For full information on the move check out the Welcome to the new FusionGamer post at
www.fusiongamer.gamingtilldisconnected.com
Thanks for following us so far :)
Onwards and Upwards.
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Friday, 15 October 2010
Thursday, 14 October 2010
1 Month of FusionGamer
1 month ago today the very first FusionGamer post went up and since then we have increased our readership greatly, At first it was a one man show and now we have a dedicated 4 person team with more writers set to join in on a less frequent basis. I just want to say a big thankyou to the writers Jake, Matt and Starfish for brilliant work and a great first month, and of course I want to say a big thank you to our readers as you justify our ramblings.
Over the next month you will see a whole host of small changes including a few big changes. Heres to the first month and onwards to the first year :)
Over the next month you will see a whole host of small changes including a few big changes. Heres to the first month and onwards to the first year :)
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Nintendo Natter TM4
Right, I know that I have been focusing on Nintendo Wii alot (with a sidebar on the new Mario 25 DSi XL) but today, something has appeared on the horizon to shift my focus onto this most nifty of hand helds. I've always appreciated the DS, with its compact size, inbuilt wireless and, above all, the touch screen technology that makes them unique.
Over the years there have been several games that have showcased this unique aspect of the DS. Drawn to life, Nintendogs and Tim Burtons: Alice in Wonderland: The Game are a dew particularly fine examples in my opinion, but one of the greatest is the Touch Master series. With TM4, you get 20 new games to play, most are variations of "use-the-stylus-on-the-touch-screen-to-move-this-around", but they all seem, if not interesting, then at least entertaining.
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But thats not the big selling point for TM4, no, for the first time on a DS, you can use the in-built wireless to connect to the internet and upload your high scores to Facebook and Twitter. you can then folow comment threads that arise from your posted scores and even use some of the sites basic functions (admittedly in a limited capacity). Still this may be the way forward for the DS, its biggest rival, the Sony PSP, also has inbuilt wireless but can be used as a internet browser, and connects to the PS Network. So, if the DS goes fully browser capable, it will be at the fore-front of the handhelds market. I see Touch Master 4 as the starting point dwn this road, so I feel this is a very big step for the DS, and Nintendo in general.
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Unfortuately it means Facebook ad twitter are going to be swamped with things like ",'so-and-so' just pushed his snowman further than anyone else he knows" etc. Which may be a bad point.
Over the years there have been several games that have showcased this unique aspect of the DS. Drawn to life, Nintendogs and Tim Burtons: Alice in Wonderland: The Game are a dew particularly fine examples in my opinion, but one of the greatest is the Touch Master series. With TM4, you get 20 new games to play, most are variations of "use-the-stylus-on-the-touch-screen-to-move-this-around", but they all seem, if not interesting, then at least entertaining.
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But thats not the big selling point for TM4, no, for the first time on a DS, you can use the in-built wireless to connect to the internet and upload your high scores to Facebook and Twitter. you can then folow comment threads that arise from your posted scores and even use some of the sites basic functions (admittedly in a limited capacity). Still this may be the way forward for the DS, its biggest rival, the Sony PSP, also has inbuilt wireless but can be used as a internet browser, and connects to the PS Network. So, if the DS goes fully browser capable, it will be at the fore-front of the handhelds market. I see Touch Master 4 as the starting point dwn this road, so I feel this is a very big step for the DS, and Nintendo in general.
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Unfortuately it means Facebook ad twitter are going to be swamped with things like ",'so-and-so' just pushed his snowman further than anyone else he knows" etc. Which may be a bad point.
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Saw II Flesh & Blood Box art, Release Date and screens.
With Saw 3d coming out soon here is some information on the next saw video game Saw II Flesh & Blood.
Saw II will be released on the 19th OCT on PS3 and X360. Here is what Konami have to say about the next interactive instalment in the dark horror series.
Game Description:
Step into the dark and tormented world of SAW II and experience the gruesome traps that Jigsaw has created to test your will to survive. With newly implemented puzzles and combat system, players will need to think fast and react to pass the rigors of the tests Jigsaw has engineered. Set between the SAW and SAW II movies, the game follows Detective Tapp’s estranged son Michael, who becomes Jigsaw’s next subject while he is investigating father’s recent death.
