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Lego Batman 3 goes Beyond Gotham on November 11
No longer content with striking fear into the hearts of superstitious criminals in the back alleys of his hometown, Batman is branching out to more exotic climes in Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham. According to publisher Warner Bros. Interactive, the Dark Knight's latest blocky adventure sees our hero battling Superman villain Brainiac to prevent the destruction of Earth. It seems the hyper-intelligent alien has swiped a handful of Lantern rings and is using their power to shrink worlds for his creepy collection of tiny civilizations. Batman must join forces with the "greatest super heroes and the most cunning villains" to travel through the cosmos, collecting Lantern rings and eventually using their Oan might to topple Brainiac's plot. Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham will debut on November 11. As with all DC Comics/Lego mashups, the game will appear on myriad platforms, including the Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PS3, Vita, Wii U, 3DS and PC. [Image: WBIE]
Brainiac has the whole world in his hands in LEGO Batman 3
Forget Gotham, it's the world at stake in LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham. Brainiac is collecting planets, and it's up to Batman and other DC heroes (and even some villains) to stop him. While stealing planets isn't cool, at least Brainiac got those pants he wanted. [Image: Warner Bros. Interactive]
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor PS4 pre-orders earn exclusive missions
PlayStation 4 owners will be delighted to learn that a pre-order of Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor includes exclusive quests dubbed "PlayStation Legion Missions." Though it's unknown how many PlayStation Legion Missions are included with the pre-order, Monolith Productions community manager Andy Salisbury offers more information on what Tolkienian beasts you'll be stalking. "In these exclusive missions, you'll go head-to-head with the deadly Blood Hunters, and the fearsome Flesh Burners, two of the most savage Warbands in all of Mordor (and two groups of hunters determined to personally bring your head to Sauron)," Salisbury wrote in a recent PlayStation.blog entry. According to Salisbury, the Blood Hunters are a pack of assassins sent to kill protagonist Talion. Kill them and you'll walk away with the Stinging Blade Rune. The Flesh Burners, by contrast, are a group of "elite archers" who employ crossbows loaded with burning bolts. Snip their bowstrings with extreme prejudice and you'll earn the Black Arrow Rune. All of these PlayStation exclusives are in addition to the base pre-order bonuses which include the "Test of Power" challenge mode and an additional, darker skin for Talion. Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor launches on September 30. [Image: WBIE]
Discover wraith relationships, as portrayed by Shadow of Mordor
Talion may be the poster child advertising Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor, but he's not the only one seeking vengeance against the Dark Lord Sauron and his army of nasty creatures. In this behind-the-scenes video, meet Celebrimbor: an elven smith who helped create the Rings of Power and has since been cursed to exist as a wraith in eternal un-death. Yeesh, no wonder he seems like a bit of a grumpy-pants. Celebrimbor is played by Alastair Duncan, opposite Troy Baker as Talion. The two characters may have the same agenda, but they don't always agree about how to do it. To learn more about their ripe-for-sitcom-adaptation relationship - seriously, we can hear it in our heads already: "Taliooooooon!" *cue laugh track* - check out the new behind-the-scenes video above. [Image: Warner Bros. Interactive]
Holy cameo, Batman: Adam West as himself in Lego Batman 3
The official Lego Batman Twitter accounted posted the above image this week, while the San Diego Comic Con Lego Batman 3 panel features one Adam West as a special guest star. Furthermore, the Lego Batman account retweeted this mysterious message from the user @warhev: "Adam West plays himself in Lego Batman 3?! Day one purchase, lol!" But what could this riddle mean...? Lego Batman 3... if you take the L away from Lego, you get ego... or "I." I Batman 3... or, maybe... I'm Batman No. 3. The third Batman... would be Adam West. Ergo, Adam West must play himself in Lego Batman 3! Quick, to the Joymobile! Is the TV show's superheroic actor truly in Traveller's Tales' new Lego adventure? Find out this fall on all bat-channels, namely Xbox 360, Xbox One, Vita, PS3, PS4, PC, Wii U and 3DS. [Image: Warner Bros.]
Wassapugeddaw! Raiden revealed for Mortal Kombat X
Mortal Kombat series creator Ed Boon had a special treat for fans at this year's EVO event; the return of Raiden in Mortal Kombat X. According to an interview between Boon and IGN, the infamous thunder god will be screaming gibberish at his opponents in three distinct styles, tentatively being called "Displacer," "Storm Lord" and "Thunder God" respectively. Displacer style will focus heavily on teleportation, while Thunder God will empower Raiden's electrocution moveset. Storm Lord will help players control large portions of the stage, as it allows Raiden to set lightning ball traps which hang in the air and form a stream of lightning once two of them have been placed. You can see Raiden in action by checking out the trailer above, where he and Kotal Khan stare each other down before Raiden offers up this gem of a burn: "Thunder blots out the sun." Which isn't ... uh ... correct. Well, no one ever said he was the smartest god. [Image: Warner Bros.]
