Inside Hotwire 3D

Most Warhammer games have always been played on PC but this coming fall, Namco-Bandai introduces their latest action RTS title, Warhammer: Battle March, for the Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 version will not only include the original Warhammer: Mark of Chaos but also an online multiplayer support for two to four players via Xbox Live in addition to single-player campaigns and skirmish modes. Namco-Bandai increased the number of factions in the game, totaling to six. Confirmed factions are Empire, Chaos, and Orcs and Goblin. Other key highlights include the ability to create custom armies with unique uniform, body types, and custom banners representing your new-found militia. In terms of characters, your hero has been given an immense role as losing his leadership will be next to impossible to complete the missions. Battle March debuts September 16, 2008.

In the first installment of Warriors Orochi, the venomous Serpent King Orochi kidnapped the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors for one purpose – to test his might. Longing for freedom, the captive warriors fought back and eventually overthrew Orochi and his minions, thrusting them into the netherworld. The ending of Orochi’s supremacy has help restored many nations to its former glory, but somewhere in a far distant region, a mysterious alliance is hatching an otherworldly plan to bring back the Serpent King. Now a new group of warriors must join forces in an effort to stop this evil resurrection.

Warriors Orochi 2 takes place after the events of the original game. The main “Story” mode features storylines for the kingdoms of Wu, Wei, and Shu, while a new tale on Orochi looks back to the first series of wars, exposing many of the Serpent King’s secrets. Some of the game’s highlights include the “Dream” mode and a new two-player “Versus” mode, which comes with four different variants such as “Tag Team” matches that pit individual fighters in lethal head-to-head combat. The popular “Team Battle System” which lets players create their own three-person fighting unit returns for this sequel. The fight starts with one warrior engaged in battle, while the other two recuperate in life energy and Musou gauges.

Fans of the original will be pleased to know that Warriors Orochi 2 will be sacking in an overwhelming lineup of over 90 playable characters, from both franchises including Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends, plus new characters from Chinese and Japanese history. The developer promises to deliver stunning 720p high definition as well as Dolby Digital audio experience. Warrior Orochi 2 has already been released in Japan back in April 2008 under the title, “Musou Orochi: Maou Sairin.” For us here in the States, you can expect the Xbox 360 version to come out sometime third week of September 2008.

It’s been a long time since we’ve had hands-on experience with any of the recent Guilty Gear games. The last memorable moments were on the Playstation 2 version, Guilty Gear X2. It was one of those fighting games we really like next to Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Virtua Fighter, and the Dead or Alive series. Now a new Guilty Gear title is on the rise, splicing its way to the Xbox 360 console. We are hot on its trail and we’re getting information that the upcoming Guilty Gear 2 Overture is not going to be the fighting game we had hope for. Instead it’s going to be an action game with RTS elements in between. The light strategy-based aspect of it will essentially be the game’s traditional beat-them-up feature. It includes ability to command robotic soldiers, which you can order to attack enemies or defend checkpoints.

Both new and old characters are making appearances in Overture and that’s one of the good news about the game. There is the straight-up fighting portion somewhere but the details on that are somewhat unclear. We’ll get a better picture of it when Aksys Games, the publisher, sends us a copy. Guilty Gear 2 Overture will have functionality that will support four-player online. Also, the game will have at least 60 different types of robot minions available, in which players can control up to 20 of them at any given time. There is no confirmed date as to when it will be released here in the States but Japan is getting their share sometime in November 2008. Generally, the Guilty Gear series has been a Street Fighter-type of game, but with the new addition of RTS in play, we are not sure how the fans would react to that? As long as the gameplay remains intact, we wouldn’t mind the new changes.

Nearing the August 31 release date, Pandemic Studios has vowed to deliver the most explosive action game this fall when they ship out Mercenaries 2: World in Flames for Xbox 360. Those who have followed the original will be in for a jaw-dropping experience as the producers of this game is building it from the ground up. We’ve only seen a portion of the game’s destructive impact, but boy, are we surprised with the given amount of devastating details that lit up our screen! In the upcoming sequel, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames players now have the ability to call in 20 different strategic air strikes and one of them is the nuclear bunker buster, a mother lode of a bomb! Of course, Mercenaries 2 is not all about blowing stuff up. It’s also putting together a game that is significantly realistic with convincing destructive material such as building toppling down into clouds of dust. The map is huge and Pandemic Studios is laying out an 8×8 kilometers of a Venezuelan space. So far, the game is coming together well and it’s definitely one of the better titles worth checking out this fall.

