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<updated>2010-09-07T11:40:00Z</updated>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183274</id>
<author>
<name>Jim Sterling</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+Sterling</uri>
</author>
<title>Politician says Canada is angry about Medal of Honor</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/politician-says-canada-is-angry-about-medal-of-honor-183274.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T11:40:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T11:40:00Z</updated>
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<p>Canadian Defense Minister&nbsp;Peter MacKay has become the latest in a growing line of people who presume to speak for their entire country and for every soldier in the world, criticizing <i>Medal of Honor </i>for its Taliban shenanigans and implying that anybody who enjoys the upcoming game hates Western freedom.</p>
<p>"The men and women of the Canadian Forces, our allies, aid workers, and innocent Afghans are being shot at, and sometimes killed, by the Taliban," says MacKay, telling us something we totally didn't know. "This is reality. I find it wrong to have anyone, children in particular, playing the role of the Taliban. I'm sure most Canadians are uncomfortable and angry about this."</p>
<p>There's the Canadian Minister of Defense, deciding to project his own feelings onto an entire nation, and also deciding that an M-rated game is being designed for children.&nbsp;</p>
<p>By the way, I heard Electronic Arts was building a Mosque on Ground Zero out of the bones of American babies IS THIS TRUE!?</p>
<p><a href="http://gamepolitics.com/2010/09/07/another-mod-criticizes-moh" target="_blank"> Another MOD Criticizes MOH</a> [GamePolitics]</p>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183272</id>
<author>
<name>Nick Chester</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Nick+Chester</uri>
</author>
<title>Rock Band 3 DS looks like Amplitude with more Smash Mouth</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/rock-band-3-ds-looks-like-amplitude-with-more-smash-mouth-183272.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T11:20:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T11:20:00Z</updated>
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<p>It's no surprise that <i>Rock Band 3</i> on the Nintendo DS is being mostly ignored. Its console siblings are packed with new features, including the much-talked-about "Pro" modes and the new keyboard peripheral. On Nintendo's handheld, well&hellip; there's not quite as much to say. <br /><br />Based on this trailer (and what we've played), folks familiar with <i>Rock Band</i> on the PlayStation Portable will feel right at home. The game has players responsible for all of the game's tracks, hopping from note highway to note highway to activate riffs, beats, and vocals. In a way, like the PSP version, the game is the spiritual successor to Harmonix's <i>Frequency</i> and <i>Amplitude</i>, just with a bit more of a rock flavor. <br /><br />The game will feature 25 playable tracks, which -- when compared to <i>Rock Band 3</i>'s on-disc set plus the hundreds of downloadable songs -- seems a bit weak. Still, the PSP game proved that the track-switching gameplay mechanic can be both fun and challenging, so the DS game could make for a nice on-the-go affair. <br /><br /><i>Rock Band 3</i> DS is out on October 26, the same day it ships for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii.</p> <p><b>2000s:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Ida Maria, &ldquo;Oh My God&rdquo;</li>
<li>Metric, &ldquo;Combat Baby&rdquo;</li>
<li>Paramore, &ldquo;Misery Business&rdquo;</li>
<li>Phoenix, &ldquo;Lasso&rdquo;</li>
<li>Rilo Kiley, &ldquo;Portions for Foxes&rdquo;</li>
<li>Tokio Hotel, &ldquo;Humanoid&rdquo;</li>
<li>The Vines, &ldquo;Get Free&rdquo;</li>
<li>The White Stripes, &ldquo;The Hardest Button to Button&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<p><b>1990s:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Faith No More, &ldquo;Midlife Crisis&rdquo;</li>
<li>Jane&rsquo;s Addiction, &ldquo;Been Caught Stealing&rdquo;</li>
<li>Smash Mouth, &ldquo;Walkin&rsquo; On The Sun&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<p><b>1980s:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>The Cure, &ldquo;Just Like Heaven&rdquo;</li>
<li>INXS, &ldquo;Need You Tonight&rdquo;</li>
<li>Joan Jett, &ldquo;I Love Rock N&rsquo; Roll&rdquo;</li>
<li>Night Ranger, &ldquo;Sister Christian&rdquo;</li>
<li>Ozzy Osbourne, &ldquo;Crazy Train&rdquo;</li>
<li>Roxette, &ldquo;The Look&rdquo;</li>
<li>Whitesnake, &ldquo;Here I Go Again&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<p><b>1970s:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>The B-52&rsquo;s, &ldquo;Rock Lobster&rdquo;</li>
<li>Doobie Brothers, &ldquo;China Grove&rdquo;</li>
<li>Foreigner, &ldquo;Cold As Ice&rdquo;</li>
<li>Queen, &ldquo;Bohemian Rhapsody&rdquo;</li>
<li>Yes, &ldquo;Roundabout&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<p><b>1960s:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>The Doors, &ldquo;Break on Through (To the Other Side)&rdquo;</li>
<li>The Jimi Hendrix Experience, &ldquo;Crosstown Traffic&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183159</id>
<author>
<name>Nick Chester</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Nick+Chester</uri>
</author>
<title>Review: Batman: The Brave and the Bold (Wii)</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/review-batman-the-brave-and-the-bold-wii--183159.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T11:00:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T11:00:00Z</updated>
<content type="html">
<p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183159-braveheader.jpg" alt="Review: Batman: The Brave and the Bold (Wii) screenshot" width="468" border="0" />
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<p>After Rocksteady&rsquo;s heavy and dark <i>Batman: Arkham Asylum</i>, gamers and fans of The Dark Knight might be looking for a nice palette cleanser. Their answer is WayForward&rsquo;s <i>Batman: The Brave and the Bold</i>, a cooperative, retro-style beat &lsquo;em up based on the Cartoon Network series of the same name.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b><i>Batman: The Brave and the Bold</i> (Wii)<br />Developer: WayForward Technologies<br />Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment<br />Release date: September 7, 2010<br />MSRP: $39.99</b></p>
