Remember the good old days when you and your pals debated whose pops was the toughest hombre on the block?

“My dad could beat up your dad.”

That was then.

Now, let’s ponder something a little cooler. Like, maybe, who would win in a battle between Bane and Batman?

Or how about Wonder Woman taking on Harley Quinn?

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment are now allowing comic and video game fans to voice an opinion about who would win some epic battles as part of the lead up to the April release of the new superhero fight game Injustice: Gods Among Us.

For a total of 10 weeks, characters from the DC Comics universe will go head-to-head and you can vote on who you believe will win the bout.

Check out the first match-up video here:

While the first week pitted the Dark Knight against Bane, Week 2’s royal rumble features Wonder Woman against the Joker’s twisted femme fatale, Harley.

Each Monday, the week’s combatants will be revealed in videos that detail the skills, attributes and tech available to each fighter. You can also check out some of the celebrity experts weighing in on the matchup.

All votes and submissions have to be submitted by Thursday night and the results will be announced in a final fight video, showing the all-out battles and ultimate victor.

You can voice your opinion via Facebook and Twitter and enter to win prizes, such as avatar items and skins, by voting at https://injustice.dccomics.com.

Injustice: Gods Among Us is slated to hit store shelves on April 16 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii U. The game still hasn’t been rated.

Wayne Chamberlain has covered the gaming industry since 2002. He is the co-host of the Star Wars Book Report podcast, available on iTunes, and a contributing writer with Postmedia News and Canada.com.

“First, if it moves, kill it. If it’s not moving, Kill it again. Second, you’ve each got more firepower than an army platoon. So use it, all of it. Third, you don’t die unless I give you a direct order.”

Ah, you have to love military bravado in video games.

That’s the speech delivered in an early trailer for Aliens: Colonial Marines, Sega’s long-awaited and highly anticipated shooter based that will debut Feb. 12 on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, as well as PC and Mac (a Wii U version is in the pipeline, the developer insists).

Well, a story-based trailer has surfaced in advance of the release and it certainly should get the hairs on the back of your neck standing on end, not to mention causing your trigger finger to start feeling a little twitchy.

Check it out:

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The game will be considered canon in the Aliens universe, which isn’t surprising given the amount of movie cross-over on display. Cpl. Dwayne Hicks opens the trailer, informing a second crew of Colonial Marines bound for LV-426, the Xenomorph-infested planet featured in Canadian director James Cameron’s iconic film Aliens, that everyone in his unit is to be considered killed in action.

The limited edition swag you score for having pre-ordered the game includes Ripley’s flamethrower as an in-game weapon (that would be Sigourney Weaver’s character for those who are only peripheral fans of the movie), as well as a movie character pack that lets you play as one of Cpl. Hicks, Sgt. Apone, Pvt. Hudson and Pvt. Drake.  Apone was the African-American bad ass in charge of the movie’s ill-fated squad, while Hudson was the squirrelly dude played by Bill Paxton and Drake was the tall, blonde-haired guy with the chiseled chin who sported one of the cool M56 Smartguns – the big cannons that Marines strap themselves into.

According to Sega, Colonial Marines (which is being produced by Gearbox Software, the studio responsible for some truly epic shooters, such as Half-Life, Borderlands, the PC version of Halo: Combat Evolved and Brothers in Arms) will be a first-person shooter that looks to capitalize on the claustrophobic atmosphere of the movies. So expect lots of wicked sound design, environments where there’s more shadow than light and some intense, jump-in-your-seat moments.

Weapons-wise, expect to kit out with the classic pulse rifles, flamethrowers and the beeping motion trackers.

The story-based campaign will feature up to four-player drop-in/drop-out co-op gameplay, as well as multiplayer modes for those who enjoy map-based twitch-fests against online opponents.

You will be able to access customized loadouts and upgrades, earning perks, weapons and new looks along the way.

So, get ready to saddle up, stay frosty and remember, no Marine gets left behind … assuming there’s anyone left.

For more information, see www.sega.com/alienscolonialmarines.

2012 turned out to be a big year for video games ending in the number 3.

Need proof? Well, the top four titles garnering the most nominations from the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers for its upcoming award show had 3 after the franchise name (well, one ended in III, if you want to get technical about it).

Leading the pack was Ubisoft’s Far Cry 3, which picked up 12 nominations, followed by 10 apiece for Mass Effect 3 and Max Payne 3. Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed III bookended the group with nine nominations.

Ubisoft Montreal’s Far Cry 3 leads the field with 12 nominations for the upcoming NAVGTR awards.

However, only one of the four – Far Cry 3 – earned a nod in the biggest category, Game of the Year. The other nominees for the top prize are Borderlands 2, Journey, Spec Ops: The Line, Torchlight II and The Walking Dead.

Developed at Ubisoft’s world-renowned Montreal studio, Far Cry 3 is first-person shooter that incorporated role-playing game elements into its story-driven, action-packed plot. Published for the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the story involves a group of young thrill-seekers who are kidnapped on a remote island by pirates. The open-world sandbox setting is about 10 times larger than the game environments featured in previous Far Cry titles, according to the game’s narrative director, Jason Vandenberghe, in an interview he did with PlayStation Universe (psu.com).

Meanwhile, Assassin’s Creed III was also developed at Ubisoft Montreal. The game follows the actions of Connor, a half-English, half-Mohawk assassin who is tasked with killing Templars in the run-up to, during and in the aftermath of the American Revolution.

