Popularity: 1% [?]

Next month sees the release of F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin, the follow-up to 2005’s fantastic F.E.A.R. In Project Origin you play a Delta Force guy sent into the “situation” that was being investigated in the first game (30 mins before the end of the first game to be exact).

This means that we can look forward to more investigating with guns and rocket launchers whilst being toughly spooked by the disturbing Alma (ghostly little girl).
Also the slow-mo powers which were so extensively used in the first game are back. These powers are seemingly more situation rather then character specific. Very convenient.

So far F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin is looking like more of the same, which given how much I enjoyed F.E.A.R is a good thing in my books. Look out for my review next month.

F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin is due to be released on the 13th Feb 09 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC

Popularity: 1% [?]

I know Sony had promised that Home on the PS3 would be available before the end of 2008, but did anyone actually believe them? Since Sony first showed off Home back in April 2008 it has been beset with delays. Not quite in the realms of Duke Nukem Forever delays, but significant delays none the less. Well now all PS3 owners are invited to the open beta of Home from the 11th Dec 08.

Currently the content of Home, besides your own apartment and mini games, consists of corporate advertising and sponsorship. There’s stuff from Eurogamer and Hexus TV. Watchmen movie tie-ins (video greeting, merchandising and exclusive cast Q & A). And shopping. Yep, virtual shopping from the likes of Diesel and contemporary French furniture for Lignet Roset. As explained in Sony’s press release:

At the virtual store, people will be able to choose from a selection of the most popular Ligne Roset designs, including the iconic Togo and Facett upholstery collections. It will be possible to personalise furniture by selecting from a wide selection of fabrics and leathers allowing a unique and individual look. This is an opportunity to get acquainted with Ligne Roset’s cutting edge designs created by some of Europe’s most talented designers.

Finally, Red Bull. They’re hosting a virtual Red Bull Air Race in Home.

See you in Home tomorrow. Hopefully.

Update 11th Dec 08: Ah Sony, you were just kidding weren’t you! PlayStation store problems and still no sign of Home. And according to PS3FanBoy most of the content has been ripped from the European version of Home anyway. Rubbish.

Update 11th Dec 08 @21:05: The Home icon has now appeared on my XMB. You don’t get it from the PlayStation store, just turn on (or reboot) your PS3 and log in. It’s 77mb download for the Home client software. Downloading now….

Update 13th Dec 08: Given up trying to log into Home. In 2 days I’ve managed to get in twice. If the servers couldn’t cope with this many users, then why the hell did Sony make it an open beta?

Popularity: 4% [?]

10 years ago Valve software released Half-Life on the PC. They’ve not done bad since! Happy birthday Half-Life, and thanks for the memories…and all the lovely games Valve has made since…and Left 4 Dead (out now!).

Popularity: 4% [?]

Woo hoo, a UK based consumer gamer show! Don’t see them very often, and fortunatly we’ve got the day off work on Wed (29th Oct) to go to the Eurogamer Expo in London. As you can probably tell by the name the show’s organised by Eurogamer which is a good thing as they’ve packed it full of booth babes games. Check out this list of games to play (with):

• LittleBigPlanet
• Fallout 3
• Tomb Raider: Underworld
• MotorStorm: Pacific Rift
• Mirror’s Edge
• Far Cry 2
• Gears of War 2
• Killzone 2
• Resident Evil 5
• Left 4 Dead
• Call of Duty: World at Wa
• Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts

There are other games to play, so here’s the complete list of games and a floor plan for good measure.

At the moment all the tickets for tomorrow (Tues 29th) have sold out but there are still 240 tickets remaining for Wed which you can buy here. Oh, and the tickets cost £5 (which goes to charity) and you have to be 15 years or over.

Personally, I’m looking forward to playing Left 4 Dead (just pre-ordered this on Steam), Mirror’s Edge, LittleBigPlanet, Killzone 2 and Fallout 3. Looks like it’s going to be a busy autumn playing games :-)

Anyone else going?

Popularity: 8% [?]

Sony are running a series of LittleBigPlanet workshops in Covent Garden, London from the 10th Oct 08 until the 15th Nov 08.

Here’s the important details:

• Is it free: Yes!
• Is LittleBigPlanet playable: Yes!
• Opening Times: Tues - Sat 11.30am - 7pm, Sun 12pm - 6pm
• Location: Unit 1&23 Thomas Neal’s Centre, Covent Garden, London, WC2
• Play and Create sampling areas: Create your own levels in the game
• LittleBigPlanet Creative Cupboard: Bring your game creations to (real)life
• Sunday chill-out: On 12th, 26th Oct and 9th Nov - Live music and arts and crafts
• Family day: On 19th Oct and 9th Nov there will be family themed activities

There will also be some super-user tutorials (must be pre-booked on site) where you can get a one-on-one demonstration of LittleBigPlanet.

Hope to see you all there!

LittleBigPlanet is released for the PS3 on the 24th Oct 2008

Popularity: 8% [?]

Wipeout HD finally sees the light of day tomorrow when it will be available for download from the Playstation Store (NOTE: there won’t be a Blu-ray version). It costs £11.99 in the UK and $19.99 in the US. Here’s a feature list:

• 1080p (full HD) visuals at 60fps
• 5 Game Modes - Single Race, Tournament, Time Trial, Speed Lap and Zone Mode
• 8 reversible tracks and 12 teams
• Online play (up to 8 people in a race)
• 2-player split screen (horizontally and vertically) offline
• Optional use of SIXAXIS motion controls for steering you lovely little craft

The 8 tracks consist of 6 from Wipeout Pure and 2 from Wipeout Pulse so don’t expect any new tracks. Thankfully the SIXAXIS motion controls are optional as SIXAXIS is, well, just rubbish.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to play this till the weekend as I’m currently TV-less, and have been some a few weeks now. My new, super- dupa full HD, 46 inch monster doesn’t arrive till Sunday. Boo.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Popularity: 7% [?]

Popularity: 8% [?]

Popularity: 7% [?]