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Lego: The Hobbit shares in an adventure this April
Lego: The Hobbit and its merry band of plastic dwarves are coming to North America on April 8, and Europe on April 11. A Warner Bros. representative confirmed the release dates to Joystiq today, so fans will have a TT Games tie-in of the first two Hobbit films to tide them over before There and Back Again hits bigger screens in December. The news follows the reveal of a $270 500GB super slim PS3 bundle for the game, but if you'd prefer to join Bilbo and pals on other systems, you're more than in luck. Lego: The Hobbit is also on the way to Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, Vita, Wii U, 3DS, Windows PC and Mac. [Image: Warner Bros.]
Infinite Crisis brings Star Sapphire into the fold
Just in time for Valentine's Day, Turbine has announced that the "champion of love," Star Sapphire, is coming to Infinite Crisis. Star Sapphire wields her namesake's ring, able to channel love and keep the Predator entity in check. In the game, she's a ranged damage dealer who's best kept out of immediate harm's way. She can choose to unleash the Predator to do damage or to keep it attached for a speed boost. Star Sapphire will be added to the game on February 26th. You don't have to wait until then to check out her moves, however, as we've got her champion spotlight video after the break! [Source: Turbine press release]
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate appears on Xbox Games Store
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is lurking in the shadows of the Xbox Games Store, a month after it was caught sneaking around Steam. The Armature Studio-developed 2.5D platformer came to 3DS and Vita alongside the main Origins game, and now it's listed to hit Xbox 360 in an HD "Deluxe Edition," with the release date noted as March 25. Let's work what this means by channeling the spirit of Adam West. Hmm,... Steam. Take the "s" out of Steam and you get "Team." Teams... soccer teams... soccer teams get the ball into the penalty box to score a goal. Box! And as we all know, X marks the spot. X... Box. Xbox! The clues all point to a multiplatform arrival in the near future, although we're still waiting on official word from Warner Bros. on any of this. Quick, to the Announcement-mobile! [Image: Microsoft]
The Lego Movie Videogame now in toy sto-- no, theatr-- no, game shops
The Lego Movie Videogame, the toy-turned-film-turned-game adaptation from developer Traveller's Tales, is now available, and the kids in the above trailer couldn't be more thrilled; they're getting literally blown away. Okay, so maybe they're getting a gentle breeze in their face. Still. The game about a movie about a toy is available on just about every console: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Wii U, Xbox 360, PS3, Vita and 3DS. You may have noticed that the release date given in the trailer is February 14, which has not yet come to pass. That's because February 14 is the date for the game's European territory release. Or at least, that's what they want you to think. Notice how the controllers being held by the children in the trailer don't match any platform that the game is available on? We can only assume these people are time travelers. That or wizards. Yeah, wizards makes more sense. The Lego Movie Videogame: out now in North America and February 14 in Europe, played by child-sorcerers.
Batman: Arkham Origins team prioritizing DLC over bug fixes
The Batman: Arkham Origins support page is full of frustrated players after community manager "Mercury" wrote that the Origins development team would be focused on completing story DLC instead of fixing the game's numerous, game-breaking bugs. "The team is currently working hard on the upcoming story DLC and there currently are no plans for releasing another patch to address the issues that have been reported on the forums," Mercury wrote. "If we do move forward with creating a new patch, it will try to address the progression blocking bugs for players, not the minor glitches that do not prevent one from continuing to play. The issues that are not progression blockers will unfortunately no longer be addressed." Unfortunately, it's not the first bad news for bat-fans: those who purchased Arkham Origins on Wii U recently had the story DLC for the game canceled.
Infinite Crisis travels to Russia
Russian-speaking DC Universe fans across the pond will be able to play Infinite Crisis in their native tongue thanks to the combined efforts of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Fabrika Online. The MOBA will be available in Russia, Ukraine, the CIS countries, and Georgia with full Russian language support. David Haddad, Senior VP of Digital Publishing at WBIE noted that this was just the first step toward delivering this competitive experience to gamers around the world. Regarding the collaboration with Fabrika Online, Haddad stated, "We are very excited about the launch of Infinite Crisis in Russian and are especially thrilled to be working with Fabrika Online. The company has a huge footprint in the local online gaming market with the ability to activate the community and provide customer support." The Russian closed beta is available now; interested players can sign up on the language's official site. [Source: WBEI press release]
Batman: Arkham Origins story campaign DLC canceled on Wii U
Wii U owners won't be getting the upcoming Arkham Origins story campaign DLC, after Warner Bros. made the decision to cancel it due to a lack of demand. WB confirmed the news in a statement given to VG247, after GoNintendo published a supposed Nintendo of America email spilling the bat-beans. The Nintendo system and the latest Batman haven't been a dynamic duo, starting with WB not bringing multiplayer to the Wii U version for similarly quantitative reasons. WB's belated call to not give the Wii U further single-player content is curious, especially since there's other DLC from the game on the eShop, such as skins and challenge packs. The one ray of good in today's news is that, going by the email published by GoNintendo, Nintendo of America is issuing a full refund to those who bought the season pass, despite some of the DLC it covers already being out. Whether that decision is WB's or Nintendo's, it is at least the right one.