Further cementing Canada’s role as one of the top video game producing nations, Mass Effect 3’s 10 nominations, for Edmonton-based BioWare, can only be viewed as a soothing salve after the final installment of the role-playing/shooter trilogy met with a mixture of fanboy outrage and widespread discontent. Many were upset by what they viewed as a poorly executed ending that didn’t really match players’ expectations based on BioWare’s assertions during the series’ run that the consequences of choices made by gamers during the trilogy would impact the ultimate outcome of the game.

Fans went so far as to post videos on YouTube showing all the ending variations, which amounted to a mere handful.

BioWare responded by releasing a free downloadable content pack called the extended cut that sought to clarify the ending (going so far as to add a fourth possible outcome to the original three) and leave open the possibility of future Mass Effect titles.

For my money, the title that was most deserving of recognition wound up tied for fifth with eight nominations … the brilliant, episodic downloadable title The Walking Dead.

Developed by Telltale Games, The Walking Dead is a point-and-click adventure based on the popular TV show. It follows fictional character Lee Everett through five installments as he tries to survive a zombie apocalypse among other survivors.

The game – available on PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and iOs – was also nominated in two acting categories: Best voice-over performance by Dave Fennoy as Lee Everett and best-supporting performance by Melissa Hutchison as Clementine.

In total, there are 53 categories, including: Innovation in game technology, animation, art direction, in-game cinema direction, control precision, design, graphics, dramatic score, use of sound and writing.

The awards, voted on by more than 900 reviewers, aim to recognize achievements in art, technology and production. The winners will be announced March 24 in Boston at the PAX East game show.

To see a complete list of nominees, visit http://navgtr.org/nominees.

Psst. Hey buddy, you want in on a hot trend? It’s all the rage.

What’s that? These look like old boots to you? Naw, these are reboots. Don’t you know that recycling is good for ya?

Let’s face it, the video game industry is like Hollywood’s little brother, always trying to follow in the steps carved out by its more popular sibling. And given the fact Hollywood reboots are commonplace (thanks in large part to the success of relaunched properties such as Star Trek, The Amazing Spider-Man, X-Men and Planet of the Apes), is it really surprising that video game franchises are trying to follow stride?

Dante’s new look isn’t the only change you’ll find in the franchise reboot DmC: Devil May Cry, available on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Not really.

Gaming franchises have been rebooted over the years, look no further than Fallout 3, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and even Super Mario. Heck, a little more than a month from now, we’ll be getting our hands on the love new iteration of gaming icon/vixen Lara Croft, when the rebooted Tomb Raider franchise goes gold.

Today, though, you can get your hands on a hot new reboot: DmC: Devil May Cry – developed by British studio Ninja Theory and published by Capcom on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles.

Devil May Cry 4, the last game in the popular franchise, came out in 2008 and was a critical success. But with this new retelling of the story of a pair of demon-fighting brothers, Ninja Theory and Capcom have overhauled everything from the ground up, opting for a darker, grittier approach.

That quickly becomes evident from DmC’s hyper-stylized introduction to main character Dante, who we meet during a music-driven sequence in which a pair of angel wing-wearing strippers grind each other in a nightclub before going home with our hero for a little ménage-a-trois action.

Yep, that’s definitely new.

The thing is, it works in every way imaginable.

DmC offers a fluid, action-heavy ride that is punctuated by stylish melee and pistol-powered combos and conflicted characters who have big, power-imbued axes to grind, literally and figuratively.

The story centres on twin brothers – Dante and Vergil – born to a father who was a demon and a mother who was an angel. The duo are reunited after being hidden away from the evil Mundus, the demon their father, Sparda, betrayed after falling in love with Eva, their mother. They are hell-bent on carving out a little payback because Mundus killed Eva and sentenced Sparda to unending torment on the other side.

Adding to the mix is the fact the brothers are Nephilim … half-demon, half-angel. And only Nephilim possess the power required to beat the demon Mundus.

The game takes place on two planes of existence.

In the real world, Mundus, in the guise of a Lex Luthor-esque human, owns a corporate media outlet to spread his propaganda. He owns the debts of major nations, making their politicians his tools. And he keeps the masses submissive through the use of a popular energy drink.

In Limbo, Mundus’ demonic forces run wild and this is where Dante does battle. Using his sword, Rebellion, and twin pistols, Ebony and Ivory, Dante unleashes both ground-based and aerial attacks, seamlessly shifting between the two. In fact, the game rewards you for mixing up the combos in an endless stream of flashing blades and blazing guns. Use the same combo over and over and you’ll actually lose style points for being, well, mundane and boring.

But because Dante is a half-breed, Rebellion can be imbued with both angelic and demonic powers. Holding down the left trigger brings up Osiris, an angelic scythe that slices and dices at great speeds. Holding the right brings up the Arbiter, a demonic axe whose slow attacks are mitigated by the fact they are powerful, breaking through defensive shields in short order.

The combos are remarkably simple to use, but offer gamers plenty of choice.

The enemy AI is a bit uneven at times. Some demons move with the speed of old school zombies, while others can go all 28 Days Later on you. There are five difficulty settings (some of which are unlocked only by finishing the game at lower levels), which means that just about anyone can pick up and play DmC and feel challenged depending on their experience level.

The art direction is stunning. The environments are visually arresting, with unique colour palettes highlighting the different planes of existence.

