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Final Xbox Live Ultimate Sale includes Saints Row 4, Limbo and Metro: Last Light
Today is the final day in Microsoft's Xbox Live sale on Xbox 360, and includes discounts on nine games. The following six discounted items are available through Games on Demand: Saints Row 4, Metro: Last Light, Tropico 4, Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon, Oblivion and Overlord 2. The other three games on sale through Xbox Live Arcade are Limbo, Puzzle Quest 2 and Rock of Ages. Head past the break for the full price breakdown of the discounted prices, which are good through the end of the day. Don't forget, 13 other games are on sale on the platform until tomorrow as well, including Portal 2, Batman: Arkham City and Mass Effect.
Humble Weekly Codemasters sale: Overlord, Operation Flashpoint
The Humble Weekly Sale is Codemasters crazy, offering four games (and one piece of DLC) from the studio's backlog for any price you want, plus three more games for $6 or more. The "pay anything" games are Overlord (and the Raising Hell DLC), Operation Flashpoint: Red River, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising and Rise of the Argonauts. The $6 or more games are Dirt Showdown, Dirt 3 and Overlord 2. All games are PC and on Steam. The charity that you can send all your money to this time around is Special Effect, a UK organization that helps people with all kinds of disabilities play video games. Keep in mind that some of these games use Games for Windows Live, a service that is quickly becoming extinct. Dirt 3's GFWL systems are replaced with Steamworks, but Codemasters has no comment about its plans for both Operation Flashpoint games in this week's bundle.
Steam Autumn Sale: Limbo, Overlord 75 percent off
Steam's Autumn Sale continues today, with some spectacular sales on Limbo ($2.49), Civilization 5 ($10.19), the Overlord complete pack ($4.99) and more. There's also a terrible sale on Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, wherein Steam is still asking people to actually pay for it. Steam is also offering franchise sales on The Witcher, F.E.A.R., Tom Clancy and, to keep the excitement at manageable levels, Kane & Lynch titles.
Edge's sex scene of the year award goes to Overlord II
Wow, what an upset! Just seven months into the year, Edge has already picked its sex scene of the year, giving the four-way from darkly comic strategy actioner Overlord II the coveted prize over future competition like ... well, whatever's going to happen in Dragon Age: Origins. But imagine our chagrin when we found out that the game had received the honor because of how little it actually showed? How are we supposed to derive any satisfaction without the digital breasts and mons pubis that we so richly deserve? To see for yourself, check out the video just after the break ... and yes, it's fairly safe for work (FSFW).
Interview: Rhianna Pratchett
With Rhianna Pratchett's most recent projects -- a trio of Overlord titles -- complete, the game scribe took some time out to discuss what it was like to write for three games at once, what she's looking forward to in the future, and why Faith in Mirror's Edge wasn't quite as talkative as originally planned:Did you have any difficulties writing for three different platforms? What are the differences and limitations of writing for one platform over another?It was mainly a question of age ratings. I'm sorry it's not more of an exciting answer. The Wii and DS, Dark Legend and Minions, were aiming for a lower rating than Overlord II, so there were certain things that I couldn't talk about in the scripts -- mainly to do with excessive violence and debauchery. You know, all the really fun stuff. You can certainly get away with more by taking a comedic angle, but games ratings are actually pretty stringent. I don't think it impacted too much on the Overlord feel, although it was a shame to lose things like drunken minions and mistresses. Okay, in Dark Legend the lead character is only 16, so a harem might have been rather wishful thinking.There was a definite need for economy of language when it came to the DS, which was a little more restrictive. Condensing a loquacious character like Gnarl was quite a challenge. Other than that it was really just trying to capture the right Overlord tone.
