Games News Network

It's time to get back in the swing of things, the video game hiatus is almost over. It may have been  slow the last few weeks but things are starting to pick up. The shift is already evident from the several news items that came out of the industry last week. So let's jump into in and take a look at what's on tap for this week: Nintendo DS/DSiWare/3DS Commando: Steel Disaster  [08/09] Touch Battle Tank 3D  [08/09] Apple iPhone/iPad Unmechanical  [08/09] PC Deponia  [08/06] Symphony  [08/06] Hero Academy  [08/08] Unmechanical  [08/08] The Amazing Spider-Man  [08/10] Sony PlayStation 3/Network Persona 4 Arena  [08/07] Sound Shapes  [08/07] Sony PS Portable/Vita NO PSP RELEASES SCHEDULED THIS WEEK Sound Shapes  [08/07] Nintendo Wii/WiiWare NO WII RELEASES SCHEDULED THIS WEEK Microsoft Xbox360/XBLA Persona 4 Arena  [08/07] Hybrid  [08/08]

Another week has come and gone. Even though most of you are probably knee deep in reapers, geths and cerebus enemies there are a few note worth release for the upcoming week. Here's whats on tap for this week Nintendo DS/3DS -Silverlicious  [3/13] -Planet Crashers 3D  [3/13] PC -All Zombies Must Die  [3/12] -Barbarian - The Death Sword  [3/13] -Warp  [3/13] -Defenders of Ardania  [3/14] -Soul of Guardian  [3/16] PS3/PSP/PS Vita -Birds of Steel  [3/13] -FIFA Street  [3/13] -Journey  [3/13] -Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Generations  [3/13] -Shoot Many Robots  [3/13] -Silent Hill: Downpour  [3/13] -Tales of Graces f  [3/13] -Yakuza: Dead Souls  [3/13] -Warp  [3/14] XBOX 360 -Birds of Steel  [3/13] -FIFA Street  [3/13] -Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Generations  [3/13] -Silent Hill: Downpour  [3/13] -The Gunstringer  [3/13] -Defenders of Ardania ...

There is just something about the new Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning game by Electronic Arts and Big Huge Games that really gets you excited to play the it when it launches on February 7. This new trailer paints an effective picture of what your time in the game world will be like. Get More: GameTrailers.com , Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning - Exclusive - A Heroes Guide to Amalur: A New World To Discover HD , PC Games , PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360

Mass Effect 3, BioWare's Action/RPG hits stores in March but it is already getting alot of attention. We've already heard that the Demo drops on February 14 and allows you to unlock in-game items. We've also heard that pre-ordering the game entitles you to more items depending on who you buy it from. That's a lot of incentives right? Wrong, EA plans on releasing a series of 8 ME inspired action figures. Each figure, apart from being pretty cool, has packaged with them a card that gives you a code for access to bonus in-game items. This means 8 cards for 8 different pieces of content. But wait there's more. [via GameInformer ] It has also been announced that the Art of Mass Effect Universe artbook will include a download code for the Collector's Rifle when you pre-order from Barnes & Nobles. Those who played ME2 should remember this sweet assault rifle. Along with the collector's rifle the artbook also comes with other content to make your game easier a...

In 2011, gamers had a year filled with games that missed there original release date. Although the year turned out to be a great one, waiting for a game to be released just to have it pushed back can be heart-wrenching. Gears of War 3 was delay almost five months and Mass Effect 3 was pushed into another year. It is now 2012, the year has just started and already games are seeing their original release date altered. Most recently Saber Interactive's Inversion was move from its February 7 release date to March 27 and while Max Payne 3 was originally scheduled for a March release, Take-Two has decided to move the game to a May release window. Here's the shortlist of delayed games (so far): Mass Effect 3 Demo [Delayed until February] SSX [Delayed 2 weeks] XCOM [Delayed until the next fiscal year] Anarchy Reigns [Delayed until July] Diablo III [Delayed, official release unknown] Gotham City Impostors [Delayed until February] Ghost Recon: Future Soldier [Delay until May] ...

According to Major Nelsons blog those who are looking to get their hands on the reboot of the Syndicate series will not have to wait much longer. The co-op demo is slated to be released on January 31 giving gamers a lot of time to get a feel for the game before its February 21 release date. Are you looking forward to this new Syndicate or would you have preferred an update to the original?

A trailer showcasing some of the new fighters in Capcom's Street Fighter X Tekken was released today. Juri, Xiaoyu, Paul, Law, Vega and Balrog have been added to the roster of cross combatants, which is shaping up to be quite a list of unique and popular fighters. Additionally in another video M. Bison, Jin and Devil Jin make an appearance, hinting at the possibility of these characters appearing in the game. With the March 2012 release date slowly approaching will Capcom be able to satisfy both Tekken and Street Fighter fans?

Jack Estacado and The Darkness are back to impale, decapitate and eat the hearts of those who want The Darkness for themselves. With new gameplay mechanics, modes and artistic direction The Darkness II ensnare fans and newcomers alike. Head over to the Game Marketplace and download the demo here and embrace the Darkness. The Darkness II officially launches on February 7, 2012.

