Those kind folks over at Valve have released volume 1 of the Portal 2 soundtrack, "Songs to Test By", on the game's official website for free.
Get it here.
It's a really fantastic score, and it's free of charge! Enjoy.
Thursday 26 May 2011
Wednesday 25 May 2011
Metal Gear Peace Walking onto PS3
c wut i did thar?
JVN, a French website, has suggested that Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is set to be one of the first PSP games to be remastered and released on PS3 as part of the new PSP Remasters series Sony is releasing.
The game is reported to feature crisp HD visuals and be tailored for the PS3, including making the most of the home console's extra analogue stick it has over its portable cousin. This should be good news for those - like myself - who detest the camera functionality in games on the PSP due to the lack of that extra stick.
There are currently no details regarding possible SIXAXIS or 3D support, but the game is expected to be officially announced alongside other titles in the PSP Remasters series at this year's E3 expo.
JVN, a French website, has suggested that Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is set to be one of the first PSP games to be remastered and released on PS3 as part of the new PSP Remasters series Sony is releasing.
The game is reported to feature crisp HD visuals and be tailored for the PS3, including making the most of the home console's extra analogue stick it has over its portable cousin. This should be good news for those - like myself - who detest the camera functionality in games on the PSP due to the lack of that extra stick.
There are currently no details regarding possible SIXAXIS or 3D support, but the game is expected to be officially announced alongside other titles in the PSP Remasters series at this year's E3 expo.
Tuesday 24 May 2011
Duke Nukem Forever has Gone Gold!!!
Pigs have flown, Hell has frozen over... Now after fifteen years of development time Duke Nukem Forever has gone gold and is ready to go to press!
The much-awaited first person shooter from Gearbox Software sees everyone's favourite ass-kicker return for the first time since 1996's Duke Nukem 3D. It will be released for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on June 10th, so expect a review/my first thoughts around that time.
"It's time to kick ass and chew bubble gum... And I'm all outta gum!"
Monday 23 May 2011
5 TV Shows You Should Be Watching, Part 2
Television is a dark, depressing place as of late.
Reality TV shows dominate the airwaves, broadcasting their "talent" to the mindless drones that gobble that shit up, game shows are becoming more and more redundantly garbage, and don't even get me started on The Only Way is Essex.
What happened to good old drama? Well, it's still there, and I'm taking a stand against the system by pointing you away from the trash and right to the treasure. So let me educate you with five shows you should be filling your viewing schedule with, ranging from "you should be watching this" to "WHY AREN'T YOU PRE-ORDERING THE ULTRA-DELUXE-LIMITED-COLLECTOR'S EDITION BLU-RAY BOX SET RIGHT NOW?!".
I already covered HBO's prohibition drama Boardwalk Empire at number 5, so let's move on with...
#4 Doctor Who
Get any preconception that this is a show just for the kiddies out of your head right now. While it retains a lot of its familiar charm and humour, the modern series is a whole different beast than the overtly corny tea time extravaganza it used to be.
Since 2010 when lead writing duties passed from Russel T. Davies (who shall always be revered as the man who brought the Doctor back to our screens) to Steven Moffat the whole show took on a more adult-orientated vibe with head-scratching multi-season long plot arcs and enough sexual innuendo to make a sailor blush... Okay, well maybe not THAT much; it is still on before the watershed!
The general story of the show should need no introduction; human-looking alien travels across time and space in his multidimensional blue box spaceship, brining along various companions on the way for countless adventures. Last year's series 5 saw the introduction of the Doctor's eleventh incarnation (Matt Smith) (must be nice being able to hit "reset" upon death) and companion Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), a boisterous, ginger, Scottish girl who has a fondness for short skirts. The pair spend the next season and a half (as it stands at the time of writing this article) seeking out answers to a myriad of questions: What are the cracks in time? Who caused them? What are the 'Silence'? And, most importantly, who on Earth is River Song (Alex Kingston)? Ah yes, River and the Doctor's relationship remains unsolved (again, as this article goes to press but promised to be fully answered this season) as they keep bumping into each other time and time again in the wrong order, in a mixed up timeline of events.
With so many questions floating about, and the quality with which their mysteries and subsequent answers are told, it is easy to see that this is no longer simply a "children's show" but in fact one that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Everything from the acting to the production values is stellar, with a few moments of cheese and corny-ness slipping through the cracks; but would it really be Doctor Who if it didn't have cheese?! The series has being running since 1963 and has had its fair share of ups and downs along the way... Thankfully, with its current formula it is most definitely at its finest.