And the voice acting is remarkably good. The characters have depth and easily draw you in, making you invest in their journey from the opening scene to the awesome final battle.

DmC doesn’t completely ignore its heritage. There’s a moment early on in the first mission when a white-blonde wig lands on the head of the ‘new’ Dante – a nod to the character’s previous look. However, after studying his reflection for a couple seconds, Dante doffs the wig and chucks it away, dismissing the locks with a disdainful “Not in a million years” retort.

But don’t completely dismiss the notion, Dante. Sometimes looks have a way of coming back en vogue.

DmC is rated M for mature.

Wayne Chamberlain has covered the gaming industry since 2002. He is the co-host of the Star Wars Book Report podcast, available on iTunes, and a contributing writer with Postmedia News and Canada.com.

It’s been a little slow on the gaming front again this week, but I sort of think that’s to be expected. We know which blockbusters are coming in the first half of 2013, and no one’s talking about the last half because the whole industry knows there will be next-gen systems coming – even if Sony and Microsoft are keeping mum about them. Although, if we read too much into a recent statement by Sony’s Hiroshi Sakatomi, theyll likely be making the announcement in May, slightly before E3. Also of note, according to research group Baird Equity, PlayStation 4 is expected to release for about $400 in October, one month before the next generation of XBox launches at a similar price point. Baird expects the new consoles will be made from currently available PC components, which seems a little strange to me – as does the $400 price tag. They also say an enhanced Kinect will be bundled with Microsoft’s new hardware.

In case you missed some of the recent stories we’ve run on BSR!, check them out here:
A first person shooter from the NRA
Two special editions of Injustice: Gods Among Us
The announcement of Disney Infinity

In other news:

A December 2012 study from International Data Corporation reveals the Sony PlayStation 3 has shipped 77 million lifetime units. This is notable for two reasons. First, 77 million units is a lot and should give you a little perspective on how massive a hobby we enjoy. Second, this is actually one million more units than Microsoft’s XBox 360. The PS3 has been trailing the 360 since Sony launched it a year after Microsoft’s console. Forecasts had 360 being the big winner on the HD front for this console generation, but the lead may be changing hands as the cycle begins to close out. Note these are units shipped, not sold. Sony’s report in November indicated they had actually sold 70 million units at that time. Microsoft hit that milestone about a month earlier. Expectation is that Sony will likely surpass Microsoft’s units sold before the new consoles are released later this year. The lead position, while new for the PS3, would not be new for Sony. The PS2 only recently saw production being halted in some territories and it still holds the record for best-selling console of all time.

One of the top-rated games of last year (also topping some game of the year lists) is having some trouble on the XBox 360. The disc-based version of The Walking Dead is having some stuttering and freezing issues the 4GB consoles. Telltale, looking to resolve the problem, has a dubious solution. Head over to the appropriate forum thread to download a form. After confirming your proof of purchase they’ll send you a code to download all five episodes from the Marketplace. Why is this a dubious solution? Because the game with all five episodes runs 2.85GB and you’ve only got 4GB on your console. That’s why these people aited for the disc version in the first place! Is it worth shuffling everything off your 360 just to play? I would say so. But, if you agreed with me you probably would have done that already.

Speaking of The Walking Dead, Terminal Reality’s FPS version, The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, has been issued a March 26, 2013 release date. This version will star Merle and Daryl Dixon (played by Norman Reedus and Michael Rooker, respectively in a prequel to the hit AMC television series. Resource management will reportedly play a major role.

Another zombie story? Why not? The Rigor Mortis edition of Dead Island: Riptide has been announced. The upgrade will include an alternate cover, collectibles, and DLC in travel suitcase packaging. Your collectibles will include a magnetic severed hand bottle opener, bungalow key with wooden tag, and zombie hula girl bobble figurine. Kind of silly, but definitely classier than the European bonus: a bust (literally) of a woman’s bikini-clad torso, missing its head, arms, and legs (which is somehow bloody everywhere except the actual breasts). The Rigor Mortis edition will be $79.99, as opposed to $49.99 for the standard edition. The game releases April 23, 2013.

[Deep Silver has apologized for the UK edition statue. Whether it’s still releasing or not is unclear. The official line is that they are “deeply sorry” and “committed to making sure this will never happen again.” Frankly, it’s misogynistic, but not nearly as bad as far too many gamers want it to be.]

Let’s go ahead and make this the zombie issue. An achievement list has been leaked for Resident Evil: Revelations. This would indicate the game, previously a 3DS exclusive, is coming to consoles. A 360 release is obvious based on this being an achievment list, but it’s likely we’ll see it on PS3 as well. Also, it has the full 50 achievments, unlike the abbreviated list that came with Code Veronica. Look for more when we have an official confirmation from Capcom.

Tim Schafer’s Double Fine Studios has apparently requested the bankruptcy filings of THQ, Inc. ahead of the upcoming auction for the publishers IPs. THQ published Double Fine’s Costume Quest and Stacking. Could Shafer and company be looking to pick up some portion of THQ’s portfolio? It seems an odd move for a smaller (but high quality) developer. They likely don’t have the financial clout to butt heads with an Ubisoft or Warner Bros. It’s doubtful Schafer would be sniffing around for Saints’ Row or Red Faction. But, THQ has a lot of franchises without those huge names. Color me curious. Now I’m even more interested in the auction, taking place January 22, 2013.

