My first time playing SoulCalibur on the Dreamcast I immediately fell in love with this franchise and always been a big fan of the series. The last time I played SoulCalibur was on my XBox and was really looking forward to the Next-Gen version since the birth of the XBox 360 and the PS3. So I finally got my copy of SoulCalibur IV and was anxious to play this new Masterpiece. Now as I mentioned in my last review of Army of Two I am a big presentation fan when it comes to video games because for me I love seeing good cinematic and cut-scenes. I was immediately blown away by the opening movie for SoulCalibur IV that lasted at least a good 3-4 minutes that had me drooling out my mouthpiece, SWEET!

After the opening sequence I immediately played around with the menu to see what goodies, and extras there was and I must say I was very impressed with it. There were some really cool extras that I won’t give away, let’s just say I never thought they would have put that in there. Being that I haven’t played SoulCalibur in a while I went into the training mode to brush up a little on my fighting skills and the one thing that impress me is they give you the option to train in so may ways that can definitely help you in combat against the computer or against a human opponent.

Once I got the hang of it I decided to go to the Arcade mode and try playing against the computer. I picked Yoda as my first fighter just to see how he was implemented into the game and boy the graphics that was put into this game is visually an eye orgasm lol. Once the match started I couldn’t help but to notice how the details in Yoda’s character stands out; from his hair, down to every wrinkle in his face. And of course for most Star Wars fans you will love hearing the Light Saber make the sound effect we all love when it’s swung. The stages are beautifully done and love the details that they put into the stages when enemies are hitting the ground and debris gets tossed everywhere.

Another thing you are gonna love is the ability it create your character and edit other fighters. This will keep you playing SoulCalibur IV with the feel of having your character become the ultimate fighter. I created a character that looks pretty much looks like Altair from Assassin’s Creed and I was impressed how they allow you to create your dream character, good stuff Namco!

Now as far as playing SoulCalibur IV you will not have a hard time learning to play or getting your skills back in this game. The controls are simple and very easy to execute once you get the hang of it. I was able to get my groove back just playing a couple matches and I became the master of the Apprentice *yeah come see me online!* lol. The online for SoulCalibur is good when you get the combat in this game down. I will advise you to not go online unless you are really ready because you will not be happy getting your butt kicked by someone who put a lot more time learning his characters strengths.

So if you are planning on getting SoulCalibur IV don’t hesitate at all, this game is awesome! Hopefully we’ll be seeing some downloadable content in the future for SoulCalibur IV for both consoles that will be worth waiting for. I also believe that Kratos from God of War is a character that will be available for the PS3 version so let’s keep our fingers crossed. So here’s how I rated SoulCalibur IV.

Graphics= 9
Pros: Great visuals on characters and environments, along with cut-scenes.
Cons: No being able to see Darth Vader in the Xbox 360 version lol.

Sound= 8
Pros: Good sound effects of weapons clashing, especially the Light Sabers, characters voice over are also done well.
Cons: Not being able to hear Darth Vader’s cool voice and the way he breathes in the XBox 360 version lol.

Gameplay= 9
Pros: Great combat and sweet grab moves, the Critical finishes give it an extra touch.
Cons: Some people might think the character story is a bit short but I think this game give you enough and not too much to bore you because we all know that some fighting game can get boring really quick.

Replay Value= 8
Opinion: With the online and the amount of characters available, not to mention the downloadable content to come, SoulCalibur IV will be in your rotation for months to come.

Overall Rating= 8.5

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Having just purchase the console character specific Soul Caliber 4 yesterday, I figure it would be a good idea to hear someone else’s thoughts on the game.  Then I got to figuring why should I be the only one benifiting from another’s insight into this wonderful fighter.  So, I bring this video interview to you from Gamevideos.com.  Remember sharing is caring.  Now if someone would go to the forums and share some MGS4 experinces then everyone would be happy.  Enjoy!

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Are you tired of the mini game fest Nintendo is giving us? Scared to criticize Nintendo because they may push harder to the left of gaming instead of going right. Well don’t be alarmed you are amongst many of core gamers who feel the exact same way you do.