The Call of Duty series has become the bench mark of today’s shooting games. The last Call of Duty dubbed Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is the pinnacle of the series, and it’s only a matter of time that Activision would follow up with another distinguishable installment. Now there is a question that everyone has in their minds: Could it get better? With the launching of the next Call of Duty just four months away, it is anyone’s guess. Needless to say, the upcoming Call of Duty: World at War will take a step back from COD 4’s futuristic warfare and step into COD 5’s yet another WWII setting. What does this mean for players? We hope the same praises and accolades as the last one. The upcoming Call of Duty: World at War will get most of its creative blueprint and technical workings after COD 4: Modern Warfare. Treyarch, the developer, is trying to showcase other historical viewpoints that can still be squeezed out of the WWII genre. Their main focus is the Pacific realm, an often ignored piece of history during the World War II era. This time players are up against the Imperial Japanese, a guerrilla-minded group using the sneakiest military tactics to subdue the advancing Allies.

The operative word is sneaky as the AI in this game has been tweaked a bit so that players don’t always rely on their sharpshooting skills but rather the common sense to exploit their tactical abilities first. One example in which players are lead to sneaky situation is the jungle, where your squad tries to get past a pile of lifeless bodies when in fact these are just Japanese soldiers pretending to be dead so that they can ambush your group. There is another level in the game that offers the same scenario where Japanese soldiers intentionally injuring your troops just to get your people to aid the wounded, not knowing you’re being setup to get your entire army out into the open. The new item in the Call of Duty’s weapons department is the use of flamethrower. Most players have been used to the traditional assault rifle, rocket launchers, and grenades. But the addition of flamethrower is very effective against combating “guerilla” tactics as Japanese soldiers often hide in tall, dense grass, which you’re susceptible for a surprise attack. Treyarch promises to deliver a more exciting gameplay by adding four-player co-op and vehicular multiplayer. The Xbox 360 version will split the four-player co-op into four consoles via Xbox Live, while the offline multiplayer mode will just be two consoles each using split-screen.

Because there is an increase number in human interaction, Treyarch is expanding the quality of enemy AI to provide a more challenging experience for your team. In terms of vehicular assets, players will be treated to heavy-duty machinery like tanks and trucks. Unfortunately, the motorcycles and jeeps didn’t make the cut this time around. As for the presentation, the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare’s engine is being used to populate the next Call of Duty: World at War. And that speaks volume as the graphics on last year’s Call of Duty are the best in its FPS class. Needless to say, the developer has thrown in a few environmental special effects into the mix such as bullets refracting when they hit the surface of the water and fields of grass dissolve away when torched. It looks like Call of Duty: World at War is shaping up to be another impressive title in the shooting genre. We are definitely looking forward to its release as it debuts this coming November on Xbox 360 and the PS3 console.

Launched in November 2006, the repack Xbox 360 version of the first Blitz the League was a respectable commodity among football arcade titles. It focused on the physical prowess of the sports, and the game had some of the most cinematic on-field injuries seen to date! Midway is now banking on the sequel, Blitz the League II, to carry on that tradition. This time Midway is adding several key features. One of them is the Precision-Aim Tackle, which lets players exploit the new targeting system that inflict serious pain on the explicit areas of your opponent’s body. The campaign mode will now include a more gripping storyline, which explores the darker side of pro sports through an on-and-off the field drama.

Midway is also bringing back Clash Mode, a much more enhanced feature, which will give players those incredible special offensive and defensive plays. A new button is also in the works for activating Touchdown Celebrations to give the crowd something to be excited about. Besides online capabilities and expanded roster with new personalities, perhaps the most important features that a lot of players are looking forward to are the all-new vicious tackles and the return of the late hits. What’s more is that Midway has added another dose of brutality to the gameplay by stuffing in a new three-man tackles that pack the power to shatter helmets, crack bones, tear crucial ligaments, and send teeth flying! Football legend Laurence Taylor will grace the cover of this year’s Blitz the League II. The game ships in October 2008.

