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THE VIDEO!

It’s an unfortunate setback for the game as it is set to pit 12 players head to head in mock super hero and super villain teams using licensed material from the Batman franchise of course. Xbox, Playstation and PC users will be able to get access to the game as a downloadable title and battle it out to their heart’s content. I saw the game in action at E3 2011 and it looked decent enough but unfortunately we’ll have to hold out a while longer to see if it’s worth jumping into.

For more info keep an eye on the Gotham City Impostors homepage for details. Otherwise check out the video below to get an idea of what feels like a Batman themed TF2 massive shooter.

• Outland - 400 MS Points
• From Dust™ 800 MS Points
• Splinter Cell: Conviction - $14.99
• Your Shape: Fitness Evolved - Toned Body -160 MS Points
• Might & Magic Clash of Heroes – 600 MS Points
• Zeit² - 400 MS Points
• Your Shape: Fitness Evolved – Cardio Boxing Platinum – 160 MS Points
• Bloody Good Time – 200 MS Points
• Panzer General – 200 MS Points
• Prince of Persia: Epilogue – 400 MS Points
• Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood – The Da Vinci Disappearance DLC - 400 MS Points
• Splinter Cell: Conviction – Deniable Ops: Insurgency – 400 MS Points
• Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. 2 – $14.99
• Your Shape: Fitness Evolved – Rainbow Legwarmers (avatar) – 80 MS Points
• Voodoo Dice – 200 MS Points
• Your Shape: Fitness Evolved – 80′s Muscle Pants (avatar) – 80 MS Points
• Your Shape: Fitness Evolved – Unitard Outfit (avatar) – 120 MS Points
• Beyond Good & Evil HD – 400 MS Points
• Assassin’s Creed II – Sequence 12: Battle for Forli - 160 MS Points
• Assassin’s Creed II – Sequence 13: Bonfire of the Vanities & Secret Locations – 280 MS Points

Done? Cool, Dead or Alive 5 promises to bring high quality and high energy fighting into the mix, something we’ve had no shortage of with games like UMVC3 and KOF stepping up their speed of pace this year. Their focus will be on displaying a variety of techniques along with their signature styles already formed, the mix should attract fans and fighting purists into a brawl unlike any other.

Dead or Alive took off on the Dreamcast and in the Arcades when it released its sequel title, from there it was high explosions graceful but powerful moves and intense combinations that carried it into legend. For me, it’s one of the best 3D fighters in the mix as it always sticks true to the basic formula for gameplay and few titles out there can pull that off anymore.

 BIGGER, BADDER, BETTER …WWE ’12 looks like it’s finally making strides on becoming an all around complete game for its genre with a 70+ character roster and a promise of more to come, WWE’12 is giving the fans what they have asked for… lets jump in and go through the details.

Presentation/Visuals:

The look of WWE ’12 is a huge leap from SvR 2011, the minute you press start you’ll notice the menu layout is simple and direct. I think this helps the loading times significantly, it is the most noticeable in the creation feature. THQ did a great job capturing the production style of the television show, from broadcast camera angles to little things like the mini titantron’s around the arena. The ring entrances are more cinematic and authentic to its TV counterpart, they really capture a WWE event atmosphere and its intensity.

Controls/Gameplay:

Over the past 3 years, the SmackDown! Vs Raw series controls have become so complex that THQ featured a training gym with a move checklist so players could learn the control scheme. That’s not the case anymore, for WWE ’12 they’ve simplified the button layout entirely. Since the weak/strong grapple system from earlier versions is no longer around, you can only execute certain moves based on your opponents physical state. A button initiates grapples, with another press along with a direction on the analog stick you can perform one of the four standard moves each grapple position has. This setup allows you the ability to switch between positions using the right analog stick, if your opponent is groggy you will be able to perform a stronger move. Another change in the  game is the limp targeting system, in SvR2011 players had a HUD layout of your opponents body would showcase which area has taken the most damage, it never made difference in matches it was just for show. Now you can isolate a specific part the body by holding the RB button when engaged in a grapple, a similar HUD layout with the face buttons assigned to each area will appear. Pressing a button that corresponds to the head, body, legs and arms will affect opponents hindering their movements and make it easier to hold submissions. Dynamic Comebacks give the player who’s on the verge of losing a last-minute opportunity to turn the tables by hitting certain combinations of moves.

