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Massively Week in Review: June 11-17
It's been a mixed bag in the MMOG world this week, with wide-ranging news from Age of Conan, Lord of the Rings Online, the huge DCMA takedown by Linden Lab (and the folks who got screwed) and more. Perhaps one of the biggest highlights in the Massively staff week was getting to jump into SOE's PlanetSide MMOFPS. We were able to take on regular players (and die quite a bit when large numbers of them figured out where we were) as the evil "Black Ops" faction in a wildly fun GM-run event. If you missed out on any of the headlines (or the fun) have no fear; we've got the scoop for you! News Are female characters really penalized in Age of Conan? First glimpse of Age of Conan PvP gear! AoC grinds out the fixes Linden Lab's big content takedown New Final Fantasy XI update drops big changes into Vana'diel AT&T says internet data caps and overage fees 'inevitable' Is Cryptic hinting at Star Trek Online The Agency under the scope, RMT not a part Dredging up the past - the Star Wars Galaxies NGE re-examined Discussion Player vs. Everything: The quirks of D&D Online Cinemassively: AoC vs. WoW Anti-Aliased: It will all be fine in ten minutes Why exactly is Hellgate:London so bad? Behind the Curtain: Why bother? Should EA Mythic offer an all-in-one pass for its games? Player Consequences: Pervasive Map Features MMOS X: How the MMOs and the iPhone can meet. The Digital Continuum: Live event adulation
The best of WoW Insider: June 10-17, 2008
You can almost hear David Bowie singing around the realm of Azeroth lately: ch-ch-ch-ch-changes are in the air. Blizzard decided to do PvE to PvP transfers for the first time this week, Season 4 is coming soon in the Arenas, and lots of changes are coming to old Azeroth (including the Dalabubble, above). But don't let change worry you -- Joystiq's sister site WoW Insider has you covered, through all the changes coming in Wrath of the Lich King. You can turn and face the strain -- we got your back. News WoW player more ashamed than porn addictAddiction is out there, and people suffering from it need to get help. Combat stats and spellpower consolidated on AlphaA huge change to the way talents and gear will work hits the expansion's Alpha servers. Seven graphical WoW generators, and one for your carSeven different ways to put your World of Warcraft character into graphical form. Starting from scratch with two weeks to Season 4The new arena season was announced this week, and even if you weren't prepared, we've got you covered. Reading between the lines: are more PvE to PvP transfers possible?Blizzard broke their precedent for the first time this week to save a dying server -- will they do it again? Features Ask WoW Insider: /roll abuse?The number one way to cause drama in the game? Be unfair with loot. Tank Talk: The better (and lesser) angels of our natureOur raid Tanking column talks about that little DPS devil on your tanking shoulder. Ask a Lore Nerd: The evil-o-meterLots of players know some things about lore, but the Lore Nerd knows all. Changes to old Azeroth coming in the next expansionWhat's changing in the old world when Wrath of the Lich King releases? A lot. 'Tis the Season 4 making moneyZach Yonzon tells you exactly how to cash in on the news that Season 4 is coming soon.
DS Fanboy Lite: June 7 - June 13
We're prepping for next week's invasion! While we stockpile canned goods and check the water supply, take a moment to dig into some of the best we've had on offer this past week. Community DS Fanboy poll: Demos: do you dabble?Demos are on the Wii, but are you using them? The DS Life: Handheld over feetHow do you play? Show and Tell: Don't throw that Game Boy awayInstead, make an awesome case! Features Trauma Center: Hands-on the Knife 2Shocker: Trauma Center is hard. DS Fanboy Review: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince CaspianWe recommend the movie. DS Fanboy Review: USA Today Crossword ChallengeGuys! Seriously! Destineer made a good game! Promotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials, revisitedYes, okay, we like Shiren. You should, too. News of note Wet your wireless whistle at new Nintendo DS CentersNow if only the rest of us could enjoy this privilege! Evangelion's on the DS, All's Right With The WorldBut will it make any sense at all? Square Enix to demo new games at awkwardly-named eventWe're pretty sure there was a dartboard and liquor involved in this somewhere. If it looks like a DS and plays like a DS... then it might be an add-on for the iPhone. Prey the Stars actually coming out somewhere?Someone fetch us the heart medication, please? It's the big one!
