P3zine Issue 26

FREE! NAVIGATE Issue 26 | April 2009

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PLUS! MASS IVE REVIEW CHRONICLES Exclusive hands-on preview & interview OF RIDDICK: ASSAULT ON REVIEW! PREVIEW! PREVIEW! DARK ATHENA

Call of Guitar Hero Operation Juarez 2 Metallica Flashpoint CONTROL NAVIGATE |02 The latest & QUICK FINDER Welcome DON’T MISS! greatest titles Every game’s just a click away This month’s highlights... on PS3 toP3Zine Wolfenstein Bound in Blood Final Fantasy XIII The Chronicles of Say hello to another cracking issue of Dante’s Inferno Riddick: Assault on Red Faction: Dark Athena P3Zine. This month we have a trio of in-depth Guitar Hero: Guerrilla Guitar Hero: previews in the shape of Red Faction: Guerilla; Operation Flash- Metallica Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising; and the Metallica point: Dragon Rising Burn, Zombie, Burn of so cool Call of Juarez 2. In addition we have Rock & roll baby Call of Juarez: PowerUp Forever ﬁrst-looks at Wolfenstein, Dante’s Inferno and Final Fantasy XIII. Keep clicking through and you’ll arrive at MORE FREE MAGAZINES! LATEST ISSUES! the reviews section where we have The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena and Guitar Hero: Metallica for your delectation. Red Faction: As ever, if you like what you see, don’t forget to send the issue on to your mates, and do let Guerrilla me have your feedback... Exclusive hands-on preview & interview

MAGAZINE FEEDBACK! Dan Hutchinson, Editor Click here to [email protected] DON’T MISS ISSUE 27 SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE! tell us what you think of the magazine WARNING! M ULTIMEDIA DISABLED! If you are rea ding this, then you didn’t cho o se “Play” Operation Flashpoint 2 when Ado be R ea der aske d you ab out multime dia when MEET THE TEAM Hands-on preview you opene d the magazine. There’s nowt they don’t know about PlayStation Without the multimedia playing, the magazine will lo ok correct, but you will be missing out on all of the extra content built into each issue, like videos, animated screenshots, annotations, quizzes, competitions and more. We recommend you close and re-open the magazine and select “Play” when Chris Schilling Steve Hill Steve Boxer asked about the multimedia to enj oy the magazine as intended. Better Red than dead Chronicling Riddick Calling Jaurez Call of Juarez 2 Looking mighty ﬁne

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |03 Previews There’ll still be plenty of ‘traditional’ Nazi FIRST villains to shoot – at least before things start getting seriously supernatural. Wolfenstein LOOK A Nazi bit of business Publisher: Activision Developer: Raven Software What’s the story? It’s 1943, and the Nazis are still convinced that dabbling in the occult is Heritage: Marvel the best way to take over the world. Fresh from beating them in Return Ultimate Alliance, Quake 4 to Castle Wolfenstein, BJ Blazkowicz sets out to prevent this new threat Link: www.wolfenstein. – a force known simply as ‘the Veil’, whose power the Nazis are trying to com/home/ harness so that they can crush Europe under their collective jackboot. agegate?ref=home ETA: July Why should we be excited? Raven’s shooter mixes old-school mechanics and charm with new-school PREVIEW tech to bring us something that feels both oddly nostalgic yet will get FEEDBACK! “With huge mutated even the most hardened action-junkie’s pulse pounding. While it’s still Click here to bosses and ever-more- got a tinge of the classic one-man-against-overwhelming-odds tale, tell us what enormous guns, this is BJ joins forces with three different factions who can help him get one you think of Resistance meets Killzone? step closer to the Nazis, use their weapons against them, or upgrade his Wolfenstein These AI allies are no match less World War II and existing armoury. It seems the Veil can benefit you too – a collectible for the Heavy Troopers. more World War Wow” amulet allows you to use its power to spot hidden enemies and briefly slow down time, which allows BJ to take down several Nazis in one go. Throw in huge mutated bosses and ever-more- enormous guns, and this is less World War II and more World War Wow. When do we get more? The game’s going to be released ‘when it’s done’, but we’re expecting to spend some more time with it in late May/early June. We’ll bring you our hands-on impressions shortly thereafter. Anything else to declare? The game uses the id Tech 4 engine, with a modified version of the engine for the multiplayer mode, which is the same as the one used in Enemy Territory: Quake Wars. The Veil’s mysterious powers result in enemies quite unlike any other in a World War II shooter. CONTROL PLAYBACK OPTIONS:

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |05 Previews FIRST Final LOOK

Publisher: Square-Enix Fantasy XIII Developer: Square-Enix Heritage: Final Fantasy series Lucky for some? Link: www.square-enix. co.jp/fabula/ff13 What’s the story? ETA: TBA Only just about the biggest Japanese-developed release of the year, that’s all. It’s the story of a race called the fal’Cie, a giant floating city FFXII’s battle system invigorated the rather named Cocoon, a rebellion by the humans living in said city, and staid combat mechanics of most RPGs, eventually a war between the fal’Cie and humanity. Into which steps PREVIEW Lightning, a sort of female Cloud Strife, who is tasked against her will to FEEDBACK! though traditionalists were up in arms. Can XIII’s approach keep everyone happy? bring down Cocoon. Expect internal conflicts, epic sweep and lots of Click here to numbers appearing over characters’ heads. tell us what you think of Final Why should we be excited? Fantasy XIII “Male character Snow After XII’s revolutionary but divisive battle system, we’re back in turn- rides into battle on a based territory, though the approach taken here is far from traditional. The popular Active Time Battle mechanic returns, but it’s enhanced motorbike. Meanwhile, by tweaks which allow you to stack attacks and unleash them protagonist Lightning simultaneously, allowing characters to chain combos for devastating carries a sword which is damage. And rather than MP, the actions you use in combat are determined by ‘cost points’. Despite the return to a more strategic, also a gun” command-based system, the transitions between world exploration XIII’s graphics look and battle sequences and back again are all but seamless. spectacular, particularly on the more elaborate moves. When do we get more? There’s a demo out in Japan next month. Otherwise it’s anyone’s guess as to when it reaches UK shores.