On the subject of Double Fine, Ron Gilbert’s The Cave has been confirmed for release on PSN and XBLA next week. the price is expected to be $14.99. If you don’t know what this is… I can’t really help you. Ron Gilbert is pretty amazing and has worked with Tim Schafer for a long time. The game is being touted as a co-op platform/puzzler, but the backstory on it strikes me as a weirdly dark update to Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. Maybe that’s just me. Regardless, three player couch co-op is pretty rare, and this game has it.

Starting today, Sony is giving away one PlayStation Mobile title per week for the next six weeks. The promotion launched today with Samurai Beatdown, a 2D rhythm-based brawler. Not sure what this means for PS Mobile. Are they not doing as well as they thought and trying to generate excitement? Or are these good games that just need a little love. By only running them for a week, they could easily create excitement in the handful of quick pick-ups – excitement that may not reach the ears of friends until after the game reverts to full price. Regardless, free games for Vita, Sony smartphones and tablets, HTC Android devices should be a good thing for owners of those gadgets.

That’s it for this week’s VGQH. Keep checking Big Shiny Robot! throughout the week for up to the minute news. Also, check back next Wednesday for any of the smaller stories you may have missed.

Welcome to a new year, friendly robots. Unfortunately, the gaming news has been a bit slow through the end of 2012, as expected. So there’s really nothing to report this week. Instead, I’ll be doing yet another one of those “… of the Year” lists you’ve been seeing for the last week.

For my generally favorite high lights of the year, check out BSR!’s roundtable wrap-up. But, for my video game specific list, look no further.

Best Purchase of 2012 – PlayStation Vita

My purchase was actually the Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation bundle on its release date. It’s odd, but as much as I love video games I have never bought a console on release date. I tend to give it a few months to build a decent game library and let everyone else work out the bugs. This bundle, which released on October 30th, just over eight months after the original release, was perfect. Sure, it went down $50 for a Black Friday sale just a month later, but by then I felt I’d already gotten my money’s worth. Free games like, Treasure Park (best free game of 2012) and Frobisher Says, provide value the moment you open the package. The 4GB card is clearly not enough, especially with PS Plus now giving me Uncharted, Mutant Blobs Attack, and Retro City Rampage. I’ll be upgrading to a 16GB or 32GB early next year. Oh yeah, speaking of the Vita:

Best Vita Game of 2012 – Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation

This one is clearly up for debate and I am fully prepared to stand corrected as I play some catch up and get to some of the earlier releases for the device. I’ve heard great things about a number of other games that may prove to be great. I just haven’t had the time or the memory available. As for Aveline’s portable adventure, I enjoyed it a lot. Is it the best Assassin’s Creed yet? No. Is it better than the original game? Yes. Better than Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines from PSP? Yes. I might even say it’s better than Ezio’s third game, but not his first and probably not his second. The game has a few flaws, like not being able to climb in the Lady persona. But, the persona system was an interesting addition. Also, finally getting a little bit of the story from the Templar’s perspective was intriguing. The Citizen E segments break that perspective, but in a manner that’s very consistent with the series’ puzzling narrative.

Honorable mentions for this category should certainly include Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack (rarely do I laugh so much when I’m so frustrated), Treasure Park (combined with Near, this keeps my Vita on me at all times – especially when I’m covering a lot of ground in the city), Zen Pinball 2 (which, thanks to the Marvel tables accounts for the majority of my play time on Vita), and Retro City Rampage (haven’t played enough to place it firmly on any kind of list but it promises great enjoyment).

Best Family Game of 2012 – LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes

I’ve made no secret of my love for LEGO video games over the years. I was addicted from the first LEGO Star Wars, Jar Jar and all. They’ve improved in each iteration and franchise since that first uncontrollably flipping Yoda. While LEGO Lord of the Rings hasn’t made it into my console yet, I feel safe in saying that it probably doesn’t quite match up to zipping around an open-world Gotham as Superman or Martian Manhunter. The introduction of fully-voiced minifigs went over much better than expected. The first original story for a LEGO franchise game was also a pleasant surprise. This is some of the best interaction between Superman and Batman I’ve ever seen – and I absolutely adored Robin’s fanboy reaction to the last son of Krypton.

Best Downloadable Game of 2012 – The Walking Dead

This one caused a bit of a stir when it took the top spot at Spike’s VGAs. I wouldn’t say it was the absolute best game of the year, but it definitely proved a lot of things in my eyes. First and foremost, Kirkman’s post-zombocalypse world is the most entertaining locale for storytelling in the 21st century. Not only does it tell great stories in the comic book and television medium, but it makes for a great game in a genre long thought dead. That’s the second thing it proved to me: Adventure gaming still has a market and it can still be fun when done well. Telltale has long been pushing the episodic format, and this series is their vindication. For me, this game will likely be a generation-defining experience. The advent of app stores, Steam, PSN, XBLA, etc. really came into its own through this generation. What started as simply one more way to sell yet another crappy port of Galaga became a subscription service that can get you top quality games with some of the best story-telling in the industry.

