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Tag: Videogame Face-Off (1-8 of 8)

Dec 12 2011 09:00 AM ET

'Mass Effect 3,' 'BioShock Infinite,' 'Diablo III': Which upcoming game are you most excited for?

Tags: Tech, Videogame Face-Off, Videogames, Videogames

While the time-suck fantasy spectacular The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim may have pillaged the Game of the Year award at the 2011 VGAs, the ceremony itself seemed as steadfastly focused on the future of gaming as its most recent past. Sneak peeks at wildly anticipated titles like Mass Effect 3, BioShock Infinite, Diablo III, and a super-quick look at Command & Conquer: Generals 2 all had tongues wagging and thumbs twitching.

Amid all these sequels and threquels and (as my colleague Darren Franich would likely say) spin-off-pre-boot-quels, though, I was most tantalized by the first look at a brand spanking new title: The Last of Us. READ FULL STORY »

Apr 28 2011 02:00 PM ET

'Thor': Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston storm their way through the 'Thor: God of Thunder' videogame -- EXCLUSIVE

by Jeff Jensen

Tags: Comic Books, Movies, Summer Movie Preview, Tech, Videogame Face-Off, Videogames, Movies, Videogames

Thor — the latest Marvel Studios superhero opus starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins — opens May 6 and holds the distinction of being the summer movie season’s first major release. But Sega’s official videogame tie-in — Thor: God of Thunder — hits stores three days earlier, and instead of being a traditional adaptation of the film, it tells an original story that has the hammer-wielding mythic hero battling trolls, frost giants, and fire gods in a number of mystical realms. In an intriguing twist, the story requires that Thor partner with a character that often serves as his arch-enemy in the comics, mischief-making god Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston in the movie. Might the game serve as a kind of prologue to the film? Methinks we’ll have to play it to find out! Hemsworth and Hiddleston voiced their characters in the game; check out this exclusive behind the scenes video of the actors at work. WARNING! Prepared to have the phrase “FEEL THE BITE OF WINTER!” thundering in your head all day. READ FULL STORY »

Dec 24 2009 03:00 PM ET

Videogame face-off: 'Ratchet and Clank' vs. 'Brutal Legend'

by Steve Heisler

Tags: Videogame Face-Off, Videogames, Videogames

Somewhere between gory FPS and kid-geared sidescrollers there’s the wonderful genre of cartoonish action-adventure games. How to pick? Face-Off has you covered. Today, it’s waring guitars and and strange creatures.

In this corner… Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack In Time
Each successive Ratchet and Clank game — a platformer akin to Metroid — outdoes the previous ones with innovative weapons and engrossing plot development; the latest is no exception. Ratchet the Lombax (kangaroo-like) and Clank the robot have been separated! Ratchet uses a slew of customizable new weapons like the Sonic Eruptor, a frog beast attached to a metal rod that spews enemy-shaking sound waves; Clank solves puzzles by using clones of himself to carry out time-delayed actions. Throw in the ability to pilot Ratchet’s upgradeable, blast-happy space ship and an epic satisfying conclusion, and you’ve got yet another game in the win column for Insomniac Games. And first-timers won’t be left out in the cold: The game’s inviting enough to play sans previous R+C exposure.

In the other corner… Brütal Legend
It takes a hell of a game to unite the voices of Ozzy Osborne, Lemmy, and Jack Black. Eddie Riggs (Black) is the ultimate roadie who finds himself in a hellish dimension where he must use heavy metal music to save the world. He swings a giant literal axe to take down druids and slimy demons, and wields a metaphorical axe, his guitar, that casts lightning and fire spells. Oh yeah, and he drives a hot rod through piles of bones. The game’s part weapon-fueled action, part Guitar Hero-style button mashing to Black Sabbath tunes — which, get this, gives you new powers. If you can stand a little gore and some cursing (as a joke, the game asks you occasionally if you think it’s funnier if the swears get bleeped out), this game is the perfect vehicle for unabashed heavy metal geekery.

And the winner is… READ FULL STORY »

Dec 23 2009 03:00 PM ET

Videogame face-off: 'Super Mario Bros. Wii' vs. 'Mario and Sonic'

by Steve Heisler

Tags: Videogame Face-Off, Videogames, Videogames

There’s no way around it: Wii has reinvigorated the entire group-gaming concept. But how to feed multiplayer Wii fanatcisim at any age? Face-Off has you covered. Today, two entries in the classic Super Mario franchise go head-to-head. Check back tomorrow for another match-up.