Enemy design is Anything else to declare? suitably weird Male character Snow rides into battle on a and wonderful. motorbike. Meanwhile, protagonist Lightning carries a sword which is also a gun. A double dose of awesome, then, and there’s plenty more where that came from…

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CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |07 Previews

It’s early days yet, but an encouraging sign is that the developer aims to Dante’s InfernoFIRST have the action locked at 60fps. LOOK Publisher: EA Burn, baby, burn Developer: EA Redwood Shores Heritage: Dead Space, What’s the story? The Godfather Well, kudos to EA for thinking outside the box with this one, as there Link: www.dantes aren’t many games based on 14th Century Italian epic poems (unless inferno.com Rockstar is planning a Grand Theft Decamerone). Yet one glance at ETA: 2010 Dante’s Inferno, and it seems Dead Space developer EA Redwood Shores, fresh from pilfering ideas from Resident Evil 4, has another inﬂuence in its sights. Yep, it’s all looking very God of War so far, but PREVIEW given that Dead Space out-scared Resi, we wouldn’t bet against the FEEDBACK! apprentice giving the master a run for his money here, either. Click here to tell us what What do we know? you think of “Dante’s Inferno There’s a little bit of artistic licence taken here with the plot, but the basics Dante’s Inferno controls very similarly to remain the same – you play as Dante, who’s venturing through the nine God of War, but EA won’t circles of Hell to rescue the soul of a pretty maiden (it’s always about a girl, isn’t it?) Anyway, sensing that being guided through Hell by a fellow poet mind the comparison” wouldn’t necessarily make for an entertaining game, EA has ramped up the action, throwing plenty of huge beasts at Dante, which he has to tackle in true Kratos style – i.e. by hacking them to bits. It controls very similarly to God of War, but EA won’t mind the comparison – it’s just hoping it You’ll have a number of can topple even the operatic extremes of Sony’s magical powers you can use. game. And if it manages that, we’re in for a treat that will put the ‘e’ in ‘epic’. When do we get more? It’s not due until next year, but early impressions are very positive indeed. Anything else to declare? Hell will be created by a team which includes level designers who worked on Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath and Metroid Prime. With That sure looks That’s Death’s own scythe you’re a pedigree like that, Kratos might well be like Hell to us. using to bring on the slaughter. nervously glancing over his shoulder.

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |08 Previews Brutal Legend Publisher: EA | ETA: TBA im Schafer has often had critical Tacclaim, but his recent games – particularly quirky platform- adventure Psychonauts – haven’t INCOMING matched that with commercial Another secret six heading your way… success. Yet his next game could well be a crossover hit – the metal- themed third-person brawler combining Jack Black, axes and Syberia 3 the power of rock to hilarious (and Publisher: Microids | ETA: June 2010 visually spectacular) effect. God of kay, it’s some way off yet, but we couldn’t help War with funnies? Bring it on. Obut get excited about this forthcoming new entry to the acclaimed adventure series. It’s being released simultaneously on PS3 and PC, and will apparently Bayonetta allow players on both formats to collaborate and Publisher: Sega | ETA: TBA increase each others’ chances of reaching the end of evil May Cry creator Hideki Kamiya has said that the game, by combining their own abilities to progress. Dhe wants his latest game to be ‘sadistically hard’, presumably in an attempt to one-up sword rival Tomonobu Itagaki of Ninja Gaiden fame. While it’ll take Free Realms some doing to beat Gaiden Publisher: Sony Online Entertainment | ETA: Q3 II in the difficulty stakes, ony has big plans for this social MMO, which we don’t doubt his claim Scratch: The Ultimate DJ endeavours to offer a ‘safe’, family-friendly environment that Bayonetta will feature S plenty of ‘hardcore battle Publisher: Genius | ETA: June to encourage parents and kids to play together (assuming both parties are happy spending hours glued to the TV). action’. More soon. good job that colon’s there, otherwise we might have got the wrong It’s a whimsical, light-hearted universe which features Aidea. No, Scratch is a new spin (literally) on the rhythm-action genre, asides ranging from pet arriving with a turntable peripheral featuring an analogue wheel, cross raising to car racing and that Trine fader and sample buttons. It’s had input from Beastie Boys DJ Mix Master old family favourite, Goblin- Publisher: Ascaron | ETA: Q2/3 Mike, while Beasties track Intergalactic features alongside hits from Kanye battering. It’s in the beta rine’s concept sounds a little like 16-bit classic West, Run DMC and – fulfilling their contractual obligation to ruin as many stage now, and doesn’t look TThe Lost Vikings, with three swappable characters music games as possible – The Black-Eyed Peas. that far off completion. whose unique powers need to be used to progress. The Wizard can make objects hover, the Thief has a grappling hook which MAY JUNE SUMMER SEPTEMBER allows him to cross large IN THE gaps. Finally, the Warrior will SACRED 2: FALLEN ANGEL GHOSTBUSTERS KING OF FIGHTERS XII DiRT 2 be used to whack enemies PIPELINE BIONIC COMMANDO OVERLORD II BLAZBLUE: CALAMITY TRIGGER G-FORCE into kingdom come.

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |09 Previews One man + upgraded Arc Welder = fried EDF troops. It’s well worth hunting down HANDS ON extra salvage to beef up your weapons.

Publisher: THQ Developer: Volition Heritage: Saints Row 2 Link: http://community. redfaction.com/age_ Red Faction: gate.php ETA: June “Any kind of man-made Guerrilla structure in Guerrilla is fair game for protagonist Strife on Mars… Alec Mason”

f Volition’s vision of the future is mixture of remote charges and nano- to be believed, us humans have rifle blasts, he’s constantly surrounded Imastered terraforming, but we by falling masonry. Still, it’s good to sees you welcomed into your new hero, Alec obviously avoids the same can’t construct solid buildings to see that the global recession doesn’t job as a miner by your brother Dan, fate and is instead drafted into the save our lives. Any kind of man-made apply on other planets, with an who sets you on a simple mission titular Red Faction. structure in Red Faction: Guerrilla on-screen counter gleefully totting to wreck some stuff and pick up the After a short introduction, you’re is fair game for protagonist Alec up the millions of credits’ worth of shiny salvage which represents your given a straightforward mission Mason, a hero of the popular genus damage you’ve inflicted. main source of income. His talk of briefing – drive the EDF off the planet, ‘shavenheadius spacemarinum’. From All is not well as you arrive on Mars, EDF death squads strongly hint that and liberate the six sectors of Mars smashing up ramshackle enemy with the totalitarian rule of the EDF Dan’s not too long for this world, and which the enemy is controlling. Your emplacements with a few hefty causing a few problems for those sure enough, he’s promptly shot to first task is said to be a simple one whacks of his sledgehammer, to simply trying to make their way on ribbons by an oddly stealthy enemy – destroy an unoccupied enemy dissolving 15-storey structures with a the red planet. An opening cinematic gunship. Being your typical grizzled building – yet, naturally, as you’re halfway through the job the EDF return. Thankfully, you’ve a choice of These ore deposits can be mined As you progress, things get colder four weapons to assist with both the (smashed) for more salvage. and buildings get stronger. demolition of the building and the annihilation of the EDF troops. A rifle does the trick against your assailants, but why not kill two birds with one stone? After all, there’s a large section of that top floor dangling precariously above three enemy heads… Though a large part of the fun of Guerrilla’s collapsible architecture

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |10 Previews

When you’re holding a gun, a tap of L2 Multiplayer features a host of sticks you to the nearest piece of cover. unlockables, including the now-infamous ostrich hammer.