Golden freebies: Gotham City Impostors today, Guacamelee tomorrow
If you like the idea of wearing ridiculously extravagant costumes whilst beating up people, but don't have the money, lack of moral code or WWE career to support it, we're here for you with a friendly reminder: As part of Microsoft's Games with Gold service, Gotham City Impostors is free right now for Xbox Live Gold users. So go get already. The Xbox 360 multiplayer shooter is joined tomorrow by wrestle-former Guacamelee: Super Turbo Championship Edition on Xbox One, and between those two you'll get enough masks, spandex and wacky violence to sustain you right through to winter.
Batman: Arkham Origins 'Complete Edition' listed by Amazon Germany
You don't have to be the "World's Greatest Detective" to follow this trail: Amazon Germany has posted a listing for Batman: Arkham Origins "Complete Edition," a package which will supposedly combine Arkham Origins and all of its DLC into one box. The move, if accurate, isn't exactly unexpected; both Arkham Asylum and Arkham City received similar treatments when they re-released as Game of the Year editions. The Complete Edition - which has not been officially announced by Warner Bros. - is listed as coming to PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 on August 21. [Image: Amazon/Warner Bros.]
Microsoft Store lists Batman: Arkham Knight for Feb. 2015
Batman: Arkham Knight rises on February 24, 2015, at least so says the Microsoft Store. While the release date remains officially unconfirmed, the MS Store's offering does lie on a Tuesday, the day of the week games are released typically in North America. NeoGAF spotted the Xbox One listing over the weekend, but when asked, Warner Bros. told Eurogamer the game "is due for release in 2015." An early 2015 arrival for Rocksteady's new-gen Arkham looks likely. Speaking to Groovey.tv earlier this month, Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy - who has some previous experience with spilling the bat-beans early - said Arkham Knight is due "next January." Conroy also noted it was originally supposed to come out in January 2014. As you're probably aware, Arkham Knight was scheduled for this year before WB pushed it back three weeks ago.
Seen@E3: Da-nanananananana Batmobile
Alright, this has to violate ... we don't know, at least 12 different health, fire safety and traffic laws. No wonder the villains in Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham Knight are so angry with Gotham's Dark Knight: he's totally inconsiderate of where he parks his car! Sorry Bats, but we're gonna have to write you a ticket for, let's say $1,000. We know that's a lot, but hopefully it'll teach you a lesson: you either park your car in an approved space or live long enough to see yourself handed a parking violation. [Image: Joystiq]
'Mortal Kombat X' listed by Amazon UK
Amazon's UK storefront has posted listings of a "Mortal Kombat X" for PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC platforms. The listings are void of description and imagery, but list Warner Bros. Interactive as publisher, and estimate a release date of 2015. Mortal Kombat series creator Ed Boon has been teasing something over the past few weeks, counting down days via images posted to his Twitter account. That countdown is set to end tomorrow, so we should know more soon. [Image: Warner Bros. Interactive]
Infinite Crisis recruits Blue Beetle
Infinite Crisis has recruited a new warrior in its fight against property damage and excess jungling: Blue Beetle. Blue Beetle, aka Jamie Reyes, came across a blue scarab that wrapped him up in battle armor. The sentient armor and Jamie came to a mutual understanding to fight for whatever player was controlling them that session. Blue Beetle comes equipped with an energy cannon, a scarab scanner, a dash, and even an infiltrator mode. Bad guys get too close? Time for a little mandible taser, am I right? Turbine touts Blue Beetle as a highly mobile champion that can sneak up and smack down solo targets. Check out Blue Beetle in action after the jump.
Lego: The Hobbit isn't setting off for Wii U just yet
Warner Bros. revealed it's pushed back the Wii U version of Lego: The Hobbit until April 22 in North America, despite releasing the game on other platforms this week. According to a press release sent to Joystiq, Warner Bros UK is releasing the Wii U version alongside other platforms on April 11, while Vooks reports a May 7 due date for Nintendo's home console, in contrast to April 16 on other systems. WB didn't explain why it's holding back Bilbo and his dwarven pals from Wii U adventures, but the publisher does have a bit of a history with the Nintendo console. The Wii U didn't get mulitplayer content or campaign DLC for Batman: Arkham Origins, and that version was also delayed in the UK. Add in the recent week's delay for the Wii U version of Arkham Origins: Blackgate in Europe, and then there's the year or so Europeans had to wait for Scribblenauts Unlimited on Nintendo systems. As for Lego: The Hobbit itself, the game chronicles the first two films of the trilogy based on Tolkein's beloved book. Reportedly, dev Traveler's Tales is bringing There and Back Again to the game as DLC, with plans to release it when the third film hits cinemas in December. While Wii U owners have to wait a little longer, if you fancy a halfling with the latest Lego game you can get it now on Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3, Vita, 3DS and PC. [Image: Warner Bros.]
