First look at Counter Strike: Global Offensive

We finally get a first look at Valve's next Counter Strike, Counter Strike: Global Offensive. We all know what Counter Strike is, so there's no need for an introduction. I still remember players(me included) running around with the Artic sniper rifle in De_Dust, good times. Just simply enjoy the official trailer and gameplay preview of CS: GO that's coming to PC, Playstation Network, and Xbox Live Arcade. Yes, it's coming to consoles too.

Counter Strike: Global Offensive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1ctPRMQeBQ

Not only am I excited to play Counter Strike again, be it PC or even consoles, I'm excited for the cross-platform feature. It's something I want to see happen more often. Players with different platforms all mixed up into one matchmaking? it's going to be chaos, it's a feature I think all multiplatform devs should explore more often. PS3 and PC seems to be all set for this feature, Xbox 360 on the other hand won't have this feature. There's also reports that PS3 players will be allowed to plug-in a mouse and keyboard for the game, if they wish to play it that way. Valve head Gabe Newell mentioned Xbox Live and it's "restrictions", the sole reason to why Portal 2 in the Xbox 360 does not have cross-platform play. Valve approached Microsoft about this but Microsoft does not want to open up to the idea of having steam, or even cross-platform play for that matter. Come on Microsoft!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN93xXfews4

Graphics have been improved, weapons have been added, changes have been map, but the core gameplay that we all know from Counter Strike still looks intact. Famous maps returning like De_Dust, Aztec, Italy, and more will return with new tweaks like the new underground passage of De_dust. You got to hate those snipers waiting for you to come out of that passage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP5D2N6pKKg

This is looking pretty sweet. Ok yes, nothing like Call of Duty or Battlefield. Nothing ground breaking at all. Valve is simply giving us an improved version of what many people still enjoy to this day. No need for killstreaks, tanks, or even iron sights. Just the good old point and shoot.

DBZ: Ultimate Tenkaichi is not as bad as I thought

Remember that first trailer of Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi? The one that looked just like any other Budokai Tenkaichi or Raging Blast game out there? After looking at some gameplay clips from Comic-Con, the game looks much different.

When fighters are a certain distance apart the view goes into split screen, just like the local versus mode in the old Budokai Tenkaichi games. But when upclose, they do a little melee clash animation and then the camera shifts into a more Tekken style view like the Budokai / Shin Budokai games (so many Budokais) while still retaining the full 3D combat mechanics. When engaging in hand to hand combat, it seems like doing a combo can initiate a sort of rock-paper-scissors style mini-game and activate a slew of different chase attacks.

From the footage, it's a little hard to grasp the gameplay but the best way I can describe this game is that it's a full 3D rendition of the old SNES Super Butohden games where the screen splits when fighters are a certain distance from each other and from that distance can activate cinematic blast attacks. This game shows off a "Melee Range" and "Blast Range" and while doing a blast attack, opponents can choose to either guard, counter or deflect the attack much like in the Super Butohden series.

So yeah, basically I'm actually getting excited for this game now. I just hope they add more voice clips so that we won't be hearing the same grunts over and over again and that the chase segments won't get repetative over time. The characters do a little intro before they fight much like in Burst Limit which I think is a nice touch.

Oh yeah, this game also has a character customizer so that's something new. The large boss fights I am not amused with because it looks very similar to the ones in Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqH36gQyleo&w=560&h=345

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3yYkAPtbls&w=560&h=345

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2uy8QNFiRQ&w=560&h=345

Arkham City Robin gets some extra costumes

Now we all know that Robin will be a playable character in the challenge maps and that his mentor, the dark knight himself, will be having alternate costumes to be obtained via pre-order. Looks like the boy wonder will be having a few wardrobe changes as well.

The hooded Robin is something we have already seen when he was first revealed. Along with that look, he will also have a Red Robin skin and one from the Animated Series.

Two Best Friends Play: Captain America Super Soldier

I love how Matt immitates the narrators in old 40's videos. Wow, it's just like Sucker Punch! AMERICAAAA!

The best friends continue their epic journey to troll each other via electronic video games until one of them dies, or takes down the Third Reich using only a vibranium shield and good ol' fashion American know-how.

I have the Wii version of Captain America done by High Volage software. I might be playing that on the feed sometime to see how it compares.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z4NKRTo4MQ&w=560&h=345

Gears of War 3: We're All Stranded Now

Good news, Gears of War 3 has finally gone gold people. Mass production of the game is underway. Epic Games celebrated the game a few days ago by cutting cake with a Retro Lancer, at the same time releasing the opening cinematic for Gears of War 3. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EQ-fQoDXwA

I've played Gears of War 1 and 2 with a friends Xbox 360 so I'm up to date with whats happening in the story. Timing is perfect. Now that I have my very own Xbox 360, getting Gears of War 3 when it comes out on Sept 20 is an option now. Can't wait! Only thing that can stop me now from buying this on day one is if it actually get's delayed here in the Philippines. Delay is always a possibility if your planning to get your copy from retail stores. Hopefully this won't be the case for this title.