D3 Publisher (D3P) will showcase titles for gamers of all ages at this year’s E3 Media & Business Summit, taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, California from July 15-17, 2008. The company’s line-up includes titles based on popular entertainment brands such as VIZ Media’s hit animated series NARUTO, Aardman Animation’s Shaun the Sheep, and Cartoon Network Enterprises’ Ben 10: Alien Force, as well as innovative offerings for the Nintendo DS, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, and Wii home video game console from Nintendo. D3Publisher’s Game Line-Up Includes:

Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers
Onechanbara is the ultimate evolution in a third-person blood-splattering hack-and-slash videogame. Players take on the role of the beautiful but deadly Aya or her little sister Saki, both of whom will need to put their legendary samurai skills to the test in order to battle legions of zombies terrorizing their city. Every person met and enemy battled gets the sisters closer to understanding who or what is behind the zombie outbreak and putting an end to it. Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers is anticipated for release in Q1 2009 on Wii.

NARUTO: Clash of Ninja Revolution 2
This title offers an all-new original storyline created for the North American audience and features the largest character roster yet for the Clash of Ninja series. The latest iteration of the hit fighting game represents a huge progression from the previous game, including never-before-seen modes, improved visual presentation, and polished gameplay mechanics. The only four-player NARUTO fighting game series available, NARUTO:Clash of Ninja Revolution 2 for the Wii home video game console is anticipated for release this fall 2008.

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix
A rich new addition to the beloved Puzzle Quest universe, Puzzle Quest: Galactrix incorporates a powerful blend of puzzle, strategy and RPG gameplay elements, into an all-new futuristic, science-fiction setting. Offering an innovative new hexagonal puzzle board for a wide range of strategic depth, a rich storyline and fresh gameplay elements, Puzzle Quest: Galactrix is a captivating new adventure begging to be explored. Expected release Q1 2009 on PC, Xbox LIVE, and Nintendo DS.

BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE The Game
Based on Cartoon Network’s hit series, BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE The Game is the only console videogame allowing players to command and experience the adventures of the ALIEN FORCE team. Gamers will help Ben take the DNA-scrambling Omnitrix out of retirement and become the hero as they transform into eight different playable characters - including cousin Gwen, enemy-turned-ally Kevin and five of Ben’s brand new alien forms to utilize their all-new super powers and defeat the intergalactic invaders! The game will feature a fast-paced, 3D, action adventure offering an unlimited combo system and engaging puzzles and challenges. Expect it this fall 2008 for Wii, PS2, PSP and Nintendo DS.

NARUTO: Path of the Ninja 2
TOMY Corporation and D3 Publisher’s NARUTO: Path of the Ninja 2 is the latest in the popular RPG videogame series offering a completely original storyline, expanded character roster featuring 30 playable characters and improvements to the battle system that will give players more options than ever before as they make use of the newly-added Squad Leader and Ninja Tag systems. For those who want to test their mettle against fellow ninja across North America, NARUTO: Path of the Ninja 2 will also provide the opportunity to earn points and special ninja cards as players prove their strength over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. NARUTO: Path of the Ninja 2 is anticipated for release on Nintendo DS this September 2008.

Bangai-O Spirits
Created by revered Japanese developer TREASURE, Bangai-O Spirits is a re-imagination of their hit 90s DreamCast game Bangai-O. The twitch-fest shooter gameplay includes more than 160 levels, punishing super-moves, exclusive content for the Western version, and a sensory overload of fireworks onscreen. Bangai-O Spirits boasts a powerful level editor tool, local wireless multiplayer for up to four players and the pioneering new Sound Load technology. Bangai-O Spirits blasts into stores August 12, 2008 exclusively for Nintendo DS.

Shaun the Sheep
The only handheld videogame based on the award-winning TV show from Aardman Animation, Shaun the Sheep allows players to assume the role of the lovable sheep, Shaun, as he tries to find the rest of the flock before the Farmer arrives home. Designed exclusively for the Nintendo DS. Shaun the Sheep will feature the fan-favorite characters, items, and locations from the popular stop-motion animated series on the Disney Channel, as well as original content for all new experiences with Shaun. Expected release September 23, 2008.