Trophies: Overlord II
1 Platinum2 Gold10 Silver37 Bronze Difficulty: Moderate Online Trophies? Yes Time to Completion: 50 hoursDLC Trophies? No View Trophy List Read More About the Game %Gallery-48075%
Metareview: Overlord 2
All hail Overlord 2! Well, OK, so don't everyone hail, but one may genuflect if one wishes. It appears that the game has been slightly enhanced since the first outing, but it's still just not clicking. We've given our "snap judgment" on the evil baiting master simulator, but let's see what the other outlets thought. Much like the original, it appears people's opinions are all across the board. 1UP (A-): "So no, it's not an entirely perfect experience. But all of the above complaints -- even combined with my minor irritation with details like the marionette-like cut scene animation -- barely contests my overall joy at just playing this damn thing. The original Overlord was a perfect send-up and reversal of fantasy game clichés, and the sequel is even more satisfying while fixing a lot of the first game's rough patches." OXM (80/100): "To be fair, most parts of Overlord II are fun, and its problems are offset by high production values and funny dialogue (oh, those minions!). A lot of folks missed the original game, so here's your second chance: Overlord II preserves what worked last time, improves what didn't, and tries several new ideas on for size." Eurogamer (80/100): "Overall, in what has been a pretty underwhelming year for games so far, Overlord II feels like a shining beacon of quality. Not only is it a distinct improvement on the original, but the new features add greatly to what was already a superbly entertaining game." Game Informer (65/100): "The real shame is that Overlord II can be entertaining. It shamelessly embraces its evil heritage, and goes to great lengths to put the hilarious minions front and center. On the other hand, it just doesn't play well. The controls are clunky, the pacing is unsatisfying, and the multiplayer feels tacked-on. While the original Overlord was a compelling game at heart, Overlord II just feels like an unpolished retread of familiar ground." IGN (60/100): "Overlord II is a sequel that is neither bigger nor better than its predecessor. The size and scope have been dialed back to something that is more akin to a straight action game. And since none of the frustrating elements of the first have been fixed -- namely the camera, control, and save structure -- this game just isn't much fun. No amount of British wit could bring a smile to my face as I treaded through the tedium that is Overlord II." %Gallery-48075%
Snap Judgment: Overlord 2
With limited time in the day to review all the games we want to tell you about, some have a habit of falling through the cracks before we've been able to get our thoughts onto the site. In the hopes of remedying that, we've created a new feature we're calling Snap Judgment. Here's the gist: We'll play enough of the game to get the lay of the land -- what we liked, what we didn't, etc. -- and then pass our opinions on to you. It's not a full "review" in the traditional sense, but we're hoping you'll scroll away just a bit more informed.So, shall we?%Gallery-48075%
E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup
E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted. We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.
Hands-on: Overlord II
The original Overlord was a flawed game with a subversively chewy center. The only thing Overlord II needs to deliver to outdo the original is some polish, which is something we can't really tell is present from messing around with a demo for 10 minutes. That doesn't mean we didn't like what we saw, it's simply noting that Overlord's flaws didn't become strikingly clear until later in the game. The latest title has the same whimsical art style as the original, but this time magic is starting to disappear from the world. The Overlord will not only battle a comical version of the Roman empire (Asterix and Obelix fans will notice immediately), but will be an antihero to the loss of magic in the world.A demo for the game is available now on Xbox Live and PSN, but it picks up where the E3 demo leaves off.%Gallery-48075%
Overlord II demo strikes giggly fear on Xbox 360 now
The Overlord II demo is now available on Xbox 360 for your mayhem enjoying approval. We got some hands-on time with the title yesterday and fans of the original will likely not be disappointed. We're not exactly able to download the demo at the moment and tell you about it, but we're hoping you get to see the "Overlad." Evil never looked so adorable. Download it now. If you hated the first game, try this demo and see if the Overlord can warm your heart with a flame spell this time around.[Add Overlord II's demo to your download queue]
PETA reacts strangely to Overlord II's 'Whack-a-Seal' minigame
When we received the press release about Overlord II's Whack-a-Seal game being hosted on IGN, we immediately thought of the animal crusaders over at PETA. Considering the organization had recently done a seal clubbing protest in World of Warcraft, we figured it would have something to say about the promotional minigame.Instead, PETA sent us a response back about some place called Can-a-da. Apparently, baby seals are killed by the "hundreds of thousands" there and we may soon see "PETA-made helmets for baby seals."When asked for comment about the seal hunts, our token Canadian Xav de Matos commented, "I do not live in an igloo ... I live in a city and I have health insurance! Stop asking me stupid questions like that! Oh, and it is pronounced ZED!"Jeez ... we just wanted to know. Check out PETA's full statement after the break.
Overlord II releases June 23, here are new screens and a trailer to tide you over
Codemasters has confirmed a US release for Overlord II on June 23 (European gamers can get their hands on the game June 26), and, in the latest trailer for the game, it's business as usual for the lord of evil. He bosses around some minions, finds time to stop by the colosseum for a bit of sport, and even crashes a gigantic ship into an equally gigantic spider. It's good times, indeed. After you check out the trailer above, be sure to hop into the gallery below to see some new screens from the game.%Gallery-51494%
Meet the new boss in Overlord II
Times change, but some things stay the same. Especially if you're a lowly minion in Overlord II. You see, the new boss is the son of the old one. He's the Overlad. The video above tells you all of this, but also provides a look at some gameplay, as well as the many mistresses the new Overlord will be able to acquire. It's good to be the king Overlord, you know.