A.I. has gotten an upgrade, for those of you who play on legend difficultly there are some times the CPU use’s cheap tactics to boost its potency, it’s most noticeably when facing John Cena and Randy Orton.

The new Submission system (Breaking Point) moves submissions back to face buttons now, it now becomes a mash button mini game between players/CPU. When a submission is locked on, a breaking point meter pops up and the attacker must fill the meter to the top while the defender tries to stop the meter from reaching the end. Make sure you have your opponent nice and red or they will get kick out instantly on you.

Features:

WWE Universe back and by far the best mode in the series since GM mode for Smackdown vs Raw 2006. Being able to make matches and choose what brand wrestlers go to which event  is what fans always want in WWE games. This mode gives it you and then some, it kept me glued to my Xbox controller through this review. Universe now lets you  change brand names, arenas, logos  and which titles go to which brand. For instance, replacing the RAW U.S. Title with the European title and converting Smackdown into WCW Monday Nitro are some things you can do with this change. I was a little disappointed that you have to buy Fan Axxess DLC to edit character attributes though.

The Weakest part of the game I have to say is the Road to Wrestlemania, players play through months of programming as Superstars of Shamus, Triple H and a created player. With a large episodic format, players must play through match after match with heavy backstage and promo segments and even scripted events during matches. With each segment completed it unlocks special content for the rest of the game. I understand Road to Wrestlemaina gives players a different option besides WWE Universe, but it falls short  and if you’re a fan of RTW then you should enjoy this years game, but if you’re not I would suggest sticking to WWE universe.

The Customization for the series has always been astounding , in WWE’12  it can almost be overwhelming to see the wide variety of options available to players. This is what made this game what it is today, from wrestlers to  logos,  finishers, ring entrance sequences. Throwing in arenas makes this game even more exciting by re-creating past and present wrestling promotions  from AWA to ROH is now possible.

Arena creation is set up like create-a-wrestler,  You have four options: Ring, Ring Side, Electronic Billboard and other. The ring option lets you edit Apron, Mat, Ropes, Ring post and Turnbuckle Pad. The Ring Side option lets you edit Floor mat, Barricade, and Announcer table and you can even choose what logos or designs you want on the Billboard, you can literally spend hours customizing now.

Verdict: 

WWE ’12 is one of the strongest wrestling games the WWF /  WWE has put out on the market, with so many options available it’s hard to imagine getting bored with this version anytime soon. Minus shortcomings such as the AI bias it’s a well designed game and a huge accomplishment for Yukes and THQ this year. With the holidays approaching fast, this should be in any wrestling fans gift list if they don’t have it already.

Gameplay:	9.0/10.0
Story:	8.0/10.0
Features:	9.5/10.0
Visuals:	9.0/10.0
Overall:	9.0/10.0

Overall: 9/10

*Update: Trailer has been released, watch it below!

Full quote from Epic:

We have seen the reports of Gears of War 3 content being propped on the Web and working closely with our security teams and law enforcement to address the situation. This content is not from a final build and is not representative of what fans will enjoy when the game launches worldwide on September 20, 2011.

Source: Dana Cowley (Epic Games) | Save and Quit

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Good luck to everyone!

Now they will go into a full on stroke with the announcement of …

Street Fighter vs. Tekken!

No release dates were announced but the instant classic will be out on PS3 and XBOX 360.

If you are worried about your haduken controls messing up your 10 hit combo, there is no need. The companies are each developing their own version with familiar control styles.

Jack vs. Zangief!

Hopefully it’s good turnout, although who knows, it could be completely embarassing with just russian bots trying to win. (thank you spam filters)

Also the contest is running beyond the release date of the 21st as we’ll be at Comic-Con 2010. Good luck to everyone I look forward to the results. The winner will be announced here and sent their code via email.

Update:

Congratulations to reflex! I just sent your XBLA code for LIMBO via the provided email. Thank you everyone for participating, for a full breakdown on how the winner was chosen check here.