<p>With its sharp humor and a highly-stylized Technicolor visuals, each episode of the <i>Brave and the Bold</i> cartoon pairs the Caped Crusader with a variety of DC heroes. With its game adaptation, WayForward has done a spectacular job of remaining true to the series, with four original &ldquo;episodes&rdquo; that mirror the set-up of the show. Each episode begins mid-battle, a one-off mini-adventure that throws players into the action before the credits (yanked directly from the series) roll. It&rsquo;s then that the episode -- one of the four self-contained tales that takes Batman everywhere from Gotham City to Planet Oa -- really kicks off. <br /><br />Fans solid, old-school side-scrolling beat &lsquo;em up action are in for a real treat with <i>Brave and the Bold</i>. Utilizing both the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk, the combat isn&rsquo;t going to blow minds with its complexity, but it manages to pack enough of a satisfying punch that fans of the genre will find themselves pleased with the action. WayForward keeps the Wii Remote waggle-fest to a minimum here, with the A button being the basis for your basic attacks, which can be chained together with repeated button presses. In conjunction with the Nunchuk analog stick, you&rsquo;ll be able to dash attack, trip enemies or even knock them in the air, following up with B (to jump) and then juggling them in the air. Players should be prepared for basic motion control actions, though. Shaking the Wii Remote will unleash a strong attack or cause your hero to perform a downward attack if in the air, and an on-screen cursor can be used to aim certain gadgets.</p>
<p><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183159-/screenshot_005-620x.jpg" border="0" width="620" height="349" /></p>
<p>Oh, and then there are the toys -- there are plenty of extra toys heroes can use and upgrade, ranging from completely necessary accessories to those you&rsquo;ll want to throw in to the mix simply to switch things up. The Dark Knight&rsquo;s Batarang, for instance, will need to be used to trigger switches in the environment, or target enemies off in the distance. On the other hand, the light sword, an item you&rsquo;ll purchase with in-game currency (enemies and destroyed objects will scatter coins everywhere), isn&rsquo;t mandatory&hellip; but it&rsquo;s damned cool to whip out in battle. As the game progresses, new items will automatically be added to your arsenal, as well, which means you&rsquo;ll never be stuck without key gadgets when the time comes to bring them into action. <br /><br />While the game can be played alone, it&rsquo;s likely you&rsquo;ll want to bring a pal along for the ride in cooperative play;<i> Brave and the Bold</i> is about superhero team-ups, after all. Partner characters range from Robin to Blue Beetle, and the good news is that each fighter&rsquo;s moves and abilities are completely unique, encouraging players to move out of their Batman comfort zone. While the controls remain the same, the attacks and feel of the characters differ enough that each hero feels fresh, offering up some reprieve from the tedium many beat &lsquo;em ups suffer. <br /><br />Even when you go into <i>Brave and the Bold </i>alone, you&rsquo;ll have the option to control Batman or a sidekick character, with the game taking full control over the second player. Here, the game&rsquo;s poor AI makes this second character negligible beyond narrative reasons. They neither get in the way nor to they add much to the battle, so they&rsquo;re just kind of tagging along for the ride to provide witty banter and move alone the story. The AI is also extremely stupid, falling into holes, running directly into traps, and mostly providing unintentional comic relief. The fortunate part here is that this won&rsquo;t affect your game at all, as they can die repeatedly without any impact on your progress; it&rsquo;s entirely possible to take care of the game&rsquo;s villains (including the more complex bosses) while completely ignoring your computer-controlled partner.</p>
<p><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183159-/screenshot_0300-620x.jpg" border="0" width="620" height="349" /></p>
<p><i>Brave and the Bold</i> isn&rsquo;t a particularly difficult game; from start to finish, I'd never saw a single &ldquo;game over&rdquo; screen. Once your health is knocked down to zero, the game will trade 100 of your in-game coins (which are pleasingly spilled from fallen enemies and busted environmental objects) for another life, instantly tossing you right back into the fracas. Presumably, if you didn&rsquo;t have 100 coins to spend, the game would end; this never happened to me, so I couldn&rsquo;t tell you if that&rsquo;s really the case.</p>
<p>During the game&rsquo;s boss battles, player lives and coins aren&rsquo;t even accounted for, and you&rsquo;ll instantly be revived after losing your health. While the end of each level will grade you based on your performance (including how many times you did fall in battle), there&rsquo;s no overwhelming sense of difficulty in the <i>Brave and the Bold</i>. This may have been intentional, as the game was likely designed to skew a bit younger. Gamer parents looking to play a cooperative game with their little ones will be pleased to hear that the game isn&rsquo;t punishingly difficult. <br /><br />That&rsquo;s not to say<i> Brave and the Bold</i> is a boring cakewalk, though. The game manages to throw enough variety in terms of environments and unique boss battles that you&rsquo;re almost consistently seeing something new from start to finish. While the core beat &lsquo;em up remains unchanged throughout, there are a few places that WayForward switches things up. The game&rsquo;s main villain battles, for instance, are never straightforward &ldquo;mash some buttons, dodge some attack&rdquo; affairs. Each has its own unique patterns and &ldquo;kill rules&rdquo; which will require a bit of thinking on the player&rsquo;s part. As usual, you can also count on the fact that pounding on endless mobs of thugs is a joy in and of itself.</p>
<p><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183159-/I_screenshot_037-620x.jpg" border="0" width="620" height="349" /><br /><br /><i>Brave and the Bold</i> also manages to capture the superb wit and tone of the show, with four original stories that WayForward and Warner Bros. Animation collaborated on simply for the game. The result is highly-entertaining stories with dialogue that literally had me giggling on my couch. Fans of the show will feel as if they&rsquo;re participating in lost episodes, helping the action unfold. Those unfamiliar with the show will want to set the DVRs for when the series resumes on Cartoon Network later this month. <br /><br />WayForward is already known for its jaw-dropping hand-illustrated and frame-by-frame animation process; one need only look at the visual treat that is the developer&rsquo;s last Wii title, <i>A Boy and His Blob</i>. With <i>Brave and the Bold</i>, the developer brings its A-game, with eye-popping character animation and vivid environments that come to life on the Wii. Even in close-quarters battles, when the camera pulls in tighter on the action, the game still looks stunning in motion. <br /><br /><i>Batman: The Brave and the Bold</i> doesn&rsquo;t do anything "bold" in terms of game design, but it doesn&rsquo;t try to; instead, it delivers a solid and enjoyable experience from beginning to end. It isn&rsquo;t going to win anyone over for its finger-blistering difficulty, either, so fans looking for an old-school challenge should check their expectations accordingly. But super sharp visuals and clever writing make this a collection of Batman adventures you won&rsquo;t want to miss.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/the-official-destructoid-review-guide-ver-2-0-103621.phtml" target="_blank"><b>Score</b></a>: <b>8 - Great</b> (<i>8s are impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.</i>)</p>
