system's all-time great titles, Fable, or rather its expanded edition The Lost Chapters.  But instead of just a quick look, since I have started playing from scratch, I will be coming back over the weeks to discuss my comings and goings in Fable:TLC and report back.  Also in this space I may, time permitting, join in 1UP.FM's 'Backlog' segment as they delve into Psyconauts.  Stay tuned for that.

Knowing that Fable 2 was a game that was going to be a big deal this Fall, I really wanted to complete my original Fable adventure.  I got very close my first time through the game, but somehow along the way I became distracted and lost touch with the game.  Since that time I had a few false start with the game but never enough that I continued.  This time is different.  Since Fable 2 has been announced for an October release window, now is the time to get into the Fable groove in advance.  Friday night I plugged it in and played until I completed my training at the Guild.  You could zoom through it, but the through gamer in me did all I can there.  Now 1.5 hours in I will be off to kill a giant wasp!  Wish me luck.

So I finally got a start back. With some vacation coming up for me I will hopefully be able to slice off a huge chunk of The Lost Chapters.

-SG

E3 has come and gone once again (for the last time?) and now all that is left is to pick up the pieces and pine away for the upcoming deluge of great titles that arrive this fall and beyond.  From what I have seen so far I have a pretty good idea of what I will be playing in the upcoming months.  As for what I saw @ E3, here is a brief roundup, SUPERGHOST style:

The Locks: Too Human, NHL 09, Fable 2, Gears of War 2, Left 4 Dead, Fallout 3, and Mirror's Edge.  For me that is the cream of the Triple-A this fall.  I will have trouble getting the time for all these as is!

The Arcade: Galaga Legions, UNO Rush, Portal: Still Alive are the Arcade locks.

On the Radar: Dead Space is coming out of deep space to have my curiosity strongly tweaked

Out of Range: Force Unleashed is falling away on my interest meter.  It is not standing tall enough in the face of what is before it.

Surprise of the Show: Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe looks like a total blast!

Dissapointment of the Show: Microsoft and Bungie's botched handling of the upcoming Halo title announcement.  Let's get professional guys!

Honourable Mention or Could be in my Collection: HAWX, End War, Rock Band 2, Lips, Banjoe Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, and I am sure I am missing much more!

-SG

Medal of Honor
Complete Mass Effect Playthrough

Gamerscore = 100   Acquired 13/7/2008

We interrupt this E3 coverage to bring you the fact that this past Sunday afternoon I finally completed my first Mass Effect adventure!

Looking back on the adventure that was now that is over, Mass Effect is definitely one of the top RPG's I have ever played.  I loved the exploration, the cinematic presentation, and it's nod to classic sci-fi.  Bioware shows why they are the best at what they do!

Now that Mass Effect is out of the picture for the time being, the RPG's that await me for the rest of '08 are Fable (The Lost Chapters before the launch of), Fable 2, and Fallout 3.  It appears the 360 is the new home for all the best role-playing experiences in console gaming.  Enjoy!

-SG

            ...Before

        ...After

An interesting development from E3.  Check out the new faces from the game that will have you wrapped in fear.  Maybe the first crew didn't test well.  Regardless it look like we will have a new class of fighters to face the zombie horde.  I don't care if they use Avatars in this game, it will be deadly!

-SG

A very busy day in gaming news land as Microsoft had their E3 press conference.  While more happened then I could possibly cover in a few short paragraphs, but if I was to some it up in a few words I would say Microsoft is serious about the family unit and the emergence of the casual game set which has become very huge in the gaming space in recent years.  From what I can tell from their press conference they have a the goods for a full scale assault on your living room.

One of the most important announcements for me was along with the Avatar's (see above...they are not as bad as we thought they may be, they actually look like they will be fun) is the introduction of the party system.  Finally now up to eight people will be able to roll around 360 landscape, plotting there evening, having lots of laughs and fun along the way.  I will feel right at home with my friends on the 360.

-SG

I know I may be in the minority a this time but the more I hear about Too Human, the more I want to get my hands on the game.  While the release is still about a month off the folks at Microsoft and Silicon Knights are giving us this early taste just in time for E3.  I look forward to putting in some quality time with the demo.  I will get back to you on my impressions of the demo when I get some gaming under my belt.

-SG

I originally became aware of this title over at No1MechWarrior's blog a few weeks back.  Now as E3 approaches this is one of the games that I want to see more of the most.  Mirror's Edge is an FPS with a significant twist.  Your object is to run like hell rather than stand and fight.  Being a gaming coward, this will suit me just fine ;)

While I am not posting it up here, if click on the above link to 'MechWarrior's blog you can watch a video of the game in action, it is something like you have never seen before in gaming.  In a way it reminds me of Condemned 2's perspective, but running full out at high speeds is a bright and vibrant environment (with a lot less bum-fights).

So this week when you are looking at the games of E3, be sure to take a little extra time for a game that should be on more people's radar, Mirror's Edge.

-SG

I talked recently about my 'gamers itch' where I get a game on the brain that keeps picking at me until I wind up buying it.  This week, Army of Two is that game.  When this game first came out several months ago it was at a time (and I can't really recall why at this time) that I really did not have the time or the drive to get into it.  Now I have a hankering for a fresh, military based, co-op title and Army of Two is the answer for my itch.

A coupe of 'con' issues I have at this time is the present sales price for this game.  From what I have seen it is still a solid $60 at new, I am more in line of wanting to pay $40 for this game, that is its sweet spot for me.  Secondly it may be more difficult to partner up due to the lateness of its arrival.  Schuey may have my back as he has easy access to a copy to borrow.

It may not be the best time to invest into a new title as we are just a little over a month off of the 'busy' season...but that has never stopped me before.  We will see what happens.

-SG