The Best of Big Download: September 15-21

Updated Sun, Sep 21, 2008, 8:00 AM·4 min read

It's been another busy week for news, downloads and original features at the PC Big Download site. We've got reviews of two highly anticipated PC exclusive games, a preview of an unusual MMO, our detailed look at the space stage in Spore and lots more.

Exclusive Features

Reviews: We have our final reviews of two major PC titles: The Witcher Enhanced Edition and Crysis Warhead along with the last review (for a while) of the latest American McGee's Grimm episode as well as Episode 2 of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People.
Spore: Our detailed look at Will Wright's latest game ends this week with a multi-part look at the space portion of the alien evolution game. Check out Being Julius Caesar, Being The East India Company, Being Henry Kissinger, Being John Smith and Being Francis Drake.
BigVersus: It's our weirdest entry in our column comparing games as we compare the PC version of Spore to the DS game Spore Creatures and the iPhone title Spore Origins.
Previews: We go hands-on with FusionFall, an upcoming free browser based MMO based on the Cartoon Network universe of characters.
MODMonday: We begin a multi-part look at the best mods for Max Payne with a look at True Matrix.
MacMonday: Our latest look at Macintosh games has a review of the top down shooter (with an odd graphics style) SketchFighter 4000 Alpha.
Independent Minds: Our look into the Indie game scene takes a look at how developers can market their creations.
Big Ideas: Our column that looks at the big ideas in games takes a look this week at adaptations and how games translate into other entertainment mediumsand vice versa.
Alt-Tab: Our feature gallery this week takes a look at why we should take a gander at Warhammer Online.
Freeware Friday: Our weekly look at free PC games examines the music title Frets on Fire.
BigCast: Our weekly podcast interviews (and says a sad goodbye) to our now former Big Download producer Barb Dybwad as well as other topics.

Downloads

Strong Bad Episode 2 demo: Check out a sample of the latest episode for the adventure game from Telltale Games
King's Bounty: The Legend demo: Check out a sample of the upcoming fantasy turn based strategy game-RPG from 1C and Atari.
Multiwinia Demo: It's a sample of the just released multiplayer strategy game from Introversion Software.
The Political Machine 2008 Express Demo: It's a sample of the full version for Stardock's recent political sim game.
Peggle Nights demo: Play a portion of this addictive casual game sequel from Popcap.
Spore 1.01 patch: Update your copy of EA's alien evolution sim with this first patch.
The Witcher Patches: Owners of the new Enchanced Edition of CD Projekt's RPG can download a quick blood patch; Owners of the original version can now download the massive patch to upgrade to the Enhanced Edtion along with an English language pack for the game.
Dragon Age: Origins trailers: We have added four new walkthrough trailers and a new gameplay video for BioWare's upcoming fantasy RPG.
Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 trailer: We can't explain this new video for EA's upcoming RTS title. You have to see it for yourself.
Demigod trailer: It's a new gameplay trailer for Gas Powered's unique strategy-RPG game.
Saints Row 2 voice talent trailer: Check out who you will be hearing in Volition's upcoming open world crime action game.