In this corner… New Super Mario Bros. Wii
“It’s-a-me” has become “It’s-a-mes.” Up to four players can take part in this update of the 2D side-scrolling franchise — like its predecessor for the Nintendo DS, New Super Mario Bros. Wii is more Super Mario World than Super Mario Galaxy. Bowser’s once again captured the defenseless Princess Peach (you’d think she’d start packing heat by now), and it’s up to Mario, Luigi, and two Toads to get her back. Familiar landscapes and enemies dot the levels, with plenty of new twists: the power-up roster has expanded to include a propeller hat and ice-savvy penguin suit, and players can pick up and throw one another to help with obstacles. Mario games are always fun on their own, but this is the first franchise title to get exponentially more addicting as new plumbers join the mustachioed fight.

In the other corner… Mario and Sonic At The Olympic Winter Games
Mario Kart proved racing Nintendo characters could be a hell of a lot of fun (who knew Yoshi could burn so much asphalt?), so Mario and Sonic At The Olympic Winter Games once again replaces athletes with princesses and giant monkeys to great effect. Gameplay shakes out — literally — like its summer Olympics counterpart: duck and weave your Wii-mote to help your avatar place in events like curling, skiing, and bobsled. Though the game’s fairly grounded in the actual sports, it incorporates a “Dream Events” mode, where games venture into cartoonish Mario and Sonic land with fireballs and enemies abound. It’s the only game in existence that allows for the words “Bowser Jr.” and “luge” to be used in the same sentence.

And the winner is… READ FULL STORY »

Dec 22 2009 03:00 PM ET

Videogame face-off: 'FIFA 10' vs. 'NBA2K10'

by Steve Heisler

Tags: Sports, Videogame Face-Off, Videogames, Videogames

Ah, the sporting life. But how to pick a discipline? Face-Off has you covered. Today, it’s soccer and basketball, with the newest entries from EA and 2K going head-to-head. Check back each weekday through Dec. 24 for a new match-up.

In this corner… FIFA 10
The popularity of fantasy sports leagues has made realism in video games an absolute necessity. That’s something the FIFA franchise seems to take to heart, and this latest incarnation of its popular soccer series is its best work to date. This version makes significant improvements to the game’s AI, both on and off the field — particularly the many factors that go into managing a team of your own. Players you’re trading for now look for “growth potential” on your squad, not just money; a board of directors can help your team out when strapped for cash; there’s now an “assistant manager” (don’t worry, he’s just shy of sentient) to take care of line-ups before important matches. The matches themselves are equally nuanced, with new dribbles/moves and fluid controls that includes jostling for position. And let’s not forget you can freakin’ scan your face and put it on a custom player. But c’mon, FIFA: Only 500 teams to choose from?

In the other corner… NBA 2K10
And speaking of realistic… perhaps the most essential basketball video game franchises has similarly one-upped itself over last year’s solid contribution to the genre. 2K10 smooths out its dribble controls and enhances its defensive options, allowing players to choose precisely how close they’ll guard opponents and how specifically they should block shots. And where FIFA focused on the team, 2K10 is all about adding details to noteworthy players with signature dunks, facial expressions, even pre-game rituals. There’s even a downloadable add-on called “draft combine” that allows you to follow a custom player through pre-season drills and the intimidating draft process itself. This also marks the first time a 2K game has made it to a Nintendo system since NBA 2K3. And the ability to save and quit mid-game? And-one!

And the winner is…
Both! This is a bumper year for sports games; why let your sports-fan loved ones go deprived?

Dec 21 2009 03:00 PM ET

Videogame face-off: DSi and 'Zelda' vs. PSP Go and 'LittleBigPlanet'

by Steve Heisler

Tags: Tech, Videogame Face-Off, Videogames, Videogames

Want to give the gift of gaming on-the-go, so your loved ones can play at work, at school, on the bus, during childbirth — whenever? Face-Off has you covered. Today, Nintendo’s lastest goes head-to-head with Sony’s higher-end system. Check back each weekday through Dec. 24 for a new match-up.

In this corner… Nintendo DSi with The Legend Of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (System: $169.99. Game: $34.99)
Earlier this year, Nintendo slimmed down its popular DS portable gaming system (grandchild of the Gameboy — remember those?), and embedded two cameras: one on the outside, for snapping pictures, and one on the inside, to be used for motion-capture games. The technology for the latter is still a work-in-progress, but there’s no denying this stylus-totin’ system is the sleekest it’s ever been. And its reputation for cartoonishly fun, unbearably addicting games continues with the recent release of The Legend Of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. This sequel to 2007′s Phantom Hourglass once again has a hesitant Link stumble into an epic battle, this time taking on an evil chancellor who’s trying to unleash a demon onto the world. Of all the franchise’s 15 titles, this one embraces its silliness the most—Link gets around via an ancient train, is haunted by the shrill ghost of Princess Zelda, and finally rocks his woodland nymph-like persona by literally playing a pan flute. And given most of the game’s controls are done by slashing and swinging the stylus, it’s also as fervent a gaming experience as you can get on the small screen.