<p><img src="http://www.destructoid.com/buyit.jpg" border="0" width="468" height="71" /></p>
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</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183268</id>
<author>
<name>Jim Sterling</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+Sterling</uri>
</author>
<title>PAX 10: Sonic Colors is still rockin' awesome</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/pax-10-sonic-colors-is-still-rockin-awesome-183268.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T10:40:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T10:40:00Z</updated>
<content type="html">
<p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183268-header.jpg" alt="PAX 10: Sonic Colors is still rockin' awesome screenshot" width="468" border="0" />
</p>
<p>It's bemusing to think that <i>Sonic 4</i>, the game everybody wanted, is getting upstaged by <i>Sonic Colors</i>, a game that continues in the same tradition as games people hated. That is exactly what has happened, though.&nbsp;<i>Sonic Colors</i> is looking damn good in spite of its 3D leanings, and it's getting all the attention.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Sega rolled into PAX Prime with an all-new build of the Wii version and Destructoid was on hand to check it out. Read on to find out how the game is shaping up!</p> <p><img src="http://bulk.destructoid.com/ul/183268-pax-10-sonic-colors-is-still-rockin-awesome/01-620x.jpg" border="0" width="620" height="372" /></p>
<p>When I last played <i>Sonic Colors</i>, I came away with the impression that Sega had taken all the good bits from <i>Sonic Unleashed</i>, and left all the garbage behind. Having played yet more of the game, I see absolutely nothing to dissuade me from this opinion.<i> Sonic Colors </i>is still everything good about <i>Sonic Unleashed</i>, without the crap.&nbsp;</p>
<p>So, what is it that <i>Sonic Colors</i> is doing that previous 3D <i>Sonic</i> titles isn't? Part of the appeal is the removal of cheap pitfall deaths. One of the worst parts of previous <i>Sonic </i>games was the fact that the fast-moving hedgehog was expected to blitz along precariously thin platforms without any rails. The focus on death-plummeting appears to have been totally removed from <i>Sonic Colors</i>.</p>
<p><img src="http://bulk.destructoid.com/ul/183268-pax-10-sonic-colors-is-still-rockin-awesome/02-620x.jpg" border="0" width="620" height="372" /></p>
<p>Without the reliance on pitfalls, Sega has worked harder on level design. One level involves Sonic having to run along a platform full of gutters, timing his approach to avoid gigantic missiles that regularly fly his way. Many sections of the game switch to a 2D perspective in the same seamless fashion that <i>Sonic Unleashed</i> did, only the platforming is much tighter and more fun to control.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Wisps are a big part of that, conferring special abilities upon Sonic once collected. I got to play with new Wisps, such as the green one that transforms Sonic into a little ghost-like creature, but the yellow Wisp is still the star of the show. Being able to drill through levels is bizarrely satisfying and has yet to get old. We'll see how it fares in the full game, but right now it's pretty awesome.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="http://bulk.destructoid.com/ul/183268-pax-10-sonic-colors-is-still-rockin-awesome/03-620x.jpg" border="0" width="620" height="372" /></p>
<p><i>Sonic Colors</i> is looking like a potentially fantastic little game. Usually, 3D Sonic games manage one good stage before turning to trash. I've played about six or so stages and so far, they've all been fun. The transitions from 3D to 2D perspectives, the solid level design, the unique Wisp powers and the fact that it isn't a broken, cheap, lazily designed load of jizz is making <i>Sonic Colors</i> a serious prospect.</p>
<p>When you think about people playing a 3D<i> Sonic </i>game that doesn't make their eyes bleed, it's small wonder that <i>Colors</i> has managed to upstage<i> Sonic 4</i>.</p> <p class="post-photos">
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</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183273</id>
<author>
<name>Nick Chester</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Nick+Chester</uri>
</author>
<title>Top Spin 4 announced, features 'uncanny realism'</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/top-spin-4-announced-features-uncanny-realism--183273.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T10:20:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T10:20:00Z</updated>
<content type="html">
<p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183273-TopSpin4_16_Agassi_Mullet_Backhand-620x.jpg" alt="Top Spin 4 announced, features 'uncanny realism' screenshot" width="468" border="0" />
</p>
<p>The uncannily realistic <i>Top Spin 4</i> has been announced today by 2K Sports. The game will hit Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii in 2011.</p>
<p>According to 2K Sports president of product development Greg Thomas, this will be the most authentic tennis game you can get in your home, outside of playing or watching tennis. And if you're playing tennis in your house, I hope you have homeowners insurance, because I suspect you're going to make a mess.</p>
<p>"For this iteration, the development team is focused on delivering a bold new take on the sport of tennis by allowing gamers to experience first-hand an uncanny level of realism in the player and stadium models, authentic audio captured directly form real tennis matches, and all-new innovative controls to dominate the competition," Thomas says.</p>
<p>2K Sports also says folks who pre-order the PS3 or 360 versions at GameStop will receive a code to unlock a vintage Andre Agassi playable character.</p>
<p>There's no mention of PlayStation Move or Kinect support in the announcement. But given that the title is coming to the Wii as well, it wouldn't be shocking to find that at least PS3 owners will have a motion control option. We'll follow up with 2K to see if that's in the cards.</p> <p class="post-photos">