“Volition confesses that Red Faction: Guerrilla cont. four of the five years of comes in the visual payoff (indeed, you time to prepare for their arrival. development were getting a better view of those physics Judicious positioning of fuel barrels Yes, there’s a mech suit is the main reason why Volition chose (which can be carried and then spent on the engine” which you can climb in and bash through things with. a third-person viewpoint instead of dropped or thrown) can lead to some the first-person perspective of the strategic building-toppling, allowing first two Red Faction titles), it is key you to block off vehicles, funnel to the way you play the game. It’s fair enemies down narrow paths towards to say the game has been moulded your position, or simply rain stone and around that very concept; Volition metal onto their shiny helmets. confessing that four of the five years Side missions offer more of development were spent on the obvious outlets for weapon-based engine. Missions might not require iconoclasm – a handily placed turret you to destroy anything, but it’s can be used to take out five nearby often an extremely effective means communication towers in a brief time to an end. One early task warns you limit, with a ‘pro time’ encouraging about some incoming EDF and gives repeat plays to destroy them even

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |11 Previews

Red Faction: Guerrilla cont. more quickly. These asides aren’t current area in relative safety. Despite merely to provide respite from the being a miner, you won’t ever need stresses of the main missions, as to drill beneath the surface – simply they’ll also provide other bonuses, smashing things up or driving over from awarding additional salvage the ore deposits scattered around the through reducing EDF control of the environment is considered ‘mining’. current sector to increasing morale. The main use for salvage is to Gaining the support of the rebels is upgrade your weapon set – you start a key component of the fight against off with a basic automatic rifle and a the EDF. As you complete missions pistol to join your hammer, while a and destroy enemy propaganda, the supply of remote mines is your main subsequent increase in morale will method of demolition. Liberating the lead colonists to fight alongside you, first area gives you the opportunity to There is a downside to all this while ammunition crates in friendly purchase a rocket launcher, while an flying debris, and that’s that Alec settlements will be better stocked. As arc welder shoots bolts of electricity can himself be hit by falling girders emplacements are destroyed, rebel along the ground to stun enemies, and huge chunks of masonry. hostages rescued and enemy units even when they’re in vehicles. routed, the EDF grip on each territory Eventually you’ll get the chance to will loosen, and once their control craft weapons using EDF tech, like figure has dropped to zero, you’re free the nano laser which disintegrates Jet packs often allow you to reach the to move onto the next zone, or to anything it comes into contact with relative safety of higher ground, but salvage as much as you can from the – human flesh, metal or masonry, you’re vulnerable when in the air.

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |12 Previews

Red Faction: Guerrilla cont. it’s not fussy. Later you’ll also get your the sledgehammer offers hugely hands on a jet pack, which offers the effective running melee attacks. chance to go on a human bombing Meanwhile, Wrecking Crew – a pass- run – sure to be as fun as it sounds. the-pad party mode for two-to-four Yet some of the best toys are saved players – offers a series of engagingly for the multiplayer game, which silly destructive challenges. places a mix of traditional modes Though it’s been developed by (Team Deathmatch, Capture the a different internal team, Guerrilla Flag) alongside less familiar variants, certainly shares some of Saints Row’s one of which gives you a weapon DNA. Like its stablemate, it’s not the to rebuild control points destroyed best-looking game in the world, nor by the other team. You’re given a is it entirely original, but few games much greater selection of backpacks can match it for sheer chaotic The explosively daft and – Thrust offers a rocket-propelled insanity. A little longer with the game chaotic multiplayer could well find itself a cult following. vertical launch, while Rhino allows will reveal whether its appetite for “Though it’s been you to charge your way through brick destruction leaves it malnourished in developed by a different walls. The key is to find an effective other areas but right now the role of internal team, Guerrilla combination of pack and weapon demolitions expert is one that we’re Alec auditions for the Red Faction – for example, the Fleetfoot pack with more than happy to fill. certainly shares some of Amateur Theatre production of Saints Row’s DNA” Shadow of the Colossus.

P3Zine PERCENTAGE COMPLETE FIRST IMPRESSIONS There are plenty of tall, 90% 85% spindly structures which are always the most fun to topple. A destructive delight, but for how long?

CONTROL P3Zine NAV I G AT E |13 Interview REBEL LEADER Volition talk terraforming, Mars and blowing up everything in sight…

an Red Fac tion: Guer r illa Red Faction: Guerrilla is a knew we wanted to do a third to mak e a game where everything Red Fac tion start an upr ising within the very different game from the game, but didn’t want to repeat could be destroyed. There are a lot Guerrilla’s Ccrowded third-person previous two. What was your ourselves. We needed to wait of games out there with scr ipted Associate shooter genre? We spok e to mission statement when you until the time was r ight, and with destruc tion where you can tak e out Producer, Associate Producer Sean K ennedy started developing the game? GeoM od 2.0 [the game’s engine] specific objec ts, but there’s not been Sean Kennedy on the game whose destruc tion, Well, we had a lot of success with and consoles lik e the PS3 and a game that’s built around that idea. according to him, ‘could tak e three the first t wo games, which used a 360, we knew the hardware was It’s about using destruc tion for your to five years to match’. first-person perspec tive, and we ready and that it was time to mak e own ends, and lear ning to master it another one. so you can change the way you play. Volition has always wanted to T he r ealistic phy sics make f or mak e open-wor ld games – it’s kind What was the main reason for unpr edictable destruction of our specialit y – and we wanted the change from a first-person – ther e ’s nothing script ed about ho w these buildings collapse.

Rocket packs allo w you t o blast vertically thr ough ﬂoors and r oof s.

CO N T R O L P3Zine NAVIGATE |14 Interview

Initially the EDF weaponry is more advanced than your own, but they’re not particularly smart.

You can steal EDF vehicles for your own use – given that there isn’t much protection from a guerrilla truck, these armoured transporters make for handy getaway vehicles.