Best Gaming Value in 2012 – PlayStation Plus

Do I sound like a shill yet? I promise, I’m not being paid by Sony. This subscription service is $17.99 for three months or $49.99 for 12 months. When it was only available on PS3, and when it only offered occasional discounts and sporadic free games it was worth it but not necessarily a fantastic bargain. When Instant Game Collection was introduced it became indispensable. Adding the IGC to Vita in November at no extra cost was an amazing bonus. Current games available for free to subscribers include BioShock 2, inFamous 2 (my game of the year 2011), LittleBigPlanet 2, Quantum Conundrum, Retro City Rampage, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Gravity Rush, Final Fantasy Tactics, and ten others. These games rotate in and out regularly as well. Those are just the ones currently available. The first two episodes of The Walking Dead were part of the IGC for a short time and that’s when I got sucked in. Telltale’s Back to the Future was also available for a short time. The benefits can also extend beyond games. A PS+ sale recently got me a year’s subscription to Sony’s Music Unlimited for only $12, an 80% discount. If you play on Sony devices, there are a lot worse ways to spend your money.

Game of the Year 2012 – Mass Effect 3

I’m probably going to lose a lot of people with this one. Then again, since the extended cut DLC was released and we’ve had a little time away from the controversy, I think more people are beginning to recognize the greatness of this game. Certainly there is still some disappointment with the ending, but when isn’t there? The last chapter of a fantastic story has inherent disappointment. For my money, the decision-making, shooting mechanics, and other core elements of the franchise reached their peak in its final chapter. Did the decisions you made in the earlier games really decide your outcome? Not so much, but they made a much stronger impact than anything had done prior. Like The Walking Dead, your decisions changed moments in the game, but not the overall experience. Is that something we can look forward to in the future? I hope so. And if it does, you can bet it will be influenced by the strides Bioware made on this one. Beyond the controversy, and beyond the amazing story of Commander Shepard, Mass Effect 3 is also responsible for my conversion to online multiplayer. When I first heard they’d be “tacking on” a multiplayer mode, I was disappointed and simply assumed I would never play it. Then the beta released and I was so anxious to get back in that universe that I downloaded and immediately began playing. My instant enjoyment translated into the retail copy and I’m still popping it in occasionally for weekend operations ten months later. I’ve even started a fresh Commander Shepard in the original game with the intent of a new experience in my fourth playthrough of the final game. Aldo Shepard will be a serious playboy, tapping anything that opens up. He’ll also be reckless with his crew; I’m expecting only three survivors when the Reapers arrive (Kaidan or Ashley, and a couple from ME2 but not Miranda, Garrus, or Tali).

Most Anticipated 2013 – Grand Theft Auto V

Seems obvious doesn’t it? I didn’t include the category here, but my pick for best re-release of a retro title is GTA: San Andreas. Rockstar’s flagship franchise has always been a favorite of mine and the sheer scope of the new Los Santos is jaw-dropping. Three protagonists, submarines, the return of jets, possible attack dog companions…. How can you not be excited?

Oh yeah, there is something that can temper that excitement. The elephant in the room is a next-gen announcement from Microsoft and Sony. With the WiiU releasing back in November, it’s only a matter of time before we find out what the other two major players have in mind. Industry insiders and all business sense points to PS4 and neXtBox coming in 2013. So, officially, my most anticpated has to be GTA V if only because I know it’s actually happening. But I’m definitely on the edge of my seat as I anticipate what the new tech will bring.

As you’d expect for this time of year, video game new is pretty slow. Many in the game community shut down for the last week of the year – which is understandable.

Before they shut down for the year end break, Rockstar Games dropped a few more screens from Grand Theft Auto V. You should check their site for the full release, but here are my two favorites:

The shark is actually the second animal featured in one of these announcements, the first being a dog. What role these two animals will play is unclear, as is the question of whether more animals will be featured. The submarine is a first for the series but it leads me to wonder how extensive the underwater world will be. They’ve talked up the game map as larger than San Andreas, Red Dead Redemption, and L.A. Noire combined. Is that including the ocean? We’ll find out next year.

Speaking of open world crime games, PlayStation Plus updated this week with Retro City Rampage free for PS3 and Vita. If you haven’t heard of this one I’m not even sure how best to describe it. It’s definitely a throwback to the classic GTA titles from PSOne, when it was still a top down game, before switching to a third person shooter with GTA III on PS2. But it’s not just that. It’s also a massive love letter to the classic 8- and 16-bit eras of gaming and pop culture. In just the first two missions I’ve clearly seen homages to Back to the Future, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (which I at first mistook for Doctor Who – my own mistake), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Smash TV, Super Mario Bros., Mega Man, Commando, Bionic Commando, Contra, and plenty more. If I have anything to complain about, it’s that the classic control scheme just hasn’t held up. I appreciate the retro-flair, but there’s a reason mechanics evolve. Even if you’re not on PS+, I’d still recommend picking this one up as it’s just gone on sale for $9.99 (originally $14.99). It’s also cross-buy, so getting it for one system will hook you up on both PS3 and Vita.

Over on XBox Live there’s a sale you shouldn’t ignore. Spike’s VGA game of the year, The Walking Dead is extra cheap today only. Really, this game is a value at the regular $25 price. But today only, December 28th, the first episode is free and the other four are 50% off, only 200MSP. If you’re concerned the game isn’t really your style, pick up that first episode immediately and play it. Maybe it’s not for you. But if you enjoy it, and I think you will, get the other four for half price right now!

One of the next year’s most highly anticipated games, Dead Space 3, is slated for release on February 5th. If you’d like to check it out sooner, watch for the demo coming January 22nd. XBox has an opportunity for you to get the demo a week earlier by signing up for early access here.