Codemasters drops release windows for Dirt 2, Overlord II, Fuel, others
Codemasters is avoiding the holiday rush by releasing several of its titles this year during the sleepy summer months (and for this, we thank them). The Overlord sequel, FUEL, and a little game that caught our eye, Jumpgate Evolution, all drop during low-pressure sales months. Codies will release DiRT 2 much closer to the holiday insanity: DiRT 2 - September (X360, PS3, Wii, PC, DS, PSP) FUEL - May (X360, PS3, PC) Overlord II - June (X360, PS3, PC) Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising - Summer (X360, "PlayStation system," PC) Jumpgate Evolution - June (PC) The original DiRT was a gem for race fans and FUEL looks interesting, but whether Overlord II receives the polish the first one was lacking is the real question (and hope). Check out the Overlord II trailer after the break.
Overlord II DLC to be available 'closer to release'
As development winds down on Triumph and Codemasters' upcoming sequel Overlord II, we're comforted with the fact that downloadable content is planned, is in the works and will be available closer to the game's retail release."The DLC for Overlord 1 was an experiment for both Triumph and Codemasters, but perhaps it came a little too late after the release to appeal to all Overlord's players," admitted creative director Lennart Sas. "The plan for Overlord II is to have the DLC out closer to release," adding that "Overlord II is already a lot prettier than the original."A prettier Overlord that is (hopefully) less buggy, full of content and already has timely DLC planned? We applaud the effort. Just don't make the DLC feel like it should have been in the retail copy and we'll be cool.
Rhianna Pratchett penning Overlord 2 script
Mirror's Edge and Heavenly Sword scribe Rhianna Pratchett is taking up duties once again for a less female-empowering franchise. Codemasters announced today that she will write the script for Overlord 2, along with all the other Overlord spin-offs currently in development. Pratchett's name had previously been mentioned as part of the projects, but it appears her dark covenant with the Codemasters overlords has now officially been consummated.Pratchett received a British Writers' Guild Awards nomination this year for the original Overlord script. What, no recognition for bringing "twing-twang" into our lives in Heavenly Sword? Overlord 2 is expected sometime in 2009.[Via Big Download]
Overlord overload: Sequel incoming, new versions planned for Wii, DS
Triumph Studios' excellent (but flawed) Overlord will receive a sequel on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, along with new versions for the Wii and DS, all scheduled for 2009. IGN reports Overlord II will have smarter minions who can ride mounts, use war machines and sail ships. The scope of the game world has been broadened in the sequel and the controls for the Pikmin-style gameplay have been "greatly improved." We loved the first game, and it's great to hear about all these improvements for the sequel, but we hope "polish" is a word that Triumph doesn't forget this time around.The Overlord franchise will also spawn Overlord Dark Legend on Wii by Climax Studios, an "all new game" penned by Rhianna Pratchett. The game seems to be set in the original Overlord's world with many of the same characters, but with the inclusion of some fractured fairy tale aspect. Finally, on DS (and also by Climax Studios), Overlord Minion will present players with a puzzle action game. OK, does that about cover all the Overlord info? Good, all hail the Overlord!Source -- Overlord 2: Xbox 360, PS3, PCSource -- Overlord Dark Legend: WiiSource -- Overlord Minion: DS
Next year, the minions will return in Overlord II
Great news for the Minion slave driving fanboys among us! Codemasters just announced Overlord II and that it is currently in development for release on the 360, PS3 and Wii sometime in 2009. Huzzah!Developer Triumph Studios promises that the sequel "massively increases the scope of the original concept," being a much more realistic, less fantasy driven Overlord where players will encounter political problems and environmental issues all while remaining true to Overlord's unique style of Minion commanding humor. Fart jokes included. And, heck, the sequel looks much prettier too. We can't wait![Thanks, Dark Caboose]
The Overlord and his minions will return in 2009
Think you've seen the last of Overlord? Think again. Codemasters has announced that a sequel, Overlord II, is now in development at Triumph Studios. The game will retain the same gameplay of the first title, whilst increasing the scale of the game dramatically. Emphasis seems to be on epic battles between The Overlord and his minions and a new, Roman-esque, civilization that has set out to thwart him.Minions are now able to ride into battle on various different creatures and the environments are promised to vary far more than in the original. Overlord was a pretty decent title, considering how early in this generation's cycle it was released, so we're looking forward to finding more about Overlord II between now and its 2009 release.[Via Press Release]