Expect a full review of Season 6, Part 1 once the final episode has aired on June 4th.
Season 6, Part 1 of Doctor Who is currently airing on BBC1 Saturdays at approximately 6:30pm (start times change on a weekly basis). Part 1 will end on the 7th episode of the season June 4th, before Part 2 returns in September with the remaining 6 episodes. The show is broadcast on Saturday evenings on BBC America and SPACE in the USA and Canada respectively.
Reality TV shows dominate the airwaves, broadcasting their "talent" to the mindless drones that gobble that shit up, game shows are becoming more and more redundantly garbage, and don't even get me started on The Only Way is Essex.
What happened to good old drama? Well, it's still there, and I'm taking a stand against the system by pointing you away from the trash and right to the treasure. So let me educate you with five shows you should be filling your viewing schedule with, ranging from "you should be watching this" to "WHY AREN'T YOU PRE-ORDERING THE ULTRA-DELUXE-LIMITED-COLLECTOR'S EDITION BLU-RAY BOX SET RIGHT NOW?!".
I already covered HBO's prohibition drama Boardwalk Empire at number 5, so let's move on with...
#4 Doctor Who
Get any preconception that this is a show just for the kiddies out of your head right now. While it retains a lot of its familiar charm and humour, the modern series is a whole different beast than the overtly corny tea time extravaganza it used to be.
Since 2010 when lead writing duties passed from Russel T. Davies (who shall always be revered as the man who brought the Doctor back to our screens) to Steven Moffat the whole show took on a more adult-orientated vibe with head-scratching multi-season long plot arcs and enough sexual innuendo to make a sailor blush... Okay, well maybe not THAT much; it is still on before the watershed!
The general story of the show should need no introduction; human-looking alien travels across time and space in his multidimensional blue box spaceship, brining along various companions on the way for countless adventures. Last year's series 5 saw the introduction of the Doctor's eleventh incarnation (Matt Smith) (must be nice being able to hit "reset" upon death) and companion Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), a boisterous, ginger, Scottish girl who has a fondness for short skirts. The pair spend the next season and a half (as it stands at the time of writing this article) seeking out answers to a myriad of questions: What are the cracks in time? Who caused them? What are the 'Silence'? And, most importantly, who on Earth is River Song (Alex Kingston)? Ah yes, River and the Doctor's relationship remains unsolved (again, as this article goes to press but promised to be fully answered this season) as they keep bumping into each other time and time again in the wrong order, in a mixed up timeline of events.
With so many questions floating about, and the quality with which their mysteries and subsequent answers are told, it is easy to see that this is no longer simply a "children's show" but in fact one that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Everything from the acting to the production values is stellar, with a few moments of cheese and corny-ness slipping through the cracks; but would it really be Doctor Who if it didn't have cheese?! The series has being running since 1963 and has had its fair share of ups and downs along the way... Thankfully, with its current formula it is most definitely at its finest.
Expect a full review of Season 6, Part 1 once the final episode has aired on June 4th.
Season 6, Part 1 of Doctor Who is currently airing on BBC1 Saturdays at approximately 6:30pm (start times change on a weekly basis). Part 1 will end on the 7th episode of the season June 4th, before Part 2 returns in September with the remaining 6 episodes. The show is broadcast on Saturday evenings on BBC America and SPACE in the USA and Canada respectively.
Sunday 22 May 2011
PSP Titles to be Remastered for PS3 Release
Well this is interesting!
Sony have announced their plans to remaster and release PSP titles on the PS3, starting this summer with Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD Ver. (not a very catchy title, is it?).
Each title will come with upgraded graphics, new additional content and (in some cases) stereoscopic 3D support. Save files will be transferable between PS3 & PSP, and multiplayer is fully supported, including through the PSP ad-hoc system.
I have a PSP but much prefer sitting down and playing on a console. Also preferring my 3DS for portable gaming at the moment! Here's hoping for MGS Peace Walker to make the transition.
Sony have announced their plans to remaster and release PSP titles on the PS3, starting this summer with Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD Ver. (not a very catchy title, is it?).
Each title will come with upgraded graphics, new additional content and (in some cases) stereoscopic 3D support. Save files will be transferable between PS3 & PSP, and multiplayer is fully supported, including through the PSP ad-hoc system.
I have a PSP but much prefer sitting down and playing on a console. Also preferring my 3DS for portable gaming at the moment! Here's hoping for MGS Peace Walker to make the transition.