Key Features
- Gruesome Mechanical Traps – Jigsaw has devised a new series of traps that will force you to make life or death decisions as you witness the machines destroy others and yourself
- Challenging Puzzles – A new set of puzzles will test your wits as you work quickly to advance through Jigsaw’s game
- New Combat System – The visceral fighting mechanic requires precise timing to defend yourself from aggressive minions
- Unique Horror Experience – With a blend of intense combat, mind-bending puzzles, and a twisted storyline, players will face horror and terror that only SAW can deliver
Sounds promising but how does it look? Well take a look at these screens and decide for yourself.
Concept Art :
Monday, 11 October 2010
Nintendo Natter : News Flash! Mario Wii and DS
Heres a tasty treat for all you Mario fans out there. Nintendo are releasing limited edition versions of their Nintendo Wii and DSi. These are to mark the 25th anniversary of the first release of Mario.
The consoles will be red (big surprise) but with pictures of Mario, his friends and the various enemies from the games splashed all over the side. BUT, the consoles will not be released seperately, they will be released as bundles, which (obviously) will cost a little bit more than your average console bundle, but will be of limited number and infinitely greater sentimental value to the lucky few that manage to purchase them.
The Wii bundle will include: A red Wii, a red Wii Remote Plus, a red Nunchuk and three games. As well as New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Wii Sports, the bundle will also include the original edition of Donkey Kong pre-installed on the Wii.
The DSi bundle will include: a red Nintendo DSi XL branded with character icons and a copy of New Super Mario Bros.
The consoles will be red (big surprise) but with pictures of Mario, his friends and the various enemies from the games splashed all over the side. BUT, the consoles will not be released seperately, they will be released as bundles, which (obviously) will cost a little bit more than your average console bundle, but will be of limited number and infinitely greater sentimental value to the lucky few that manage to purchase them.
The Wii bundle will include: A red Wii, a red Wii Remote Plus, a red Nunchuk and three games. As well as New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Wii Sports, the bundle will also include the original edition of Donkey Kong pre-installed on the Wii.
The DSi bundle will include: a red Nintendo DSi XL branded with character icons and a copy of New Super Mario Bros.
Monday film news: Dystopia, Aliens, Assasins....and Zoolander
Hello there, I'm back again for the weekly roundup of news from the world of movies. There's been a lot of announcements and goings-on this week, so I'll try to keep it down to the stuff that interests me the most. 
Richard Stanley, director of the lesser-known horror flick Dust Devil, has begun plans to adapt J.G.Ballards novel High Rise for the big screen. The novel is a typically dystopian classic from the author, written in 1975 it follows the residents of a block of ultra-modern flats and deep into the pathology brewed within. Ballard is my favorite modern writer, so it will be interesting to see how this adaptation goes.
My Week With Marilyn has commenced filming, based on the book by Colin Clark which recounts her 1956 visit to Britain, and the adventures that happened there. Its shaping up to be a gloriously retro production, helmed by the Weinstein Company and featuring a massively talented cast including Dame Judi Dench, Zoe Wannamaker, Toby Jones and Emma Watson among others.
Ridley Scott and 20th Century Fox have been discussing the casting options for a planned Alien Prequel. Not a lot is known yet besides rumours on casting – Noomi Rapace,
Carey Mulligan and Abbie Cornish have all been hotly tipped recently. Personally I'm hoping for Rapace, who has been brilliant in the Swedish Millenium trilogy (Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, etc). If not, you will still get to see her in December 2011's Sherlock 2, as what is rumoured to be a villainous gypsy.
I've recently read about an interesting film coming out Spring next year, entitled Hanna. Directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride and Prejudice), the film follows the titular anti-heroine, bred as an assassin in a CIA prison camp. The role is played by Saoirse Ronan, who also appeared in Wrights Atonement, and more recently The Lovely Bones. To me this plot is pretty familiar, for example in the Bourne films and this years Salt, but with a director who is more used to period pieces it has the potential to be a refreshing take on the genre.
So, that's all the nice meaty bits of news out of the way - just a few more things! A low-fi romantic-drama Blue Valentine has courted some controversy with the emotionally charged scenes released online, but the trailer is now up and looks promising as a mature take on the romance genre (although if Blue Valentine by Tom Waits does not appear on the soundtrack I will be most saddened).
Rhys Ifans has been potentially attached to Spiderman 4 alongside Andrew Garfield; Johnny Depp is interested in the new Kathryn Bigelow war flick Sleeping Dogs; Martin Freeman is interested in the role of Bilbo in the still-unconfirmed The Hobbit, and there are some rather rubbish sounding films in the pipeline such as a reworking of Pepe Le Pew, Yogi Bear and Zoolander: The Sequel.
