Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe Announced

Midway is pitting their Mortal Kombat lineup against all your favourite DC heroes.
by Larry_Chimp_Man

Midway is shaking things up with one of their flagship franchises. Mortal Kombat, the fighting game infamous for 0ver-the-top blood and gore, gruesome finishing moves, and a boat-load of attitude, is adding a lineup of guest fighters into the fray. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (previously known as Mortal Kombat 8) will allow all your favourites from both the MK and DC universes to smash heads. Midway hopes the inclusion of DC heroes will kick their once-unstoppable fighting franchise back into top gear. An announcement trailer was released today, check it out below.



I'm not that impressed. The fighting looks incredibly stiff and the character models just aren't doing it for me. I'm not a fan of the Batman model Midway is using as he looks bland and boring. I would have preferred something more stylized for the Dark Knight.



Also, I've heard that because DC is involved in this Mortal Kombat release Midway has toned down the blood and completely removed fatalities from the game. It makes sense, I couldn't imagine DC signing on to a project that would allow Scorpion rip Batman's head off. However, this is sure to piss off quite a few MK fans. The series is all about the over-the-top violence and bloody fatalities, throw all that out the window and you have just another typical fighting game.

It'll be interesting to see where this game goes. I'll most likely pick it up for the chance to fight with Batman, The Joker, and all my favourite DC heroes. Although, reading up on the lack of gore and watching the above trailer make me question if MK vs DCU will be any good. It'll be interesting to see if this sparks any word from the Capcom camp about the possibility of a future Marvel vs Capcom game.

Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe hits shelves this fall and will be available for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

Cheers.

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Metal Gear Solid 4 Limited Edition?

Gamestop has started taking pre-orders for a MGS4 Limited Edition.
by Larry_Chimp_Man

Konami has not yet officially announced a special edition MGS4 package. There has been speculation that one will be released but no official announcement has been made. However, Gamestop must know something we don't as the video game retailer has started taking pre-orders for a deluxe special edition Metal Gear Solid 4.



The limited edition, as described on Gamestop's Site, comes in a collectable metal box and is loaded with extras. Found in the package is a blu-ray disc containing two making of documentaries, four chapters from the graphic novel, and a Metal Gear soundtrack CD. Gamers who pre-order from Gamestop will also receive a limited edition art book. It is unclear whether or not pre-order of the limited edition will grant access into the MGS4 online beta. Gamestop lists the special edition at a price of $84.99.



While I'm a total sucker for limited editions I'm a bit disappointed by the extras found in the MGS4 special edition. Don't get me wrong, the blu-ray disc loaded with extras is cool, but it's not as exciting as a mini Master Chief helmet or Grand Theft Auto safety deposit box. It's going to be hard for me to justify paying an extra $35 for a tin case and an extra DVD considering most games sell similar packages for only $10 extra. However, this may all be speculation on Gamestop's part. Nothing has officially been announced by either SCEA or Konami and, if true, the price may change closer to release.

What do you guys think of this package? Would you pay the extra $35 for the content found in the special edition?

Metal Gear Solid 4 hits shelves on June 12th. Click HERE to pre-order the game over at Amazon.

Cheers.

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Dead Space Developer Diary

EA has released the first behind-the-scenes developer diary for their upcoming sci-fi survival horror game.

It looks like another strong day for survival horror games at MediaZEALOT. Yesterday we posted a preview of Atari's upcoming Alone in the Dark and mentioned how it was leading the way for some upcoming horror releases. One of those games is the EA developed Dead Space. Today the Redwood Shores EA studio released the game's first developer diary, check it out below.



This game is looking very promising. As I mentioned yesterday I'm a huge fan of survival horror games and Dead Space looks like it could be a real treat. Outer Space is the ultimate prison and, similar to the sea in BioShock, it looks like it will set the perfect tone for this game. From what I've seen in these videos the atmospheric effects look to be spot on and the eerie score used throughout is killer. The game has a very Alien inspired feel with a pinch of The Thing thrown into the mix. Hopefully Dead Space can capture what made both of those films so great.



In an attempt to create some buzz for Dead Space's release EA has partnered with Image Comics. Image has begun releasing a six-issue comic mini-series based on the game. Anthony Jonston has stepped in to write while each book will be illustrated by superstar artist Ben Templesmith. The first issue hit shelves last Wednesday but I unfortunately missed out. Hopefully I can find it on eBay or get Pow Comics to re-order it for me.

Dead Space hits shelves on Halloween. It will be released for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. Click HERE to pre-order Dead Space over at Amazon.

Cheers.

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Alone in the Dark: Tech Demos

Atari and Eden Games have released two videos showcasing the next-gen Alone in the Dark.

As a huge fan of survival horror games the upcoming Alone in the Dark has been on my radar for quite some time. I've been a fan of the series since Jack is Back on the Playstation and have been dying to play a next-gen release of the series.



Recently Eden Games and publisher Atari have been releasing what they are calling "Real World Rules" tech demos for Alone in the Dark. The videos showcase the game engine as well as some of the title's key features. Check them out below.


Alone in the Dark: Real World Rules Episode 1


Alone in the Dark: Real World Rules Episode 2


These tech demos looks absolutely amazing and have really gotten me excited for this June release. I love how the game's focus is on object combinations and strategy rather than the size of your arsenal. It looks like the title will be very open to different play styles and it will be interesting to see what possibilities arise in different scenarios. The jacket equip menu looks very cool and moving objects with the right stick looks very intuitive. I am, however, a bit skeptical about the overuse of sticky-tape.