Rebecca Black Predicts the End of Days?!
Well, Harold Camping's Rapture prediction was a bust. May 21st was the day he stated would see the Holy God rescue 200 million by bringing them to Heaven, while earthquakes began the prolonged destruction of the Earth (lasting 'til October 21st no less!) at 6pm in each time zone.
Well, we're still waiting.
In the mean time, listen to this lovely doomsday song by Rebecca Black and the very funny folks over at Rooster Teeth.
I do not own, nor did I create, this video. This video is property of Rooster Teeth.
Rebecca Black and 'Friday' are property of Satan.
Well, we're still waiting.
In the mean time, listen to this lovely doomsday song by Rebecca Black and the very funny folks over at Rooster Teeth.
I do not own, nor did I create, this video. This video is property of Rooster Teeth.
Rebecca Black and 'Friday' are property of Satan.
Friday 20 May 2011
First Picture of Tom Hardy as Bane Revealed
#TheFireRises
Twitter users were prompted to add that hashtag to their tweets in order to reveal a publicity photo from the upcoming third Batman film by Christopher Nolan; The Dark Knight Rises.
The subject of that photo? None other than Tom Hardy as super-buff super-villain Bane:
Twitter users were prompted to add that hashtag to their tweets in order to reveal a publicity photo from the upcoming third Batman film by Christopher Nolan; The Dark Knight Rises.
The subject of that photo? None other than Tom Hardy as super-buff super-villain Bane:
A lot of controversy surrounded the announcement of Hardy's casting as Bane - the Inception star seemed far from the type to play a muscle-bound assassin. However, it seems he's been putting a few hours away in the gym!
So what do we think - is Hardy proving convincing as the man to break the Bat? I'm pleasantly surprised. Bane was always going to be a tough character to portray in the realistic, gritty manner Nolan has taken his adaptation of the Caped Crusader in, but the way things are looking in this picture should put any doubters at ease. We should have known never to doubt Mr. Nolan!
The Dark Knight Rises is scheduled to be released on July 20th 2012.
UK Not Getting L.A. Noire PS3-exclusive DLC?
Well today's the big day - Rockstar Games and Team Bondi's latest offering hit shelves here in the UK
However, it appears no one in the UK has got the code for the PS3 exclusive "Consul's Car" DLC that was meant to be free with all PS3 copies of the game.
Customer misunderstanding or marketing snafu?
However, it appears no one in the UK has got the code for the PS3 exclusive "Consul's Car" DLC that was meant to be free with all PS3 copies of the game.
Customer misunderstanding or marketing snafu?
Wednesday 18 May 2011
5 TV Shows You Should Be Watching, Part 1
Television is a dark, depressing place as of late.
Reality TV shows dominate the airwaves, broadcasting their "talent" to the mindless drones that gobble that shit up, game shows are becoming more and more redundantly garbage, and don't even get me started on The Only Way is Essex.
What happened to good old drama? Well, it's still there, and I'm taking a stand against the system by pointing you away from the trash and right to the treasure. So let me educate you with five shows you should be filling your viewing schedule with, ranging from "you should be watching this" to "WHY AREN'T YOU PRE-ORDERING THE ULTRA-DELUXE-LIMITED-COLLECTOR'S EDITION BLU-RAY BOX SET RIGHT NOW?!".
Let's kick off with...
#5 Boardwalk Empire
"The Sopranos in the 1920s" is how many have described HBO's latest criminal drama (not the last time the network's premier crime family will be used to describe a show on our list), and that's a fitting definition for many reasons. Set in prohibition-era Atlantic City, the show echoes many traits from the hit mob series, undoubtedly helped in no small part by the fact that Emmy Award winning producer and screenwriter for The Sopranos, Terence Winter, is the creative force behind the show.
The series tells the semi-true story of Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson, a criminal kingpin who rose to power as a political figure and took control during the times of prohibition. While the show opens with a focus on acts of bootlegging and smuggling of alcohol, it doesn't take much time before it is obvious Thompson firmly has a finger in every pie of Atlantic City. Cue backstabbings, murder, shady dealings, political corruption and - of course - gratuitous sex and violence (this is a HBO show, after all). The storyline remains interesting throughout, with very little in the way of 'low points' - each episode brings something new to the table, and be prepared for many brilliant, shocking moments during the course of the over-arching story arc. Of course, storyline would mean nothing if the acting wasn't good enough to keep up, but thankfully the acting in this show is second to none, with special mention having to go to Steve Buscemi playing the lead role of Nucky in such a charmingly dangerous manner that he dominates every scene he's in and Michael Shannon as federal agent Nelson Van Alden, a chillingly disturbed character hell bent on ending Nucky's reign.