Just to finish off, this weeks cinema charts:
The Other Guys
The Town
Buried
Eat Pray Love
The Hole 3D
Made in Dagenham
Back to the Future
Toy Story 3
Devil
Grown Ups
That's everything for now, and I will be back in a few days hopefully with a review of Buried.
The Past week on GTD
Now I, Fusion Gamers own Editor, am writing for Gaming Till Disconnected some News which FusionGamer fans will be interested hasn't made it to FusionGamer so here are the links to all the pieces i have writen so you can check them out. And I promise now Im getting into the swing of things there will be more news posted here. Keep an eye out for the coming upgrade too so we are preparing material the for the launch, i know its no excuse but bear with us :)
Kingdom Hearts Re-Coded
http://www.gamingtilldisconnected.com/index.php/2010/10/06/news-kingdom-hearts-recoded-eu-release-confirmed/
Batman: Arkham City - Screens and Concept art http://www.gamingtilldisconnected.com/index.php/2010/10/11/news-batman-arkham-city-screens-concept-art-and-character-render/
Doc Clock website Launch.
Super Smash Bros 25th Anniversary DSI XL and Wii
Bioshock 2 DLC for PC cancelled.
Steam Downtime :
Uncharted: Drakes Fortune motion picture
Pokemon Black & White edition DSi XL
Just Cause Movie
X-men Destiny
Killzone 3 Beta Test
Western Heroes Wii
Kingdom Hearts Re-Coded
http://www.gamingtilldisconnected.com/index.php/2010/10/06/news-kingdom-hearts-recoded-eu-release-confirmed/
Golden Sun: Dark Dawn
Review : The Saboteur
Review : Splinter Cell - Conviction
Review : Shaun White Snowboarding
Review : Comic Jumper
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Nintendo Natter : Wii Sports
Who remembers opening their Nintendo Wii and being excited to find it not only came with wireless, motion-sensitive controls, internet capapbility and a customisable avatar system, but came with a GAME included. I ask because I recently played Wii Sports Resort, (with motion + technology), and it got me reminiscing of the first game I played on my Wii, on christmas day.
And what a game it was. Ok so it was only made to show off the 'ooh, look. we have motuion sensor technology in us' remotes. But it became more than that, with two games that could be played multiplayer with only one remote, it swiftly became a family favourite, and a hit at parties. the two games in question were golf and bowling.
The golf game retained all the......dullness......of the actual game, but you didnt have to buy an overly priced set of metal sticks, or leave the comfort of your living room to play and it was simple and easy to play, fast turning into a fun competition. the options to chose out of three set of three holes, or play all nine, and a skill tracker made it more than just 'swing-swing-swing-putt-next hole'. Bowling on the other hand, was fun, fast, and just difficult enough to make people want to keep playing to beat their own scores, whilst using the signiature motion-sensitive controls to allow the players to copntrol ball spin and pace. In essence, both games were real enough to make people want to play them, but without the disadvantage of....say.....spenidng extra money, or leaving the house, or even having to stand up.
Wii Sports also came with three other games. Tennis, Baseball and Boxing (utilising the 'nunchuck' controller. Tennis was challenging and great fun, watching two people jumping around the lounge, apparently trying to swat invisible flies, or else having some sort of seizure, whilst shouting things like "HAH!" or "take that!" amused me so mutch that e're now not allowed to play tennis ont he Wii, as all I do is wet myself laughing, which sets the rest of my family off, which ends in us all laid around the room struggling to breah whilst the Wii makes funny "tong" noises. Baseball is amusing, but best at two player, and you do need SOME basic undersanding of this confusing American sport to fully enjoy the game. Boxing on the Wii is, in my opinion, one of the greatest things to watch someone else do. the sheer amount of energy people put into it, the concentration on their faces, the moving of the legs (as if thats gunna affect the game), it all combines to make watching some one play boxing on the Wii an incredibly entertaining experience.
For me, none of the sequels or spin-offs can beat Wii Sports but I am looking forward to being proved wrong in the future, as word on the wire is that Nintendo are working on a box set containing Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, Big Beach Sports Wii Winter Sports, Wii Party and the next Sports game (yet to be announced). I would like to say this is only a rumour, but, if true, i will be looking forward to it.
And what a game it was. Ok so it was only made to show off the 'ooh, look. we have motuion sensor technology in us' remotes. But it became more than that, with two games that could be played multiplayer with only one remote, it swiftly became a family favourite, and a hit at parties. the two games in question were golf and bowling.