Through the years we have seen how some of our favorite comics-based superheroes make their way into the fighting pen of video games. You had the much hyped X-Men vs. Street Fighter for the classic Sega Saturn, the once-dominant Marvel vs. Capcom for the old Dreamcast, and now we’re seeing Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe being released for the Xbox 360 just before the Christmas holidays! Needless to say, it’s going to be an intriguing sight to see how these different characters from two highly reputable franchises battle it out with their signature moves in a typical Midway fashion. Can you picture it out the iconic Superman vs. the vicious, spear-throwing Scorpion? What kind of war will these two have?

The trailer that we had watched showed Batman fighting the infamous Subzero. It showed a lot of amazing fighting sequences but it didn’t showcase the actual gameplay. Midway has not revealed the roster yet but what is confirmed is that the game will also feature Flash Gordon among the list of warriors. What’s more is that there will be a unique and intertwining storyline, written as a collaboration between the Mortal Kombat creative team and top comic scribes Jimmy Palmiotti (Painkiller Jane, Marvel Nights, Jonah Hex, 21 Down) and Justin Gray (Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, JLA Classified, Punisher Red X-Mas, The Resistance.) At any rate, this is definitely one of the many interesting games to keep your eyes on. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is going to be available not just for Xbox 360 but as well as PS3.

TNA iMPACT! is Midway’s first entry to the video game wrestling arena since the release of WWF Wrestlemania more than a decade ago. The game will feature some of your favorite wrestlers from TNA with names such as Scott Steiner, A. J. Styles, Samoa Joe, and Booker T to name a few. Wrestlers are divided into three primary fighting styles: Grappler, Acrobat, and Brawler. One of the biggest highlights of the game is the Ultimate X match, which is TNA’s most revered competition. Think of it as Smackdown’s ladder match where the objective is to snatch the brief case at the top; but instead of using a ladder, you climb up to the rope, make your way to the red X that is suspended high about the center of the ring using the “monkey bar” technique. When you get to the center, a mini-game will pop-up that lets you play with the sliding meter. You’ll need to get that magic number to retrieve the prize behind the red X.

Needless to say, TNA iMPACT! will run at a fast pace of 60 frames per second. You can imagine how frantic the action can get at this speed! So far, there are talks about having an actual story mode instead of the regular career mode as well as a lineup of 25 of the best TNA grapplers. Midway promises to deliver some intense actions in the ring by using trigger buttons to create powerful strikes and grapples, not to mention character-specific finishers. Of course, there is going to be a number of tag team matches but details on that have not been revealed to us. Though the developers are still working out the kinks of the game, the animation is operating quite smoothly. Wrestlers move really fast, giving you a true-to-life wrestling experience. Based on what we have seen so far, we’re optimistic that this will turn out to be a good wrestling game. TNA iMPACT! is scheduled to release in September 2, 2008.

UFC 2009 Undisputed is going to be one of most anticipated releases this year, featuring some of the most authentic and comprehensive UFC atmosphere, with extensive lineup of several of the best mixed martial arts fighters in the world. THQ gives us an inside look as to what other content will be included in the game. You can expect a brand new fighting engine designed for next generation systems that gives players unparalleled command of their fighters in the Octagon. The game will carry a photo realistic models to create an effect of fighters who breathe, sweat and move like their real-life counterparts. At the same time, players will also experience incredible ripple effects across the faces and bodies of their fighters from the impact of devastating punches and kicks.

Players will be able to build their own future champion by customizing his physical appearance and attributes, learning new fighting techniques to use in the Octagon and managing his training process through attributes such as strength and cardiovascular health. There are going to be several fighting disciplines to which players will have to master in order to take down opponents and get the submission. These fighting techniques include Judo, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Kickboxing, Boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In career mode, player will have the opportunity to compete into the UFC Hall of Fame through a series of dynamic storylines that build friendships and instigate intense rivalries. What’s nice is that more than 80 top names in the UFC world will wage battle across all weight divisions, surrounded by the sport’s commentators, announcers, referees, trainers, and Octagon girls to name a few. You bet we’re keeping an eye on this game. Expected to be released early 2009.