I've already mentioned Sopranos alumni Terence Winter as the creator of the show, but that is just scratching the surface of the talent to be found behind the camera; most notably, the one-and-only Martin Scorsese serving as not only executive producer for the entire show, but also directing the sublime pilot episode (which has now gone down in history as the most expensive television pilot ever made). With the production values as high as they are, one would be forgiven to think this is a 13-part movie, not just a TV programme.
With the amount of talent involved and the story set firmly in the annals of history, the pieces were in place for this show to blow the competition out the water. Fortunately, it did just that and anyone looking for their criminal fix should look no further to find one of the best crime sagas ever told on television.
The first season of Boardwalk Empire was originally broadcast on HBO beginning on September 19th 2010, running for 12 episodes. In the UK, the series began on February 1st 2011 on Sky Atlantic with reruns planned to begin later in the year. The show has been renewed for a second season.
Season 1 can be purchased on DVD here: United Kingdom
/ United States
Season 1 can be purchased on Blu-ray here: United Kingdom
/ United States
The book the series is based on can be purchased here: United Kingdom
/ United States
Reality TV shows dominate the airwaves, broadcasting their "talent" to the mindless drones that gobble that shit up, game shows are becoming more and more redundantly garbage, and don't even get me started on The Only Way is Essex.
What happened to good old drama? Well, it's still there, and I'm taking a stand against the system by pointing you away from the trash and right to the treasure. So let me educate you with five shows you should be filling your viewing schedule with, ranging from "you should be watching this" to "WHY AREN'T YOU PRE-ORDERING THE ULTRA-DELUXE-LIMITED-COLLECTOR'S EDITION BLU-RAY BOX SET RIGHT NOW?!".
Let's kick off with...
#5 Boardwalk Empire
"The Sopranos in the 1920s" is how many have described HBO's latest criminal drama (not the last time the network's premier crime family will be used to describe a show on our list), and that's a fitting definition for many reasons. Set in prohibition-era Atlantic City, the show echoes many traits from the hit mob series, undoubtedly helped in no small part by the fact that Emmy Award winning producer and screenwriter for The Sopranos, Terence Winter, is the creative force behind the show.
The series tells the semi-true story of Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson, a criminal kingpin who rose to power as a political figure and took control during the times of prohibition. While the show opens with a focus on acts of bootlegging and smuggling of alcohol, it doesn't take much time before it is obvious Thompson firmly has a finger in every pie of Atlantic City. Cue backstabbings, murder, shady dealings, political corruption and - of course - gratuitous sex and violence (this is a HBO show, after all). The storyline remains interesting throughout, with very little in the way of 'low points' - each episode brings something new to the table, and be prepared for many brilliant, shocking moments during the course of the over-arching story arc. Of course, storyline would mean nothing if the acting wasn't good enough to keep up, but thankfully the acting in this show is second to none, with special mention having to go to Steve Buscemi playing the lead role of Nucky in such a charmingly dangerous manner that he dominates every scene he's in and Michael Shannon as federal agent Nelson Van Alden, a chillingly disturbed character hell bent on ending Nucky's reign.
I've already mentioned Sopranos alumni Terence Winter as the creator of the show, but that is just scratching the surface of the talent to be found behind the camera; most notably, the one-and-only Martin Scorsese serving as not only executive producer for the entire show, but also directing the sublime pilot episode (which has now gone down in history as the most expensive television pilot ever made). With the production values as high as they are, one would be forgiven to think this is a 13-part movie, not just a TV programme.
With the amount of talent involved and the story set firmly in the annals of history, the pieces were in place for this show to blow the competition out the water. Fortunately, it did just that and anyone looking for their criminal fix should look no further to find one of the best crime sagas ever told on television.
The first season of Boardwalk Empire was originally broadcast on HBO beginning on September 19th 2010, running for 12 episodes. In the UK, the series began on February 1st 2011 on Sky Atlantic with reruns planned to begin later in the year. The show has been renewed for a second season.
Season 1 can be purchased on DVD here: United Kingdom
/ United StatesSeason 1 can be purchased on Blu-ray here: United Kingdom
/ United StatesThe book the series is based on can be purchased here: United Kingdom
/ United States
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)