As cool as these videos are they don't delve into mentioning the feature that will put this game on the map; episodic play. Alone in the Dark is structured around quite a few 30-40 minute episodes that allow you play the game as if you're watching a TV show. Whenever you load a save file the game will play a video summarizing previous accomplishments and plot points. Also, to stay true to the television feel, each episode will end with a teaser for the next adventure. It's a cool idea and could potentially lead the way to downloadable episodes as bonus content.

Alone in the Dark looks to be leading the way for a few interesting survival horror video games. The Atari release will be followed by EA's Dead Space in October and Capcom's Resident Evil 5 sometime in 2009.

Alone in the Dark will be released for the Xbox 360, PC, Playstation 2, and Nintendo Wii on June 3rd. It will not be released on the PS3 until 2008. Click HERE to pre-order the game at Amazon.

Cheers.

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New LEGO Batman Trailer

A new trailer for LEGO Batman: The Video Game has hit the web.

If you haven't yet played any of the LEGO Star Wars games make it a priority to go out and pick one up. The series may look like it's aimed at children but it's surprisingly fun and addicting. I always have a good time playing LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Trilogy and it's arguably one of the best Star Wars games ever made.



It's because of my love for LEGO Star Wars that I was so excited when Warner Bros Interactive and game developer Traveller's Tales announced LEGO Batman last year. The game has a ton of potential and if it can provide a similar experience to that of LEGO Star Wars gamers will be in for a treat. Warner Interactive has released a new trailer for the game, check it out below:



LEGO Batman: The Video Game will feature 18 levels and 36 different characters, how many of which are playable is still unknown. Apparently the game will focus on the Batman seen in the comics and animated series rather than following storylines found in Batman Begins or The Dark Knight.

Traveller's Tales has also been hard at work on another LEGO video game. LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures will allow gamers to play out moments from the first three Indiana Jones films. It will be released on June 8th, two and a half weeks after the release of Indiana Jones and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

LEGO Batman: The Video Game will be released in September 2008 for the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PC, PS2, PSP, and DS. MediaZEALOT will continue to keep you posted on the game leading up to it's launch.

Cheers.

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Metal Gear Solid 4 Release Date Announced

Konami has revealed that MGS4 will have a street date of June 12th.

It appears that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots finally has a release date. Konami has announced they plan to ship the game for a June 12th street date and that a Metal Gear PS3 bundle will come out around the same time.



This is the game the PS3 needs to gain momentum as a gaming system. The PS3 has been picking up quite a bit of steam lately with the recent success of Sony's Blu-ray format. However, many are viewing the console as a cheap Blu-ray player and not as a gaming system. Sony needs to start releasing quality games for their machine as MGS4 will be a giant step in the right direction.

Sony has plans to release a Metal Gear PS3 bundle around the same time as the game's release in June. The bundle will include an 80GB PS3, a recently announced Dual Shock 3 controller, and Metal Gear 4 along with an online start pack.

Speaking of online, Sony has revealed that gamers who pre-order Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots will be accepted into an online beta similar to what Bungie did with Halo 3 last spring. The beta plans to begin in late April and there has been no word on how long it will last.

Metal Gear 4 should be a great game and provide the push Sony needs to sell their PS3 as a gaming system. Keep checking back to MediaZEALOT as we'll provide MGS4 updates leading up to its release.

Cheers.

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VIDEO GAMES: Grand Theft Auto IV Trailer Goes Live

The long-awaited trailer for Rockstar's long-awaited game hits the net at last.

After a month-long countdown on Rockstar's official site the trailer for Grand Theft Auto IV has finally hit the net. While only a minute of gameplay footage, it does share quite a bit of info on the upcoming game. For starters, gamers will find themselves working back in Liberty City such as GTA 3, only this time it appears as if you play an Eastern European.

Here, check out the trailer yourself:

I think the game looks awesome (everything shown is in-game). Rockstar is using the same engine it utilized in last year's Table Tennis game and it appears to be handling the big environments of Liberty City very well. Just look at all the detail in the signs around the city, and they move too. While I'm not a huge fan of the Grand Theft Auto series I can't wait for this title. Hopefully there is an online aspect to the game.

Grand Theft Auto IV hits shelves in October. I'll keep you posted as more updates hit the net.

Cheers.

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FILM: Sony names Blu-ray as winner over HD-DVD

Sony's Blu-ray for-the-win?

SCEA (Sony Computer Entertainment America) today realeased a few bits of information hoping to swing the Blu-ray/Toshiba HD-DVD war. Sony says that since the release of their gaming machine, the Playstation 3, Blu-ray Disc has undergone "tremendous growth in consumer adoption."

Sony stated that:

-Blu-ray has outsold HD-DVD in cumulative sales.
-Blu-ray titles outsold HD-DVD titles by more than two-to-one during the first week of January 2007.
-Blu-ray titles outsold HD-DVD titles by more than three-to-one during the second week of January 2007.



While some sites are stating that these tidbits of information declare the winner of the media war, I still believe that it's far from over. First off, Sony didn't release cumulative sales numbers, only the fact that they were selling more. The battle could be neck and neck or it could be a landslide, we're not sure. Second, the other stats released by Sony are VERY specific, and don't mean much when you look at the big picture.

I'm yet to pick sides in the HD-DVD/Blu-ray media war, I'll wait until the dust has settled and pick the victor. Until then I'll sit on the fence.

Cheers.

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