Its not that I don’t like Wii Play or Wii Sports but that’s not gaming to me.  Gaming is an experience not just a pass time. Games like Zelda Twilight Princess was outstanding and Mario Galaxy was decent but did fulfill my gaming needs. Then Nintendo hit me with game after miserable game and killed any hope I had left with the release of Wii Fit. Huh!  That’s not a game at all.  Has Nintendo forsaken us and if so how can they win us back?

What does Nintendo need to do to win us back?

1. Nintendo needs a gamer controller. Lets face it the Wii-mote is not a gaming controller, it’s trendy, it’s hokey and maybe fun but it is not a game controller. Nintendo should keep the Wii-mote for the casual gamers and build another controller just for us. I like the Game Cube controller but it should only be the alternative controller.
2. Redesign the Nintendo Wii along with the new controller. The Nintendo Wii needs a new design and color for the core gamer. Black is bad ass but it’s severely over done.  I would make it RED.  Red is a serious color you know.
3. Drop the “Wii like to Play” gimmic.  That campaign where families are all playing together is nice but us core gamers don’t care that.  I don’t care about senior citizens playing in the retirement home or the lovable couple playing on the couch.  The new campaign should be with adults from 25 to 42 playing games and loving it.
4. Games! Games! Games!  Even Miyamoto is tired of the casual games and would like start developing for the traditional gamers.  Sony and Microsoft compete for games and so should Nintendo. Having to rely on 1st party developers is what got Nintendo in trouble with the Game Cube, they cannot repeat the same mistake.  So Nintendo go after the  “Bioshock” and the “Final Fantasy’s” it will only help your product.
5. The virtual console is nice but classics are on every console. Nintendo should give us new games on the virtual console. I would love to play “Super Mario Legend of the Seven Stars” but giving me a game like “Carcassonne” or “Texas Hold’em” gives Nintendo an edge.

These are my suggestion for Nintendo. Whether they take these suggestions or not is beyond me but something needs to be done because I am feeling like the Nintendo Wii is not for me.

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Events that are held in the gaming industry to showcase a developer, or a console maker’s latest and greatest is quite commonplace. However, there is there are events that happen every year that stands out from the rest in terms of juicy gaming news.  These are E3, Leipzig, and The Tokyo Game Show.  This is where gamers get a glimpse of what’s to come for their console of choice, whether it’s the here and now, or future.  This insight into the usually tightly sealed console and game world is what has lead me to write the following article.

Sony and Microsoft are the dominant rivals at these gaming events both deploying, two very different strategies. Sony normally goes about these events by showcasing some of the games to come in the short term, and a lot of “what’s to come games”. While Microsoft on the other hand, chooses to display a year by year focused reveal of games. Now, depending on which camp you align yourself with, you would think that one of these strategies provides the best results. I on the other hand see the strengths and weakness for both of these approaches. Want to hear it? Here it goes.

My Crystal Ball Can See To Infinity And Beyond. Beyond!

Yeah I used the Beyond chant in homage to Ign’s Podcast Beyond for it’s one of the few shows I enjoy. It’s also seems to be Sony’s favorite chant when it comes to the PS3 games.  Sony has never been one to shy away from showing off incredible cgi trailers of things to come. While I understand that everybody uses teaser trailers; Sony on the other hand is possibly teasing a game that’s still has 3 to 4yrs of development time before its release date.

Pros:
This is by far one of the best way to build hype for a console. I have not yet seen any company do it better then Sony. It’s keeps gamers salivating for what’s to come, and it’ll be the talk of talks in media circles. All of which helps to keep the console afloat with positive buzz, and adoration. I feel that at this point Sony has become so smooth at this particular strategy that it could sell Meteor Insurance right now and have people believe that destruction is just around the corner when it’s actually light years away.

Cons:
Don’t sell me on the idea of an exquisite steak dinner when I’m hungry right now! Damn It! seriously, that’s the real problem. Gamers are all about the hear and now.  And with MGS4 holding down the fort for now; some are still starving for more experiences.  Better yet most of these gamers are just starving for a reason as to why they brought the PS3 in the first place. Bottom line is that I don’t want to play one good game for the next 4 years.  Stop showing me the distant future show me the now for once.