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</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183266</id>
<author>
<name>Jim Sterling</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+Sterling</uri>
</author>
<title>Transformers: War for Cybertron gets more DLC</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/transformers-war-for-cybertron-gets-more-dlc-183266.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T10:00:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T10:00:00Z</updated>
<content type="html">
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<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183266-header.jpg" alt="Transformers: War for Cybertron gets more DLC screenshot" width="468" border="0" />
</p>
<p>Yet more downloadable content has been made available for <i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/review-transformers-war-for-cybertron-177164.phtml">Transformers: War for Cybertron</a></i>. The new map &amp; characters pack includes Zeta Prime and Dead End as playable characters. Still no Insecticons!&nbsp;</p>
<p>Two new Escalation Mode maps, Pulse and Static will be available, as well as three new competitive multiplayer maps -- Horizon, Sector and Metropolis. The package is available on Xbox Live for 800 Points, or PSN for $9.99, and they're available now.</p>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183264</id>
<author>
<name>Conrad Zimmerman</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Conrad+Zimmerman</uri>
</author>
<title>Here's the Xbox 360 Plants vs. Zombies launch trailer</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/here-s-the-xbox-360-plants-vs-zombies-launch-trailer-183264.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T09:40:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T09:40:00Z</updated>
<content type="html">
<p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183264-hd.jpg" alt="Here's the Xbox 360 Plants vs. Zombies launch trailer screenshot" width="468" border="0" />
</p>
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<p><i>Plants vs. Zombies </i>is shambling its way to Xbox Live Arcade tomorrow and PopCap has released a trailer to celebrate the occasion. In it, we see a parody of the terrible advertisements for homes that are bundled together into half hour programs and played on some local station where nobody is watching them. You'll want to watch this one, though, because it has a rocking soundtrack.</p>
<p>I have never understood those advertisements, by the way. They aren't cheap and I've never heard of a house that sold as a result of one. But I find that most of the marketing that real estate agents do for private individuals is done more to make the seller feel better than to actually sell the house.</p>
<p>What I wonder is if you could be accused of <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redlining">redlining</a> a neighborhood if you told a buyer that a neighborhood was undesirable due to a high zombie population.</p>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183265</id>
<author>
<name>Jim Sterling</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+Sterling</uri>
</author>
<title>UK Charts: Mafia II is riding high</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/uk-charts-mafia-ii-is-riding-high-183265.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T09:20:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T09:20:00Z</updated>
<content type="html">
<p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183265-header.jpg" alt="UK Charts: Mafia II is riding high screenshot" width="468" border="0" />
</p>
<p><i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/review-mafia-ii-181950.phtml">Mafia II</a></i> is sitting atop the UK Charts like the beast of Bald Mountain, looking down on its thralls and pretenders with lofty contempt. This is the second week in a row that 2K's crime-em-up has been top dog, putting <i><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/review-kane-lynch-2-dog-days-181575.phtml" target="_blank">Kane &amp; Lynch 2</a></i> in second place.</p>
<p>The usual suspects all put in their weekly appearance, but yet again it's <i>Sniper: Ghost Warrior</i> that manages to surprise us all. The game, which isn't very good at all, has managed to stay in the UK Charts for weeks, and has been creeping into the top ten again. It's at number eight this week, which means that British gamers must just love generic, war-sounding videogame names. That's the&nbsp;Britain&nbsp;I remember!</p>
<p>Hit the jump for the full list.</p> <ol>
<li><i>Mafia II</i></li>
<li><i>Kane &amp; Lynch 2: Dog Days</i></li>
<li><i>Wii Sports Resort</i></li>
<li><i>Toy Story 3</i></li>
<li><i>Red Dead Redemption</i></li>
<li><i>Just Dance</i></li>
<li><i>Super Mario Galaxy 2</i></li>
<li><i>Sniper: Ghost Warrior</i></li>
<li><i>Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands</i></li>
<li><i>H.A.W.X 2</i></li>
<li><i>Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4</i></li>
<li><i>Metroid: Other M</i></li>
<li><i>Wii Fit Plus</i></li>
<li><i>Mass Effect 2</i></li>
<li><i>Battlefield: Bad Company 2</i></li>
<li><i>Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2</i></li>
<li><i>New Super Mario Bros.</i></li>
<li><i>Need for Speed: Shift</i></li>
<li><i>New Super Mario Bros. Wii</i></li>
<li><i>Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11</i></li>
</ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183262</id>
<author>
<name>Dale North</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Dale+North</uri>
</author>
<title>Video Games Live: Level 2 on CD, DVD and Blu-ray</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/video-games-live-level-2-on-cd-dvd-and-blu-ray-183262.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T09:00:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T09:00:00Z</updated>
<content type="html">
<p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183262-videogameslive.jpg" alt="Video Games Live: Level 2 on CD, DVD and Blu-ray screenshot" width="468" border="0" />
</p>
<p>Popular videogame concert series Video Games Live is best seen...well, live, but if you can't make it to a show, this upcoming disc release should work quite nicely. <i>Video Games Live: Level 2 </i>brings the concert to video for the first time, bringing top orchestras playing the best game music to your home.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The video release includes more than three hours of bonus material, including interviews with composers, "making of" segments, trailers, and some behind-the-scenes bits. Of course, the bulk of the video content is a filming of the actual concert, which you may have seen part of on PBS lately. This is the full show that was recently filmed in New Orleans. It features the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, a 34-person chorus, and several soloists and special sections.</p>
