Add-on Game Content

LittleBigPlanet Sack in the Box Costume (free)
A community costume for SackBoy!
File size: 1.04 MB

LittleBigPlanet LocoRoco Costumes ($2.99)
A costume kit for SackBoy!  Contains 5 different costumes.
File size: 1.04 MB

BioShock PS3 Challenge Rooms  ($9.99)
Experience the intense, terrifying world of Rapture like never before with the all-new PLAYSTATION 3 exclusive Add-On Game Content featuring three unique Challenge Rooms and some very cool extras. In “A Shocking Turn of Events,” rescue a trapped Little Sister in a disturbing carnival in Rapture. In “The I in Team”, defeat a Big Daddy using only your wits. In “Worlds of Hurt” plow through eight rooms filled with the worst Rapture has to offer.
File size: 402 MB

Dead Space

• Dead Space Astronaut Pack ($2.99)
  Download the Astronaut Suit and Weapon Skin Pack, featuring an amazing 26th Century Astronaut Suit and new skins for the Plasma Cutter, Pulse Rifle, and Ripper!
• Dead Space Big Gun Pack ($0.99)
  Download the Steam Punk Force Gun, the ultimate in Necromorph-killing destruction.
• Dead Space Heavy Damage Pack ($2.99)
  Download the Heavy Damage Weapon pack featuring a cool new look and massive firepower for the Plasma Cutter, Contact Beam, Pulse Rifle, and Ripper.
• Dead Space Hot Rod Pack ($0.99)
  Download the Hot Rod Weapon Skin Pack, featuring awesome flame graphics for the Flamethrower and Pulse Rifle.
• Dead Space Military Pack ($3.99)
  Download the Military Weapon Pack for a new look and enhanced power for all 7 Dead Space weapons.
• Dead Space Obsidian Pack ($1.49)
  Download the exclusive Obsidian Suit and Weapon Skin Pack now, available only for the PLAYSTATION 3! Includes an upgraded Level 5 suit, and weapon skins for the Line Gun, Plasma Cutter, and Pulse Rifle, all in jet-black PLAYSTATION 3 colors.
• Dead Space Obsidian Weapon Skin Pack ($1.49)
  Download the exclusive Obsidian Weapon Skin Pack now, available only for the PLAYSTATION 3 Includes weapon skins in jet-black Playstation 3 colors for the Line Gun, Plasma Cutter, and Pulse Rifle.
• Dead Space Pedestrian Pack ($1.49)
  Download the Pedestrian Weapon Skin Pack, featuring a fresh new look for the Contact Beam, Plasma Cutter, and Ripper.
• Dead Space Scorpion Pack ($3.99)
  Download the Scorpion Pack featuring an upgraded Level 5 Suit and three powered up weapons, all decorated in an awesome red Scorpion Skin.
• Dead Space Scorpion Weapon Pack ($2.25)
  Download the Scorpion Weapon Pack featuring a faster death-dealing Plasma Cutter, Line Gun, and Force Gun in awesome red skins.
• Dead Space Speed Kills Pack ($2.25)
  Download the Speed Kills Weapon Pack! Includes faster-firing Force Gun, Line Gun, and Plasma Cutter.
• Dead Space Tank Pack ($3.99)
  Download the Tank Pack featuring an upgraded Level 5 Suit and powered up Flamethrower, Force Gun, and Line Gun, all covered in Unitology script.

File sizes: 4.12 MB - 18 MB

Guitar Hero World Tour
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com.

• “Consoler of the Lonely” by The Raconteurs ($1.99)
• “Hold Up” by The Raconteurs ($1.99)
• “Salute Your Solution” by The Raconteurs  ($1.99)
• The Raconteurs Track Pack ($5.49) - Downloadable Track Pack for Guitar Hero World Tour featuring “Consoler of the Lonely”, “Hold Up”, and “Salute Your Solution” by The Raconteurs. Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as a part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.

Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2
Expand your Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2 library by purchasing these tracks.