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate escapes onto Europe's eShop this week
A quick update for European Wii U owners and vigilantes-to-be: the Deluxe Edition of Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is coming to the eShop on April 10, priced 20 euros/£16. WB Games quietly delayed it last week, but the good news is we're not looking at a repeat of the Scribblenauts Unlimited fiasco. The enhanced version of last year's portable platformer is already out on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC - and on Wii U in North America. Bats returning to the 2.5D belfry will encounter improved visuals a new map system, along with new enemy encounters and difficulties. [Image: WB Games]
EA looks to WB's Batman: Arkham success with Star Wars games
In a recent interview with Fortune, Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson discussed his vision for the company, as well as the challenges he's faced, since taking over in September of last year. While most of the interview was a CEO issuing statements meant to assure his company's audience that they're focused on making great games, Wilson also noted the success of other publishers. When discussing the company's recent licensing deal with Disney to produce Star Wars games, Wilson pointed to Warner Bros. Interactive's Arkham series as an example of how to do licensed properties right: "What Warner Bros. did with Batman was take the core roots of that IP and manifest that inside the walls of Gotham City and delivered an interactive experience that had real ties to what you would see in the films and what you had read in the comics, while having its own life because it could provide such deep and more immersive storylines," Wilson said. "When we look at the Star Wars properties, that's how we're looking at it. We're not trying to build a game that replicates the storyline of any particular film." Wilson also left the door open regarding what business model future EA games would follow. Comparing the mobile and home game markets, Wilson said, "I don't think ... that all of us are suddenly going to stop playing games on our 60-inch TVs because that's great gaming, and that's great entertainment. How you get that game there, I think that's anyone's guess." [Image: Warner Bros.]
Latest Batman: Arkham Knight screens show the dark knight's new villain
Batman and Commissioner Gordon were recently on display in these totally-not-brooding screens for Batman: Arkham Knight. One of the characters showcased in the screens is Rocksteady's new arch-villain, appropriately dubbed "Arkham Knight." The PS4, Xbox One and PC game will arrive later this year.
Joystiq Streams: Infiltrating Infinite Crisis with Turbine, Inc. [Relive the stream!]
Up to now, options have been limited for those that want nothing more than to control lanes while also making Superman punch people in the face. With Infinite Crisis, Turbine Inc. and Warner Bros. Interactive have finally created an ideal way to satiate those particularly hungry fans of MOBAs and DC Comics. Infinite Crisis won't officially open for business until later this year, but Turbine has opened the doors on a beta version of the game this month and it's joining Joystiq Streams to show it off. Ryan Bendar, lead game designer on Infinite Crisis, will square off against Joystiq's Sam Prell in the beta on Joystiq Streams today at 4PM EST on the Joystiq Twitch channel. Our champions will be testing the balance of heroes like Aquaman against villains like Harley Quinn in maps based on famous DC locales like Gotham and Coast City. Anthony John Agnello will be feeding your questions to the players alongside Adam Mersky, Turbine's Executive Director of Digital Communications. Again, you can catch all the Infinite Crisis beta action on the Joystiq Twitch channel at 4PM EST, the very same time Joystiq Streams broadcasts every Tuesday and Thursday. [Images: Turbine Inc. / Warner Bros. Interactive]
Lollipop Chainsaw cleaves through one million sales worldwide
Lollipop Chainsaw, a game where cheerleader Twilight Sparkle Bubbles Timmy Turner Juliet Starling (or all of the above, since they're all voiced by the same person) slices and dices undead hordes with her trusty chainsaw, has surpassed one million sales worldwide. Developer Grasshopper Manufacture announced the news Friday on Twitter. It's an accomplishment that took more than a year and a half, but developer Suda 51 and his team at Grasshopper Manufacture seem more focused on the positive; they're celebrating with deep discounts on the game's digital version in Japan. Everything's sunshine, lollipops and rainbows here! [Image: WB Interactive]
DC's Infinite Crisis begins battle in beta this March
Infinite Crisis, developer Turbine's take on the multiplayer online battle arena genre featuring heroes and villains from the DC Universe, will launch its open beta on March 14. Turbine announced the upcoming PC title's open beta start date at an event yesterday, alongside reveals of three new characters: Green Arrow, Aquaman and Mecha Superman. Infinite Crisis is a free-to-play MOBA game, a genre that has exploded in the last few years with titles such as Riot's League of Legends and Valve's Dota 2. In the last ten to eleven months of development, Infinite Crisis content has drastically increased in size, Executive Producer Jeffrey Steefel claims. "We now have three maps, three modes, a huge amount of different ways you can play the game. Twenty-seven characters and, in fact, we are adding a new character every three weeks." Steefel also outlined a plan to launch new costumes for existing characters every week.
Infinite Crisis hits open beta on March 14
Turbine has announced that its Infinite Crisis MOBA will launch its open beta on March 14. Former Lord of the Rings Online and current Infinite Crisis executive producer, Jeffrey Steefel, commented on the game's growth since closed beta began: "We now have three maps, three modes, a huge amount of different ways you can play the game. Twenty-seven characters and, in fact, we are adding a new character every three weeks." The game is said to include new costumes for each character, a digital comic, and action figures in the near future.