The golf game retained all the......dullness......of the actual game, but you didnt have to buy an overly priced set of metal sticks, or leave the comfort of your living room to play and it was simple and easy to play, fast turning into a fun competition. the options to chose out of three set of three holes, or play all nine, and a skill tracker made it more than just 'swing-swing-swing-putt-next hole'. Bowling on the other hand, was fun, fast, and just difficult enough to make people want to keep playing to beat their own scores, whilst using the signiature motion-sensitive controls to allow the players to copntrol ball spin and pace. In essence, both games were real enough to make people want to play them, but without the disadvantage of....say.....spenidng extra money, or leaving the house, or even having to stand up.
Wii Sports also came with three other games. Tennis, Baseball and Boxing (utilising the 'nunchuck' controller. Tennis was challenging and great fun, watching two people jumping around the lounge, apparently trying to swat invisible flies, or else having some sort of seizure, whilst shouting things like "HAH!" or "take that!" amused me so mutch that e're now not allowed to play tennis ont he Wii, as all I do is wet myself laughing, which sets the rest of my family off, which ends in us all laid around the room struggling to breah whilst the Wii makes funny "tong" noises. Baseball is amusing, but best at two player, and you do need SOME basic undersanding of this confusing American sport to fully enjoy the game. Boxing on the Wii is, in my opinion, one of the greatest things to watch someone else do. the sheer amount of energy people put into it, the concentration on their faces, the moving of the legs (as if thats gunna affect the game), it all combines to make watching some one play boxing on the Wii an incredibly entertaining experience.
For me, none of the sequels or spin-offs can beat Wii Sports but I am looking forward to being proved wrong in the future, as word on the wire is that Nintendo are working on a box set containing Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, Big Beach Sports Wii Winter Sports, Wii Party and the next Sports game (yet to be announced). I would like to say this is only a rumour, but, if true, i will be looking forward to it.
Starfish reviews: Despicable Me (2D)
First off, let me start by saying I take issues with the title (you will see why soon). The 'Despicable Me' in question refers to the films main protagonist, a super-villain by name of Gru, formerly the worlds leading villain, but has now become something of a laughing stock among the world of villainy. In order to reclaim his former glory Gru sets out on a mission to acquire a shrink-ray from his rival, the mathlete nerd Vector, and by doing so, shrink and steal the moon.
The film itself is animated by a tiny special-effects studio in France, by name of Mac Guff. No leading company like Pixar or Dreamworks, most of their work up until now has focused on adverts and music videos. But by teaming up with Universal Pictures, who have had a particularly successful year with big names like Kick Ass, Scott Pilgrim and Get Him To The Greek, they've pulled off a feature-length film with big names like Steve Carrell (Gru), and Russell Brand (Doctor Nethario).
My issues, however, with the title are based around the first word – Gru is far from despicable. Although apparently an evil genius who has staged many infamous crimes, Gru never comes across as particularly evil – yes, he wears black, lives in a dark crooked house and affects an Eastern-European accent, but throughout the film he appears more Doctor Evil than Doctor Lecter.
Which I suppose is the point. After all, it is an animated film for all the family, and a film for all the family couldn't possibly run the risk of glamorising crime to impressionable kids. Hence the stew-pot plot of cliches and comic-book-stereotypes, lovable misfits with a secret heart of gold just waiting to be melted by three adorable orphans – the plot to steal the moon includes adopting three orphans to infiltrate Vectors lair, but in the process Gru eventually comes to care for these kids, and rethink his villainous ways.
Wait …. the villain eventually decides to choose the good life and make up for all his wrongdoings? Haven't we seen this before? Oh yes, in The Grinch, Austin Powers: Goldmember, (even freakin Star Wars if you count Vader apologising at the end) and plenty over re-workings on the same idea. The idea of the good in all of us, and the impossibility of the bad-guy actually triumphing for a change.
To me, this is all a little too whimsical for my liking. And, as I've pointed out, this is hardly new ground. After watching the trailer I was hoping for a fresh take on the bad-guy plot – 'a film that focuses on the villains motivations, and not the good guy? Yes!', I thought. But no, the film acts more as a vehicle for the cute moral fable of 'following your heart' than anything else, a certain crowd-pleaser for kids and adults looking for light entertainment. As for me, I'm going to go and watch The Killer Inside Me again – a bad guy film with some real bite.