• (I Just) Died In Your Arms ($1.49)
• All You Wanted ($1.49)
• Black Hole Sun ($1.49)
• It’s Not Unusual ($1.49)
• September ($1.49)

File sizes: 9.73 MB - 44 MB

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

• “That’s When I Reach for my Revolver” - Mission of Burma ($1.99)
• “That’s How I Escaped My Certain Fate” - Mission of Burma ($1.99)
• “Mica” - Mission of Burma ($1.99)
• Mission of Burma Pack 01  ($5.49) - this track pack includes all of the above Mission of Burma singles.
• “Police Truck” - Dead Kennedys ($1.99)
• “Holiday in Cambodia” - Dead Kennedys ($1.99)
• “California Über Alles” - Dead Kennedys ($1.99)
• Dead Kennedys Pack 01 ($5.49) - this track pack includes all of the above Dead Kennedys singles.
• “Gone” - Crooked X ($0.99)
• “Swamped” - Lacuna Coil ($1.99)
• “Forever” - In This Moment ($1.99)
• “Closer” - Lacuna Coil ($1.99)
• Century Media Girls of Metal Pack 01 ($5.49) - this track pack includes

File sizes: 15 MB - 36 MB (singles)

Game Demos (free)

MotoGP 08 Demo
MotoGP 08 brings the premiere motorcycling championship to your home console! Speed down 18 official tracks in 15 countries and challenge others in online races, alone or with friends. Featuring easy-to-learn controls, MotoGP 08 is the most accessible motorcycle racing game to date.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 672 MB

Game Videos (free)

MotorStorm Pacific Rift Features and Strategy Trailer
File size: 70 MB (HD), 118 MB (1080)

Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe: Kreating the Comic Trailer
File size: 129 MB (HD)

Lord of the Rings: Conquest Trailer
File size: 81 MB (HD)

NBA 2K9 Momentous #1 Trailer
File size: 85 MB (HD), 100 MB (1080)

NBA 2K9 Momentous Trailer 2
File size: 116 MB (HD), 155 MB (1080)

Tom Clancy’s EndWar Launch Trailer
File size: 77 MB (HD)

FIFA 09 “In The Game” Part 8 - Online Team Play
File size: 191 MB (HD)

Dew Tour: Orlando - Chad Kagy
File size: 109 MB (HD)

Dew Tour: Orlando - Adam Jones
File sizes: 107 MB (HD)

Dew Tour: Orlando - From Flow to Pro
File sizes: 97 MB (HD)

Dew Tour: Orlando - BMX Dirt Dew Cup Race
File sizes: 125 MB (HD)

Movie and Blu-ray Disc Trailers

Hancock Trailer
File size: 124 MB (HD), 156 MB (1080)

This Christmas Trailer (Blu-ray)
File size: 120 MB (HD), 156 MB (1080)

Tenacious D - The Complete Masterworks Trailer
File size: 30 MB (SD), 112 MB (1080)

Sara Bareilles - Between The Lines Trailer
File size: 50 MB (SD), 261 MB (1080)

Incubus “Look Alive” Trailer
File size: 48 MB (SD), 229 MB (1080)

PS3 Themes

NBA 2K9 Theme (free)
File size: 1.99 MB

Hancock Theme (free)
File sizes: 2.40 MB

Timea Mojorova Theme ($1.99)
File sizes: 5.41 MB

University of California Theme ($1.99)
File sizes: 5.17 MB

Shadowy Graves Theme ($1.49)
File sizes: 5.09 MB

Darklight Fractais Theme ($1.49)
File sizes: 6.14 MB

Mrs. Claus Theme ($1.49)
File sizes: 6.86 MB

GunGirls Theme ($0.99)

Real-time strategy games on consoles. The mere prospect is enough to send shivers down the spine of gamers from all corners of the world. I’ll spare you the gruesome history of failed attempts and sum up the entire console RTS genre as hit or miss. Actually, scratch that. It’s more like hit or MISS, with the latter making up roughly 99.7% of the lot. The main problem with the genre as a whole is that RTS games were simply made to be played with a mouse and keyboard, and there’s really no arguing that. The complex tech trees, hundreds of units on screen, and intense strategy has always screamed “PLAY ME ON A PC!”.

Ubisoft hopes to take the limitations of the console and completely negate them by allowing you to play the entire game using your voice as the virtual mouse and keyboard. Tom Clancy’s EndWar is the first game to use voice control and expand upon it to the point where it becomes a control scheme in and of itself. An ambitious goal to be sure, but one that they have done a remarkable job attaining. Or, at least, attempting to attain. For the most part, Ubisoft actually manages to pull off the whole “voice-is-the-new-mouse” system they were going for. After a short calibration session you’re ready to use your spoken words as the ultimate tool of destruction. Using these commands in-game is just as smooth as the set-up, which on its own is an amazing accomplishment. Spoken commands are broken down into just a handful of words and the system does a fantastic job of understanding you, even if you happen to stumble over a couple of instructions here and there.