<p>The CD and video releases all go on sale on October 19th. We're following up on pricing on these releases. For now,&nbsp; you'll find the tracklist for the CD and video discs after the jump.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>VIDEO GAMES LIVE: LEVEL 2</em> CD TRACK LISTING</strong></span><br /> 1.&nbsp;&nbsp; The Legend of Zelda&trade; Suite&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> 2.&nbsp;&nbsp; Civilization IV&reg;: Baba Yetu (Duet Version) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> 3.&nbsp;&nbsp; God of War&trade;: Revenge and Redemption&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> 4.&nbsp;&nbsp; Chrono Trigger&reg; &amp; Chrono Cross&reg; Medley&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> 5.&nbsp;&nbsp; World of Warcraft&reg;: Lament of the Highborne&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> 6.&nbsp;&nbsp; Mario&trade; Solo Piano Medley&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> 7.&nbsp;&nbsp; Super Mario Bros.&trade; Medley&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> 8.&nbsp;&nbsp; Warcraft&reg; Montage&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> 9.&nbsp;&nbsp; Sonic the Hedgehog&trade;: Staff Credits&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> 10. Advent Rising&trade; Overture&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> 11. Megaman&reg; Montage&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> 12. StarCraft&reg; II: Wings of Liberty Theme&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> 13. Final Fantasy&reg; Solo Piano Medley&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> 14. Halo&reg; Montage&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> 15. Castlevania&reg; Rock Overture&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> 16. Final Fantasy&reg; VII: One Winged Angel (Rock Edition)<br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Running Time</span><br /> 74:39 minutes (16 tracks total)<br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">VIDEO GAMES LIVE DIGITAL DOWNLOAD BONUS TRACKS</span><br /> &ldquo;Myst Suite&rdquo; and &ldquo;Mass Effect Suite&rdquo;<br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>VIDEO GAMES LIVE: LEVEL 2</em> DVD &amp; BLU-RAY INCLUDES</strong></span><br /> Classic Arcade Medley<br /> Halo&reg; Montage<br /> Civilization IV&reg;:&nbsp; Baba Yetu (Duet Version)<br /> StarCraft&reg; II:&nbsp; Wings of Liberty Theme<br /> Sonic the Hedgehog&trade;:&nbsp; Staff Credits<br /> Advent Rising&trade; Overture<br /> Interactive Guitar Hero&reg;: Aerosmith &ndash; "Sweet Emotion"<br /> Warcraft&reg; Montage<br /> Chrono Cross&reg;:&nbsp; Scars of Time<br /> Mass Effect&trade; Suite<br /> Megaman&reg; Montage<br /> Tribute To Ralph Baer<br /> Myst&reg; Suite<br /> The Legend of Zelda&trade; Suite<br /> Super Mario Bros.&trade; Medley<br /> God of War&trade;:&nbsp; Revenge and Redemption<br /> Martin Leung - Mario&trade; Solo Piano Medley<br /> Martin Leung - Tetris&reg; Solo Piano Medley<br /> World of Warcraft&reg;:&nbsp; Lament of the Highborne<br /> Castlevania&reg; Rock Overture<br /> <br /> Concert Running Time = 100 minutes (1:40)<br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">BONUS MATERIALS</span><br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Interviews</span><br /> Tommy Tallarico<br /> Ralph Baer<br /> Jamie Lee Curtis<br /> Russell Brower<br /> Gerard Marino<br /> Christopher Tin<br /> Martin Leung<br /> Jayson Hayes<br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Behind the Scenes</span><br /> Tommy&rsquo;s Guitars<br /> Joystick Podium<br /> Behind the Scenes Tour<br /> Composers Party in Japan<br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Teasers, Trailers &amp; Game Making</span><br /> Video Games Live 2010 Trailer<br /> Tetris&reg; 25th Anniversary<br /> The Making of Dragon&rsquo;s Lair&reg;<br /> Dragon&rsquo;s Lair&reg; Attract Screen<br /> Halo&reg; Reach Trailer<br /> Castlevania&reg;: Lords of Shadow Trailer<br /> Sonic the Hedgehog&trade;&nbsp; 4 Teaser<br /> Civilization V&reg; Trailer<br /> God of War&trade; III Trailer<br /> &ldquo;Yuri the Only One For Me&rdquo; music video<br /> <br /> Creator Commentary Audio Option</p>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183263</id>
<author>
<name>Jim Sterling</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+Sterling</uri>
</author>
<title>Relic designer killed saving family in car accident</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/relic-designer-killed-saving-family-in-car-accident-183263.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T08:40:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T08:40:00Z</updated>
<content type="html">
<p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183263-header.jpg" alt="Relic designer killed saving family in car accident screenshot" width="468" border="0" />
</p>
<p>Relic designer Brian Wood died in a car accident on Friday, sacrificing his own life so that his wife and unborn child would survive. Wood swerved his car into an out-of-control Chevy Blazer that was on a collision course with his Subaru wagon, ensuring that his side of the vehicle would take the full force of the impact.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Wood's final act saved the lives of his family members at the cost of his own.</p>
<p>&ldquo;All the policeman say that if we had hit the car head-on all of us would be dead," says wife Erin Wood. "At the very last second (Brian) braked really hard and turned right so that he would be put in the path of the SUV and not me and the baby, and that is the only thing that saved us both.&nbsp;I am not going to waste the gift he gave us."</p>
<p>There was evidence of drug use on the part of the Chevy drivers. Two of the occupants were killed while the driver is in custody, facing three charges of vehicular homicide and one charge of vehicular assault.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It is fitting that Brian Wood worked at Relic, and on the <i>Company of Heroes</i> series. If there was any word to describe him, "hero" would most definitely be it.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.theprovince.com/news/final+only+thing+that+would+save/3487150/story.html">North Van dad-to-be's final act saves family</a>&nbsp;[The Province. Thanks to Reaprar and Matt for letting us know]</p>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183267</id>
<author>
<name>Nick Chester</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Nick+Chester</uri>
</author>