Infinite Crisis reveals the Man of Steel as a champion
Modeling Superman in any video game is kind of problematic, since his whole schtick is that he's faster than anything, invulnerable, and strong enough to fling the moon into the sun if he really wanted to. This already presents some problems when balancing for a single-player game, but in a game like Infinite Crisis, how can you make sure that the Man of Steel feels like himself without making him massively overpowered? The video past the cut shows off Turbine's take on the character. In essence, each of Superman's skills gives him a damage shield, with subsequent skills improving the shield, making him much harder to take down. His iconic abilities are all in place -- super-speed, strength, heat vision, and the like -- all adding up to a character that hits hard while being difficult to take down. Take a gander at the video to see just how the Last Son of Krypton will perform in the arena. [Source: Turbine press release]
Infinite Crisis adds Atomic Poison Ivy
A new villain has joined the Infinite Crisis lineup, and she uses her nuclear-imbued powers to protect friends and entrap her enemies. Atomic Poison Ivy, created when a nuclear fallout withered and mutated her world's plant life as well as transformed her into a human/plant hybrid, is none-too-happy with humanity for causing the destruction. Her skills, Poisoned Earth, Bramble Rapture, and Wall of Thorns, deal power damage. Atomic Poison Ivy's passive, Toxic Growth, marks opponents for additional damage and her ultimate, Secrets of the Forest, provides an AoE stealth and power armor buff for allies. Check out all these skills in action and get a few tips and tricks for playing Atomic Poison Ivy in the video below. [Source: Turbine press release]
Lego: The Hobbit trailer is looking to share in an adventure
Coming just after the second Hobbit film hit cinemas, this trailer reminds us how very much we've seen of the Lego and Lord of the Rings properties in recent years. Then we see the bit with the washing machine and the pig, and we're ready for a bit more. Lego: The Hobbit is based on the first two films in Peter Jackson's trilogy of adaptations, and it ventures onto a teeming fellowship of systems in spring 2014, including the Xbox One, PS4, Wii U, PS3, Xbox 360, Dreamcast*, Vita, 3DS, PC, Mac, and Atari Lynx*. *What, were you expecting a disclaimer saying these ones weren't real? No, they're real. They're really real** **Alright, no they're not.
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Infinite Crisis trailer introduces Robin
While full of plenty of superheroes to play, Infinite Crisis has not forgotten about the sidekicks that fight alongside them. The latest playable hero to join the MOBA's roster is none other than Robin, based on Tim Drake. Cast as (what else) a melee support role, Robin benefits his team with skills such as This Guy, Bo Master, and Dynamic Duo, each skill offering various team buffs and enemy debuffs. Robin's ultimate, Emergent Leader, combines AoE damage with team buffs. Gather some hints and tips for utilizing Robin in the reveal trailer below. Folks interested in playing Robin -- or any of the other heroes -- for themselves, can sign up for closed beta on the official site. [Source: Turbine press release]
A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Superhero games across November
After a couple of very active months, November was a bit calmer for superheroic games as a whole. It makes sense, of course, since pretty much every game is calmer during November and December aside from sales and holiday events. But there were few big Kickstarter campaigns, a lot of updates that everyone knew were coming, and of course a very poignant anniversary for pretty much everyone reading this column today. That having been said, the entire month was not a slow funeral dirge for the loss of City of Heroes. In fact, one game apparently decided that the otherwise quiet month was a great time to make some big changes right off the bat, so that's pretty cool. Venture on past the cut with me and we'll take a look at the superhero news from November in review... and possibly bow our heads briefly in respect for the departed.
Infinite Crisis brings out Mecha Wonder Woman
She may be metal and gears, but underneath that she's all woman too. She's Mecha Wonder Woman, the newest champion to come to Infinite Crisis. Mecha Wonder Woman originated as a diplomatic robot for Queen Hippolyta, but decided to get into the superhero vengeance game when the queen was assassinated. The Justice Consortium upgraded her, giving Mecha Wonder Woman the ability to dispense justice with an iron fist. We've got your first look at Mecha Wonder Woman in a video after the break, so check it out and see if this MOBA champion might be calling to your own sense of justice. [Source: Turbine press release]
Lego: The Hobbit confirmed, sets off for lots of systems this spring
Warner Bros. has officially announced the Lego: The Hobbit video game, after promotional material leaked last week. It's based on the first two movies in Peter Jackson's adaptive trilogy, and it's due in spring 2014 on Xbox One, PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Vita, 3DS, PC and (pause for breath) Mac. Lego: The Hobbit looks to follow developer TT Games' much-tried-and-tested formula, with players guiding the film's myriad of characters, large and hobbit-sized, as they solve puzzles and explore some of the "key locations from the films," including Bag End, the Misty Mountains, Hobbiton, Goblin-town, Mirkwood, and Rivdendell. And since he stars in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, we get to say that Lego-las will probably feature too.
