PC Game News

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-ray releases, and movies opening the week of January 25th, 2010.

PC Games

• Blood Bowl
  
• Mass Effect 2

Movies Opening This Week:

• Edge of Darkness
• North Face (limited)
• Sait John of Las Vegas (limited LA/NY)
• When in Rome

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• Atonement [Blu-Ray]
• Bonekickers
• Bright Star
• Classic Television Collector's Embossed Tin
• Dirty Jobs Collection 5
• Fame (1980) [Blu-Ray]
• Give 'Em Hell Malone [Blu-Ray]
• I Heart Jonas
• I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell
• IMAX: Wild Ocean [Blu-Ray]
• Inspector Lewis Complete Set: Pilot, Series 1 & 2
• Island of Desire aka: Saturday Island
• Leonard Bernstein Omnibus – The Historic TV Broadcasts
• Little Ashes
• MI-5, Vol. 7
• Michael Jackson: This Is It [Blu-Ray]
• Naruto Shippunden
• Paris Texas [Criterion Collection Blu-Ray]
• Pawn Stars: The Complete Season 1
• Pie in the Sky: Series 2
• Pontypool
• Pride & Prejudice [Blu-Ray]
• Roberto Rossellini's War Trilogy [Criterion Collection]
• Saw VI
• Southland: The First Complete Season
• SpongeBob SquarePants: Viking Sized Adventure
• Surrogates [Blu-Ray]
• The Boys Are Back
• The Dinner Party
• The Red Green Show: The Infantile Years – Seasons 1991-1993
• The Toolbox Murders
• The Waltons Movie Collection
• The Whitest Kids U' Know: The Complete Second Season
• Whip It [Blu-Ray]
• WWII in HD [Blu-Ray]
• WWII Movies – The Collector's Series
• You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

BioWare today announced that "Mass Effect 2" has been shipped to retailers worldwide.

"Noted for its intense shooter gameplay and deep, hand-crafted story, Mass Effect 2 has received universal acclaim from top media outlets around the world, earning an average review score of 97 based on 29 reviews on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, making the game the second highest rated game for the platform of all time and 95 on PC according to MetaCritic.

Dr. Ray Muzyka, co-founder, BioWare and Group General Manager of the RPG/MMO Group of EA commented on the launch of Mass Effect 2 saying, “Rich, immersive worlds, compelling characters and stories, and intense action are some of the hallmarks of BioWare games, and Mass Effect 2 truly raises the bar in every area. I’m incredibly proud of our team, who worked passionately to deliver a very high quality game for our fans. This epic sequel in the stunning Mass Effect universe is an extraordinary accomplishment, one which we can’t wait to get into the hands of a world-wide audience!”

The Mass Effect trilogy is an epic science fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life and mysterious, uncharted planets. In Mass Effect 2, players will once again step into the role of the heroic Commander Shepard, commanding their crew of some of the most dangerous operatives from across the galaxy on a mission so challenging that it’s potentially suicidal. Featuring intense shooter action, a rich futuristic storyline, space exploration and emotionally engaging character interaction, the game delivers an unparalleled cinematic experience.

Gamers who purchase a new copy of Mass Effect 2 will also be able to activate the ‘Cerberus Network’, an in-game portal in Mass Effect 2 that will keep fans engaged with the Mass Effect universe through downloadable content (DLC) and news at no extra charge. The first piece of DLC is available today, featuring a new mission around the Normandy crash site. For players who do not buy the game new, the ‘Cerberus Network’ can be unlocked through a one-time, in-game purchase of an activation code for 1200 MS points on the Xbox 360 and $15 on the PC.** BioWare will release additional news on future ‘Cerberus Network’ content in the coming weeks.

Mass Effect 2 is available for the Xbox 360 and the PC and is rated ‘M’ for Mature by the ESRB and ‘18+’ by PEGI. For more information, please follow the development team on Twitter at https://twitter.com/masseffect2 or visit the game’s official website at https://masseffect.bioware.com/."

A new trailer for "Just Cause 2" has been released, showing off the bonus features that will be included for pre-order customers.

"You ask, we listen. With request after request coming in for some footage of the anticipated Just Cause 2 pre-order items, we’ve put together a trailer to showcase the awesome items of DLC available at launch. These five must-have downloadable guns and gadgets, and experimental and heavily upgraded items from the Agency’s research and development will bring your Just Cause 2 gaming to a different level!

• Agency Hovercraft: The ultimate in amphibious transport, the Agency Hovercraft is the most flexible form of transport in the game. Equipped with a turret-mounted grenade launcher, you’re guaranteed to blow your opposition out of the water
• Rico’s Signature Gun: Customised by the Agency and adapted for Rico’s shooting style, this deadly accurate and powerful pistol has precision, power and flair
• Bull’s Eye Assault Rifle: More powerful than the standard assault rifle, this lightweight and lethal automatic rifle features increased accuracy and a higher magnification scope
• Chevalier Classic: No agent should be without a hot set of wheels and with an increased top speed and superior handling, you can arrive at your destination in style or make a guaranteed quick getaway
• Chaos Parachute: Featuring a skull motif, make an entrance no one will forget … should you leave anyone alive to remember"

Paradox released a new trailer for "Majesty 2 Kingmaker," the upcoming first expansion in the series by Ino-co.