<title>DJ Hero 2 and Guitar Hero 6 demos available on Xbox Live</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/dj-hero-2-and-guitar-hero-6-demos-available-on-xbox-live-183267.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T08:20:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T08:20:00Z</updated>
<content type="html">
<p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183267-hero.jpg" alt="DJ Hero 2 and Guitar Hero 6 demos available on Xbox Live screenshot" width="468" border="0" />
</p>
<p>The Hero games are invading Xbox Live Marketplace, with demos available now for both the upcoming <i>DJ Hero 2</i> and <i>Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock</i>. <br /><br />The <i>DJ Hero 2</i> demo will feature four mixes: Pussycat Dolls Featuring Busta Rhymes "Don't Cha" Mixed With Pitbull "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)"; Lady Gaga Featuring Colby O'Donis "Just Dance" Mixed With Deadmau5 "Ghosts N Stuff"; MSTRKRFT Featuring N.O.R.E. "Bounce" (Battle Mix); and Estelle Featuring Kanye West "American Boy" Mixed With Chic "Good Times". <br /><br />The <i>Warriors of Rock</i> demo will give players the first look at the game's "Quest Mode," a story mode narrated by KISS rocker Gene Simmons where you'll transform the game's characters into rock warriors to&hellip; kill a rock demon or something. I don't know. The demo will feature four tracks: Black Sabbath's "Children of the Grave," Foo Fighters' "No Way Back," Slash's "Ghosts" (featuring Ian Astbury), and Dethklok's "Bloodlines."<br /><br />They're both available now for Xbox Live Gold members. Go get 'em.</p>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183261</id>
<author>
<name>Jim Sterling</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+Sterling</uri>
</author>
<title>Rare and Molyneux wanted real controller for Kinect</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/rare-and-molyneux-wanted-real-controller-for-kinect-183261.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T08:00:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T08:00:00Z</updated>
<content type="html">
<p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183261-header.jpg" alt="Rare and Molyneux wanted real controller for Kinect screenshot" width="468" border="0" />
</p>
<p>Rare's George Andreas has revealed that his studio, along with Microsoft Game Studios head Peter Molyneux, pushed for at least one button to accompany Microsoft's HD Wii. According to Andreas, his team was "very vocal" about the situation, before they got hit on the head and decided Kinect was awesome.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We were absolutely adamant that we needed a button, something with haptic feedback, that would initiate an action,&rdquo; he says.&nbsp;&ldquo;It took a long time -- we threw some prototypes together and then we saw you didn&rsquo;t need one.</p>
<p>"We were very vocal to Kudo [Microsoft head of sunglasses] at the time, and Peter Molyneux was as well, that you needed something in your hand."</p>
<p>Rare does not think this way anymore, and isn't that a good thing? After all, we now get to enjoy on-rails <i>Harry Potter</i>, on-rails <i>Star Wars</i> and on-rails Wii minigames! God bless you, Kinect!</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=263227?cid=OTC-RSS&amp;attr=CVG-News-RSS">Rare, Molyneux wanted Kinect handheld controller</a> [CVG]</p>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183259</id>
<author>
<name>Conrad Zimmerman</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Conrad+Zimmerman</uri>
</author>
<title>Sony is updating your PS3 firmware to v3.42</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/sony-is-updating-your-ps3-firmware-to-v3-42-183259.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T05:30:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T05:30:00Z</updated>
<content type="html">
<p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183259-hd.jpg" alt="Sony is updating your PS3 firmware to v3.42 screenshot" width="468" border="0" />
</p>
<p>The PlayStation Blog has updated to let us know that there's a new firmware revision for the PlayStation 3. When next you boot, you'll get the opportunity to enjoy all the features of version 3.42 following a lengthy download, installation and reset. And they're "security" features, at that!</p>
<p>Which is to say, Sony will let you continue to play multiplayer games on PlayStation Network and you'll allow them to close an exploit used by some recent troublemakers and neither of you will ever speak of it again. That would be my guess, at any rate. Apart from that last bit, because this is likely to start happening a lot more now.</p>
<p>This is why we can't have nice things. Some people seem think that hackers are hurting the owner of a closed system when they expose these vulnerabilities and open up platforms to unsigned code (or, more accurately, piracy). But for Sony it's just a matter of reallocating resources. They'll apply more money and manpower to engaging in trench warfare with the internet and get it either by charging more for existing services or by spending less on developing new services.</p>
<p>Either way, the person really getting screwed is the honest consumer.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/09/06/playstation-3-system-software-update-v3-42-now-available">PlayStation 3 System Software Update v3.42 Now Available</a> [PlayStation Blog]</p>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183254</id>
<author>
<name>Conrad Zimmerman</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Conrad+Zimmerman</uri>
</author>
<title>Oldman, Harris to appear in Call of Duty: Black Ops</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/oldman-harris-to-appear-in-call-of-duty-black-ops-183254.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T04:00:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T04:00:00Z</updated>
<content type="html">
<p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183254-hd.jpg" alt="Oldman, Harris to appear in Call of Duty: Black Ops screenshot" width="468" border="0" />
</p>
<p>Activision has made an announcement this morning about some of the voice talent which will be appearing in <i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/preview-call-of-duty-black-ops-182003.phtml">Call of Duty: Black Ops</a></i>. It's now officially confirmed that Treyarch has brought Gary Oldman back to reprise the role he played in <i>World at War</i>, Victor Reznov. Ed Harris (<i>The Abyss</i>) will be providing his voice to a CIA operative named Jason Hudson.</p>
<p>In addition to the voice talent, another Hollywood name has been attached to the project. David S. Goyer (<i>Dark City, The Dark Knight</i>) has signed on as a consultant for the script and story development.</p>