I’m Right Here, Right Now. I’m Still Standing, I’m Still Strong!
Microsoft is on the other  hand is a complete flip of the coin in their technique.  Their strategy was stumbled onto due to a disastrous early showing of Too Human, and a future glimpse into what many are calling vaporware; Alan Wake.  Learning from their error, Microsoft won’t showcase a game that may still be into it’s early development cycle.  Their mantra now is showing a game that’s close to having a launch window, leaving many to wonder what’s to come in the future.

Pros:
A quick turnaround makes for a happy gamer.  When it comes to the games, we want them good and we want them in a hurry.  Now Microsoft has a truly good understanding of this.  Instead of torturing us with a taste of whats to come and having it linger in development limbo forever.  They wait until the time is right and pounce!  The Gears of War 2 teaser trailer was first shown in February, a gameplay trailer came out in May, and the game drops in November.  Microsoft wants the gamers to have their games as soon as possible without the need of stretching out the wait for years and years.  This is good for gamers and good for Microsoft’s bottom line.

Cons:
OK, OK, I got the game that I want but now what’s next? What do I anticipate? You don’t have to take me so far into the future that I’m watching my kid’s grand kids play in the park. But, you could just give me a small glimpse of what the future holds.  I mean do I have to really wait until the next year comes for you to talk about the games for that year?  Most gamers don’t need a lot just a little showmanship. You don’t have to sell fire to hell, you just have to give us enough of a taste to keep investing in your product. Boy scouts are cool and all, but everybody likes a little flash. Get it to crack-in!

I feel that these two companies can learn a little from each other, and come to a better middle ground without the need of going to the far left, or far right.  If Microsoft had a little bit of the Sony charm, and if Sony had a little bit of Microsoft business savvy then we as gamers win in the end.  And to think that these multi billion dollar companies haven’t learn that lesson by now, it is almost too crazy to wrap your head around.  Am I right, or am I right?

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I told you that I wasn’t going to completely turn my back on conventional gamers who own a Wii.  Well after some searching to the area that name must not be spoken.  I find another little nugget coming to the “Wii”(ugggghhh) in the first quarter of 09.  Conduit, being developed by High Voltage Software is looking to bring a mature rated game to mature Wii owners.  Now, this looks like it could bring a solid first person shooter experience to the Wii.  While at first glance the concept seems to be paint by numbers; alien invasion, add Washington DC, stir in crazy weapons and bake until fun.  I think this is something all you owners would love to get your hands on.  Now lets hope for a good score on that Wii Scale.

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Rockstar looks to be on fire this year. First, the release of the hotly anticipated GTA IV came out on fire smashing sells records at the blink of an eye. Now, it looks like lightening could strike twice for the talented developer with Midnight Club: Las Angelos. Mostly everything you know and love will be back for the next entry into this beloved racing series with a few new perks to boot. One look at this trailer makes me wish that the gameplay is as close to the cinematics of this visual treat. And, how knows some of those scenes could be actually gameplay. Don’t worry I’m rubbing my genie lamp now to make that wish come true. Enjoy the trailer.

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Since 2005 I felt like Sony’s hold on backwards compatibility was a farce. On television and on podcasts I have said Sony is only boasting backwards compatibility because they feel Microsoft doesn’t have an answer for it. In November 2006 the PS3 was launched with critical skepticism about backwards compatibility. Bloggers in the US and Japan released (196) PS2 titles that were horrific when on the PS3. Graphics were choppy, system would crash and the all around game performance suffered. The illmatic Genius has always said that the PS2 and PS1 architectural similarity made backwards compatibility possible yet my words fell on deaf ears. I said that Sony’s cell processor and all new technology would make it almost impossible to do economically. That’s when they banned me from certain message boards.

Now it 2008 the ball has finally dropped and Sony has finally let go of there so called claim to fame. I can not count how many times Sony’s claimed backwards compatibility was part of the Sony Playstation package and then the 40 gigabyte model happened. The 40 GB model has two USB 2.0 ports (as opposed to four), and the mult-memory card port has been done away with as well and of course BC. What started with the 40 gigabyte PS3 has now trickled down to the new 80gig model. The new and “maybe” final PS3 sku will have 80gigs like the launch sku but minus the backwards compatibility. Say What?