Fans of the Armored Core series by From Software will be pleased to know that the newest installment, Armored Core V, will be released on March 20 in the US and March 23 in Europe. Pre-ordering the game from Gamestop nets you some extra weapons and parts to outfit your multiplayer mech with. [via joystiq ]

It was revealed today that Tecmo Koei's new game Ninja Gaiden 3 will be getting a collector's edition. The collector's edition will feature an exclusive Ninja Gaiden 3 art book, the games soundtrack, and a "Duel of the Masked" collectible figure. The icing comes from the downloadable code for the Alpha "Scramble" stage demo in Dead or Alive 5. Ninja Gaiden 3 is scheduled to be launch on the Xbox 360 and PS3 on March 23. Also check out the new Multiplayer trailer in the Cinema section.

Say it ain't so...unfortunately it is. In a recent press release from Ubisoft, IP development director Adrian Lacey announced that instead of the March release window Ghost Recon: Future Soldier will now be released on May 22 in the US and May 24 in Europe. Fans and those eagerly anticipating the release of this game will be disappointed but there is a silver lining. Ubisoft has announced that there will be a multiplayer beta for the game will be available in April. On a scale of 1 to 10 how excited are you to play this game? [via joystiq ]

Similar to 2011 Xbox Live House Party Microsoft has released information on the 2012 House Party. Many of you will recognize the new Alan Wake: American Nightmare game as well as I Am Alive, which has been in the works for some time. EA's Warp and THQ's Nexuiz round out the list of games. [via GameInformer ]

Good News everyone, it seems that Microsoft is giving Indie Developers something sweet for the new year. According to the post Microsoft has raised the size restrictions on indie games from 150MB to 500MB, reworked the pricing and raised the limit on how many games a developer can have. This is great news for anyone wanting to create their own game using XNA Game Studio and those who are currently using it. I see the quality of future indie games taking a great leap forward. What are your thoughts on the new changes? Check out the full post: XNA Team Blog [via GameInformer]

With 2012 underway and the industry poised for another great year in gaming I bring you my top picks for 2012. With rumors of new hardware and games 2012 is already starting out strong and as I look through my Amazon list of pre-ordered games I cringe at the headshot my wallet will take this year. However, no matter the damage that hasn’t stopped me before. This list is based on the games I’m most looking forward to playing this year. Asura’s Wrath When I first saw this game I was blown away by it over the top cinematic action. I’m expecting this one to be quite an experience. Kingdom’s of Amalur: Reckoning I’m a huge RPG fan and Kindom’s of Amalur falls right into that category. Offering all the aspects of a traditional RPG plus new innovations, Reckoning will definitely appease fans of the genre. Mass Effect 3 Another great RPG, ME 3 is set to conclude the story of Commander Shepard and the Reapers as he faces their ensuing invasion. DMC Dante is back but not a...

I want to start a weekly series of discussion post where a topic is picked and we have an open discussion of our thoughts and opinions. I have a few topics in mind but I open the floor to suggestions. In the video game industry, today's games usually have several modes unique to them. Two of those modes, single-player and multiplayer have become a norm for most game. Single-player is all about experiencing the story behind the game, watching beautifully rendered cut scenes and getting to know the main character(s). Multiplayer on the other hand is all about interacting with multiply players across the world while adhering to the game world and mechanics. There are a variety of different multiplayer game types, players may individually compete against two or more human contestants, work cooperatively to achieve a goal, or engage in a game type that incorporates any combination mentioned above. In the past few years the line between the two modes have started to blur, you can...

As we make our new year's resolutions and watch the sun rise on a new year it's time to take a look at the years upcoming games. In 2011 we saw it all in the video game industry and I have a feeling that 2012 will be similar for the industry. Like 2011, (see 2011 A Year in Video Game Review ) 2012 has games for everyone. New IPs like Lollipop Chainsaw and Anarchy Reigns, more HD Collections including Devil May Cry and Zone of the Ender and remakes with a twist, X-COM and Syndicate. The list goes on: Kingdoms of Amalur Aliens: Colonial Marines DMC The Darkness 2 SSX Asura's Wrath Final Fantasy XIII-X2 Mass Effect 3 Soul Calibur V Ghost Recon: Future Solider Dragons Dogma GTA V Prey 2 MG Rising: Revengeance Max Payne 3 Tomb Raider Borderland 2 Bioshock Infinite Transforme...

As 2011 begins to power down and 2012 lurks in the shadows, let’s take some time to look back at the games we’ve played this year. In 2010 I changed my Xbox status to say “2010 was a great year but 2011 will break all records” and I have to say that it did. The past year, the video game industry, was absolutely brilliant for both hardcore and casual gamers. It saw a plethora of great games that appealed to a broad audience. There were sequels, prequels, reboots and new IPs all vying for our time. Now I don’t want to go into all the games of this year but I would like mention a few that really made the year in gaming so spectacular. It all started with Isaac Clarke’s harrowing trek through Dead Space 2, a return to Netherrealm with Mortal Kombat, averting alien control in Crysis 2, choosing your side in Infamous 2, solving puzzles in Portal 2 and even catching them all with Pokemon Black & White. This short list opened the flood gates for games in the beginning of the year and as ...