"Offering fans a preview of what to expect from the first expansion to Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim, witness the goblin invasion as the green menaces of the night terrorize the lands of Ardania.

Featuring the brand new "Return of Grum-Gog" campaign, Majesty 2: Kingmaker will be available in Q1 2010 on all major digital distribution portals."

Battlefront.com today announced that "Strategic Command WWII Global Conflict" has gone gold and is available to pre-order.

"The game is expected to be released for download within 4-6 weeks. Mail deliveries usually take 1-2 weeks longer. However, you can place your pre-order already now, and you'll not only be one of the first to get the game once it's released, you will also get the limited edition* printed manual AND you will save $10 in the process!

When you pre-order, you will be able to download the game immediately when it's released (in fact, a little before the official release announcement is made, giving you a head start on the crowd) AND you will receive the box, CD and limited edition* printed manual in the mail a little later.

This "download & mail delivery" offer will cost \$55 after the release, and you can pre-order it now for \$45, a \$10 savings!

Click here to pre-order Strategic Command WWII Global Conflict: https://www.battlefront.com/sc_global"

Several people, including myself, have longed to play the Soviet front in Company of Heroes strategy series. Well, the wait is now over as a new mod titled "Company of Heroes: Eastern Front" has been released. In their forum it states that the team is contributing donations they receive to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

"The Eastern Front is going to achieve what so many RTS players have been yearning for so many years: The integration of the Soviet Union into Company of Heroes.

First of all, do not worry. EF is not going to harm your normal CoH in any way, you can still play it normally. Also, it does not overwrite any of the exciting factions. It will add the new factions, and you can still play with the old ones as well.

Our goal is the integration of the Red Army and the Ostheer into CoH. Complete with new models, skins, sounds, buildings, tech trees and maps."

You can find download mirrors in their forums and you can learn more about the mod on the official site.

A new single-player trailer for "Battlefield: Bad Company 2" was released exclusively on GameTrailers. I don't like their embed code so here it is from YouTube.

In Battlefield: Bad Company 2, the 'B' company fight their way through snowy mountaintops, dense jungles and dusty villages. With a heavy arsenal of deadly weapons and a slew of vehicles to aid them, the crew set off on their mission and they are ready to blow up, shoot down, blast through, wipe out and utterly destroy anything that gets in their way. Total destruction is the name of the game, delivered as only the DICE next generation Frostbite™ engine can. Either online or offline, enemies will soon learn there is nowhere to hide.

Sega today announced that "Napoleon: Total War" will feature a multiplayer mode, which is a first in the series.

"This much-requested mode will allow players to experience the full depth of Napoleon: Total War in a multiplayer environment – either working to stop Napoleon’s advance, or competing against each other to better his achievements. Each of the three theatres of war from Napoleon’s career – Italy, Egypt and Europe – are available out of the box in 2 player turn-based online games.

Another exciting multiplayer option has been added to Napoleon: Total War – Drop-in Battles. When starting a Single Player Campaign in Napoleon: Total War, players are presented with an option to allow Drop-in Battles. Drop-in battles bring a fresh challenge to the single player campaign mode by allowing the players opponents to be controlled in real-time by an online adversary.

Campaign Multiplayer has been made possible for Napoleon: Total War by the immense success that the Campaign Multiplayer Beta for Empire: Total War™ proved to be. The Beta started on December 7th 2009 with over 15.000 Total War fans helping out in the testing of this new Multiplayer Mode. Feedback from consumers has been very positive, and with the BETA still ongoing, consumers can contribute to the testing of this new addition to the Total War series.

“Following all the great feedback we've had from our fans for the Empire Multiplayer Campaign Beta, we're proud to announce that all three campaigns in Napoleon: Total War will be multiplayer enabled.” said Mike Simpson, Creative Director at The Creative Assembly and creator of the Total War franchise. “We'd like to thank our fans for all their support.”

Napoleon: Total War builds on the successful Total War series by taking all the features from previous games, such as the full 3D land and naval battles, the detailed campaign map, and an in depth diplomacy system by taking them a step further.

Napoleon: Total War hits shelves on 23 February 2010. For more information please visit www.totalwar.com."

BioWare released the launch trailer for "Mass Effect 2," which will be released next Tuesday.

"The Mass Effect trilogy is a masterful science-fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life forms and mysterious uncharted planets. In this dark second chapter, Saren's evil army of Geth soldiers has just been defeated, and humans, still struggling to make their mark on the galactic stage, are now faced with an even greater peril…"

New screenshots and a trailer for "Supreme Commander 2" have been released, giving viewers more of a look at the upcoming strategy sequel by Gas Powered Games.