OK, so the voice control is great, the system understands nearly everything you say, so that means the units must control like a breeze right? Not so fast. Yes, the recognition system is fantastic. Yes, the tech involved here is truly impressive. That said, using your voice to issue commands is just about as vague as it can get. Making the system simple enough to recognize all the commands (and in every accent imaginable, no less) also hinders the ability of the player to be specific enough when issuing orders to really pull off some of the advanced strategy the genre is known for. The way troop/unit movement works is that the game breaks down the map into sectors. So, for example, if you want your troops to move to a sector which is currently occupied by an enemy, you’d simply say “Unit 2 move to Sector 5″. Then, once the units receive their command, you sit back and watch as they make their way over to the destination in any way they please. This might seem just fine, but in a genre defined by strategy, commands that sometimes require a bit of specificity are often lost in translation. No more sending a single unit to one side of an enemy base in order to draw attention while your big guns move in from the opposite side. This particular complaint may anger some hardercore RTS-ers, so it’s definitely something to be considered.

If you’re looking for some fun though, and feel like laying on your couch and screaming at the television, there’s plenty of fun to be had here. The units are plentiful and varied enough that it’s hard to get bored, and the game even comes with a fold-out quick-start guide so you’re never in the dark about how to best defeat a combination of enemy units. This is extremely helpful early on in the campaign and will surely be a godsend to newbies of the RTS scene.

Speaking of the campaign, that’s another area of the game that could have used a bit more attention. As the name implies, EndWar serves as a bit of a climax to a host of Clancy storylines that lead up to this point. Still, the campaign itself seems to suffer a bit of an identity crisis. EndWar tries to wind up as much Clancy lore as it can, and some familiar faces do show up eventually, but I couldn’t escape the feeling that it could have been fleshed out so much better. Yet, the story is broad enough that even if you haven’t been a Clancy nerd up to this point you’ll still get the gist of why the entire world is up in arms (no pun intended).

As far as graphics go, EndWar is a pretty game. It looks great in HD and there is a ton of detail to the troops, units and environments. Unfortunately, while the detail and technology are there, the flair is not. The whole game has a bit of a “blah” look to it, with very little personality finding its way onto your screen. Perhaps it’s just the fact that C&C Red Alert 3 has been attacking our PC monitors with bright and colorful videos and screenshots, but EndWar seems to take place in a rather drab universe. That may have been exactly what Ubisoft was going for, what with the world on the verge of ending and whatnot, but it still brings down the experience and doesn’t do a whole lot in the way of creating a world that seems fun to return to.

The online multiplayer set-up is certainly a high point in the EndWar experience. The overworld map creates a real feeling of urgency when choosing your battles and in the games I tested the connections were all rock-solid. Commanding your units works in the same way, of course, and the only real difference between playing online or against the computer is that often times the computer is far less forgiving.

Overall, EndWar is an amazing example of how voice control could really be the next big thing in the gaming scene. At its best, it’s an exciting RTS romp with a ton of online replayability and an extremely impressive control system. But at its worst, it’s a confusing and slightly frustrating example of why the genre was created for PCs to begin with. However, despite its shortcomings, EndWar is still mighty enjoyable. You’ll find ways to work around the slightly vague voice commands and once you do, you’ll find a refreshing take on a decidedly old-school genre. Give me the ability to scream at my TV over a dual-analog RTS control scheme any day. ATTACK!

+

• The game actually understands what you’re saying!
• Multiplayer can be addicting.
• Doesn’t bombard you with Clancy lore.

-

• Smooth voice control leaves you with fewer strategic options.
• “Blah” aesthetic at times.
• People playing online are probably 100X better than you…just saying.

MMO Portal is offering up the MMO Calendar 2009 to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The third calendar comes with art from some of the most played MMOs out there. As an extra incentive, MMO Portal will be giving away prizes including boxed copies, premium accounts, 30-day passes, 60-day passes and closed beta accounts for the participating MMOs. Each calendar you purchase nets you one entry.

MMO Calendar 2009 proudly includes:

• Age of Conan
• DC Universe Online
• Dofus
• Eve Online
• EverQuest II
• Free Realms
• Guild Wars
• Pirates of the Burning Sea
• RuneScape
• The Agency
• Warhammer Online
• World of Warcraft

To get your copy of the MMO Calendar 2009 and do your part for St. Jude visit the MMO Calendar website. Don’t forget to check with your accountant to see if it’s tax deductible.