Kind of a weak way to end the year, but it’s to be expected. I don’t expect much to be announced over the weekend, so Tuesday’s VGQH, the first of 2013, will likely just be my best of 2012 list. I’d love to see a few readers’ lists as well. What were your top games? Top disappointments? What are you most excited for in 2013? Let us know in the comments.

Those eager for a first look at Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, but have no interest in the Zone of the Enders HD Collection, have something to look forward to after the holidays. The demo included with ZoE HD will be available to all in January. You may need to clear a little room on the old hard drive though; the demo’s a whopper at 3.5GB. The game is set for launch February 19, 2013.

The Spring 2013 release window for Sly Cooper: Thieve in Time has been narrowed and confirmed for March 26, 2013 on PS3 and Vita. For those who’ve forgotten or hadn’t heard, this game will be part of the cross-buy program. Buy it on PS3 and you’ll receive a voucher to download it free on Vita. A retail Vita version will be available as a standalone product at a slightly lower cost. But it’s not only cross-buy, it’s also cross-play and cross-controller. When playing on your PS3 you’ll actually be able to use the Vita AR functions to find treasures in the game. The Sly series has always been a fun one, and Sanzaru games is definitely pushing the technology in their first new entry to the series.

Borderlands 2‘s next DLC was leaked last week and is said to be called Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt. Gearbox still hasn’t officially announced anything, but more details have been revealed through more illicit sources. According to file hackers, here’s what you should expect:

• One new head and one new skin for each class.
• A new vehicle – the fanboat (summoned from a Catch-A-Boat station), with 68 of its own skins and corrosive, incendiary, and shock weapon mods.
• 12 side missions and 5 longer main story missions.
• A new raid boss – “Imagine, if you will, a Stalker the size of a small building. Now imagine yourself killing it.”
• More new Seraph items.
• New kinds of enemies, like the borok and the scaylion.
• Lots of monster-tracking side missions assigned by Sir Hammerlock.
• A new swamp/jungle continent named Aegrus.
• A self-important but not-so-well-known new enemy who is “super-pumped we’re archenemies now,” leads a tribe of jungle savages, and has an evil plan that might actually work.
• A new treasure room brimming with goodies… but with a time limit.

The PlayStation Store has big plans for three weeks of sales to end 2012. Beginning with today’s update, many top titles will be up to 30% off (up to 50% for Plus members). The sale kicks off with 14 titles today. The discounts will be good until next week’s update when those titles will be replaced with others. The three week sale will at least 40 games discounted when it’s all said and done. Here’s the 14 you’re getting today (title, sale price, Plus price):

• Catherine $27.99, $19.60
• Counter Strike Global Offensive $10.49, $7.35
• Dyad $10.49, $7.35
• Escape Plan $10.49, $7.35
• I Am Alive $10.49, $7.35
• LittleBigPlanet 2 $13.99, Free
• LittleBigPlanet PS Vita $24.99, $17.49
• Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 $6.99, $4.90
• NHL 13 $41.99, $29.40
• Rayman Origins $13.99, $9.80
• Rayman Origins PS Vita $20.99, $14.70
• Resident Evil 4 $13.99, $9.80
• Retro/Grade $6.99, $4.90
• Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition $10.49, $7.35

LittleBigPlanet is the franchise just keeps growing for Sony. Outside of Rock Band, very few games have released as much consistent DLC – and most of it crosses through multiple titles in the series. The latest news is especially attractive for BSR! readers: more Marvel costumes. This week will see the release of Marvel Costume Pack 5, and Pack 6 is coming early next year. This week’s pack will include Black bolt, Black Widow, Iron Fist, Nova, and Star Lord. The next pack isn’t fully revealed, Community Coordinator Steven Isbell has indicated Deadpool will be included. He also promises an update on the LittleBigPlanet 2 cross-controller add-on will be coming very soon (like maybe this week).

Looks like that’s it for this week’s early edition. We’ll have one more on Friday but no early edition next week on Christmas day. There should be a late edition on 12/28 to end the year though.

I’ve got to be honest and admit that I’ve never heard of Space Hulk, but Swank-mo-tron seems pretty excited about it. I may have to check this one out just to see what could be so interesting it would draw such excitement from him.

But, on to things I’ve actually heard of:

For people that want their games to be punishingly difficult (read: no fun), Namco Bandai and From Software would like to present Dark Souls II. It was announced last week at the Video Game Awards. No details, release date, platforms, etc. came with the announcement. But at least you know it’s coming.

Another big reveal at the VGAs was The Phantom Pain from newcomer Moby Dick Studios. Allow me to save you the trouble of filtering through internet conspiracy theories. No, Moby Dick Studios isn’t real. Yes, this is Metal Gear something-or-other from Kojima. Here’s a quick rundown of the conspiracy “proof:”

• Moby Dick CEO Joakim Mogren; Joakim is an anagram of Kojima. M-OGRE-n is a reference to Project OGRE, an MGS-related project already announced by Kojima.
• Mogren is also the name of a soccer team in Montenegro, the locale for Metal Gear Rising Revengeance.
• The protagonist in the trailer looks like at least one of the countless versions of Snake we’ve seen in past games.
• Someone who looks suspiciously like Volgin from MGS3 is clearly seen in the flames. As is a man on a unicorn that seems to be Big Boss.
• Finally there’s the missing pieces of the title logo. My brain doesn’t work creatively enough to see, but the conspirators are claiming the missing pieces provide a sketch for the letters to spell Metal Gear Solid V.
• Oh yeah, this is the kind of weird shit Kojima likes to do.

