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Bionic Commando trailer comes out swinging
This is when writing about video games gets hard. First, you should understand that we see the original Bionic Commando through the rosiest of rose tinted glasses, so our hopes for the new remake are unrealistically high. With that out of the way, the first actual footage of Bionic Commando has been released by way of the trailer embedded above. We've heard plenty of comments regarding the character design (mostly taking exception to the character's dreadlocks) but we really don't care. What we care about is that beautiful bionic arm, which appears to bee in full swing (ouch). Also high on our geek radar: the orchestral reimagining of the original game's theme song. Oh yes, that takes us back. The trailer also shows brief glimpses at some other features in the game, like sniping and the ability to throw objects with the bionic arm. All in all, the game looks good so far. Except for the "dormant since long" part. Seriously. [Via Joystiq]
Big GRAW 2 pack coming next month
It appears that Ubisoft's going to be ringing in Thanksgiving and the beginning of the holiday shopping season with a cornucopia (pilgrims FTW!) of content for tactical shooter Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2. Sometime in late November, fans will be able to add five new missions that continue the story line and nine new multiplayer maps, seven of which are rehashed from old Ghost Recon games. Oh, and those who get the pack through Xbox Live will also have 125 more Gamerscore points available. The one big question that we don't have an answer for yet is price. But Ubisoft is supposed to put some new details out today, so we'll likely soon know if this Thanksgiving treat is the equivalent of delicious pumpkin pie or ... Jello salad.
GRAW 2 getting Co-Op Collection expansion
Ubisoft has plans to make GRAW 2 fresh again by releasing a new campaign / multiplayer expansion sometime later this month or early November. The GRAW 2 Co-Op Collection expansion includes five new campaign missions and nine new multiplayer maps while adding an additional 125 Gamerscore to the mix with nine achievements. Complete details on all the new campaign missions, maps and achievements can be viewed over at IGN, but after giving the expansion content a look over we still have one question on our mind. We wonder if the Co-Op Collection is going to be enough to draw us away from our current FPS gaming rotation and bring us back to GRAW 2.
New Bionic Commando latches onto 360
Say what you will about the current generation of video games, but it's not quite as advanced as you may think. No, for many gamers, game design has never really advanced past one game. We are, of course, talking about Bionic Commando for the NES. Frankly, today's games don't feature nearly enough telescoping bionic limbs. Oh sure, a few games have different grappling devices, but none of them have eclipsed the mastery of an 8-bit bionic implant. It is with no small amount of glee, then, that we reveal that Capcom has announced a new sequel to the nearly 20-year-old title. Featuring a re-imagined storyline, which ditches both the Nazis of the Japanese version and the Badds of the American and European versions, the new Bionic Commando centers around Nathan Spencer. Imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, he is released because the government that framed him needs his unique abilities to stop a terrorist threat that has already destroyed a major city. As Spencer, players will use his bionic arm to both navigate the ruined city and combat the enemies that now inhabit it. No release date has been given. Considering it's already been 20 years though, we can wait a little longer. Check out a video discussing the new game after the break.
Bionic Commando swings, but doesn't jump, back into action
You might remember the muscular, grapplin' hook armed badass from the old NES game of the same name, but Bionic Commando is finally making a return to consoles with a new PS3 and 360 version, as part of Capcom's big series of explosive announcements. Instead of searching for "Super Joe" and destroying Hitler with a rocket launcher, you'll play a more recognizable role with a deceptively familiar premise. You are Nathan Spencer, framed for a number of crimes by your superiors after doggedly fighting for their cause in a conflict against the Imperials. On your day of execution, the city is obliterated and your superiors reluctantly turn to you for help, because as luck would have it, that bionic grappling hook arm of yours is exactly what they need. The game will sport mechanics similar to those found in the critically panned Dawn of Mana, that is, you use your grappling hook like the whip in the aforementioned game, grabbing onto things, swinging them around, or whatever, in addition to propelling yourself across levels. The project itself is being touted as an international affair, sporting the minds of a Japanese creative advisor, American producer, and the Swedish studio GRIN will all be involved. We look forward to more information to the return of this classic franchise, but if this wasn't Capcom's big announcement, what will be?
Second GRAW 2 Throwback Pack is now free
Piggybacking the free release of the original Throwback Pack, Ubisoft has just made the Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 Throwback Pack 2 a free XBLM download! This second Throwback Pack features an additional seven remade multiplayer maps including Ghost Town, Aral Sea and Rocky Cove among others and features an additional gametype called Co-op Exfiltration. This multiplayer expansion was previously listed at 800 Microsoft points, so with a 100% discount making it free, we think you should give it a download. Free GRAW 2 Throwback Pack and Throwback Pack 2 ... life is good.
GRAW 2 gets free content pack
If you haven't loaded up Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 in a while, we think you'll be pleasantly surprised if you dig the disc out. Last week, the first "Throwback Pack" (originally 800 points in May) went free on the Marketplace. Today, there's a brand new throwback pack, the appropriately titled "Throwback Pack 2", that's absolutely free. The main draws here are seven levels that have been remastered from previous Ghost Recon games. But you'll also find a new mode to play around with, Co-op Exfiltration. Wow, from $15 for eight re-lit maps and 4 co-op missions to seven missions for free -- what a difference a year makes.
