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Trivial Pursuit, Tomb Raider and FEAR 2 receive free DLC
Major Nelson of the clan Hryb sends word that free DLC is available on XBLM for three very different types of games. Trivial Pursuit: Hundreds of new questions for movie buffs. Tomb Raider: Underworld: Designer costume pack, created by designers and voted for by Tomb Raider fans. F.E.A.R. 2: "Toy Soldiers" Map Pack, where players are inches tall and battle in a "pinball machine, a hospital lab room, and a playground sandbox." OK, that actually sounds cool. Go ahead, grab those and get to thinking, dressing and killing.
F.E.A.R. 2 advertising with billboard-infused cats
It's official -- when promoting video games, regular-sized advertising structures just don't cut it anymore. LittleBigPlanet's bite-sized billboards were a step in the right direction, though Warner Bros. just took the miniature advertising game to a smaller, mobile and more adorable level. In the future, when rookie industry analysts inquire as to how F.E.A.R. 2 became the best-selling game of all time, their weathered superiors will become lost in a haze of nostalgia, muttering through a slight grin -- "Catvertising."If you live in foggy Londontown, keep an eye out over the next few days for black cats who are unknowingly promoting F.E.A.R. 2's Friday the 13th release date. Before PETA flips their easily flippable lid, we should mention that the cats aren't being painted, or treated inhumanely. They're just wearing little F.E.A.R. 2-branded kitten coats, which you can order for your own precious lil' guy, provided you live in the London area, and you don't have a morbidly obese house cat.[Thanks, Ben S.]
Metareview: F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Alma's back, and she wants to mess you up. We've been waiting long enough, and, finally, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin has dropped. Before you take Alma on, maybe you should brush up on your knowledge of the game by checking out some of these reviews below. Just a thought ... IGN AU (86/100): "We just wish Monolith had produced a slightly more progressive or challenging backdrop for the horror that is this game's mojo. It's absolutely worth playing, but that's the difference between a game that scores 9+ and a game that scores 8.6." Game Informer (84/100): "While the multiplayer is weak and the mood won't make people forget Dead Space any time soon, the solid action core makes it worth a play." PlayStation: The Official Magazine (80/100): "F.E.A.R. 2 emerges as an effective, entertaining FPS with a chiller story element, rather than a real survival horror shooter...Play with the lights dimmed, and don't be surprised if you end up squealing (on the inside) like a little girl." [Mar 2009, p.67] Eurogamer (50/100): "If you've never played a first-person shooter before, you'll probably be in love - this is as archetypal a corridor-shooter as has ever been made, and there's a reason why it works. But for anyone who's been running down corridors with shotguns for most of their adult life, this is so uninspired that you worry for the spark of Monolith's soul. You guys made "No One Lives Forever," remember? You're smart. You're better than this." Source - Metacritic: F.E.A.R. 2 (PC)Source - Metacritic: F.E.A.R. 2 (PS3)Source - Metacritic: F.E.A.R. 2 (Xbox 360)
Alma's back in latest F.E.A.R. 2 trailer
With F.E.A.R. 2 arriving next week, we'll finally be able to turn down the lights, draw the curtains, and scare ourselves silly. Warner Bros. and Monolith have dished out a new trailer (it's rated "M," so you'll find it after the break) featuring plenty of gameplay, a fairly in-depth look at the game's story and several instances of that creepy Alma girl popping up at random times. Give it a watch and if you feel so inclined, hit up the BD link below and download the thing in HD. Those seeking out a more interactive vignette should download the recently released demo. Download the F.E.A.R. 2 launch trailer in HD (332mb)
Experience a F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin briefing
If you're a bit fuzzy on the details surrounding the F.E.A.R. 2 storyline and are even more clueless regarding the original F.E.A.R. plot, then we have just the video solution for you. After the break, you can view the latest Project Origin trailer that recaps the tale of Alma, what the First Encounter Assault Recon team is all about and why everything has gone horribly, horribly wrong. Maybe it's just us, but we really feel for Alma and the situation she was put in. If we were in charge, we'd get her get cleaned up, make sure dinner was eaten by 7PM and have her in bed by 9PM. Kids need structure.