Sony gaming exec Jack Trenton told reporters that no upcoming PlayStation 3 consoles would feature backward compatibility with the PS2. What will the PS fanboys do now? Truth be told, whoever wants to play a PS1 or PS2 titles on there new PS3 should be drop kicked. With great titles like Resistance, Drakes Fortune and Metal Gear Solid 4 available why would you even anything last generation.
Dropping backward compatibility will save Sony money and that is always good since the last few years have been rough for Sony’s Gaming division. On the flip-side, Sony is the only console that can take a boasted feature and eliminate it without a blemish. If Microsoft eliminated the LIVE service like Sony did backwards compatibility the backlash from blogger and new sites would be astronomical.

Sony has taken blow after blow every year for unfulfilled promises. Whether is was graphically, games or sales Sony has taken a beating. Sony’s usual failure come from poor planning or misreading the gaming market and that is essentially what happened with backwards compatibility. Sony didn’t know how to make backwards compatibility affordable in the PS3 and didn’t know how to tell it’s consumers. So now you can upgrade your PS2 with a PS3 for God of War 3, if you want to play God of War 2 buy a PS2. If you bought a 80gb PS3 at release you truly got a gem.

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Don’t we all want a little Killzone 2 in our lives?  Why of course we do!!!!!  I tell you this game has to be one of the most talked about games outside of the recently released MGS4.  Even when the contraversial showing of that famous E3 05 trailer, Killzone 2 used to be considered as a game that would never reach that type of graphic fidelity.  And now, with each new build and showing it comes closer and closer to that mythical trailer.   How will the game play?  Not for sure, but I am sure that looking at this footage I would love to find out.

 Plus who don’t like new screenshots? Enjoy!!!!

[View with PicLens]

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As a Nintendo Wii owner I haven’t had much to play for awhile.  If you go to a game store and inquire about the Wii, they typically ask you do you have Zelda, Metroid and Mario Galaxy.  If the clerk is a fanboy, he may suggest No Need for Heroes, Trauma Center 2^nd Opinion or Wii Fit.  None of these games are option for me to buy because they aren’t games but game distractions.

It seems every Wii game that I buy serves as mere fillers, until I’m able to get my hands on one of the big 3 titles.  No matter how hard people try to argue otherwise; it’s an undeniable fact that Mario, Zelda, and Metroid are the only games that are highly anticipated, and are capable of standing on there own as a truly satisfying gaming experience. After E3, I was left bone dry and really upset about having no real game to anticipate.  That got me wondering has Nintendo failed in offering truly substantial game content or am I expecting the Wii to deliver quality it never promised. 

The Nintendo Wii has accomplished a lot since it’s released in 2006. The virtual console is great for classic games, the Mii’s are fun to create and the Wii-mote is very innovative yet the games just are not there. Nintendo was exposed at E3 as not being scalable at a time when scalability is a key component in regards to the longevity of gaming consoles. You will never be able to watch movie or television shows on the virtual console, or chat with friends on your headset.  The Mii’s are a nice touch, but when Microsoft creates their avatars don’t you expect Microsoft’s avatars to have more functionality and be more interactive.  The 360 can push avatars further than the Nintendo Wii and since Microsoft is even online you can almost expect the 360 avatar to supersede game-play. The Wii-mote motion sensor is the focal point of the Nintendo Wii yet I find Sony’s motion sensor controller the proper dosage for a game.  I feel like it’s only a matter of time before Sony and Microsoft improve on everything Nintendo accomplished.

My question to Nintendo is what are you planning for gaming in the years to come?  Sony and Microsoft are both doing bold things with their console and are pushing games and how we play games.   Nintendo what will you give us?

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Now if you were under a rock during the E3 presentation when it showed how gorgeous Resi5 looked, then you need to pull yourself out of the cave now!!!  Not only is Resident Evil 5 going to be a beautiful, grotesque, zombie killing, love fest; it’s also going to show it wheels with some impressive gameplay elements.  One of them being online co-op throughout the campaign.  What’s better then that you ask?  Well there’s no lobby system.  The co-op will be a simple jump in and jump out, with the AI taking over in a seamless transition when your wingman can’t take being chased by the undead anymore.  This game is going to set the PS3 and 360 on fire, and hopefully with a lot of praying Wii owners won’t be left out of the fold.  If rumors hold true, Capcom could work some programming genius and actually bring this monster title to the diminutive console.  So sit back, relax and watch the number one reason why you’ll gladly open your wallet for this game.

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