– would it be fair to say your experiences of working on that franchise influenced Guerrilla? happening. You could hear the Yeah, the studio in general sounds of buildings crumbling focuses on open-world games, “The fiction of to the ground – and everything so they already share something has its own original sound, so in common. And Saints Row has terraforming allowed two items colliding will make a plenty of sandbox features and certain noise, and it sounds great a lot of destruction, so there are our ar tists plenty of – but you couldn’t really see it some similarities in that respect. creative freedom” properly without spinning around Though it’s obviously different and disorientating yourself. We teams working on Saints Row 2 and experimented a bit, and because RFG, those teams do communicate from what we’ve seen there’s the main character was always and share ideas. So Mars is broken a noticeable change when Interview continued present in the game world, we just up into sectors just like Stilwater is moving from [first sector] pulled the camera back a little and it broken into neighbourhoods. It’s a Parker to [second sector] Dust. viewpoint to a third-person looked great. similar formula, although there are Will each sector have its own perspective? obviously a lot of differences. visual identity? Initially the game was open-world Obviously, Volition is Well, the fiction of terraforming and first-person, but we had this responsible for the Saints Row Mars is a very distinctive setting, – of how these settlers have made great amount of physics-based games, and from our hands-on but its appearance doesn’t the planet their own – allowed our destruction going on and players time it seems there are a few necessarily lend itself well to artists plenty of creative freedom. couldn’t really see what was similarities with Red Faction a lot of graphical variety. Yet We really wanted to make it visually

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |15 Interview

Though some terrain is too mountainous to cross, you can often find a few rocky As you can see, cover doesn’t shortcuts to your destination. last long – the game encourages you to keep moving at all times. Interview continued diverse – so you’ve got Parker, which grass. There are the Badlands, where Well, we’ve described it as our kind Faction games we created a level is the first settlement on the surface. terraforming has gone badly wrong, of Jenga or Boom Blox-style party of destruction that no-one else That’s got a very recognisable Mars and there are plenty of irradiated mode, and it’s perfect for those could come close to. It’s only been feel – red rock, red sky; a kind of areas, and finally Eos, which is the people who just want to sit down recently that games like Fracture Publisher: THQ makeshift look to the buildings. EDF stronghold. Here you’ve got and have fun blowing stuff up. It’s have had a similar amount, and we Developer: Volition Then Dust is more brown than red, ice and snow at the polar caps, but an offline-only two-to-four-player wanted it to be three to five years Heritage: Saints Row 2 its terrain is different, being more it’s here also where the money and mode with weapons and backpacks, before anyone approaches it again. Link: http://community. rounded than the more jagged all the wealth is, so you’ve got the and you have a time limit to… well, We’ve demoed the game to people redfaction.com/ edges of Parker. It’s less rough, most advanced technology on Mars. basically destroy as much crap as and they’ve been amazed at how it age_gate.php there are patches of plant life and Beautiful, 15-storey buildings, high- you can, before passing the pad works. And no, we’re not going to ETA: June it’s more industrial. Then you’ve got tech sports vehicles… on and letting another player try licence the tech! (laughs) Oasis, where terraforming is much and beat your score. It’s similar in more advanced and it’s covered in Presumably the ultimate visual concept to an old 8-bit Nintendo pay-off being that you get the game also called Wrecking Crew, opportunity to blast all these but brought right up to date. “Wrecking Crew mode to tiny little pieces? Oh, absolutely! (laughs) And The technology behind lets you destroy as much these huge buildings are all fully the game is obviously very collapsible, so you’ll really be able to important – how difficult was it crap as possible before go to town on the EDF structures. to implement this unparalleled level of destruction? passing the pad on” Can you tell us more about the We took four years just developing Wrecking Crew mode? the tech – with the previous Red

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |16 Previews

FIRST LOOK

Publisher: Codemasters Developer: Codemasters Heritage: Operation Flashpoint, Heatseeker Link: www.codemasters. Operation Flashpoint: co.uk/ﬂashpoint/ index.php ETA: Summer Dragon Rising “In Dragon Rising, every bullet counts and Communication is vital if you want to progress – listening to the yelled info and Putting the %$@& back in the FPS every bullet hurts” advice from your men is key to survival.

wice during our hands-on and ducking down until our health session with Codemasters’ regenerates. No popping up with a when a lucky shot from distance be getting too upset. Scared – sure. Tultra-hardcore FPS we have shotgun and tearing our foes a new catches you perfectly in the temple). Angry – no. It’s all about playing as a to apologise for our language. But one in a last-minute surprise attack. Its adherence to real-world rules lends team, sticking together through thick that’s what abject terror does for you. In Dragon Rising, every bullet counts, it a consistency which means as long and thin, firing off rounds when you The sight of a group of PLA soldiers and every bullet hurts. It only takes as you play by its rules, you shouldn’t spot an enemy or two, and stopping advancing on our position, as we one decent hit from mid- to close- fumbled to reload our one remaining range to make sure your family’s weapon with the last few cartridges going to be getting a telegram If you need to move when enemies are nabbed from corpses to the left and sometime soon. nearby, you’ll need to instruct your men to right was enough for us to break Hard, then? Absolutely. Yet you lay down suppressing fire to keep them from firing back while you scuttle towards cover. out the f-bomb. Because there’s can’t ever claim that Flashpoint’s no chance of legging it to cover mechanics are unfair (well, perhaps

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |17 Previews

Operation Flashpoint cont. and retreating when you’re facing number one, and our solo games an enemy group advances and risk superior numbers, perhaps then regularly ended with us having to getting picked off as you run, or do attempting a flanking manoeuvre tackle the enemy single-handedly you hold your position, which is in to catch your foe unawares, even as after failing to take care of our AI increasing danger of being flanked, they’re doing the same to you. buddies. Ultimately, perhaps we were leaving you as sitting ducks? Managing your team isn’t easy, a little too selfish – bogarting the Yet although this sounds like a lot which is perhaps why Dragon Rising spare ammo and healing our minor to deal with, Dragon Rising remains is that rarest of beasts – a game cuts and bruises rather than our just the right side of accessible, with “The game is all about where its multiplayer mode is useful machine gunner’s eventually fatal leg a new radial interface which makes making difficult training for the solo game rather wound. We knew we’d regret telling instruction-giving a doddle. And its decisions in battle” than vice versa. Sure, when there’s him it was just a scratch… new assists (on the easier difficulties four of you, you still have a nominal at least) make enemies that bit commander, but you’re no longer Difficult decisions easier to spot. You’ll get shouts from relying on AI opponents, but on But that’s Flashpoint all over – it’s all comrades when a foe is in their line human intelligence. Granted, your about making the difficult decisions of sight, and you’ll get a tiny triangle team-mates may be slightly less in battle. Do you leave a stricken in your compass display at the top of likely to do as they’re told, but you man behind? He’s likely to slow the screen for any enemy positions won’t need to babysit them quite so your group down after all, though you’ve discovered, whether you’ve much. Not that we’re saying friendly his extra firepower could make the troops are stupid, but human players difference in combat. Do you retreat have a greater tendency to look after for the safety of the tree lines when

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Dragon Rising makes terriﬁc use of the Ego engine used in DiRT and GRID for its ultra-realistic in-game graphics.