A couple of preorder packs have surfaced Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us. What appears to be the “good” pack is a GameStop exclusive. This Survival Pack includes bonus XP for multiplayer, a multiplayer melee attack booster, extra starting in-game cash, customizable character items for multiplayer, and two bonus skins for Joel and Ellie that unlock after beating the single player campaign. Outside of that pakcage, “participating retailers” will be offering the Sights and Sounds Pack: the official soundtrack, a PS3 theme, and two PSN avatars (Winter Joel, Winter Ellie). More details on the multiplayer have been promised, but we don’t know when. they’ve simply said “before The Last of Us is released on 7th May 2013.”

Microsoft has announced a massive rollout of “over 40 new apps” coming to XBox Live. Of course, only a small percentage of those are coming to any one region. For the United States, the Karaoke and Maxim apps are rolling out now. The others will be coming by Spring 2013: All3M, Ameba TV, Flixster, Game Trailers, IndieFlix, Machinima, MTV, PBS, Popcorn Flix, Slacker Radio, The CW Network, and Vimeo.

According to Rockstar, they’ll be completing the PS2 era Grand Theft Auto trilogy on PSN today. That’s right, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, arguably the best and possibly the biggest, of the GTA games to date is finally coming to PSN. I still have my PS2 copy, but my backwards-compatible PS3 YLOD’d. I don’t have a price as of press time, but $9.99 is the expectation.

A couple of changes are happening to the PlayStation Plus Instant Game Collection with this week’s update. Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition and PSN puzzle-platformer Rochard are being added. By now the PS+ IGC has gotten so robust I can’t even decide what they’re rolling out to make room for it.

The next-gen rumors are so persistent, and they’re so obviously coming soon despite that lack of official announcements, I feel obligated to report a few of the latest “likelies.”

The next XBox is apparently called “Kryptos” internally. It will be running off a new AMD-produced chip, known as “Oban.” Apparently Oban is starting mass production about now, but serious quality issues are delaying high production levels. Presumably higher quality chips are in the works and production on Kryptos will begin at that time. Another reliable source informs me that there will be no name extension to the device when it hits retail, where it will be known simply as XBox. However, this may be related to the idea of moving to parallel release of an XBLA only version and a “gamer” version. The lighter version would run only apps like Netflix et al. It’s expected to be very low cost. Meanwhile, the heavier set would include a blu-ray disc drive and be targeted to those who want a game console, not a media center. Interesting ideas.

PlayStation 4 rumors have that device being internally codenamed “Thebes.” Other recent rumors have it being released as “Orbis,” a name that would tie it more directly to the Vita. Unfortunately, this device is also being rumored to use the same AMD “Oban” chip that is having production issues. That strikes me as odd. Certainly both manufacturers would want the best available tech, but using the same chip seems unlikely. I have two separate sources providing conflicting rumors about a release date. One source claims Sony is committed to being first to market – not counting Nintendo’s WiiU, obviously. That points to a possible release mid-to-late 2013. My other source claims we’re looking at spring 2014 at the earliest, which would be slightly behind the predicted schedule for Microsoft’s next box.

Keep your salt box handy, because these rumors won’t be stopping until we get the official announcements.

A bit of a slow news week, but thrifty gamers should take note. That hideous consumer-fest that is Black Friday is coming up and it’s usually a good time to find some great values. Especially if you don’t mind throwing a few elbows and kicking soccer moms. On the console front, Sony and Microsoft both have deals for serious saving. If you’ve been eyeing a new PS3, Vita, or XBox 360 this will be a great time to get in on bundles.

The PlayStation Vita has three bundles available for $199: Liberation (ACIII Liberation, white PS Vita, and 4GB memory card), Declassified (CoD Black Ops: Declassified, black Vita, 4GB memory card), and Batman (LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, black Vita). I’m feeling a bit slighted since I just paid $250 for a Liberation bundle a month ago, but that’s the nature of buying electronics. The LEGO Batman bundle is a significantly lesser quality deal. Not only is it missing the memory card, but the game has been out for several months and is extremely cheap in the used market (about $15, $25-39 for new copies). The other two games are new releases, still retailing at $50. If I’m recommending one over another I’d say you’d scoop up a Liberation bundle and get a used copy of LEGO Batman 2 as well. According to my sources, CoDBlOps: Declassified is awful – the single player campaign is roughly 45 minutes long. If you need one extra thing to push you over the edge on a Vita, PS Plus is coming to the device this week with several free additions to the Instant Game Collection for members.

Speaking of PS Plus, the PlayStation 3 Black Friday deal includes a free 30 day membership. It also comes with a 250GB Super Slim console, one DualShock 3 controller, and the inFamous collection and the Uncharted dual pack for $199. That’s four total games. Safe bet you’ll probably want an extra DualShock, of course, so those will be on sale for $39.99

Check your local retailers to verify they’re working with Sony’s deals; most mass merchandisers will likely be in line.

Deals on the XBox 360 are a little more retailer-specific, so some of them may just not be worth the effort, regardless of price. Wal-Mart will have a special, white 4GB edition bundled with Skylanders and a figurine for $150. Best Buy, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, and Newegg will have the 250GB console with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Forza 4: Essentials Edition for $200. Target, Amazon, Sam’s Club, Meijer, Kmart, and Microsoft Stores will have the 4GB console with Kinect and Kinect Disneyland Adventures for $200. GameStop has a 250GB console with Call of Duty Black Ops 2 for $250. RadioShack has the 4GB console with a wired headset for $170. ToysRUs has the 4GB console, no bundle but they include a $50 gift card, for $180.