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Related Articles at Gaming Today:

• Colony Studios Builds a Strong MMO Team
• ESA Looks After Its Own on Wikipedia
• Kaplan Gives Behind the Blue Curtain Tour of Wow Wrath of the Lich King
• Do You Churn? WoW Players Do.
• Mexican Raids Net 15,000 Counterfeit Nintendo Products

If you’ve already judged Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe based solely on the fact that it’s a Mortal Kombat title -- or that it isn’t technically as rich or deep as other fighters -- the game (and this review) is not for you.

There’s no way you could compare the game on any technical or competitive level to any number of Capcom vs. [Marvel/Care Bears/Whatever] or SNK fighters; if you do, you’re missing the point. MK vs. DCU certainly seems to be meant for a more casual fighting audience, with a focus on two important points – ease of play and ridiculous, frivolous fun.

So before you click any further, I have to ask that if you fall into that camp -- and that's fine, I understand -- don't even bother clicking through and reading the review. This is not for you. Here is a Tatsunoku vs. Capcom trailer; please enjoy it. Save the energy you would have used to comment on this review for the inevitable bitching about how Capcom screwed up the Street Fighter II HD remake because Ryu has an extra pixel on his toe. 

For everyone else, hit the jump.

1. Derby Stallion P
2. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
3. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Portable
4. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Portable 2
5. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Portable 3
6. Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable
7. Initial D: Street Stage
8. Brain Trainer Portable 2
9. Kazuo
10. Sarugetchu P!
11. Doko Demo Issho
12. Piposaru Academia: Dossari! Sarugee Daizenshuu
13. Bleach: Heat the Soul
14. Bleach: Heat the Soul 4
15. Bleach: Heat the Soul 5
16. Boku no Natsuyasumi Portable Mushi Mushi Hakase Teppen Yama no Himitsu!!
17. Minna no Golf Portable
18. Minna no Golf Portable 2
19. Ratchet & Clank Gekitotsu! Dodeka Ginga no MiriMiri Gundan
20. LocoRoco
21. Gundam Battle Chronicle
22. Gundam Battle Universe
23. Gundam Battle Royale
24. Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam
25. Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. Portable
26. Taiko no Tatsujin Portable
27. Taiko no Tatsujin Portable 2
28. Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology
29. Tekken: Dark Resurrection
30. Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai 2
31. Naruto Narutimate Portable: Mugenjo no Maki
32. Macross Ace Frontier

• Ad hoc Party Beta launches on Japanese PlayStation Network
  
• TGS 2008: Phantasy Star Portable to support Ad-hoc Party, lobby screenshots
• TGS 2008: PSP Store, Ad Hoc Party, PS3 bundles, and Home beta launch dates

Microsoft has given Fallout 3 the honor of being the first title to offer DLC on Games for Windows LIVE Marketplace. In case you missed the initial announcement, Games for Windows LIVE Marketplace is exactly what it sounds like… an Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the PC. It will even allow you to use your 360 controller hooked up to your gaming rig.

According to Videogamer.com, Bethesda Softworks’ Pete Hines, vice president of public relations and marketing, had this to say about Games for Windows:

“Games for Windows LIVE helps us expand the Fallout 3 universe and bring the full experience directly to gamers. Through the Marketplace we now have a no-nonsense way to deliver updates and great downloadable content. It’s really a complete package, and a great fit for Fallout 3.”

Other Games for Windows friendly titles are Battlestations: Pacific, Grand Theft Auto IV, Quantum of Solace, Red Faction: Guerrilla and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II.

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Related Articles at Gaming Today:

• CD Project Bringing "Good Old Games" to Modern PCs
• New Scans from Fallout 3
• Games for Windows Live is Now Free for Multiplayers
• Fallout 2 Restoration Project v. 1.1 Available
• Microsoft's Goal is to Sell Full PC Games Digitally

Want to know what games coming out this holiday are already destined for less-than-stellar sales (at least in the opinions of three analysts)? Well, according to predictions made by Michael Pachter, Ed Barton and Jesse Divinch, the underperformers are looking like Midnight Club: Los Angeles, Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe, Need For Speed Undercover, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows and Animal Crossing: City Folk, to name a few.

"But wait a minute!" you're saying. " I think (fill in the blank) is gonna be great!" Calm down, none of these guys are saying that these games suck -- only that they aren't positioned well for great performance because of their time of release or other key factors. Here's an excerpt from Pachter's predictions:

"I'd say that the worst positioned are Midnight Club: Los Angeles (coming out in front of Need for Speed Undercover), Shaun White Snowboarding (the Wii version will do well, but is constrained by Wii Fit boards; the PS3 and 360 versions are not positioned well), Tomb Raider Underworld (a great franchise, but flying under the radar this holiday), and (waits for the slams from Gamasutra readers...) Animal Crossing: City Folk.