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |18 Previews We’re looking forward to commandeering a chopper, though we doubt we’ll be able to fly Operation Flashpoint cont. into battle to the strains of Ride of the Valkyries. shot at them or they fired on your graduating from a mere cog in the position. And your tactical map will military machine to a leader of men, even show their movement, should commanding your army as you they remain within range. push the PLA back and prevent this Though the game is set in one political hot potato from sparking location, it’s a pretty big one. Skira an all-out war between two of the Island is 220 square kilometres across, world’s biggest superpowers. and its varied topography (or that Dragon Rising arrives with the of the more interesting Alaskan wholehearted recommendation of island filling in for Skira’s fairly flat 2,000 US Marines, who commended landscapes) makes each stage feel the game for its realism in a recent very different. Not to mention the playtest. And while we don’t have any different objectives – although kind of real-world combat experience the missions we tried had us to judge Flashpoint’s gunfights quite commanding just a four-strong unit, so accurately, we find that appraisal we’re promised the chance of taking hard to doubt. Proof? Well, let’s just “Dragon Rising to the skies or rumbling through say we’ve made room for a bigger arrives with the the jungle in tanks during the later office swearbox in preparation for recommendation of stages. You’ll rank up as you progress, the game’s summer arrival. 2,000 US Marines”

Though firing first is usually wise, the flashes will reveal your position to enemies.

P3Zine PERCENTAGE COMPLETE FIRST IMPRESSIONS Certain guns can ﬁre through 80% 90% cover, so you’re not always The most realistic war simulation ever? safe, even when behind a wall.

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |19 Previews Splashes of claret add to the authenticity. FIRST LOOK

Publisher: Ubisoft Developer: Techland Heritage: Chrome, GTI Racing, Call of Juarez Call of Juarez: Link: www. callofjuarez.com ETA: Summer Bound in Blood Howdy, partner “The sequel is a first- person shooter, albeit ne of the games industry’s with plenty of action- are slo-mo Concentration modes, Ray a hand to reach higher ground), biggest mysteries over the adventure elements” so developer Techland decided to more accurate with longer-range Oyears has been the lack of omit co-op gameplay. However, you weapons and handy with a lasso. Wild West games. The subject matter do get to choose which brother to The missions appear pretty varied lends itself perfectly to a good old McCall. Ray was a central character in control at the beginning of most – in an early one, for example, set shoot-’em-up and, face it, we’ve all the first game, and in Bound in Blood, missions. The McCalls have different in an Indian reservation, you have harboured cowboy fantasies. It’s you get to see how he went from attributes: Ray is a close-range to escape heavily armed Union slightly ironic, then, that like the young gunslinger to bible-basher. shooting specialist, with a chest-plate troops, by taking cover (the game proverbial buses, two should come The action starts with the brothers so he can take more damage, while has a ‘dynamic’ cover system which, along at roughly the same time, in fighting for the South in the American Thomas is more agile (he often gives Techland claims, will let you hide the shape of Rockstar’s Red Dead Civil War. They eventually desert – in Redemption and Ubisoft’s Call of order to rescue their mother – but Juarez 2. The latter recently stuck its that act reverberates throughout the This sequel should improve upon the first head out from behind a rock, and we game, as their commanding officer, game in every respect. were able to get a good look at it. Colonel Barnsby, decides that their scarpering caused the Confederates What’s the story? to lose the war. So he assumes the Obviously, the second Call of Juarez role of the brothers’ arch-enemy, and game is a first-person shooter, albeit Bound in Blood chronicles his efforts with plenty of action-adventure to track them down and kill them. elements and some intriguing You might imagine that you’d gameplay mechanics to spice things be able to play a game with two up. Less obviously, it’s a prequel to protagonists co-operatively, but the original game in which you get no, the storyline dictates that the to play two brothers, Ray and Thomas brothers eventually fall out, plus there

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |20 Previews THE CALL OF THE WILD Call of Juarez 2 continued Getting in the family way… behind pretty much anything) and with the intention of springing a The most basic is Thomas’ Paint shooting them, then falling back gun-runner from the jail. After seeing mode, in which, once you’ve triggered before a timed sequence sees you off attackers in a shoot-out in the Concentration, you get a short period triggering a landslide by placing town’s streets, the action moved into in which to paint multiple enemies charges in allotted locations. the jail, and involved liberal use of the with a number of shots, which he will Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood Concentration modes. fire when the Concentration period is certainly the most impressive- ends. Ray has a close-range, dual- looking Wild West game we’ve seen Keeping Concentration wielding Concentration mode, in so far. The graphics engine at least Perhaps Call of Juarez: Bound in which he starts off with two aiming gives the illusion of vistas stretching Blood’s biggest innovation is its cursors, towards the left and right- for miles, and there’s liberal use of Concentration modes, which drop hand sides of the screen, which can depth of focus, blur and judder you into a slow-motion period in be moved up and down to target effects when, for example, sticks of order to take out multiple enemies, multiple enemies as they move Greed, lust, Dirty Brotherly dynamite explode in your vicinity. A or to ape Wild West staples such as towards the centre of the screen, betrayal old town love later mission we saw started off with speed on the draw. Unusually, there where they revert to a single reticule. It may just artwork for now, you on horseback – you can ride and are several different Concentration Another Concentration mode involves but it’s beautiful nonetheless. shoot – at the top of a canyon, before mechanics in the game – you can snap-shooting, with you cocking Greed,DirtyBrotherly old lust, town love betrayal riding into an evocatively dusty town, launch them when you fill a meter. your gun after each shot by slapping UbisoftAAs classic Thomas promises Wild is moreWest us town-setting.agile that thanthe McCall Ray, This he brothers’ findsis a situation it easierpath throughin to which reach the you’dhigh game ground,want to willuseso often Concentrationbe a givesstory hisof ‘Greed, brother mode lust, to a hand-up.take betrayal down It and multiple seems redemption’. a bitenemies odd that,We’ll – Ray, despitebe ashappy seen ashere,such long mechanisms, can as capitalise there’s plenty Call on dual-wieldingof of Juarez: shooting, Bound too. when in And Blood Concentration characters can’t be that played is launched. call co- people Do we get to use the ‘Varmints’.Theoperatively, dynamic We although cover do know system the that chance lets at youdifferent to hide replay behind points missions inanything, the controlling story but the decent brothers the other cannons? Apparently so… willphysicsbrother work mean does both increase that with enemies and replay against can, value. forNative example, Americans. set fire to hay-bales.

