From a huge update on Friday to a relatively small edition today. The amount of news we get in regards to games from day to day is anything but consistent. Hopefully one of these few bits is still something to get you excited.
Today’s first story should be good news for PS3 owners. Playdead has confirmed an official release date for Limbo on PSN. The game should be available after the store update on July 19th. A price hasn’t been announced, but it runs about $15 on XBLA. I wouldn’t be surprised if this comes with a PS+ discount. This has been one of the top-rated downloadable games for 360 and it’s been long-awaited for PSN.
I’m not usually one to shill for monstrous corporations, but this one is big enough I had to pass it on. If you preorder Deus Ex: Human Revolution using your PowerUp card at Gamestop, and pick the game up during the sweepstakes period, you’ll be entered to win a very nice setup for your gameroom. The grand prize winner will get an Augmented Arm Statue, 3D television, home entertainment system, surround sound equipment, motorized television mount, theater seating, three gaming consoles with motion controllers, a $500 GameStop gift card, high end home theater remote control, and complete installation of all prizes. The total package rings in at $20,000 approximate retail value. This sweepstakes all comes on top of the regular preorder bonus (extra mission, two extra weapons, automatic unlocking device). Then again, you can always opt for the “no purchase necessary” entry by sending a 3×5 card with your name, address and phone number to:
The Marketing Arm Inc.
Attention: “Deus Ex: Augment Your Room Sweepstakes”#140
233 Rock Road
Glen Rock, NJ 07452
This week’s grand prize for the completely meaningless announcement goes to Casey Hudson of Bioware (which I only re-report here because this is in my top three anticipated games right now). Casey tweeted over the weekend that a demo will be coming for Mass Effect 3 in “a few months.” What does that mean? When will it happen? What will the demo be? Yeah. He didn’t mention any of that. He simply confirmed that there will be a demo before the game comes out. This was sort of to be expected after they had rewards in Dragon Age II‘s demo. I wouldn’t mind seeing an extra weapon or armor pack available after completing this demo as well.
Do you love Bioshock? Do you want to learn more about Rapture’s origins? Then you should pick up BioShock: Rapture next week. This prequel novel by John Shirley tells the story of Bill McDonagh, the plumber turned engineer who worked with Andrew Ryan. You may recognize the character. You likely beat him to death in the first game. Now’s your chance to go retro-Dexter and learn, after the fact, all about the man you savagely murdered.
WWE fans have yet another over the top, arcade version of professional wrestling to look forward to next year. WWE Brawl looks to go even more stylized and action frenzied than the recent WWE All-Stars. The new game, scheduled for 2012, looks to be getting rid of the ring altogether and going the way of arcade-style fighting games, a la Mortal Kombat or Tekken. Fighters will have ranged attacks (such as the Undertaker’s purple glowing mist, dubbed the Soul Crush) and serious combo damage. So far, it looks like Undertaker, John Cena, and The Miz have been confirmed. I’ll cover this more as I see new information.
It’s no secret that Volition’s upcoming Saints’ Row: The Third is going to be completely insane. Which is why the preorder package makes no sense out of context. “Professor Genki’s Hyper Ordinary Pre-Order Pack” is based on an in-game “game” show that spoofs many real-world shows, and fits the game’s vibe remarkably well. What’s included?
Professor Genki’s Super Ballistic Man-a-pult: Cruise Steelport in style with this vacuum-action human-cannonball truck. Suck up pedestrians and use them as live ammunition against the forces of evil, and everyone else.
Professor Genki’s “Octopuss” Cannon: Fire baby octopi onto your enemies’ heads! Watch as the octopi massage their scalps and your enemies fight for you! Enemies can be friends too!
Professor Genki’s Leisure Stunt Suit: The ultimate in comfort and tight-fitting apparel, the Genki Leisure Stunt Suit is perfect for skydiving over Steelport or to wear while ejecting from high-flying fighter jets. Free Genki mask included!
If you’re a casual sports fan, like me, you only buy your favorite sports games every few years. If the last time you bought an EA Sports title was for the 2010 series, it’s time to make a change. You can either upgrade to a newer edition, or give up online play. Starting next month, the online servers for many EA titles are being shutdown. If you’re still working on some online achievements/trophies, better hurry. Here’s the full list of upcoming shutdowns:
- August 11, 2011
- NASCAR 09
- NCAA Basketball 10
- NCAA Football 10
- Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10
- October 1, 2011
- Madden NFL 10
- NHL 10
In addition, servers for several non-sports games will also be shutting down on August 11, 2011. Army of Two, Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, Medal of Honor (Airborne and Heroes), Need for Speed (Most Wanted and Undercover), and Skate will no longer have online service. Kind of bummer for anyone still playing those titles, but I guess it’s to be expected.
Finally, Angrybot covers it in more detail here, but suffice to say that DLC is coming for DC Universe Online. “Fight for the Light” brings Green Lantern into the game and gives your character the ability to wield a power ring. Green, yellow, and red rings will all appear in the DLC. The add-on will be available for $9.99 this summer on PC and PS3.
That’s it for Tuesday’s edition of VGQH. Check back Friday for more highlights.