I can’t think of a better way to open a new edition of VGQH than to drop some news about my most anticipated game of the year, Mass Effect 3. It’s March 6th release date is coming up quickly and suspense is killing me. I hope it lasts. Based on the GameStop database, it appears there will be at least one piece of day one DLC for sale. The listing is for something called “From Dust” and runs $9.99. Apparently this will be one of the add-ons you can get by purchasing the download code from the store instead of purchasing directly from your download service. The only listing I’ve seen is XBox 360. That doesn’t mean it’s console-exclusive, just that I didn’t personally see the item available for PS3. I have my own theory that this might be related to the inevitable online pass from EA. This could be something you’ll get for free with your new copy and the $9.99 fee is for used buyers. Until we get some sort of official confirmation from EA or BioWare, let’s just take this with a grain of salt. Just know that it probably does exist and we’ll know more about it soon.
The recently released NeverDead got an official DLC announcement. “The NeverDead Expansion Pack Volume 1″ will be available February 21st. By the title I would assume this is only the first of at least two add-ons. No price has been given yet, but we do have the full run down of the contents, including the three new challenges in the expanded Asylum:
- New Character: Play as the fashionable, charismatic pop-idol, Nikki Summerfield in cooperative challenges with your friends through online multiplayer.
- Egg Hunt: Scour the expanded Asylum level for collectables scoring points by delivering them to designated “Score Zones”. Make sure to hold on tight to your collectibles as opponents can snatch any that you drop along the way. With enemy ambush points and environmental hazards at every turn, this challenge is tricky!
- Fragile Alliance: A competitive race through a number of checkpoints spread across the map. You can interrupt other player’s progress by attacking each other. The increase of environmental hazards and enemy spawn points will keep you on your toes.
- Onslaught: Unlock the entire Asylum level section-by-section by defeating all enemies.. Demon-seals that block off areas will dissipate as you defeat enemies from the previous area, providing more-controlled player movement and encounters.
- Two Additional Character Costumes: Dress Bryce up in these new costumes before going back into the online fray.
As we look through past generations of gaming mascots, especially in platformers, it should come as no surprise that Sackboy is making the transition to a new style of game. Although, with ModNation Racers already in existence, I’m not sure I understand why Media Molecule even wants to make LittleBigPlanet Karting. It was announced at the recent Destination PlayStation event along with a new Move steering wheel. That’s all I have on it for now. As soon as I hear more you’ll read about it here.
This is going to make my head hurt. There was once this weird board game that involved calling out numbers on a grid. My wife cheats at it and I’ll never play it with her again. Someone got the idea of making a movie about it (and it looks awful). Now Activision apparently thinks there should be a video game based on the movie, which I’m sure will also be terrible. I actually remember playing a video game version of Battleship as a kid. It didn’t make much sense for the format then. It still doesn’t. But people who wear suits want to buy more of them, so Double Helix is developing this movie tie-in to be released in the US on May 15th. Apparently the game play will be a combination strategy/FPS, featuring both “siege on the sea” and “war on the shore.” Seriously? We’re making entire games based on bad pitches from overpaid ad-men? I am now asking the entire gaming world for a favor. Please do not buy, rent, speak of, or tweet about this game. Let it idly go into the junkyard where they buried E.T.
Twisted Metal comes out next week, but it’s not the only car combat game to draw some attention. Wheels of Destruction: World Tour is coming to PSN “soon.” Will it be as dark and twisted as Sweet Tooth’s explosive mayhem? Probably not. But that’s not a bad thing. If nothing else it provides an option for a different market of gamers. But just because it might be “T” or “E” rated doesn’t mean it’s just for kids. It’s still post-apocalyptic carnage in a variety of arenas around Europe. It appears there will be at least two modes (Capture the Flag and Deathmatch), five vehicles, and five maps. So, slightly limited in scope, but it’s a PSN game. I’m expecting a $10-15 price tag, with a likely discount (or free) for PS+ members.
I don’t tend to care much what sales figures have to say, but it’s worth mentioning that Batman: Arkham City has shipped (not sold) 6million units since its release in October 2011. This certainly has gone a long way to boost the financial reports for Warner Bros., who reportedly are up about $200million in income over the last year (totalling $1.3million). Considering these numbers, plus the universal acclaim the game received, this spells out one thing to me: TRILOGY! I can’t wait to hear more.
After being lambasted for simply reiterating previous mechanics in the latest release, Activision is promising “meaningful innovation” in the next Call of Duty. As expected, work has already started on the next title (possibly called Call of Duty: Iron Wolf) and is likely to release this fall. In addition to game play changes, Eric Hirschberg (CEO) told investors they “plan to launch additional features [for Call of Duty: Elite] in the next 60 days.” They’re also “already hard at work on Elite 2.0 with several innovative features being developed to work hand in hand with our next Call of Duty release.”
Nothing special to say to finish out the week, so make sure you get caught up on all of Zombietron’s gaming stories from throughout this week:
New Skylanders
Sleeping Dogs
Diablo III
Unboxing Vita
Double Fine Kickstarter