"Set 25 years after the end of the Infinite War, SUPREME COMMANDER 2 starts with the galaxy reeling from the recent assassination of the newly elected president of the fragile Colonial Defense Coalition. The members of the Coalition – the United Earth Federation, The Illuminate and the Cybran Nation –blame each other, and the early rumbles of war can be heard throughout the galaxy."

Paradox Interactive announced "Majesty 2: Kingmaker," the first expansion for the strategy sequel by Ino-Co.

"Featuring a brand new "Return of Grum-Gog" campaign, players will be called upon to challenge Lord Blackviper and his army of goblins as they wreak havoc and bring turmoil to the lands of Ardania.

Coming soon for download on all major digital distribution portals, Majesty 2: Kingmaker will offer players the opportunity to create new magic in the land of Ardania with eight additional story missions. To restore peace to Ardania, the bravest of warriors must rise up and protect the kingdom from the terrifying green menaces of the night.

Majesty 2: Kingmaker will be available in Q1 2010 on all major digital distribution portals for the retail price of $19.99 and 19.99.

Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim is available in retail and for digital download on all leading digital distribution platforms. For more information about Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim, please visit https://www.majesty2.com and follow @pdxinteractive on Twitter."

Capcom today announced that "Dark Void" has been shipped to retailers.

"Dark Void is a science-fiction, action-adventure game published by Capcom Entertainment and developed by Airtight Games. Trapped inside a universe known as “the Void,” Will is a pilot dropped in the midst of an on-going battle between “gods” known as “the Watchers” and a human rebel group known as "the Survivors". Will soon finds himself struggling along side the Survivors as they fight to prevent the Watchers from destroying Earth.

Combining a unique blend of aerial dog-fighting, with fast-paced ground combat, Dark Void creates an exciting third-person shooter experience. Bringing a whole new sense of tension and thrill is Dark Void’s unique vertical combat system. Players now must worry about enemies from above as well as what’s in front of them. Equipped for fierce in-air combat with a powerful jetpack, players will hurtle through the Void at blistering speeds while shooting down anything that gets in their way.

Dark Void is rated T for Teen by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) with a suggested retail price of $59.99 for the console versions and $39.99 for Windows PC."

Apparently, the February 2010 issue of "Game Informer" magazine reveals that there will probably not be any new "Half-Life" to be played in 2010. If true, it would turn out to be upsetting to the fans of the series, who have been waiting for new content since the Fall of 2007. It is interesting that Valve has pumped so much time into the "Left 4 Dead" games the past couple of years while their main franchise sits on the shelf collecting dust. Are these games just a cash cow for something greater? Some expect the next installment in the series to be a full blown game because of the obvious failure of episodic content on the platform, with the exception of a few adventure games.

From the column:

"Loose Talk has learned that there won't be any game from the franchise in 2010, and what will finally come out is still unknown."

The list of new PC game releases, new DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of January 18th, 2010.

PC Games:

• Dark Void
  

Movies Opening This Week:

• Creation (limited)
• Extraordinary Measures
• La fille du RER (limited LA/NY)
• Legion
• To Save a Life (limited)
• Tooth Fairy

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• According to Greta
• Angus, Thons & Perfect Snogging
• Black History: A Retrospective
• Bourne Identity [Blu-Ray]
• Bourne Ultimatum [Blu-Ray]
• Chantal Akerman in the Seventies [Criterion Collection]
• Che [Criterion Collection Blu-Ray]
• Come Dane at My Wedding
• Cranford: The Collection
• Damages: The Complete Second Season
• Death in Love
• Defying Gravity: The Complete First Season
• El Castillo de los Monstruos/Conquesta dor de la Luna
• Gamer [Blu-Ray]
• Girlfriends: The Complete Series
• Kingdom of the Spiders
• Law & Order: The Seventh Year
• Magnolia [Blu-Ray]
• New Tricks: Season Two
• No Greater Love
• Nunsploitation Collection
• Outrage
• Pandorum [Blu-Ray]
• Rin: Daughter of the Mnemosyne Complete Series
• Smokin' Aces [Blu-Ray]
• Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball [Blu-Ray]
• Streamers
• The Game: The Second Season
• The Invention of Lying [Blu-Ray]
• The Mob: From Hollywood to Vegas
• thirtysomething: The Complete Second Season
• Walking the Dead: The Complete Season Four
• Weeds: Season Five
• Whiteout [Blu-Ray]

Neocore Games announced the release of two new DLC packs for "King Arthur – the Role-playing Wargame," extending the recently released role-playing strategy game.

Knights and Vassals – DLC description:

“The legend of the Once and Future King is as ancient as the realm of Britannia itself. It tells about the arrival of a great king who will unite the warring kingdoms of the land and bring peace and prosperity to all. New units become available after the completion of the “Lady of the Lake” objective."

Legendary Artifacts – DLC description:

"The legend of the Once and Future King is as ancient as the realm of Britannia itself. It tells about the arrival of a great king who will unite the warring kingdoms of the land and bring peace and prosperity to all.

Three sets of unique and ancient artifacts become available. Each set was designed for specific classes: Sages, Champions and Warlords. These artifacts are the rewards of nine challenging and new battle missions."