The last is a great franchise, but the Wii audience is dominated by the mass-market audience, and Animal Crossing is somewhat more hardcore than most Nintendo titles. I think that the game will do very well, but will likely be disappointing, relative to expectations."

Check out the full feature over at Gamasutra.

If any cuts are made out of a gamer's holiday budget, it will be those titles that they could do without: games like Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, which is an awesome game with great branding qualities. However, it simply does not stack up against the large list of AAA titles this holiday season.

Others include: Need for Speed Undercover (which has become a stale brand as of late), Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, Midnight Club: Los Angeles, and any other title that squeaks by with quality scores below 80 percent.

As consumers become more judicious with their discretionary income this holiday season, quality scores will likely have a bigger weight on a gamer's purchasing decision than in previous holidays.

And here's a word from your favorite analyst and mine, Michael Pachter!

I'd say that the worst positioned are Midnight Club: Los Angeles, Shaun White Snowboarding (the Wii version will do well, but is constrained by Wii Fit boards; the PS3 and 360 versions are not positioned well), Tomb Raider Underworld (a great franchise, but flying under the radar this holiday), and Animal Crossing: City Folk.

The last is a great franchise, but the Wii audience is dominated by the mass-market audience, and Animal Crossing is somewhat more hardcore than most Nintendo titles. I think that the game will do very well, but will likely be disappointing, relative to expectations.

Well that's ironic. The Wii finally sees a hardcore game and it'll bomb? I'd say it's a hardcore casual game, so it'd still sell like.. well, Wiis.

I love Capcom so much for using this music in their latest SF II HD Remix trailers. Now, who will win? Ryu or Bison? 

Jim has dibs on Louis, DMV reviews Valkyria Chronicles, part three of the Destructoid Tournament is underway, Blizzard won't be making WoW expansions forever, and plenty more happened on 11/18/08.

Tuesday Regulars:
Podtoid 76: More like ten sh*tloads
RetRose Tinted: Total Carnage
Game Debate to the Death! Shadow of the Colossus VS God of War

Originals:
RetroforceGO! records episode 68 tonight: Sonic the Hedgehog with Jim Sterling
Attention, everyone who is buying Left 4 Dead: I have dibs on Louis
Not a review: Rock Band Track Pack Volume 2

Review:
Valkyria Chronicles

Contest:
Destructoid Tournament Game 3 begins! Get scribbling
EA Sports/Gillette contest, Day 2: NBA Live courtside! Win the game!

News:
Blizzard won't be making WoW expansions forever, also annual content
B**tch betta' have my money: Brash being sued by devs over unpaid dues
Call of Duty: World at War becomes third fastest selling game in the UK
Spore gets third patch, free limbs get you 24 parts closer to making your ex
Microsoft compares NXE to the birth of color television
Multiple Diablo III expansions expected, water is wet, and other obvious facts
Mobile game sales have 'flatlined'
Confirmed: Dead Rising Wii box art features fewer zombies than 360 box art
New study shows that Wii motions won't make you violent
Square Enix is hiring for action game at new Los Angeles office
Is Sony ripping off costume entries for LittleBigPlanet?
Vietnam gets its first haven for addicted gamers
Valkyria Chronicles' composer Hitoshi Sakimoto's private liner notes
Namco Bandai's games division profits fall 92 percent
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed gets new costume DLC. You are all excited
You already knew this, but The King of Fighters XII is coming to NA and EU '09
Street Fighter II HD comes to XBL Nov. 26, 'branded experience' tomorrow
If you heard The Agency was canceled, you heard wrong
Epic sorry for Gears 2 matchmaking problems, tries to help
Gears of War 2 multiplayer facts: Shotgun still powerful, quit yer bitchin'
Play Neopets Puzzle Adventure DS now and recognize
Halo Wars is the result of what not to do in a console RTS
Sony has 14 million 'active accounts' on PSN
Netflix streaming takes a serious hit, Columbia Pictures not watchable on 360
Good Old Games fist bumps Epic, adds Unreal series to its catalog
Weekly LBP DLC: Get your LocoRoco on my Sackboy, also T.V.

Rumortoid:
A new OutRun game coming from Sega and THQ?

Offbeat:
Daily irrelevance: Game piracy lawyers protecting the rights of Army F*ckers
Stop kids getting stabbed by not playing videogames every third Sunday

Videos:
Even more Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe videos
Lips commercial will either crack you up or give you nightmares
You're still the best ... around: New Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix vid

Community:
C Blogs 11/18/08