News

Engadget
Google prohibits ads promoting websites and apps that generate deepfake porn
Google has updated its Inappropriate Content Policy to include language that expressly prohibits advertisers from promoting websites and services that generate deepfake pornography.
Engadget
X is using Grok to publish AI-generated news summaries
X is using Grok to publish AI-generated summaries of news and other topics that trend on the platform.
Engadget
Nintendo blitzes GitHub with over 8,000 emulator-related DMCA takedowns
Nintendo sent a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notice for over 8,000 GitHub repositories hosting code from the Yuzu Switch emulator, which the Zelda maker previously described as enabling “piracy at a colossal scale.”
Engadget
Helldivers 2 PC players suddenly have to link to a PSN account and they're not being chill about it
Helldivers 2 players have become frustrated after Sony suddenly required linking to a PSN account to play the game on PC. This was not necessary when the title launched in February.
Engadget
Redfall’s two DLC heroes are still MIA a year later
Microsoft may want to be more careful about leaving a trail of broken promises when games don’t go as planned. A year after Redfall landed with a thud, players are still waiting for the advertised post-launch DLC they already paid for.
Engadget
Instagram's 'Add Yours' sticker now lets you share songs
Instagram has released some new interactive stickers for use in Stories. One of these is a “Reveal” sticker that blurs content, so people have to DM the creator to get it unlocked.
Engadget
Apex Legends is getting a solo mode for the first time in five years
Apex Legends will have a solo mode for the first time in five years when the new season starts on May 7. Respawn said as recently as January it had no plans to bring back the single-player option.
Engadget
A four-pack of Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag 2 trackers is back on sale for $70
A bundle of Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag 2 Bluetooth trackers is back on sale for $70, matching the lowest price we've tracked.
Engadget
Research indicates that carbon dioxide removal plans will not be enough to meet Paris treaty goals
New research indicates a large “emissions gap” between what actions nations have committed to help remove carbon from the atmosphere and what’s required to meet Paris treaty goals.
Engadget
Rabbit R1 review: A $199 AI toy that fails at almost everything
The Rabbit R1 is a cute AI gadget, but at launch it’s riddled with issues and terrible battery life. When phones can handle similar AI tasks, the R1 doesn’t do enough to justify its existence.
Engadget
The Apple Watch Series 9 is back on sale for $299, plus the rest of this week's best tech deals
This week, we found deals on gear from Samsung, Apple, Bose, Anker and more.
Engadget
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft may finally take its first crewed flight next week
Boeing's Starliner crew capsule is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex-41 in Florida on Monday, May 6. The launch window opens at 10:34PM ET. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will be on board.
Engadget
Google says Epic’s Play Store demands are too much and too self-serving
Google has filed an injunction telling the court that it will not give Epic what it wants without a fight, because the company's asks "stray far beyond the trial record."
Engadget
The best gifts to upgrade your grad’s tech setup
College grads are probably using the same tech they started out with four years ago. Here are the best gadgets you can get them to upgrade their kit, including laptops, headphones, monitors and more.
Engadget
Boom's XB-1 supersonic jet has been authorized to break the speed of sound
Boom's supersonic XB-1 test jet has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval to fly past Mach 1.
Engadget
The Morning After: Peloton's grim post-pandemic reality
The biggest news stories this morning: Huawei has been secretly funding research in America after being blacklisted, The best noise-canceling earbuds, Olivia Rodrigo, Drake and other Universal artists return to TikTok.
Engadget
Engadget Podcast: Kill the Rabbit (R1)
The Rabbit R1 is finally here, and it's yet another useless AI gadget.
Engadget
The best password manager for 2024
Remembering dozens of passwords can be difficult for anyone. These are the best password managers you can use to keep your information safe and secure.
Engadget
Ubisoft's first-person shooter XDefiant is launching on May 21
Ubisoft is releasing the free-to-play first-person shooter on May 21 for the Xbox Series X|S, the PS5 and PC through Ubisoft Connect.
Engadget
X is changing how the block button works
X is changing how blocks work on its platform, though it’s (for now) stopping short of Elon Musk’s wish of nuking the feature entirely.

The Best of Big Download: September 15-21

Latest Stories

Google prohibits ads promoting websites and apps that generate deepfake porn

X is using Grok to publish AI-generated news summaries

Nintendo blitzes GitHub with over 8,000 emulator-related DMCA takedowns

Helldivers 2 PC players suddenly have to link to a PSN account and they're not being chill about it

Redfall’s two DLC heroes are still MIA a year later

Instagram's 'Add Yours' sticker now lets you share songs

Apex Legends is getting a solo mode for the first time in five years

A four-pack of Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag 2 trackers is back on sale for $70

Research indicates that carbon dioxide removal plans will not be enough to meet Paris treaty goals

Rabbit R1 review: A $199 AI toy that fails at almost everything

The Apple Watch Series 9 is back on sale for $299, plus the rest of this week's best tech deals

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft may finally take its first crewed flight next week

Google says Epic’s Play Store demands are too much and too self-serving

The best gifts to upgrade your grad’s tech setup

Boom's XB-1 supersonic jet has been authorized to break the speed of sound

The Morning After: Peloton's grim post-pandemic reality

Engadget Podcast: Kill the Rabbit (R1)

The best password manager for 2024

Ubisoft's first-person shooter XDefiant is launching on May 21

X is changing how the block button works

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