X3F Week in Review: June 6, 2008 - June 12, 2008
After last week's video extravaganza, we return the Week in Review back to its normal, news-laden self. While there is plenty of worthwhile news contained in the links below, we implore you to watch the latest edition of XBLA in Brief. In short, Frogger 2 is one of the worst games (if not the worst) on the Xbox Live Arcade service. Watch the video, and be thankful that it will spare you the trouble (and immense pain) of actually downloading and playing the trial version. Community Stuff: Xbox 360 Fancast 072 -- Flippin' Awesome PodcastRichard hearts Ninja Gaiden II X3F TV -- Points>Life: Lazy Ninja TechniqueJump, throw shuriken, repeat. Fanswag Weekly: Enemy Territory: Quake WarsScared of getting pwned? XBLA in Brief: Frogger 2 and Commando 3Frogger 2 worse than Yaris? We think so X3F Live: Bomberman Live and Team Fortress 2Come join us for your fragging pleasure News: Analysts: GTAIV was not a console sellerEveryone too busy playing to care Sharpen your swords for a Weekend of VengeancePlay Ninja Gaiden II, win stuff EndWar beta invites begin pouring inDid you get one? Fiddy's friend says Blood on the Sand "as good as Gears of War"Imagine that... Adam Sessler on Live bigotsXbox Live sets a bad example for gamers
Wii Fanboy Weekly: June 5 - June 11
Have you checked out our new feature yet, Born for Wii? It's just one way we constantly strive to offer you the most enjoyable gaming blog around. And, plus, if Nintendo isn't going to show us any new games, might as well dream about what we could be playing during all this downtime (well, at least we get one chance each week to play).Features Wii Fanboy Review: My Pokemon RanchCheck out our review and direct-feed video commentary Born for Wii: Panzer Dragoon OrtaWe reimagine the game for Wii Wii Fanboy Review: Actionloop TwistIs this one worth your time, European gamers? We let you know Can't find Wii Fit? Try these alternatives!Our compiled list of alternatives to the hot new exercise bundle Revolutionary: Balance and OptionsColumnist Mike Sylvester churns out another good one Brawl Stage of the WeekOur weekly highlight of user-created stages for the game Virtually Overlooked: Rex Ronan: Experimental SurgeonWe tell you why it should be on the Virtual Console VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 6/9/08Our direct-feed video and commentary to this week's Virtual Console releases in North America Video Content This might be the best Guitar Hero III player everSeriously Current TV on the Wii Fit phenomenonPretty funny skit about Wii Fit How to snap a neck in Tenchu IVSurprisingly easy! A new habit for nunsEveryone is into Nintendo's latest console News of Note Best Buy replenishes Wii Fit, Karate Kid stockBut when will they clear all those Fast & Furious DVDs out? Korea's Wii controllers are a stealDarn cheap to pick up some hardware in Korea WiiWare developer shares rejection letterThey can't all be winners, can they?