<p>I will admit to liking many of the films Goyer has written (probably more of them than I should), but he seems like an odd choice to be consulting on a serious game set in <s>WWII</s>&nbsp;the Cold War. That is not to say his talents would be wasted on such an exercise or that he would have nothing to contribute. It just seems to me like the guy who wrote <i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104083/">Demonic Toys</a></i>&nbsp;and <i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119781/">Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.</a></i>&nbsp;isn't the first guy I would think of to help out on a project like this. Or the fiftieth, for that matter.</p>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183251</id>
<author>
<name>Conrad Zimmerman</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Conrad+Zimmerman</uri>
</author>
<title>Doctor Who's Sonic Screwdriver is soon to be a Wii remote</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/doctor-who-s-sonic-screwdriver-is-soon-to-be-a-wii-remote-183251.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T03:00:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T03:00:00Z</updated>
<content type="html">
<p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183251-hd.jpg" alt="Doctor Who's Sonic Screwdriver is soon to be a Wii remote screenshot" width="468" border="0" />
</p>
<p>BBC Worldwide and Blue Ocean are producing a licensed Wii remote modeled after <i>Doctor Who</i>&nbsp;writers' favorite narrative crutch, the Sonic Screwdriver. Based on the tool carried by Matt Smith's 11th Doctor, it looks pretty ace. I'd want to see one in person before deciding, which may not be an option as there's no indication these will be available outside of the UK.</p>
<p>In the end, I'm probably just going to import one once they're out. After all, how can I resist the allure of controlling my media center PC with a Sonic? I'm not exactly a Cyberman here. My will is finite.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=19702" target="_blank">Doctor Who gets Sonic Screwdriver Wii Remote</a> [Official Nintendo Magazine via <a href="http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/103270-Doctor-Whos-Sonic-Screwdriver-Tranformed-Into-Wii-Remote" target="_blank">Escapist</a>]</p>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183218</id>
<author>
<name>Conrad Zimmerman</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Conrad+Zimmerman</uri>
</author>
<title>More screens of BioShock Infinite to impress you with</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/more-screens-of-bioshock-infinite-to-impress-you-with-183218.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-07T02:00:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-07T02:00:00Z</updated>
<content type="html">
<p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183218-hd.jpg" alt="More screens of BioShock Infinite to impress you with screenshot" width="468" border="0" />
</p>
<p>Following on the heels of their <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/game-informer-s-bioshock-infinite-covers-are-so-class-183154.phtml">gorgeous cover designs</a> inspired by the style of <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/explore-a-decaying-beacon-of-america-in-bioshock-infinite-181261.phtml" title="Explore a decaying beacon of America in BioShock Infinite - Destructoid" target="_blank"><i>BioShock Infinite</i></a>, Game Informer has posted some new screenshots of the title.</p>
<p>Setting aside the steampunk aesthetic and awesome walrus moustache for a second, the thing that keeps striking me is how <i>bright</i>&nbsp;everything is. I would have to think it much harder to make things look great when you aren't resorting to dim lighting or a low-contrast color palette. Beautiful stuff and I can't wait to see how it holds up to my naked (and willing, but demure) eyes.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/09/06/exclusive-bioshock-infinite-screens.aspx">Exclusive BioShock Infinite Screens</a> [Game Informer]</p>
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</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183244</id>
<author>
<name>Tony Ponce</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Tony+Ponce</uri>
</author>
<title>The Daily Hotness: Dead tired</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/the-daily-hotness-dead-tired-183244.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-06T23:59:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-06T23:59:00Z</updated>
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<p>Everyone is bushed after a weekend of partying. I wish <i>I</i> was bushed after a weekend of partying. Somebody better send me some swag, or else I'm going to throw the mother of all hissy fits.</p>
<p>Our extended PAX coverage begins with a look at some cool indie games like <i>Retro/Grade</i>, <i>Retro City Rampage</i>, <i>SpyParty</i>, and more. Jordan is confident that <i>Donkey Kong Country Returns</i> will be a solid successor, and Nick blows his load over <i>Enslaved</i>'s opening minutes. Expect more PAX stories all week!</p>
<p><b>Community:<br /></b><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/elephant/posts_by_users_fulltext.phtml?tag=Cblog%20Recaps&amp;filterby=Cblog%20Recaps"><img src="http://bulk.destructoid.com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/gamephotos/h1.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle" /></a><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/CblogRecaps/c-blogs-of-9-6-10-sentricisms-183247.phtml">Community blogs of 09/06/10</a><br /><br /><b>PAX Prime 10:</b><br /><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/pax-10-day-3-fatigue-and-favorite-games-of-the-show-183200.phtml"><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/images/ui/h1-search.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle" />PAX 10: Day 3 fatigue and favorite games of the show</a><br /><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/pax-10-retro-grade-hands-on-interview-of-madness-183203.phtml"><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/images/ui/h1-search.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle" />PAX 10: Retro/Grade hands-on interview of madness</a><br /><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/pax-10-retro-city-rampage-hands-on-interview-of-glory-183170.phtml"><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/images/ui/h1-search.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle" />PAX 10: Retro City Rampage hands-on interview of glory</a><br /><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/pax-10-james-silva-of-ska-studios-on-dishwasher-2-183211.phtml"><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/images/ui/h1-search.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle" />PAX 10: James Silva of Ska Studios on Dishwasher 2</a><br /><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/pax-10-donkey-kong-country-returns-is-on-the-right-track-183209.phtml"><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/images/ui/h1-search.