Video Game Preview – February 2010

We don’t suppose we need to tell you that Bioshock 2 is the sequel to the highly successful and critically acclaimed first-person shooter released in 2007. But, in case we do, reread that last sentence. This new game once again takes you into the watery depths of the ocean and back to the city of Rapture, an Ayn Rand inspired dystopia full of bizzare children and mutated freaks. Not unlike New York City, really. Bioshock 2 puts you in the clunky diving suit boots of Delta, the very first Big Daddy. Expect more Plasmid-based powers, new weapons and hopefully a twisted story with a mindfuck of a twist like last time. Also on-hand are the obligatory multi-player features.

Dante’s Inferno is probably the first game ever that is based on a piece of epic medevil poetry. Beowulf doesn’t count, as that was a game based on a crappy movie that was based on a piece of epic medevil poetry. See? I know what I’m talking about.

Gameplay-wise, this doesn’t stray too far from the Devil May Cry/God of War style of hack-and-slack gaming. There’s a few neat touches here and there, but it doesn’t seem to be anything revolutionary. What really sets this game apart is the messed up spooky Crusades-era religious themes and background. Expect a lot of messed up demonic imagery, blood, dismemberment and boobs. Oh yes, there will be boobs. Just not in a way you’re probably going to like.

February 16th- Blur (Activision), Free Running (Eidos) and Heavy Rain (SCEA)

If you like your racing games so realistic, you have to be Jimmy Johnson in order to even play it properly, well… you’re going to hate Blur. However, if go karts are more your speed, this might be right up your alley. Blur comes from the same folks who brought you the Project Gotham Racing games, except this time around the game is more like Burnout than Gran Turismo. While you’ve got highly detailed, realistic looking vehicles racing on tracks all over the world, you’ve also got weapons and power-ups more in line with what you’d expect from Wipeout XL or Mario Kart.

How much would we kill for a realistic looking racing game that would allow you to throw banana peels out your window. So much that we can’t say, lest we incriminate ourselves.

Free Running, also known as Parkour, is a sport that generally involves jumping off of buildings. It’s also, for some reason, very popular in France. So, the next time you want to call the French “sissies” try to name any Americans who jump off of buildings for fun. Yeah, we thought so. Anyway, if you’ve seen the opening to Casino Royale or District B13, you’ve seen parkour in action. it was also featured in Mirror’s Edge and, to some extent, the Assassin’s Creed games.

This is the Wii version of the PS2 and PSP game of the same name. We haven’t gotten a chance to try it out yet, but any game that lets you jump off roofs and though windows and shit is probably OK with us.

For years now, everyone from game developers to your grandma have been talking about making the gaming experience “more cinematic” (Whatever. How about making games “more fun”?). Heavy Rain tells a dramatic story about four different people looking for a serial murderer called The Origami Killer. Told in four chapters, the game features moral choices, realistic facial expressions and apparently some unconvential gameplay. What we’ve seen, the graphics and atmosphere look awesome. Hopefully it will turn out the be a fun game that looks like a movie rather than a movie that lets you control a thing or two.

February 23rd- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction. (Ubisoft)

When Splinter Cell first came out ‘lo those many years ago, our first thought was “Metal Gear Solid rip-off!” Of course, we hadn’t played it yet and we were pretty stupid back then. We’re much smarter now and we are not too proud to admit we were wrong back then. Anyway, after approximately 837 sequels, Splinter Cell returns once again with Conviction. This time, Sam Fischer doesn’t have Third Eschelon to rely on, meaning that the gameplay will involve some cool new features. Also, you can smash a dude’s head into a urinal or something, and we’re always up for a game that let’s you do that.