Massively Week in Review: June 4-10
It has been an exciting week for fans of EVE Online -- and for fans of Sci-fi MMOGs in general. First, the Sci-fi channel dropped the word that they're working on an MMO that will be combined with an unnamed-as-yet series. Now all the hungry EVE fans are finally getting to sink their teeth into new fierce Factional Warfare in the free expansion released today, The Empyrean Age. Miss out on any of the other goings on? Set your phasers on "awesome" and read on for all the latest from Massively! News Massively interviews Jon Van Caneghem about the Sci-fi Channel MMO G4 claims the Trion/Sci-Fi project revolves around Stargate [UPDATED] Horse goes homicidal in Age of Conan EVE Online blazes into The Empyrean Age Massively goes to WAR: Every Warhammer class explained Massively goes to WAR: Wrap-up EVE Online meets Half-Life 2 in machinima masterpiece Zon: the MMO that teaches you to speak Chinese Rumor: Dungeons and Dragons Online coming to consoles Come frag Massively in PlanetSide! Discussion Anti-Aliased: There's other people there too, ya know. Porn addiction more accepted than WoW? Why aren't there more console MMOs? MMOGology: There's no place like Azeroth EVE Evolved: EVE Online PvP vs Age of Conan PvP Massively goes to WAR: What worries us about Warhammer
The best of WoW Insider: June 3-10, 2008
It's heating up outside, but the World of Warcraft is growing ever colder, as we get closer and closer to the Wrath of the Lich King expansion. And as usual, Joystiq's sister site WoW Insider is covering every temperature drop that goes down -- from interviews with world-first guilds to the latest rumors and updates on what we'll find in Northrend, WoW Insider is there. Here's our most popular posts from the last week in WoW. News WoW Insider interviews SK Gaming about downing Kil'jaeden, the Sunwell, and why to stack +hasteThe world first guild to down the last boss of the endgame talks with us about high-end raiding. Blizzard changes the description of the Death Knight treesBlizz clarifies (or makes more vague, depending on how you look at it) what the Death Knights will do in the expansion. No pure +damage gear in Wrath, claims KalganA fundamental change to the way caster gear improves spell damage and healing stats. The Brewfest Kodo and what it may mean for Wrath's release dateAn October holiday mount is hidden in the expansion's files, which means we may see a release before then. Ten Druids go on nom spree in KaraHalf of Karazhan is brought down by ten Druids all on their own. Features Guildwatch: Open your face jellyfishA wacky drama queen in our weekly look at guild drama spawns a new catchphrase. Illusionary Tactics: Orb of DeceptionOur new weekly column examines items and spells that can change your appearance. Know Your Lore: The Scarlet CrusadeKYL examines the enemy faction that's probably been killed the most in-game (well, except for the Alliance). Tank Talk: Do you feel lucky, punk?Our new column for raiding tanks covers everything from armor to threat control. The Art of War(craft): DotA-style battleground in WotLK?Think you've seen the last of Defense of the Ancients (a.k.a. "Dhota")? Think again.
DS Fanboy Lite: May 31 - June 6
It was an unusually eventful week for niche RPG fans, with news from Nippon Ichi of a North American release of of the Rhapsody remake, as well as a brand new game! And, of course, there's still Disgaea. That contrasts with what may be the least niche DS news ever: a new DS Lite color -- bundled with Guitar Hero!Community DS Daily: Keeping it cleanWash your hands! The DS Life: A different kind of trainingWash your hands! Features Metareview: Super Dodgeball BrawlersHit or miss? Promotional Consideration: The usual suspectsWe think this ad is telling us to buy a DS, but we aren't sure how. News of Note Final Fantasy IV videos bring July a little closerWe're in the final month before Final Fantasy! New Zealand: Nintendo's new red-headed stepchildNow there's no excuse not to import. Guitar Hero DS bundle is almost perfectWhat a lovely silver/black DS! As long as you've got your hand over part of it. Infinite Interactive targets kids with Neopets Puzzle AdventureMore like Neo-Puzzle Quest! Music to our ears: NIS America announces RhapsodyMusical, dessert-filled RPG remake! Shiren the Wanderer DS 2 no longer a mysteryGood luck finishing the first one! A Witch's Tale casts a spell on usAnother new announcement from NIS America!