F.E.A.R. 2 demo now on Xbox Live, PC (PSN later today)
Finally, the long, strange journey of the-game-formerly-not-known-as-F.E.A.R.-2 is nearing its end. As the savvy among you already knew, the demo for F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin has just arrived on the Xbox Live Marketplace as well as on PCs. Update: We've confirmed that it'll be available on PSN later today.As is so often the case, we've been so busy bringing you the news of the day that we've been unable to carve out a few minutes for ourselves and play it. The responsibility falls to you, beloved readers! What do you make of the demo?Download – PC demo [Big Download]Download – Xbox 360 demo [XBLM]
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin demo now available on the XBLM
Boo! Did we scare you? No? All right, what if we told you a demo for F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin was available for download right now on the Xbox Live Marketplace? A single-player demo for Monolith's latest can be found on the XBLM as of early this morning in all of its 760MB glory. If you're looking for a scare today it might be worth checking out. F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin takes place [Spoiler Alert! from the original game] post explosion that devastated the city from the original game and stars a brand new protagonist, Special Forces operator Michael Becket. Oh and yes, Alma's still around and she's still looking to put the hurt on those who wronged her in the past. Run! Download the demo for F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
Faction populations largely balanced in Warhammer Online
When Warhammer Online launched, one of the pressing concerns players had was population imbalance between Order and Destruction. Some of the measures Mythic Entertainment has taken to remedy this -- like free server transfers -- seem to have worked, according to Mythic's Jess Folsom.A recent dev blog by Folsom at the Warhammer Herald addresses the concerns WAR players continue to have about faction imbalances, and paints a decidedly bright picture of the current state of play.Percentages shown for the average of all North American servers shows a near equal balance in active accounts per faction (49% Order vs. 51% Destruction), and an even 50/50 split between factions in terms of average experience and renown point gains.
F.E.A.R. 2 demo to cause soiled pants January 22
We thought we would warn you so you can prepare the extra pair of trousers now. You'll need it, because Alma and the gang are headed back to your Xbox 360 in a new F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin demo that arrives on XBLM next Thursday, January 22. We don't know what the demo will contain, but we're guessing it will involve (virtual) shooting, (virtual) hallucinations and (very, very real) abject terror. What would you expect? It's F.E.A.R. 2. Twice the fear, half the calories.
F.E.A.R. 2 scares up demo January 22
Using its guerrilla marketing firm's psychic powers division, Warner Bros. Interactive made us prick our fingers and write on the walls in blood: a demo for F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin is coming January 22nd. The press release Warner sent soon after was just as effective at getting the point across.The demo will be available to all on Xbox 360, PC and PS3 starting next week; however, the PS3 demo is available right now for Qore subscribers. Download it ... if you dare. Alma is waiting. (cue: rain noise, thunder and demonic laugh.)
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin demo now in Qore, free for all next week
Annual subscribers to Qore will be able to download an exclusive demo of Project Origin right now. Simply load the latest issue and download it from the Download Center. Those that don't have a Qore subscription will be able to get it for free in next week's PlayStation Store update. The horror-themed M-rated shooter has you fighting Alma, a girl with mysterious and overwhelming powers. You'll be able to download it on January 23rd. [Image Credit: PSP GadgetZ]
Qore episode 8 brings a Heavy Rain of F.E.A.R into the Killzone
Ready for another episode of Qore? This one is not to be missed as it will have footage and info from two of 2009's biggest PS3 exclusives, Killzone 2 and Heavy Rain. Veronica does some globetrotting as she visits the developers from these games (situated in Amsterdam and Paris, respectively). There's also some info on FEAR 2 and a look at what Street Fighter fans do to each other behind closed doors. If you enjoyed your free Christmas episode last month you can pick up the latest episode on Thursday when it releases on the American PSN Store. It will cost you $2.99 for a single episode or $24.99 for an annual subscription (13 episodes). Check out the trailer for episode 8 above for some more footage of Veronica Belmont in a motion capture suit.
Monolith designer blames loss of F.E.A.R. fans on expansions
The original F.E.A.R. garnered universal critical praise when it launched, but it seems like we've heard less and less about the subsequent installments in the series. In a recent interview with CVG, Monolith's Dave Matthews, lead art designer for F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, blamed the Extraction Point and Perseus Mandate expansions (which were created by TimeGate studios) for "[killing] off a few" fans. Later in the interview, he did a positively heart-melting acoustic rendition of "Crash Into Me". Matthews' main qualm with the expansions is that TimeGate took the story in a direction that Monolith wouldn't have followed -- they took the focus away from the series' young, unsettling antagonist, Alma. With Monolith behind the PC version and console ports of Project Origin, Matthews is confident that the story will continue "the way we originally intended." This is great news for fans, and terribly unfortunate news for the faint of heart. [Via X3F]
Matthews: Ports and expansions contributed to loss of FEAR fans
Monolith's Dave Matthews, lead art designer for F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, says multiple expansions and console ports have likely cost the shooter franchise some fans. In an interview with CVG a comment was made to Matthews that the TimeGate developed expansions and Day 1 Studios developed console-ports of the critically acclaimed shooter could be responsible for bringing new eyes to the horror-fueled FPS. "And killed off a few," Matthews noted. Matthews primary reason for the comment based on story decisions taken once the series was out of Monolith's hands. "[TimeGate] took the story in a direction that we didn't intend ... We look at Extraction Point and Perseus Mandate as an alternate universe," Matthews told CVG. "F.E.A.R. was about Alma, F.E.A.R. 2 is about Alma, and we wanted to continue the story the way we originally intended." This time around Monolith, who gained Xbox 360 experience from the Condemned series, has committed to develop all three version of the upcoming sequel. "While there will be some slight variations between the different versions ... our main goal is to make sure the experience is synonymous across all three platforms."
