Tomb Raider's 'Guide to Survival' video series

Crystal Dynamics is planning a series of developer diary's for Tomb Raider, and the first one, called "Smart Resourceful Lara", is now out. They explain core concepts in the game that lets Lara improve her equipment, learn new abilities, and see key components in the game in order to progress.

Everybody loves an Origins story, especially when it's about one of the most iconic female protagonist in gaming history. Everything shown so far about this game is completely out of what we'd expect from a Tomb Raider game, which is a good thing. This is a reboot after all. It's focus on how Lara Croft becomes the character we all know from past games, it's dark and harsh environment, plus the strong emphasis on survival, makes Crystal Dynamic's next take on the Tomb Raider series one of the most anticipated games for 2013. Well, for me that is.

Tomb Raider is currently planned for a March 5 release for Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

Playstation's Holiday Essentials starts now

Sony is showing some holiday spirit with the Holiday Essentials, that will be providing 30% off and a 50% off for PS Plus members on great games over the next three weeks. Each week, the sale will be highlighting the best games available in the PSN store. First week is up, so have a look at the list below. 

• Catherine (Sale: $27.99, PS Plus: $19.60, Regular: $39.99)
• Counter Strike Global Offensive (Sale: $10.49, PS Plus: $7.35, Regular: $14.99)
• Dyad (Sale: $10.49, PS Plus: $7.35, Regular: $14.99)
• Escape Plan (Sale: $10.49, PS Plus: $7.35, Regular: $14.99)
• I Am Alive (Sale: $10.49, PS Plus: $7.35, Regular: $14.99)
• LittleBigPlanet 2 (Sale: $13.99, PS Plus: Free, Regular: $19.99)
• LittleBigPlanet PS Vita (Sale: $24.99, PS Plus: $17.49, Regular: $35.99)
• Magic: The Gathering – Dules of the Planeswalkers 2013 (Sale: $6.99, PS Plus: $4.90, Regular: $9.99)
• NHL 13 (Sale: $41.99, PS Plus: $29.40, Regular: $59.99)
• Rayman Origins (Sale: $13.99, PS Plus: $9.80, Regular: $19.99)
• Rayman Origins PS Vita (Sale: $20.99, PS Plus: $14.70, Regular: $29.99)
• Resident Evil 4 (Sale: $13.99, PS Plus: $9.80, Regular: $19.99)
• Retro/Grade (Sale: $6.99, PS Plus: $4.90, Regular: $9.99)
• Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition (Sale: $10.49, PS Plus: $7.35, Regular: $14.99)

The games above will be on sale until  December 18th to December 24th.

Next week will provide a whole new list of games on sale so be sure to revisit the store if by any chance nothing for the first week has caught your interest.

[Source: PS Blog US]

New Agni's Philisophy tech demo videos showcase character detail being tweaked

Have you seen Square Enix's tech demo called Agni's Philisophy? No? Ok click here, be amazed, then come back. That was done in real-time using Square's new game engine called "Luminous Studio. Now, two new videos have shown up on the net featuring some changes being done to a character's detail in real-time.

With the reveal of the tech demo in this year's E3, Square  Enix was simply advertising the power of their new engine. Agni's Philosophy isn't a game in production, but it definitely gave us an idea on what their games could look like in the future. This is Square Enix looking forward. It's hard to believe that 3D models like these with amazing visuals and detail can simply be manipulated by a simple slider on the side.

This engine is being created for next-gen, and as much as this looks impressive, it will be years until any game will be developed using this game engine. Hopefully, whatever title they have planned to be the first game under the Luminous engine won't take as long to develop as Final Fantasy XIII, or versus XIII (Which is not even out yet).

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Demo coming to North America next month

If you're eager to try Metal Gear Solid: Revengeance and take Raiden out for a spin, you could buy the Zone of Enders HD Collection to get the demo, but I highly suggest you hold off for one more month because a demo is coming to North America.

This upcoming demo is the same demo already released in Japan and on every copy of the Zone of Enders HD Collection, so gamer's who have already tried that demo - Don't expect anything new.

If you want to see what the demo will contain and see the carnage from afar, check out Migoy's playthrough below.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is set for a February 19 2013 release on Playstation 3, and Xbox 360.

[Source: GameInformer | Photo credit: Metal Gear Rising Revengeance Facebook page]

Fans get to vote for Bioshock Infinite's reversible cover

Last week, Irrational Games revealed Bioshock Infinite's box art and the reaction towards it was surprisingly negative. Fans of the series felt the cover art had no personality and does not reflect Infinite's game world at all. Rage no more, Ken Levine announces that a reversible cover will come with the game, and you get to vote which art will be used.

Along with the announcement from Ken Levine himself, a poll was also included in the post so that fans can start voting for the best cover art. There are 6 cover arts to choose from, so if you feel strongly about having an amazing cover art for your copy of Bioshock Infinite, vote away. I personally like box art #6.

But what’s that you say? You want even more choice in covers? We’re also going to be arranging a whole mess of MORE alternate covers which will be available to download and print yourself. Of course, these are free and we’d love to hear your thoughts in the forums as to what you’d like to see.

Why use a shot of the protagonist Booker Dewitt in the cover art in the first place? Ken Levine talked to Wired about the chosen cover art and answers that question. It's a marketing move straight from the developers. They want the uninformed gamers that enter a store to pick up Bioshock; Infinite, hopefully turns it over to see what it's all about, and consider spending his hard-earned cash to try the game out.

Does box art affect your buying decision? For me, not at all. They can have a 5 year-old make a doodle of the game's logo for Bioshock: infinite and I'll still get it. But again, this is for the people that have no idea what they are getting into, so hopefully it pays off.

Bioshock: Infinite was previously planned for a February 2013 release but was pushed back a month for further polishing. The new release date is March 26, 2013 for Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

[Source: Irrational Games]