The past two years that I’ve been here with Co-optimus I’ve noticed one very important trend: Co-op games are coming in nice, affordable, downloadable packages. That being said, I’ve also noticed my hard drives filling up quickly - Be it my Xbox 360 250gig, or my PS3 80gig, space is running out...
It's that time of the week again, when the new deal of the week is available for those with an Xbox Live Gold membership. Shank is the featured game, and the savings is 33% off the normal 1200 points down to 800 points, or ten bucks for the math-challenged. We reviewed the game earlier this fall, and though it wasn't without its problems, the overall verdict was that Shank is a decent way to pass an afternoon with a buddy. And until November 22, you can do just that, at a decent discount.
Who needs Call of Duty: Black Ops when you can get adorable action figure-like versions of Marvel Superheroes in video game form instead? I suppose the answer to that question is "most people". Still, Black Ops is a grown up's game, and folks like Thor and Iron Man are far more appropriate for the E10+ crowd. Last year, the first game based on the hit Cartoon Network show was released, and we weren't exactly fond of it. The new game, subtitled The Infinity Gauntlet, is available today for the Wii and this time, for Xbox 360 and PS3 as well. Perhaps the camera and co-op, increased to four players, are a bit more thoughtful this time around. And a high-def makeover can't hurt, either.
Capcom is talking about a sequel to their latest successful zombie slayer, Dead Rising 2. Not only was DR2 a big hit, the XBLA exclusive Case Zero did very well, too. The publisher says that Case Zero has had over half a million downloads. I think making money is part of the Capcom business model, so expect more downloadable content to be heading your way.
We don't do a lot of coverage of the executive shuffle that takes place in the games industry here around Co-Optimus HQ, but one change that might be worth covering is one that actually took place in 2008 when THQ hired a man named Danny Bilson. Bilson came from an 8 year stint at EA doing a lot of creative work on various franchises, but when he arrived at THQ he had a vision to transform the company.
Lets face it - your living room is beginning to look like a McDonald's Play Place and there isn't a McRib in sight. Your room is littered with plastic guitars, fake drum sets, microphones, and other peripherals used for Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and other co-op music games. And the worst part? The only time you break this stuff out is for parties. There is hope though - LevelUp has a solution that both looks stylish and is functional. Enter the officially license Rock Band Storage Ottoman.
How many zombies have you killed? Wait - don't answer - because whatever you say the correct number is "not enough." Lucky for you we have more ways for you to get back to hunting zombies today...and kill them in style.
Microsoft have relaunched their Games for Windows Marketplace, taking the service away from a stand alone program into a browser based version of the online store. The new page not only allows you to browse the entire Games for Windows catalog to download on demand title, but the homepage showcases the latest deals and exclusives to the service. For instance, right now you can snag Borderlands for only $9.99 on the service.
There's more adventure coming to the land of Albion. Fable III is getting additional content next week, including accessories and all new quests. Heroes of Albion have already seen a few items show up in the Sanctuary, including new outfits, tattoos, and even a new canine. The Understone Quest pack will add more than mere aesthetics to the game.
Here at Co-optimus enjoy a solid co-op experience. Sure the game may not be perfect, but Mercenaries 2: World In Flames qualifies as a solid co-op experience. We take a look now at what could have been a third installment in the Mercenaries series had the developer Pandemic Studios not closed down.
A few months ago we brought your attention to the disservice that Capcom was doing to fans of their Bionic Commando franchise by implementing a 'jump' button. Like crying in baseball, it just doesn't belong. Well, Hallelujah! A 'Retro Mode' has been announced for Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2, eliminating that pesky ability. This mode will be unlockable, but I think stubborn faithful gamers like myself can simply refuse to use the jump button on the first playthrough. Let's hope there's not one lone barrel all by itself in the first level, because then I'd be screwed.
Demon's Souls was one of those games with a really unique co-op premise. Instead of traditional forms of co-op, players could be randomly assisted by other players that have died in their own game. Not only did the Atlus game go on to receive great reviews, it went on to sell well enough to earn a Greatest Hits release on the PlayStation 3 - something the publisher rarely sees for its niche titles. So with good sales, should come a sequel, no?