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |21 Previews

Call of Juarez 2 continued back the right-stick, while the gun this time around. All the modes auto-aims. And a fourth mode involves accommodate two teams of up performing different movements as to six people, and they include an you reach for your gun, aim and fire it. objective-led mode re-enacting The game contains ‘more than 15 famous events (such as the shoot- missions’, according to Techland, and out at OK Corral), Death Match and among them are sequences which Wanted, in which everyone has to go take place on a stagecoach, a canoe in after one (elected) person. a river and on a riverbank, from which We have high hopes for Bound you have to sink a steamboat with a in Blood, as we love pretending to cannon. The weaponry is authentic, be cowboys, and there really ought and includes six-shooters, Gatling to be more cowboy games. Luckily, It’s just asking for trouble when guns, dynamite sticks, bows, knives, it’s visually stunning, looks to have you leave barrels of dynamite lassos and a two-shot ladies’ gun. a decent storyline and has some hanging around – particularly beneath a sign saying ‘Explosives’. Games like Call of Juarez tend to interesting gameplay ideas. How it concentrate on single-play at the will stack up against the open-world “We have high hopes expense of multiplay, but it sounds Red Dead Redemption remains to for Bound in Blood, as though Techland and Ubisoft be seen, but we’re certainly looking have put some effort into multiplay forward to getting hands-on. as we love pretending to be cowboys”

Ray is the more muscular of the two brothers. He can take more damage and is devastating with guns at short-range.

PERCENTAGE COMPLETE FIRST IMPRESSIONS Underneath the natty Confederate P3Zine uniform, Thomas is more slender than his 85% 85% brother, which makes him more nimble. He’s also a dead-shot at long range. Grab your six shooters and saddle up

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www.gamerzines.com CO N T RO L P3Zine NAVIGATE Reviews WHERE’S YOUR TOOL? The Chronicles of Riddick: Hurt them, Vin… Assault on Dark Athena Publisher: Atari Hello darkness my old friend… Developer: Starbreeze Studios eleased in 2004, The didn’t get behind it properly though, impression that you’re starring in a Heritage: The Chronicles Chronicles Of Riddick: Escape and despite critical acclaim, it brutally violent 10-hour sci-fi film. of Riddick: Escape From RFrom Butcher Bay was that could hardly be considered a major To add to this illusion, you actually Butcher Bay, The Darkness rare case of a movie licence that commercial success. star as Vin Diesel, who reprises his Link: http://atari.com/riddick bettered the source material. As a So if you didn’t play it first time role from the movies. Gritty, vicious ETA: 24th April film, The Chronicles Of Riddick (a round, you’re in for a treat, as the and tense, it’s like a cross between sequel to the tolerable Pitch Black) entire game is included here, Scum and Alien 3, and genuinely Night Blades Shoot may have been an absolute stinker, ‘remastered’ with a bit of PS3 spit worth the admission price alone. clubbing of glory to kill but the game was one of the best and polish. And by and large it has Ostensibly a first-person shooter of that year, and indeed one of the stood the test of time, proving an with a dash of stealth, a lot of the crown jewels of the original Xbox. interesting mix of genres that works time you don’t even have a gun. For some reason the moneymen as a cohesive whole, giving the You also spend a large part of the NightBladesShoot clubbingto of kill glory SneakingProbablyThere is a theup decent on most someone range unpleasant of in firearmsthe weapondark andavailable, in smacking the game. including them As Vinupside one points that the out, firesface withthere’sexplosive a baseball no chargeslaw made bat thatguarantees that you can can match a detonatereaction. for cold later. steel. Nice. Or something. Dropping onto an enemy from above can kill them outright.

Embrace the darkness. Or get a torch.

Sometimes only an Assault Riﬂe will do.

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |24 Reviews There are a lot of crates on Dark Athena.

“Dark Athena is a If you’re unfamiliar with the series, stylish sequel that you might be wondering as to the point of having a Hollywood star builds nicely on the in a first-person shooter, as you’ll good work laid down only be able to see his hands. As by the original ” well as appearing in the cut-scenes, Chronicles of Riddick cont. both games also use Vin to the full In the five years since Butcher Bay, in-game. In certain scenarios, such game in the pitch black, the twist Swedish developer Starbreeze the gamut of emotions from A to B, as hanging off a ledge, the view being that Vin has ‘the shine’ in the knocked out mystical Mafia/WWI delivering some deeply philosophical switches to a pseudo third-person form of special see-in-the-dark eyes. hybrid, The Darkness, which again lines in a monotone grunt. affair and Vin is shown in all his There’s also a smattering of RPG-lite, failed to set the tills alight despite as you work your way up through good reviews. If there’s any justice, The fetish convention the prison system by winning Dark Athena will prove third time ended in chaos. fistfights, run errands to earn money, lucky, as it’s a stylish sequel that and buy handmade weapons before builds nicely on the good work laid eventually making the titular escape. down by the original. Which brings us to Assault on Vin Diesel can’t get enough of Dark Athena, the actual game here. games at the moment, soon to be starring in The Wheelman. It seems that when he’s not appearing in games, he’s playing them, and allegedly has his ‘ride’ set up so that he can play World of Warcraft in the back seat – yeah, right. Thankfully he’s taken time off from smiting butterflies to return as the voice and likeness of Riddick, displaying his acting range in full as he runs

CONTROL

P3Zine NAVIGATE |25 Reviews PULSOMETER Signs of life Includes the …as is the new Now for the prequel game multiplayer

It’s still great… Finished them both

If all else fails, punch him hard in the stomach. “The outdoor locations

A bald head and a big are invariably spectacular, Chronicles of Riddick cont. gun. What’s not to like? and complement an buﬀ glory doing his best Tomb absorbing experience” Raider impression, as well as doing Apart from that blip, it’s a well- with the manual weaponry before an impressive job of hiding all those realised shooter that if anything is picking up some heftier ﬁrearms. In weapons in a skin-tight shirt and a even more varied than the original, case you were in any doubt, Assault pair of combats. Most of the time requiring you at various times to take On Dark Athena is undeniably an it works okay, although there is over drones using your mind, as well adult game, with liberal use of the one sequence where the constant as piloting a couple of hefty mechs. rudest swearwords in existence, as shifting of perspective is enough to It doesn’t shirk on the ultra-violence, well a somewhat unnecessary and make you kick your TV screen in. with Vin again getting creative graphic threat of necrophilia. The action moves on apace however, and it certainly isn’t easy, Take control of drones with some unpleasant enemies using your mind. and a few sections that require a modicum of thought. There’s rarely time to gawp at the scenery, but when you do get out of the Dark Athena (it’s a spaceship) the P3Zine Varied gameplay outdoor locations are invariably spectacular, and complement an Value for absorbing experience. Throw in a Verdict money host of multiplayer modes and this Two superb games 86 is arguably the biggest value for for the price of one Occasionally annoying money since The Orange Box. Steve Hill

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |26 Reviews SEEK AND DESTROY How Guitar Hero: Metallica leaves other Guitar Hero Metallica music games for dead Does Nothing Else Matter, or is this The Thing That Should Not Be?