In the other corner… PSP Go with LittleBigPlanet (System: $249.99. Game: $39.99)
This new companion system for the longstanding PlayStation Portable does away with playing games on the pint-sized Universal Media Discs; instead, games are downloaded via Wi-Fi from the PlayStation Store directly onto the 16MB system. So there’s no need to carry around your game library, and the unit has a compact design where the screen slides up to reveal the controls. This is by far the most “portable” PlayStation Portable yet. That doesn’t mean it lacks the punch of its big-system counterparts. Take LittleBigPlanet, a popular 2008 PS3 title that was given its own title for the PSP last month. The game’s trippy, Tim Burton-like aesthetic and simple platformer gameplay survived the transition nearly flawlessly. The smaller game even includes a favorite feature from the PS3 version: the ability to build your own levels from scratch—hell, the creation mechanisms have even improved somewhat.

And the winner is… READ FULL STORY »

Dec 18 2009 03:00 PM ET

Videogame face-off: 'Assassin's Creed 2' vs. 'Left 4 Dead 2'

by Steve Heisler

Tags: Tech, Videogame Face-Off, Videogames, Zombies, Videogames

Gore. Action. Sequels. Lots of solid, inventive games came out this year, but if you were going to narrow your list to the cream of the crop, Face-Off has you covered. Today, it’s Assassin’s Creed II against Left 4 Dead 2. Check back each weekday through Dec. 24 for a new match-up.

In this corner: ‘Assassin’s Creed 2‘
The original Assassin’s Creed in 2007, set during the Third Crusade in the late 1100s, was addicting. The sequel is life-encompassing. Once again, the main character Desmond in the year 2012 must use a virtual reality machine, called an Animus, to stop a world-domination plot by modern-day Templars. Desmond uses the Animus to view the memories of his assassin ancestor Ezio in the late 1400s, gathering ancient Templar clues and gaining skills he can use in his own time. The vibrant Italian Renaissance cityscape includes a host of new assassination missions (completed third-person sandbox-style, like Grand Theft Auto) and plenty of cutlasses and sabres — some stolen from enemies, some provided by the game’s gadget expert, a young Leonardo DaVinci. As you dodge hunters by bribing informants and tearing down wanted posters, you’ll marvel at how the hours just simply… vanish.

In the other corner: ‘Left 4 Dead 2‘
You want violence? Get it in oh-so-many-spades with this sequel to last year’s Left 4 Dead. Once again, you and three others have survived a terrifying disease that turned most of the world’s population into zombie-like horrors. You traverse post-apocalyptic wastelands — most of which are on fire — toting guns, chainsaws, and frying pans, facing hordes of disgusting enemies — including one who literally blinds you with vomit. With a new “scavenge” mode option and an improved AI that presents dynamic challenges as you play (rearranging walls, upping enemy count), this L4D iteration is just as engrossing and wonderfully creepy as the original.

And the winner is… READ FULL STORY »

Dec 17 2009 03:00 PM ET

Videogame Face-Off: 'The Beatles: Rock Band' vs. 'DJ Hero'

by Steve Heisler

Tags: The Beatles, Videogame Face-Off, Videogames, Videogames

This year was a big one for music games, with mighty entries from a range of contenders. But if you were going to buy just one this holiday season, our Face-Off has got you covered. Today, it’s the Beatles edition of the Rock Band series vs. the DJ version of the Guitar Hero franchise. Check back each week day through Dec. 23 for a new match-up.

In this corner: ‘The Beatles: Rock Band‘
Who knew marrying the wildly successful Rock Band franchise with the greatest band of all time was a smart move? The Beatles: Rock Band is the third in the series and the first time the game has themed itself after an artist. There’s the obvious Fab Four influences in things like song selection — an impressive collection of Beatles tracks, even unsung shredders like “Hey Bulldog”– and the venues, ranging from Shea Stadium to the roof of Abbey Road Studios. But the game also allows players to mimic the group’s vocal style with two harmonizing microphones, as well as its career trajectory in “story” mode. And the music is produced by Giles Martin, son of the true fifth Beatle, producer George Martin, so the sound is top-notch.

In the other corner: ‘DJ Hero’
Cashing in simultaneously on the rhythm game and mash-ups, mash-ups, even more mash-ups crazes, DJ Hero replaces the colored notes of Guitar Hero with indicators to crossfade, bump up the beat, and scratch the record. Club sensations like Daft Punk appear as avatars, and the levels have you cut between two sometimes contrary tracks: “I Want You Back” and “Semi-Charmed Life” is the peanut butter-chocolate combo you never knew you loved. It takes a bit to warm up to the equipment, but DJ Hero sucks you in by mimicking entry level DJ-ing surprisingly accurately. Plus Guitar Hero devotees who don’t want to warm up to the turntable can challenge you in “DJ Vs. Guitar” mode, which… should happen way more in real life.

And the winner… READ FULL STORY »