X3F Week in Review -- May 30, 2008 - June 5, 2008
Videos, videos, videos. This week was apparently all about video features at X3F. With demos for Ninja Gaiden 2, NASCAR 09 and Crash Time, we had more impressions that we could shake a stick at. Add these to our regular stockpile of video features -- Community Content, XBLA in Brief, and Points>Life -- and you've got an audiovisual smorgasbord of delights. A smorgasbord, we say! Not only that but we have retrospectives on Ninja Gaiden and Tomonobu Itagaki. Simply amazing.For your viewing pleasure, we've embedded our video impressions of Crash Time. After the glorious light that was the Ninja Gaiden 2 demo, Crash Time reminds us of the fetid depths of bargain bin gaming. Watch the video and then peruse the links below to cleanse your palette. Trust us, you'll need to. X3F Impressions: Ninja Gaiden II demoSweet, sweet, gory goodness. X3F Impressions: Crash Time demoCrappy, crappy, awful badness X3F Impressions: NASCAR 09 demoUm ... NASCAR-y, NASCAR-y, NASCAR-ness? Points>Life: Racing is PuzzlingSolving PGR4 puzzles so you don't have too XBLA in Brief: Warlords and Buku SudokuAnother Atari 'classic' and ... Sudoku hit XBLA XBLA in Brief: Aces of the Galaxy and RoogooTwo decent games in one week? Wow Community Content: Docking Station EditionSomeone built a space ship in Halo 3, you invade it Tomonobu Itagaki: A Blood Splattered HistoryOne of gaming's most outspoken designers profiled A History of Violence: Ninja Gaiden RetrospectiveRyu Hayabusa: Badass since 1988
Wii Fanboy Weekly: May 28 - June 4
It's your last chance to save yourself, unlike the kitty you see above. You can win our Wii Fit bundle, along with a Nyko Energy Pak. If you didn't enter today, you have a few minutes left, so get to it!Features Awesome Nintendo papercraftSee what folks are making out of paper! Brawl Stage of the Week: Spear TWMXWatch out for pointy objects VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 6/2/08We check out this week's Virtual Console release, Ninja Combat Virtually Overlooked: Earnest EvansWe tell you why it should be on the Virtual Console Wii Fanboy Review: PrototheaThe latest WiiWare release gets reviewed Videos Rock Band drum kit mod allows disabled gamers to get in on the actionFeel-good mod Make short work of Mario Kart Wii's Grumble VolcanoWow, what a shortcut Slug it out with the new trailerMario's baseball title is shaping up nicely Friday Video: Samus joins the Ultimate AllianceBet you didn't know Samus almost ended up in the Activision game News Hama planning to manufacture their own WiimoteNot too shabby Slew of SNK titles, along with Dig Dug, get rated by ESRBComing to a Virtual Console near you
Massively Week in Review: May 28-June 3
This week Massively's own co-lead Michael Zenke headed out to EA/Mythic headquarters to get the inside scoop on Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. From guilds to crafting to conquering other cities, we've got all kinds of hot new information for this exciting upcoming title. Read on for the highlights of a news-packed week from Massively! News Massively goes to WAR: Your Warhammer questions answered Age of Conan update re-adds Traders, fixes another leveling exploit June 10th marks the dawn of EVE's Empyrean Age White Lion confirmed as final High Elf career The top 20 most influential people in the MMO industry Age of Conan: Senior CSR responds to the recent mass banning Grimwell on fearing the silence of the majority Discussion The Gaming Iconoclast: Old (Un?)-Faithful Player vs. Everything: Why won't you just take a break? Anti-Aliased: Crime and punishment in MMOs The death penalty and you The Digital Continuum: Crafting conundrum Player vs. Everything: Online Games and Sex Maybe one has to be immature to enjoy mature content
DS Fanboy Lite: May 24 - May 30
Just as with our beloved DS Lite, DS Fanboy Lite is like the original, but smaller. Sleeker. Only not necessarily better. Herein you can see some of the best we've had to offer in the last week, encapsulated for your reading ease.Community DS Fanswag: The swarmHow about two free DS games? Hope you like insects. Features DS Fanboy Review: Drone TacticsFight off the swarm, and also the not-so-great story. The DS Life: Going out to eatNow that's freedom. Promotional Consideration: Dragon Quest IV commercials were weirdBut really, what do you expect? News of note New old colors heading to AustraliaBut not the new new colors that are going to Europe! Free Wi-Fi for DS no more at North American McDonald's nowBut we still can't get enough of those fries ... damn their salty perfection. Ubisoft to help DS owners Stop SmokingThey are SO behind the times. DSVision pricing and release date announcedWe really want to get in on this. Rhythm Tengoku Gold, Stafy announced, Fire Emblem datedEvery day is a megaton for DS owners.