Publisher: Activision t’s quite an entrance. Walking complete toilet of a venue, and it’s is still the epitome of cool, and Ulrich Developer: Neversoft into an arena in glorious slo-mo a sign that Neversoft is getting a bit makes a bunch of silly faces, as is Heritage: Guitar Hero: Ito a dramatic soundtrack, Messrs. good at this Guitar Hero lark. his wont. Put simply, it looks great World Tour, Tony Hawk series Hetfield, Hammett, Trujillo and Ulrich – venues look authentically real, and Link: www.guitarhero take to a stage with jets of flame Visual presentation there’s a certain amount of cinematic metallica.com licking around them, immediately This new confidence is reinforced by flair in the camera movements, often ETA: 22nd May launching into a blistering version the visual presentation, particularly jolting violently in time as the music of For Whom The Bell Tolls (well, during the songs. The band have builds, or the drummer unleashes a ‘blistering’ if you’re really good been fully motion-captured, and it thunderous beat. Consistency Variety Presentation at Guitar Hero, that is). Do well shows in their performances – Trujillo Obviously, it sounds great. With enough and you get an encore of plays his bass lower than is entirely 49 songs in total, including 28 from The Unforgiven. It’s a much more healthy for the old lumbar region, the band themselves, fans will be in exciting opening than starting out while Hetfield really appears to be dreamland. The Metallica tracks as some unknown band playing a growling out those vocals. Hammett span the band’s career, ranging ConsistencyVarietyPresentation PutTooWe thinksimply,many it’sGuitar the fair hit/miss Heroto say tracks ratiothat isofferthis very is enjoyable muchthe best-looking in favour playing of experiences columnGuitar Hero one. forItto wouldn’tonedate, or with two be theinstruments, too band’s much of commitment abut stretch there’s to callalways to thethis motion-captureoneMetallica’s part which Greatest compares process Hits. The attention to Littleunfavourably.proving wonder, beneficial asYet the almost to soundtrack the allgame’s the was songs authenticity. hand-picked here have Some byinteresting the of band, the venuesriffs, but even detail is clear to see. themelodieslook non-Metallica spectacular, and beats trackstoo. which seem prevent to have repetition been very setting sensitively in. chosen.

You’ll once again be able to create your own rockstar, this time with plenty of Metallica-themed kit to dress them in.

The animation is a cut above the jerky character models in earlier Guitar Heroes.

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |27 Reviews

Your created support act are introduced via some brief and moderately amusing cartoon story sequences.

“The extras are what rarely need to play songs from other bands at all, so if you love the band makes this more than then you can focus more on their just a traditional tracks rather than struggling with Guitar Hero Metallica cont. Guitar Hero game” songs you don’t like or recognise. from tracks from their first album Kill The non-Metallica tracks are a The extras are what makes this ’em All to numbers from their most decent selection, ranging from 70s curve is generally well-moderated, more than just a traditional Guitar recent opus, Death Magnetic. The classics by Judas Priest and Thin Lizzy and the stars-based system for Hero game, and there’s plenty on game is compatible with the DLC for to enjoyable contemporary numbers unlocking further venues allows you offer – each song has an unlockable that album from Guitar Hero World from Foo Fighters and System of a to skip plenty of songs if you’re not video, with officially sanctioned Tour, though you’ll need to insert Down. Indeed, Toxicity by the latter particularly keen. If you practice hard bootleg recordings rubbing your World Tour disc to play any represents a bit of a difficulty spike enough to regularly obtain five-star shoulders with professional-quality other downloaded tracks. on the drum career, though the ratings on the Metallica songs, you’ll promos. You can also get facts

Enter Sandman is an FREEZE FRAME obvious highlight. Taking you through the game, one step at a time

10 MINUTES 30 MINUTES 2 HOURS 4 HOURS 8 HOURS The chance to play as the Graphical improvements Career mode won’t take It’ll take time to master Metallifacts will keep you band will encourage fans to include the early arenas, too long to ﬁnish if you the really tricky stuﬀ, like interested while you watch skip most of the guest acts. which are well-detailed. skip some of the tracks. One or Master of Puppets. in-game footage of the band.

CONTROL

P3Zine NAVIGATE |28 Reviews PULSOMETER Signs of life Storming …nah, it’s intro Enter night! beyond us

Exit light! First go at Expert+

The already impressive presentation is further enhanced by some of the best Guitar Hero arenas we’ve seen. “Despite the ultra- Make sure your kick drum pedal (or pedals) are reinforced, as they’ll easy Beginner mode, it Guitar Hero Metallica cont. be taking a bit of a battering. skews slightly harder about each song or read the lyrics, than World Tour” while the inspired inclusion of Otherwise, it’s business as usual, offstage by an unhappy audience, ‘Metallifacts’ shows the virtual band with the game following the by-now though we still think that this playing a track as pieces of trivia pop traditional Guitar Hero template. mode is really only for the pros or up intermittently. These are all nice Despite the ultra-easy Beginner the ultra-dedicated. bonuses for fans, but even if you’re mode, it skews slightly harder than Ultimately, Metallica feels like the not that interested in the band, World Tour, though that’s likely ideal choice for a game of this type, you’ll no doubt be pleased to unlock down to the songs themselves. if only because the band’s songs several new guitars, or even two new Faster-paced numbers like Frantic are so well-suited to the game, rockers in the form of Motorhead’s take some keeping up with, while mixing up great melodies with Lemmy or King Diamond, the latter sudden changes in tempo abound, simple, satisfying, hard-rocking riffs, in slightly more corporate-friendly requiring a bit of adjustment when enjoyable solos which rarely drag form than the real version. you’re in the rhythm, particularly on and cracking percussion that will if you’re drumming. Indeed, you’ll have you belting those drums like really gain a new appreciation of there’s no tomorrow. It’s a testament the skills of Lars Ulrich, especially if to how well-crafted the game is that Tremendous you have the extra kick drum pedal even those who aren’t the biggest P3Zine presentation needed for the Expert+ mode. We Metallica fans will get plenty of find it hard enough to get our hands value for their 50 notes, and may An absolute moving independently from one even emerge with new respect for Verdict treat for fans foot, but with two, the note charts the band. Which is an achievement A fitting and 86 are just insane. Thankfully, you can almost but not quite on par with worthwhile tribute Expert+ is fearfully difficult still practice each tune before you finishing One on Expert+. get the opportunity to be booed Chris Schilling