Deal of the Day: GRAW 2 for $45 at Fry's
With the incredible amount of games coming out over the next couple months, PlayStation 3 owners' wallets are going to get a bit stressed. Luckily the game deals keep rolling in letting gamers on a budget pick up the hot titles AND still be able to eat. Today we have a nice tip from Cheap Ass Gamer that Fry's is selling Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 for $45 dollars, a tasty 25% discount from the retail price. The game has been getting good reviews and even though the game is 6 months late, Ubisoft appears to have done a good job at porting it from the 360 and have added quite a bit of additional content to help compensate for the delay. The cheap price just makes it all the more attractive.
GRAW silently released to public, footage captured
Wait. This game came out? Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 silently released to PSP systems, with no advertising and no coverage. Perhaps Ubisoft was too afraid to send review copies? (As of writing, there are no published online reviews of the game.) Without the help of critics, we can only look to you, our readers, for sage advice on this game. PSP GadgetZ has once again captured some of the first footage of the game. Does it still look like a N64 game to you?
GRAW 2 Throwback Pack is teh free!
Even though we haven't seen any official announcement or fancy press release hit our inbox, we're proud to announce that the GRAW 2 Throwback Pack is now available for free off the XBLM. The Throwback Pack was released back in May for 800 Microsoft points and includes seven multiplayer maps that are remakes from previous Ghost Recon games and expansions. So, we advise finding your GRAW 2 disc, downloading the newly free maps and getting back into some online multiplayer. We're sure dedicated GRAW 2 players will welcome your presence in the Throwback maps. [Thanks, ccc]
Ubisoft's GRAW team denies PS3 programming difficulty
It's long been said that programming for the PS3, or any new console, is a daunting task. Some have said the PS3 is particularly difficult. Are they right? The dev team behind Ubisoft's GRAW2 says that no, it's not that tough after all. One member of that team, Yann Le Tensorer said "It's wrong to say it's harder to code on the PlayStation 3, it's just something that needs to be learnt ... It's not harder to develop on the PS3 than it is on the 360, it's just a different console. Developers might says it's harder because it just takes time to understand the technology, we're still early in the lifecycle." Sounds like a fair estimate to us. The GRAW2 team are happy with the PlayStation 3. With all the hubbub on the internet regarding the "sluggish" version of Madden on the PS3, or the rumors that Rockstar had to delay GTAIV because it was either difficult to port to the 360 or it was difficult to program for the PS3, we really need to find out what the true answer is. Are developers growing lazy, unwilling to learn how to properly code? Is it really difficult, but Ubisoft got lucky? Either way, with this kind of talk, we wholly expect the PS3 version of GRAW2 to match the 360 version in every way.
GRAW developer: PS3 not harder to code for than 360
Despite the steady hiss of internet pundits that suggests otherwise, Ubisoft's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter development team doesn't believe that it's harder to code games for the PlayStation 3 compared to the Xbox 360. Yann Le Tensorer, who co-created the graphics engine powering GRAW and the upcoming Beowulf, re-ckons that any uphill development battles are to blame on the learning curve associated with newer hardware. "It's wrong to say it's harder to code on the PlayStation 3, it's just something that needs to be learnt," he told GamesIndustry.Biz. He goes on to stun the less observant by pointing out that "it's just a different console." Le Tensorer isn't the first to comment on the hardware's perceived difficulty. In June, Team Ninja's Yosuke Hayashi engaged in less subtle commentary by simply telling complaining PS3 developers to "get out of the ring." The GRAW developer goes on to state, "Developers might says [sic] it's harder because it just takes time to understand the technology, we're still early in the lifecycle." In other words, it is tougher to program for the system, but only while you're still learning the technological ropes. It seems a fair explanation for the publisher's poorly received Splinter Cell: Double Agent port and EA's lack of frames in Madden NFL 08 -- at least from a developer's point of view. Consumers may feel otherwise as they await the PS3 arrival of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2.
Ghost Recon creative director moves to Bungie
Christian Allen, former creative director at Red Storm, which creates the Ghost Recon games, has taken a new job at Bungie as "design lead." Allen doesn't say what game he'll be working on, but having been a Marine and working on one of the top military-themed franchises in existence, we're going to guess it involves guns -- which he seems well-versed in. So, super speculation time. Now that Bungie has Halo 3 almost in the bag and they've brought this guy on board, what could they be working on? A Halo-themed squad game? A Halo-themed squad game? Or, a Halo-themed squad game? What, you don't think it'll be a squad game? Ohhh, you don't think it'll be Halo-themed. OK, in other news, Nintendo isn't making Mario games anymore either.