X3F Week in Review: May 23, 2008 - May 28, 2008
The X3F Week in Review returns once again, chock-full of the latest news and community features (seriously, we checked our chock, and that sucker is full). We've hit our 70th Xbox 360 Fancast, which is pretty amazing. Even more amazing is the awesome Commander Shepard statue we're giving away this week. Perhaps even more awesome than that are the 100 codes for the Bad Company demo that we're giving away. Win a code now and play the demo a full week before it's available to the public. Find this and more in the links below.Community Stuff: Fanswag: Battlefield: Bad Company demo codes We've got 100 of them X3F Interview: Load Inc.'s Denis Bourdain How an XBLA developer feels about delisting Points>Life: Recap EditionTake a look back at Points>Life past Xbox 360 Fancast 070 -- Posi-BongWhat is the Posi-Bong? Listen to find out Community Content: Sky High EditionSomeone built a space ship in Avalanche Fanswag Weekly: Mass Effect Shepard statueEvery Mass Effect fan needs one of these 2008 Yearbook: Microsoft Game StudiosSee the most likely to succeed News: The voice of GTAIV's Roman is broke, rent himNiiiiko, my cousin! Free TimeShift DLC shifts to not freeTime travel may have been involved Bad Company achievmens one up kill count againSeriously? (Yes) First glimpse of the Rock Band Stage KitYup, looks like a smoke machine Crook nabs 360, replaces with original XboxOh now that's just cold NG2 Xbox.com page updated; no more demo?Someone will pay for this
Wii Fanboy Weekly: May 22 - May 28
All of you Nintendo fanboys and fangirls out there are likely as excited by the release of Wii Fit as we are. We've been hard at work, churning out features and coverage for the game. You can check out all we have up until now below. For those of you who don't give a damn about Wii Fit, did you know we're giving away a Virtual Console game? Yeah, it's River City Ransom!Wii Fit features and coverage: Wii Fanboy Review: Wii FitWe make a stance on Wii Fit (ynuck ynuck) Peripherals that paved the way for the Balance BoardTake a trip with us down Memory Lane Point/Counterpoint: Wii FitA positive and negative slant on the product Finding space for Wii FitLet us help you get some workout space set up Australians prefer Wii Fit to GTA IVSeriously Wii Fit vs Let's YogaPopular DS title Let's Yoga goes head-to-head with Wii Fit Five quick Wii Fit factoidsSome things you may not be expecting when opening that box Stuff that isn't Wii Fit: Virtually Free: RansomedWe're giving away River City Ransom! Wii Fanboy Review: Table TennisWe put the Aksys title through its paces Sam and Max in motionDirect from the Everyone's Nintendo Channel Helix springs onto WiiWareA promising rhyhm-based title? Barack rocks the Check Mii Out ChannelThe people have spoken! Wii, meet goo: Japanese web portal offers content for Internet ChannelAnother reason to envy Japan Gallery: Unwrapping Wii Fit
DS Fanboy Lite: May 17 - May 23
All this week, DS Fanboy has been celebrating the active and awesome homebrew scene. Need to know how to get started? We can help. Veteran looking for some different programs? We can help with that, too! Only interested in retail games? No problem -- here's the rest of what we've been up to this week.Community DS Daily: The pretty colorsWhat's your ultimate fantasy shade? Features Promotional Consideration: King of the Monster AdsEven bad games need good marketing. The DS Life: IndianaNot the state, but that other one. News of note The Ultimate Pokemon Showdown of Ultimate DestinyBecause you know you want to make children cry. Viva Pinata almost had DS/360 connectivityAnd then they decided that hell freezing over is a bad thing. Nintendo confirms injection of color for European DSesNintendo DS Lite: the new trading card system ... uh, system. The history of Dragon Quest IV boxartHint: it's been released several times. C.O.R.E. spells 'uninspiring'Haven't we done this before?