Trophies: F.E.A.R. 2
1 Platinum 2 Gold 7 Silver 49 Bronze Difficulty: Very Difficult Online Trophies? Yes Time to Completion: 100 hours DLC Trophies? Yes* *Trophies requiring DLC are highlighted in yellow. View Trophy List Read More About the Game %Gallery-21936%
F.E.A.R. 2 'unbanned' in Australia
Without requiring any edits, the previously "banned" F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin has received an MA15+ rating in Australia. The title was refused classification by the OFLC last month, but the decision has now been reversed, following an appeal by publisher Warner Bros.Upon review, the classification board deemed that the violence in the game could be "accommodated within the MA15+ classification." Of course, none of these semi-regular banning stories would be happening if games in Australia had the option of an R18+ rating.
F.E.A.R. 2 Australia ban lifted, set for 2009
Australian gamers were struck with relief last month when they learned that F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin was effectively banned Down Under, thus protecting them from evil, creepy children. Bad news then, Australian gamers, because it looks like you'll have something to fear after all. IGN reports that Warner Interactive's appeal to the Australian Classification Board was successful, thus landing the game an MA15+ rating. Even worse, the game remains completely unchanged, meaning every terrifying moment, every grisly bit of gore is intact. The game is even scheduled to hit its original February 2009 release date. Sorry, Aussie gamers, the ACB did its best to protect you from Alma, but you will have to suffer her wrath like the rest of us.
Disaster back on the train to Rumorsville
We've been pessimistic about Disaster: Day of Crisis getting localized for North America, and with (what we believe to be) good reason. Now, the will-it-won't-it saga has taken another twist, after Go Nintendo reader Silver Lunar received an email from Nintendo customer support saying the game would be released in the region.Okay, we know. Some guy saying he got an email from Nintendo customer support is exactly the kind of anecdote we'd usually snort derisively at, and you're right: we should all treat this with a degree of suspicion. That said, Go Nintendo's RMC received screencaps of Silver Lunar's email exchange with the big N, and reckons it's the real thing. If you'll excuse us, we'll shamelessly grasp at any straws tossed our way. Pleeeeease be true, lovely Disaster rumor.%Gallery-30942%
Monolith reflects on Disaster non-sales, mentions a sequel
It is difficult to envisage a second Disaster: Day of Crisis game, for two reasons: How any follow-up could top the unlikely mélange of disasters (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, terrorists, bears) that featured in the first game is beyond us. Perhaps an asteroid? Sales of the first game. Or the lack thereof. Nevertheless, developer Monolith Soft is at least open to the idea of a Disaster 2. In an interview with Cubed3, Director Keiichi Ono revealed that "...there were so many wonderful options [in the game]. We would like to see the possibility for them, if we have chance to develop the sequel..." The sequel? Or a sequel? The difference is pretty crucial! While we're not exactly taking that as rock-solid confirmation of Ray's return, it's an interesting remark.To bring us back down to earth, Nintendo's Hitoshi Yamagami reminded us of why the first game might not even come to North America, describing how Disaster is "performing lower than expected" at the tills.%Gallery-30942%
Disaster: Days of Nobody Buying It
A promise made by Reggie Fils-Aime means that North American Disaster: Day of Crisis fans have an active interest in how the game fares in Europe. If it sells enough copies on the other side of the Atlantic, Reggie has suggested a U.S. release will be considered. Sounds fair to us. The only problem? It's selling really badly in Europe.According to the latest European sales charts, the game failed to reach the UK top forty, the Irish or Norwegian top twenty, or the Dutch, German, or Spanish top ten. More worryingly still, Monolith's title wasn't even amongst the top fifty Wii releases in the UK last week. Oo-er. Such a meek performance in Disaster's opening week doesn't exactly convince us we'll be seeing a Stateside release. We'd love nothing more than to be proved wrong and see Nintendo of America take a gamble.Source: Brits prefer their Wii FitsSource: Ireland isn't bitingSource: Holland bought more copies of Mario Party 8 last weekSource: Norway says "nor way" to DisasterSource: Monolith's game knows only pain in Germany and Spain%Gallery-30942%