Lego Marvel Super Heroes to make Xbox One launch in US
The Lego Marvel Super Heroes assemble alongside the Xbox One next week in the US after all, while in Europe they're due a week later on November 29. Warner Bros. told Game Informer the Xbox One version of TT Games' hero-stuffed platformer will hit US retail shelves on November 22. When approached, a Warner Bros. UK representative confirmed the information with Joystiq. Just like its variety of super-people - WB says there are more than 100 playable characters - Lego Marvel Super Heroes is available on an assortment of other platforms, starting today. You can pick it up alongside a super fresh PS4, or on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, 3DS, and Vita.
Report: Lego Marvel Super Heroes won't appear at Xbox One launch
Initially slated for release on November 22 to coincide with the Xbox One launch, Lego Marvel Super Heroes has been delayed, reports MCV. Though it's still expected to appear reasonably soon, publisher Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is currently unable or unwilling to offer a new release date for the game. "We will provide a release date for Lego Marvel Super Heroes on Xbox One as soon as possible," the company told MCV, after confirming that it would not be ready in time for the Xbox One launch. The key question now is whether this delay is global or if it only affects the UK, where MCV is located. We've attempted to contact Warner Bros. Interactive for clarification on when North American gamers can expect to see Lego Marvel Super Heroes on Microsoft's next console, but have so far received no response.
Lego: The Lord of the Rings wants to be found on iOS
Some things that should not have been forgotten were lost - until now(!). That's because Lego: Lord of the Rings ventured onto the App Store today, a year after it was first released. While it's unconfirmed, history tell us the $5 iOS version is probably a port of the handheld fellowship on 3DS and Vita. The App Store notes there are over 90 playable characters, two control systems, and Game Center achievements, but there's no mention of co-op.
Warner Bros. Humble Bundle on the way [update: confirmed, live]
Update: Humble Bundle confirmed it's launching a WB Games bundle that's expected later today, featuring six games: F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin, F.E.A.R. 3, Lord of the Rings: War in the North, Scribblenauts Unlimited, and the Game of the Year Editions of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Arkham City. Each game purchase is redeemable through Steam, but you'll have to pay over the average to unlock Scribblenauts Unlimited and Arkham City. Update 2: The WB Games collection is live and kicking on Humble Bundle. It'll run for two weeks, ending on November 19. Original Story: Warner Bros will become the latest big-name company to take center stage in a Humble Bundle, going by an apparently premature update (deleted but screen-capped above) on the Scribblenauts Facebook page. The series' official account listed Scribblenauts Unlimited as one of six games included in a bundle raising money for DC Entertainment's We Can Be Heroes charity campaign, but said bundle isn't live (yet). We've reached out to Warner Bros. for comment. If accurate, Warner Bros. would follow EA, Double Fine, and THQ as one of the rather more recognizable names to get in on the Humble Bundle act. The site partially raises money for charity by featuring downloadable collections of games at pay-what-you-want prices, such as the weekly sale on games by Worms dev Team 17 that it's currently hosting.
Infinite Crisis shows off Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn has gone from being a simple sidekick for the Joker to being a respected villain in her own right, albeit one that's generally seen as something of an airhead. It's easy to forget that she was a psychiatrist assigned to take care of the Joker in the first place. So it kind of makes sense that she'd be more than just another pretty smash-happy character in Infinite Crisis, instead taking a more subtle role as a healer and support. Harley's passive ability buffs movement and attack speed for all nearby allies, while her activated abilities consist of a direct heal, a ranged attack, a knockback, and a knockup. The net result is that Harley works as support for teammates, knocking away certain enemies while keeping her immediate team healed and buffed. Check out the video preview past the break for more details on how to make the most of Harley's specific arsenal.
Batman: Arkham Origins bugs prompt Warner Bros. apology
Following its recent launch, Batman: Arkham Origins greeted players with a number of game-breaking glitches - so many that publisher Warner Bros. Interactive has issued a public apology. The lengthy missive does its best to reassure players before outlining the three issues causing the most problems: players falling through the game's geometry, a vanishing "Continue" option on the main menu and an odd bug that removes FreeFlow Focus combat mode once a player has attained a third rank in the Shadow Vigilante skill. Helpfully, Warner Bros. claims to be working diligently to fix these problems. "The team has been working around the clock to review, validate and pinpoint the problems that have been reported and we have identified three main issues which we are tackling first, and are listed below," reads a message added to the official Arkham Origins forums. "For these issues, we expect the software update to be available within the next week."