GRAW 2 demo coming to the EU PSN this week
According to the French site Play3-Live, a Community Manager (aka Blog/Forum liason) at SCEE gave them a sneak peak at some of the upcoming updates to the EU PlayStation Store. Headlining the list is a demo for the heavily delayed PlayStation 3 version of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 as well as a couple of PSX titles. Here's the full list: August 2nd: Demo: GRAW 2 Video: Lair Video: Ratchet and Clank: FToD Video: Juiced 2: Hot Nights August 9th: PSX: Ridge Racer 1 PSX: Tekken 2 [Via N4G] *Updated* Changed title to point out the demo is coming out this week -- not next.
GamerTV reveals foggy footage of GRAW 2
The N64 was home to a ton of brilliant classics, but it was notorious for one crucial flaw ... fog, and lots of it. Having just watched footage of the PSP version of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, we'll admit we haven't seen fog this bad since the days of Superman 64. Of course, we jest (somewhat). Let's hope the graphics are indicative of the way this game plays. [Via PlayStation]
GRAW2 on PS3 delayed until August 31st
Despite their best efforts, Ubisoft announced that Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 wouldn't be making its way to PS3 audiences this June. The new projected release date is August 31st. Initially, Ubisoft (who prefers the Xbox 360) intended the PS3 release to coincide with its Xbox 360 cousin this past March. When that didn't happen, the June release date was given, and now, we're being told a late August release. Judging from the last two delays, we won't hold our breath for this release date either Lets hope the additional time spent in the developer incubator produces some stellar goodies upon its release.
GRAW 2 gets some extra features on the PS3
Tom Clancy's GRAW2 is about to hit the PlayStation 3 and we've all been wondering a few things: any noticeable differences between this and the 360 version? Additional content? Will multiplayer function execute adequately, or fall short in matchmaking skills compared to Live? While we don't have all the answers to these questions, we can at least address some of them -- what's new for the PS3 version and what's been added. Let's list it up! SixAxis features: Controller features used for Mitchell and Cross-com control SP: Drive the supports (drone, M.U.L.E.) with the SixAxis SP/MP: Change Mitchell stances with the SixAxis SP: change the Rules of Engagement with the SixAxis Consistency increased between SP & MP: Scope, Movement, Aiming PS3 specific adaptation of controls: Menus, Shoot button 14 additional maps resulting in a total of 32 multiplayer maps 32 new adversarial multiplayer maps of up to 16 players, an expanded arsenal of multinational weapons, character customization options, new optimizing re-spawn system, new female operatives and hundreds of new game mode options are available. 2 new coop modes, "Evasion" and "Exfiltration", to vary the game experience in multiplayer. 6 missions co-op campaign with a fully immersive experience and storyline. Featuring open-ended play that rewards teamwork as you play with up to sixteen players. So it seems there have been quite a few delicious changes to the basic frame of the title between then and its release on the PS3. Still a mystery, however, is if all will pan out and operate smoothly. Ports aren't kind to the PS3, but if they've put so much effort into adding stuff to the game, they should put the effort to make it work well, too.
GRAW 2 Throwback Pack up for download
Today, you'll get to try out the new and improved Marketplace by downloading a new map pack for GRAW 2 called the Throwback Pack. This map pack costs 800 Microsoft points and includes seven remakes of multiplayer maps from not only GRAW, but Ghost Recon 2 and Ghost Recon 2: Summit Strike. Maps included are Bonfires, Desert Gulch, Fishing Village, Jungle Mines, Mountain Base, Mountain Falls, and Peninsula. And if you need a little more information about the new maps before you commit to a purchase, head over to IGN as they have a nice preview of each map. If you've already downloaded the new maps, what do you think about the value you get for your 800 Microsoft points? [Thanks, Raymond Dubisky]
GRAW 2 gets 'Throwback Pack' for $10
We imagine it's not uncommon for soldiers to long for the battlefields of their youth, the place where they grew up and became part of a tightly-knit fighting force. Despite the adage, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 players feeling those pangs can actually go home again, thanks to the 800-point ($10) "Throwback Pack" which whisks them from their modern battleground of Mexico on a nostalgic trip to Kazakhstan, the Korean Peninsula and ... well, other parts of Mexico. There are seven "remastered" Ghost Recon maps in the pack, which is available now. That's all the information we get from the blade description but IGN says that they're drawn from Ghost Recon 2, GR 2: Summit Strike and GRAW 1. So, how about it GRAW fans? Is a trip down Memory Lane and a fresh hit of tactical action worth a ten spot?
GRAW2 vs. the real world: GRAW2 wins
There's a very interesting article at Popular Mechanics exploring the differences between the technology of GRAW 2 and its real world counterparts. Of course, we already know that GRAW 2 is the most realistic game ever produced, but how realistic is it really? Popular Mechanics compares the Cross-Com of GRAW 2 with the American Army's Land Warrior system. So, how does GRAW 2's system compare? First of all, both systems allow for the tracking of friendly units. In Ghost Recon, these are indicated by blue diamonds that move in real time. The Land Warrior system has a similar system that uses blue circles on a GPS map. The only difference here is that the tracking is far from real time. In fact, it takes a full minute to register new movement. The article notes that the GPS system is useful for large, conventional battles, but that it proves far less useful for the smaller, faster battles of modern day warfare.