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle" />PAX 10: Donkey Kong Country Returns is on the right track</a><br /><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/pax-10-a-big-win-for-the-small-guys-183214.phtml"><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/images/ui/h1-search.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle" />PAX 10: A big win for the small guys</a><br /><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/pax-10-hands-off-with-the-delightfully-gruesome-swarm-183219.phtml"><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/images/ui/h1-search.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle" />PAX 10: Hands-off with the delightfully gruesome Swarm</a><br /><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/pax-10-how-bad-art-mega-man-got-into-mega-man-universe-183224.phtml"><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/images/ui/h1-search.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle" />PAX 10: How Bad Art Mega Man got into Mega Man Universe</a><br /><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/pax-10-the-spyparty-experience-183226.phtml"><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/images/ui/h1-search.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle" />PAX 10: The SpyParty experience</a><br /><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/pax-10-hands-on-with-slam-bolt-scrappers-183236.phtml"><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/images/ui/h1-search.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle" />PAX 10: Hands-on with Slam Bolt Scrappers</a><br /><br /><b>Media:</b><br /><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/budget-ninja-themed-dsiware-game-gets-a-sequel-183193.phtml"><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/images/ui/h1-search.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle" />Budget ninja-themed DSiWare game gets a sequel</a><br /><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/these-ni-no-kuni-commercials-are-a-big-tease-183196.phtml"><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/images/ui/h1-search.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle" />These Ni no Kuni commercials are a big tease</a><br /><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/see-enslaved-s-full-opening-the-escape--183204.phtml"><img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/images/ui/h1-search.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle" />See Enslaved's full opening, 'The Escape'</a></p>
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</entry>
<entry>
<id>tag:destructoid.com,2006:/post.phtml?pk=183236</id>
<author>
<name>Jordan Devore</name>
<uri>http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jordan+Devore</uri>
</author>
<title>PAX 10: Hands-on with Slam Bolt Scrappers</title>
<link href="http://www.destructoid.com/pax-10-hands-on-with-slam-bolt-scrappers-183236.phtml" />
<published>2010-09-06T21:30:00Z</published>
<updated>2010-09-06T21:30:00Z</updated>
<content type="html">
<p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183236-sbs1.jpg" alt="PAX 10: Hands-on with Slam Bolt Scrappers screenshot" width="468" border="0" />
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<p>Fire Hose Games' <i>Slam Bolt Scrappers</i> was my personal favorite game at PAX Prime. So much so, that I found myself continuously pushing it on my coworkers, and in some cases, dragging them back to the booth with me. They loved it, too.</p>
<p>It's weird. At first, you aren't sure what's happening on the screen. <i>Slam Bolt Scrappers </i>involves two teams floating around, beating up on each other, fighting demons -- who then proceed to turn into colored blocks -- and using said blocks as if they were playing <i>Tetris</i>.</p>
<p>Once enough blocks of the same color touch, a turret is formed; these can either defend or attack, but ultimately, the goal is to eliminate the enemy team's blocks. All of them. This means battles can go on for quite a while, and there's more than enough room for comebacks.</p> <p>In fact, I think every match I played involved someone coming back at the last possible minute.</p>
<p>At one point during the weekend, Samit and I teamed up against Conrad and Fire Hose Games' president and founder Eitan Glinert. We were moments away from winning, but another press outlet showed up and Eitan told them something to the effect of "just give me a few seconds."</p>
<p>He then proceeded to -- out of effing nowhere -- beat us in a matter of seconds. Either he was holding out on us the entire time, or he totally used a developer code. I wouldn't put the latter option past him. At any rate, it was a memorable moment that I was glad to be a part of.</p>
<p><img src="http://bulk.destructoid.com/ul/183236-/sbs2-620x.jpg" border="0" width="620" height="349" /></p>
<p>What I've been describing so far is <i>Slam Bolt Scrappers</i>' versus mode, which probably has a more attractive name that's slipped my mind. We also had the opportunity to play a four-person co-op boss battle against a gigantic robot fiend. Much like the human-on-human competitive stuff, we built up our blocks to form turrets.</p>
<p>The difference here was that in order to damage the killer robot, we'd first have to punch a conveniently located weak point to deactivate his shields, allowing our turrets to get their groove on. What's more, he would occasionally throw out snow that'd fill up part of our playing field, preventing new blocks from being placed.</p>
<p>I'm paraphrasing here again, but Eitan mentioned how "punching would solve our problems just like in real life." He also told us that <i>Slam Bolt Scrappers </i>would have an entire story mode beyond the aforementioned -- and super slick -- versus multiplayer, using <i>Castle Crashers </i>as an example.</p>
<p>It may not come across as much in words as it did in person, but man, I thought the snow bit was a nice touch. If they can introduce new mechanics like that throughout the game, more power to them. Either way, the core amalgamation of <i>Tetris</i> and <i>Super Smash Bros. </i>is enough to carry this on its own.</p>
<p><i>Slam Bolt Scrappers</i> is hitting PlayStation Network in "early 2011" as an exclusive. I usually end these sorts of things with the date and platform, but I feel compelled to tell you about the development team. They all wore firefighter hats, which may or may not be an unlockable item, for the duration.</p>
<p>It was <i>adorable</i>.</p> <p class="post-photos">
<a href="http://www.destructoid.com/elephant/photo.phtml?post_key=183236&photo_key=157217">
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/183236-/sbs2-120x.jpg" alt="Photo " />
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