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |29 Network PlayStation Network Download ’em today! PowerUp Forever Publisher: Namco-Bandai laying not unlike an odd hot up with the appearance of a boss. Burn, Zombie, Burn Developer: Blitz Arcade mix of Bizarre’s fast-paced You’ll occasionally be introduced to Price: £6.29 PGeometry Wars and an irritating enemy type, too – one Publisher: Kuju ill us gamers ever tire of Because the main method of thatgamecompany’s relaxathon which constantly buzzes around your Entertainment making the undead dead zombie dispatch is your trusty torch, flOw, PowerUp Forever is an ship, driving you to distraction. Developer: Doublesix Wagain? It seems not, and and you’ll likely spend most of your interesting idea which can’t quite Despite these problems, PowerUp Games Burn, Zombie, Burn offers a number time legging it through groups of blend the disparate approaches of Forever is a very well-presented Price: £6.29 of enjoyable ways to rid the world undead, setting them all on fire as its influences into a cohesive whole. shooter with plenty of visual and of this lurching menace. It’s an old- you pass by. It’s not just in its environments that aural polish, while perseverance school arena shooter in the style of Why would you want to do this, Blitz Arcade’s effort is reminiscent reveals a few sneaky tricks to Smash TV, where you’re faced with though, when it makes the zombies of flOw. The central idea is that maximise both your score and your ever-increasing hordes of zombies faster and more deadly? Well, to defeating bosses increases the size of enjoyment of the game. It can’t quite to immolate. build your score multiplier, of course. your ship, which in turn attracts larger compete with the best twin-stick From the screenshots, you This is the only way to make the enemies. The one difference is that shooters, but stick with it and you’ll could be forgiven for thinking it’s big points, and so you’ve got an you’ve got a gun to defend yourself just about get your money’s worth. yet another twin-stick shooter to intriguing risk/reward mechanic this time. The unpredictable growth add to the PSN pile, but as hero which forces you to recklessly of your craft is a nice idea, and it Bruce (apparently based on Bruce endanger Bruce’s life to unlock the looks good, but it doesn’t affect the Campbell) you fire in the direction later levels or extra game modes. gameplay quite as much as it should. you’re pointing. That’s assuming It’s undeniably repetitive, but a The pacing seems off, too – the you’re using a gun, of course. host of humorous special weapons initial few encounters lull you into a and a great visual style will keep false sense of security before things you playing. Chuck in a boatload of collectibles and unlockables and this is £6.29 very well spent.

P3ZineVerdict P3ZineVerdict A camp, cult mini-classic An intriguing identity crisis

Intense, fun blasting Some nice ideas A little too chaotic 80 Awkward style blend 68

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |30 Column

Burned out? “Downloadable content remains an The problem with downloadable content exciting opportunity for games to expand LittleBIGPlanet has a nce upon a time, you bought short-changed by Rockstar’s superb their frontiers” good mix of cosmetic a game in a box from a shop, The Lost and Damned? Ah… quite as fickle as some of us hardcore enhancements and Oplayed it, finished it and that Exactly. The problem of exclusivity gamers can be and stick with the level packs, free stuff was your lot. These days, things are has left some PS3 owners feeling before the game’s release. And it’s games they really love instead of and premium content. very different. A game doesn’t always more than a little miffed at missing not as if 360 owners are getting this moving onto the next quick fix. Those Chris Schilling come in a box any more. And more out on some quality updates. extra stuff for free. But it must sting a bonus costumes, the new areas to Chris is the proud importantly, they aren’t always over Completionists will invariably be bit for anyone who doesn’t own the skate around – they’re not for the owner of all three when they’re over. You might think frustrated at having seemingly ‘right’ console, and currently PS3- majority, but for the dedicated. ‘next-gen’ consoles. you’re finished, but developers and finished these games but being left only gamers are getting the short Even so, perhaps more of this new Every issue Chris will publishers have other ideas. without a sense of closure thanks straw when it comes to exclusive stuff should be free? Even Criterion, chart the progress of Often, that’s a very good thing. to these downloadable ‘epilogues’. content for multiformat games. who for so long resisted temptation PS3 and commenting Despite the lacklustre Operation: When paying for a new game, you to charge for their Burnout Paradise on Sony’s latest and Anchorage and the teething can’t always know that you’re not Keeping up expansion packs, are now charging greatest initiatives. problems suffered by The Pitt, Fallout going to get more when it’s game The other big problem with DLC for additional cars, few of which add 3’s universe is one many gamers over. Sure, Microsoft’s reported is simply a matter of keeping up anything new to the experience. have enjoyed revisiting thanks to $50million payment for additional with what’s available. Can anyone Granted, all the seriously game- DLC. And who can say they felt GTA content was widely known seriously say they were done with changing stuff is gratis, but then the Skate 2 before the DLC started forthcoming Big Surf Island will be Bikes were added to Paradise appearing? And how much of that released as premium content – and City for free, yet new cars could (and should) have been on the what then for those who’ve enjoyed come in at £7.99 per pack. game disc? Are Street Fighter IV fans cruising around Paradise City but happy that costume packs are no don’t want to pay for more? Will they longer unlocked by fighting prowess be left with impassible barriers while but by paying through the nose? their pals race off to this new area? That said, no-one’s forcing people Or will the place remain open but to buy this additional content, and the challenges locked? there’s no better way to send a For now, DLC remains an exciting message to publishers that you’re opportunity for games to expand not happy to pay more to get more their frontiers. But publishers need to by simply refusing to buy. And it be careful not to push it too much, can also be argued that DLC is for or risk alienating those who still buy the true fans – for those who aren’t their games in a box from a shop.

CONTROL P3Zine NAVIGATE |31 Next Month Issue 27 Out 14th May! P3Zine Issue 27 In MORE FREE MAGAZINES! LATEST ISSUES!

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Cranberry Publishing Limited Contributors: Chris Schilling, Steve Hill, Steve Boxer PLUS! All rights reserved. This publication may be copied in its entirety without www.cranberrypublishing.com modification for non-commercial purposes, for example but not limited to copying Publishing Director: Dave Taylor to CD-R for a friend, but it may not be offered for download from any website or Email: [email protected] similar without the prior permission of the copyright holder. You are free to, and Terminator: Salvation encouraged to, link to the original file for download from our website and you can Editorial Director: Dan Hutchinson find help on doing so here. While the greatest care is taken in producing this guide, Email: [email protected] we do not accept responsibility for the loss of any data or any other damage caused by following the instructions in this publication. We always recommend that you FUEL Commercial Director: Duncan Ferguson keep a backup of your hard disk data and ensure that you check all files for viruses Email: [email protected] before installing or using any new software. None of the information in this guide is intended as legal advice. All articles are for information purposes only. Websites InFamous Telephone: 0117 986 6550 mentioned in this publication are not affiliated to or controlled by the publisher. We are not responsible for the contents of these sites or any changes made to them. Call Duncan to discover how e-publications can work for you! All contents © Cranberry Publishing Ltd 2009 X-Men Origins: Wolverine Company registration number: 4987058

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