X3F Week in Review: May 16, 2008 - May 22, 2008
We'd like to pretend that the number one thing that happened this week wasn't the 69th episode of the Xbox 360 Fancast, but we just can't. It's really the biggest thing to happen since we hit episode 050. Yes, we're puerile infants. We're comfortable with that. Oh, and we had plenty of features too, including our video look at Penny Arcade Adventures, a new edition of Points>Life, and a new piece of swag up for grabs. Dig through it all in the links below.Community Stuff Video Marketplace Weekly: Sweeney editionAll the latest on Video Marketplace Community Content: Back at Blackout EditionKilling is more fun in the dark X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Penny Arcade AdventuresTycho and Gabe make their game debut X3F TV -- Points>Life: Fire It Up!Easy achievements in Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 Fanswag Weekly: Lost OdysseyThis game, it's 50 hours long, and free! X3F TV -- X3F Impressions: Dragonball Z: Burst LimitNow with more cheese Xbox 360 Fancast 069 -- TeeheeInfantile jokes abound News Alert! Microsoft Points scam sweeps Xbox LiveAlso, we have a bridge for sale Canadian currency buried in Halo 3's SnowboundYet another Halo 3 Easter egg Funny endings return for Silent Hill: HomecomingBecause if any game makes us laugh, it's Silent Hill Beware of the "Meat Shield"Gears 2 already controversial GTAIV papercraft is adorable, violentNo papercraft hookers ... yet Halo Wars Alpha is over, new info in June GameProWe can has playable Covenant?
Wii Fanboy Weekly: May 15 - May 21
It's been a long week for us here at Wii Fanboy, and it's likely to not let up. We've been hard at work bringing you the content you crave and doing our best to provide you with the news coverage you care about. If we failed you on that, we apologize, and ask that you take these links to our best content over the last week. Hopefully you'll find something in there that will make you stop hating us forever.Reviews: Wii Fanboy Review: Critter Round-UpWe round-up some opinions on Konami's WiiWare title Wii Fanboy Review: Dr. Mario and Germ BusterIs it the Dr. Mario you know and love? Wii Fanboy's Review: Star Soldier RHudson's shmup is score-driven, but is it good? Wii Fanboy Review: Battle of the BandsRhythmically challenged? Or musical genius? Wii Fanboy Review: FFCC: My Life as a KingOur final word on Square's downloadable title Wii Fanboy Review: Heavenly GuardianHow is it? Read on and find out! Features: Revolutionary: Mario Kart Training WheelHaving issues with your Wii Wheel performance? We got you covered! Virtually Overlooked: Skate or DieWe tell you why it needs to be on the Virtual Console VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 5/19/08We play Skykid and show you what's what. Brawl Stage of the Week: Metroid revisitedThe original Metroid's iconic first area is recreated in Brawl Other Items of Interest: Beautiful Katamari rumors roll to a stopBye-bye, Katamari Wii Warm Up: Starting a regimenThe community chimes in on their plans for Wii Fit and whether they're starting a routine Friday Video: TreslingThe art of arm-wrestling and Tetris come together
DS Fanboy Lite: May 10 - May 16
Just as with our beloved DS Lite, DS Fanboy Lite is like the original, but smaller. Sleeker. Only not necessarily better. Herein you can see some of the best we've had to offer in the last week, encapsulated for your reading ease.Community The DS Life: WanderersThe DS really gets around. Features So you love Advance Wars: Days of Ruin?Then maybe you'll also like these games. DS Fanboy Review: Crosswords DSNot the best we've seen from Nintendo. DS Fanboy Review: Undercover: Dual MotivesThe only thing under cover here is the fun factor of this game. Point/Counterpoint: