Marvel: Ultimate Alliance doesn't really need a serious introduction - just take the action RPG elements of the two mega-popular X-Men Legends games and add about 20 new characters. It's not the gameplay that'll bowl anyone over (at least from what we've seen so far), but the sheer amount of Marvel-ness is staggering. At the recent San Diego Comic-Con, three new playable heroes were revealed: The Fantastic Four's Invisible Woman and Human Torch, and Iceman of X-Men fame. We saw these ...
» Read More

28 Jul 2006

The Godfather

Xbox Preview | The Godfather

While it's ostensibly a crime movie, The Godfather seems a weird choice for a video-game adaptation. There's violence, sure, but it's far outweighed in screen time by ruminations on familial responsibility, weddings, funerals, grouchy conversations in poorly lit rooms and boiling pots of pasta. That's probably why EA chose to make its version of The Godfather about the Mafia's foot soldiers instead of its stuffy, slow-moving generals. Opening in 1945, the Godfather game follows the plot of the ...
» Read More

27 Jul 2006

Madden NFL 07 impressions

Xbox Preview | Madden NFL 07

The annual evolution of Madden christens "the season" for every would-be athlete, coach, or super fan trapped inside the sweaty cushions of their couches, and Madden NFL 07 is proving no exception. Due to hit stores in August, 07's overhauls to the interface and - more importantly - the running game are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. In 07, you'll be able to step up as the lead blocker and crush any oncoming attempt to foil your running game, then meld right back into the light feet ...
» Read More

27 Jul 2006

NHL 07

Xbox Preview | NHL 07

Two years. EA Canada spent two whole years locked away in an undisclosed ice fishing shanty, drinking beer and dreaming up the next generation in the NHL franchise. Hockey fans are getting a little tired of the waiting game, but after this year's crazy playoff season, our pitchforks and torches have been hushed momentarily. EA's Summer Showcase brought a little cool to the hot days of July in the form of a very playable NHL 07. From what we witnessed, we may need to relocate our rusty ...
» Read More

27 Jul 2006

Throwing down in Justice League Heroes

Xbox Preview | Justice League Heroes

With all the talk lately about X-Men this and Spider-Man that, it's easy to forget that Marvel isn't the only comic company bringing its stars to game consoles. Warner Bros. Interactive and Action RPG specialists Snowblind Studios are looking to change that. At this year's Comic-Con, we got to play around with the top guns from the DC Universe in the latest build of Justice League Heroes for the Xbox and ...
» Read More

26 Jul 2006

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07

Xbox Preview | Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07

For many seasons, Tiger Woods PGA Tour has relied on an arcade-like feel that gave any player with functional thumbs a -15 handicap. Good news though - from what we saw at Electronic Arts' Summer Showcase, Tiger has shed his quirky strokes and come out swinging the hammer with a more simulation-based method of play. The control scheme has been simplified, taking what worked in the past and applying more realistic effects to make the whole experience come alive. In 07, the entire swing runs off ...
» Read More

18 Jul 2006

Splinter Cell: Double Agent hands-on

Xbox Preview | Splinter Cell 4

Sam Fisher's heading off in bold new directions in Splinter Cell: Double Agent on Xbox 360 and PC, but the current-gen hardware just isn't strong enough to support his open-ended new adventure. So instead of simply trying to strip down the big, open battlefields and daylight runs of Double Agent for the PS2, Xbox and GameCube, the developers took an unusual route: make a whole new game. The current-gen Splinter Cell: Double Agent shares its next-gen cousin's plot - secret agent Sam Fisher goes ...
» Read More

14 Jul 2006

Need For Speed Carbon

Xbox Preview | Need for Speed Carbon

At EA's recent Studio Showcase 06, we got a glimpse of the future of one of the most popular racing franchises in gaming history (next to Gran Turismo, of course). The tricked-out racing rides of Need For Speed are back and even more customizable than ever - with hyper-tense, high stakes tracks to match. To start, EA has added a new feature called Auto Sculpt that blows the doors off of the term "vehicle customization." Instead of simply strapping on pre-formed after-market parts to your sleek ...
» Read More

14 Jul 2006

Xyanide

Xbox Preview | Xyanide

It's been an incredibly long time since we've seen a space shooter the likes of Xyanide. Basically an updated, 2D, interstellar laser-fest in which your sole objective is eliminating each and every enemy that wanders onto the screen, Xyanide captures that old-school arcade intensity in a way that makes us ache for the good ol' days. What instantly grabbed our attention was the sheer number of hi-tech gizmos our little space ship gave us to work with. Essentially, you move your ship around the ...
» Read More

14 Jul 2006

NASCAR 07

Xbox Preview | NASCAR 07

NASCAR is unbelievably popular, but the prospect of driving in an oval, lap after repetitive lap, has started to get a little tired... no matter how fast you go. Enter NASCAR 07, EA's attempt to spice things up by digging deeper into the sport than simply picking your line and blindly adhering to ...
» Read More