Related stuff: Invader Zim, Austin Powers, The Grinch
Directing – 6/10
Writing – 4/10
Acting – 8/10 – high marks for Carells admittedly entertaining OTT voice as Gru
Overall – 6/10
Saturday, 9 October 2010
Video : Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds videos,
Continuing with the Marvel Vs. Capcom news today I am happy to give you some tasty videos to go alongside the artwork and screens released earlier. Hope you enjoy.
Screens : New batch of Screenshots from DC Universe online.
Here is fresh batch of Screenshots from the DC Universe Online team for you to salivate over.And I must say it looks brilliant.
News : Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds new character artwork and screens
Although Marvel vs. Capcom 3 wont be released till next year it doesn't mean you cant get excited about it now.
Heres some new character art for Spencer (Bionic Commando) and Arthur ( ghosts and goblins).
Heres some new character art for Spencer (Bionic Commando) and Arthur ( ghosts and goblins).
Thursday, 7 October 2010
PS3 Corner : Infamous
Infamous takes place in a city named Empire City and you are a delivery man called Cole. One day you get a package and you take it to where it has to be shockingly the package opens and you see blue glowing and next thing you know a gigantic blue electrical explosion hits the city. Cole is then caught in the middle with no idea what’s going on. You have now taken control of Cole as he awakes from in a crater and notices he isn’t feeling so well , strangely the ground underneath you is normal as if you hadn’t been hit by the blast, while everywhere else buildings and roads are collapsing and the cars are exploding around you.
Upon noticing your surroundings you see someone in a collapsed building and try to get to them. While on your journey to reach the mysterious stranger you notice strange things are happening, your body starts to extract energy from electrical objects but the power is too much to handle. Eventually you absorb so much energy it starts flying from you and killing innocent people.
As Cole you now have the powers of electricity and you need to absorb electricity to Heal, athough you need to be wary of areas where there is a power cut as this fatigues Cole and makes him weak. As you go on you need to activate parts of the city again, to do this you go down into a linear sewer and perform a number of menial tasks, each transformer you activate will gain you more powers and help you become more powerfull. You also earn XP from killing enemies or doing good/bad deeds, earning Xp means you can upgrade your powers , however some powers can only be given to good players and others to bad players. The powers available are all very balanced whichever way you decide to play the game, and most are very fun .Some powers will see you grinding power cables and poles to provide a faster travel around the city.. As usual in games the enemies start to get repetitive but when you reach the last of the 3 islands it gets harder and more fun. It also comes to a point where if you don’t level up enough it becomes unbelievably hard and you may keep dying a lot, so always have your powers fully charged otherwise you may be in trouble.
The graphics in this game are brilliant,the fact you can change the city by your actions is very good, the city feels alive all the time as you shape its future. The electrical effects are brilliant it really makes you feel the sense of power you have and watching Cole suck the power out of objects is always fun to watch. The sound of the city is brilliant theirs the cars the background, people talking and screaming, shouting and the enemies sound creepy.What I don’t like is the comic style of it I feel that they just cheapened it over with comic pages instead of full blown cut scenes and also the characters voices and faces can get annoying because their both so low quality but the detailed environment makes up for that.
I give this game a 7/10
Pros
- Great environment
- Really fun sandbox game with a lot of possibilities
- Story is quite good
- Levelling up is very rewarding
- A lot of side missions
Cons
- Some side missions are boring
- Can get very repetitive
- Face animation and voices are badly rendered
- A few bugs and glitches like characters clipping into the environment.
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Nintendo Natter : Newsflash! - Oops! Prank Party
How much would u pay to have a mate dress like a fairy for the day, just cos you beat him at a game of keepy uppy? Or to have your sister crawl and act like a dog for a few hours because she lost at a platforming game?
Well nows your chance Oops! Prank Party is full of fun, challenging (and sometimes, slightly unfair) mini games, and if you lose you are given a forfeit by the winner, wheather it be a character slowing, in-game costume, or a real life forfeit of, say, only using one hand for the next game.
And believe me u WILL lose once or twice, because the games that arent challenging, CHEAT. But its not called Oops! Prank Party for nothing. ti game promises to be fun, family orientated, and above all, grudge-creating.
Well nows your chance Oops! Prank Party is full of fun, challenging (and sometimes, slightly unfair) mini games, and if you lose you are given a forfeit by the winner, wheather it be a character slowing, in-game costume, or a real life forfeit of, say, only using one hand for the next game.
With over 100 various minigames of varying difficulty, and a complete customisation of avatars, more so than any other game on the Wii, you can have a really realistic version of you dressed in a giant lizard costume when you lose.
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