If you’re just looking for games, Dance Central 3, Kinect Sports Ultimate, and Fable: The Journey will be $30. Forza Horizon is discounted to $40. Halo 4 is not on sale, but Target and Amazon will give you a $20 gift card for buying from them. Amazon also includes a $10 Instant Video Credit.

Ultimately, I think Sony’s offering slightly better deals on their hardware. But Microsoft wins the variety contest, insuring there’s a deal that’s appropriate for many different types of consumer.

Outside of consumer-centric discounts, there is a little bit of actual news this week.

Hitman: Absolution is releasing today, and it’s very exciting to get back in the shoes of Agent 47. Or, well, at least whoever’s shoes he’s stolen for his current disguise. This release will see the inclusion of a multiplayer element for the first time in the series. The Contracts mode allows players to “call the shots” on kills and challenge others to complete the task with their restrictions. As is normal for games today, an online pass code is included in the box with new copies. Those who buy used were expected to pay $10 for access. Square Enix has broken from the mold. They’ve determined that they’d rather see everyone who plays the game get access and will be patching in an option to get a free pass from the in-game menu. With user-created content, this is probably a better strategy. More people contributing will inspire more people to play. It does mean a few used buyers get a break, but it might also encourage fewer people to resell their copies, and inspire others to pick it up. Considering their concession, maybe you should buy new anyway, just to encourage their good behavior.

As you probably guessed from Gearbox’s Twitter feed being taken over last week, “Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage” DLC for Borderlands 2 is set for imminent release. And by imminent, I mean today. Look for it with your online service’s usual update this week. It’ll set you back 800MSP/$9.99 – or it comes included with the Season Pass (2400MSP/$30).

Rumors of the death of the Uncharted series have been greatly exaggerated. Well, maybe not greatly, but definitely exaggerated. The franchise is returning to PS Vita next month with the download only Uncharted: Fight for Fortune. Unfortunately, it won’t be the Indiana Jones-esque action-adventure we’ve come to expect. Instead, it will be a turn-based card game. Which is a fun genre, just kind of a weird combination. Gameplay is typical of the genre, where you’ll have cards featuring various heroes (or villains), artifacts, boosts, etc. You’ll want to deploy your cards both to defend yourself and attack your opponent. Defeated cards are removed from play and the game will end when one player’s health reaches zero. A new patch for Golden Abyss will unlock the artifacts you found in that game (which will be free for PS+ members with today’s update) for immediate use in Fight for Fortune. The new game is releasing next week, December 4th, for $4.99.

There are a few other updates to PS Plus this week. As previously reported, the Instant Game Collection will now include Vita games starting with Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Gravity Rush, WipEout 2048, Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack, Jet Set Radio, and Final Fantasy Tactics (PSP). In addition, Dungeon Defenders for PS3 joins the IGC this week, along with the first two Sonic the Hedgehog games from the SEGA Genesis. This isn’t the first time these Sonic titles have been free for members, but it is the first time since the IGC was born. A few discounts are also coming, inclduing a one year membership to Music Unlimited for $12, and Sorcery (Move) for $15. A few other SEGA deals have been announced, and Morgan Haro from the PlayStation Blog is promising some Black Friday deals will be announced today as well.

Microsoft’s XBox 360 has an interesting new option, streaming karaoke. Microsoft has partnered with The Karaoke Channel to create Karaoke on XBox 360. Other than the serious need for a much better name this looks awesome. You’ll be able to stream 8,000 karaoke enabled songs directly to your console. The available songs span decades and genres in much the same way you’d expect from a deejay’s portfolio at your local bar. Of course, not content to simply be iTunes for karaoke, the service will feature your Avatar singing, dancing, and interacting with various objects and on-screen people during your (horribly tone-deaf) performance. Connectivity with SmartGlass means you’ll be able to build and queue up your playlist with your friends at lunch before having them come over to perform at night. Most of your standard headsets and mics (wired or not) will be compatible. The service will have some free samples but the actual scheme won’t have you downloading individual songs. Instead, all of the songs will be streaming and you’ll pay for access in blocks (two, six, or twenty-four hours). That’s the perfect set-up whether you’re hosting one party or entertain constantly. Cost for the time blocks and an actual launch date were not announced, but it is expected within the next month. I can’t even guess how much Jimmy Martin of Big Movie Mouth-Off and Geek Show Podcast is going to have with this one.

There is no official news for the game yet, but Capcom has a filed a trademark (“Computer game software; Computer games in the form of cartridges, cassettes, discs or tapes; Video game cartridges; Downloadable game software; Downloadable computer games”) for something called Fighters of Capcom. The company’s seen its share of success with Marvel vs. Capcom, Street Fighter x Tekken, and other titles that mix up their characters in strange environments. Could this be the end-game, featuring all of their characters, a la Super Smash Bros. or PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale? We obviously won’t know until Capcom gives the official word, but that looks to be the case.

That’s going to do it for Video Game Quick Hits this week. No update this Friday. I’ll be enjoying my time off for Thanksgiving like everyone else. Also, next week’s early edition may or may not happen. It’s not entirely up to me. If you want it, please encourage the elk population to find their way into my scope early.