Will a DS redesign be announced this year?He says yes, she says no -- how about you? Let's Yoga vs. Yoga DVDGame vs. the time-honored exercise video. Who wins? Promotional Consideration: Advertising with Power, revisitedJust how much of the new Nintendo Power is dedicated to ads? News of note Rumor: CoroCoro Comic reveals Pokemon PlatinumWhat? New Pokémon! NO WAI. Has Phoenix Wright 3 been removed from the docket in Europe?Because, y'know, no one needs that pesky third installment. Blue Dragon, Away: Shuffle Dungeon confirmed for U.S.And there was much rejoicing. Famitsu confirms new DS Castlevania, Igarashi at helmDay one for all of DS Fanboy. Metallic Rose DS Lite a realityNow without giant paw print. Sega officially announces Platinum Games deal, Infinite Line media releasedThat day was a good day.
X3F Week in Review: May 9, 2008 - May 15, 2008
It's not every day that the ninja from the Ask a Ninja podcast shows up on your Xbox 360. Imagine our very pleasant surprise then, when he popped up on Xbox Live Marketplace a few days ago promoting Ninja Gaiden II (which he calls a "flippin' awesome game"). Find the second XBLM exclusive episode in the links below along with a truckload of Microsoft Spring Showcase coverage.Community Stuff: Xbox 360 Fancast 068 -- TrendsettingWarning: do not eat while listening X3F TV -- Points>Life: The Beginning and the EndDig out Vegas for some easy achievements Fanswag Weekly: McFarlane Halo 3 WarthogThis belongs on your desk Ask X3F: troubled Too Human editionWhy's everyone all down on Too Human? Spring Showcase 08 (and Ask a Ninja): Spring Showcase no shows: Halo Wars and Alan WakeSo where are they? X3F Impressions: Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and BoltsBecause building things is fun X3F Impressions: Penny Arcade AdventuresOn the water-soaked something or other X3F Impressions: Too HumanSomebody has to crawl those dungeons, after all X3F Impressions: Viva Piñata: Trouble in ParadisePrepared to suck your life away all over again X3F Impressions: Ninja Gaiden 2Gimme gimme gimme GIMME! Ask a Ninja promotes Ninja Gaiden 2I believe that you are ninja too
The Best Of Big Download: May 8 - May 15, 2008
Howdy folks! I'm John Callaham, one of the lead writers at the new Big Download site. As some of you may know we had a "soft launch" last week for both the main site and the related Joystiq-powered news blog that's dedicated to all things PC gaming. We are still in beta mode, so that means we are in the process of squashing a few remaining bugs, but we are making great progress in that area. Despite our "beta" status, we ran a ton of terrific original features this week, and as we get ready for our full blown "hard launch" you can expect even more original features and exclusive news from Big Download. In the meantime here are our highlights for our debut week:Exclusive features: PvP vs PvE: Blizzard on World of Warcraft: Big Download chats exclusively with Blizzard team members on their plans for tournament play features in World of Warcraft. In-Depth: Galactic Civilizations 2: Twilight of the Arnor: It's our detailed look at Stardock's just released second expansion to their hit space strategy game. Guide to Team Fortress 2 Medic Achievements: Check out the first four parts of our extensive look at the various achievements for the Medic class in Valve's multiplayer shooter. Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four Casually Speaking: Evolving the casual game: Our first entry in our new weekly look at casual games asks the question, "What is a casual game, anyway?" Freeware Friday: Cave Story: Our weekly look at free games for the PC checks out an unusual title made by one Japanese man that our columist calls "quite possibly the best freeware game of all time."
