The Diabolical Third on the First?!

What hath mine eyes told me?  Doth they deceive?  This overcast, dreary Sunday morning, I just saw a post on Joystiq showing a promo poster of Diablo 3 in a Best Buy with a counter that ticks down to......hold it......February 1st.  Whoaseph.  I knew that Blizzard said early 2012, but for some reason or maybe due to the track record of Blizzard, I was thinking that meant November.  Now, either this news is actually legitimate or some Best Buy sap just got a metaphoric back hand to the face by being shown the front door.  There have been several updates to the post on Joystiq reporting the UK to be doing the same poster for February 3rd.  The picture was taken and uploaded by user "sasquatchxing" on the ShackNews forums. Regardless if anything is relevant, this news is excitingly striking my heart-strings.

I went ahead a month or two ago and pre-ordered the Collector's Edition from Gamestop.  For not that much more, the extra content justified the purchase for me.  I am a huge geek when it comes to soundtracks.  I always had an admiration for scores and love to dissect and listen to them in their entirety.  (Currently received the Skyrim 4-disc set and thoroughly enjoying it.)  I am also a sucker for art books (which Blizzard's are highly exalted) and the Diablo skull looks like a nifty little paper weight that I can possibly turn into a necklace and get my ass kicked on the streets.  Be sure to check out all of the contents here.

Did I mention I'll be playing on my Mac?  Something Blizzard consistently does right is add support for Windows and OSX right out of the box.  By jove, what a concept!  Gee, I wonder who else could learn something from them?  Many think there are few of us, but we Mac players do indeed exist, so thank you Blizzard.

What's your speculation?  You think it really could be February 1st?  What class will you be rolling first?  Female Demon Hunter for me.  Chicks with guns who kick all sorts of ass and have badittude, I am there yesterday.  All I know is I can't wait for this game!  Let us know in the comments!

Best Upcoming Games of 2011 (Xbox 360, XBLA, PS3, PSN, PC) - Part 4

This seems to be one of the most active years in downloadable arcade titles. I swear, they just keep lining up and coming out. Here are some more games for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on the brink of release to checkout! (Continued from our ongoing list of the Best Upcoming Games of 2011 series.)

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Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition - XBLA, PSN
Genre: Fighting
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Release Date: August 24


EVO 2011 has me all amped up to FIGHT! Fighting games have always held such a big chunk of my video game sentiment. I remember the amount of triumph as I launched my first "HADOKEN!" with Ken in SFII. This was back in the day where almost every game coming out was a fighting game and the market was saturated with both good and bad titles. As people lined up left and right to plunk their hard-earned tokens, fighting to be the next champion, the Street Fighter series always seemed to hold dominance in the genre. Street Fighter is an iconic part of my childhood for sure, which is why I am very excited to see this port of Street Fighter III: Third Strike hit XBLA and PSN. To be honest, I really didn't play III, but have heard great things. This entry will feature online play, chock full of challenges and a new tournament mode for up to 8 people. Lag / delay has always been a huge problem with fighting online. Hopefully everything will remain smooth and free from chugging. Graphics are getting some enhancement due to the HD foray and from what I have seen, it's looking silky. When SFII HD Remix hit, I was blown away, so I am excited to see SFIII with some polish. Looking forward to sinking my teeth into the core dynamics of this very well received fighter from the fighting game staple that is Capcom.
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X-Men Destiny - Xbox 360, PS3
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Silicon Knights
Release: September 27


As great as X-Men:First Class was, I am happy to say that this is no movie tie-in game. Usually, those games never transfer over to anyting but absolute rubbish. Luckily, our friends over at Silicon Knights (Too Human, Eternal Darkness) are creating what appears to be fun Action RPG experience in the X-Men universe. You start by choosing between three mutant characters, each brand new to the universe and written for this game. This is where you are given a clean slate to start with. Finding X-Genes (the fuel behind fantastic powers), you will be able to customize your power set, enabling new abilities and actions. The cool thing is, once you meet classic X-Men characters, you gain access to there X-Genes, which you can then utilize. Pretty freaking rad! This is an RPG, so expect to see some interesting conversation trees with choices a la Mass Effect style, or at least we've been told. The story should be pretty solid, with Mike Carrey (ongoing X-Men:Legacy writer) manning the guns. From what I have read, there are some concerns with gameplay and graphics, being slightly sluggish and bland, respectively. Regardless, it's on my radar and hopefully they'll have enough time to add polish and shine.
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NeverDead - Xbox 360, PS3
Genre: Third Person Action / Shooter
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Rebellion
Release: Q3 2011


You're wife was murdered. You were left for dead by Astaroth, a head honcho Demon King who cares nothing of you but that you are out of the way. But alas, in your death you are granted immortality. You play as Bryce Boltzmann and you are never dead. This third person action game looks to offer some pretty interesting mechanics. Since you are immortal, you can't die. Well, kind of. If you are reduced to just your head, you are susceptible to being killed by certain enemies.  Otherwise, you have plenty ways to dispatch carnage at your disposal to prevent this from happening.  However, you have with you Arcadia, a woman of the organization NADA to watch your back and make sure you are sticking to your mission, offering help where she can. The thing is, you have to protect her from death. It's unclear if she is with you for the entire game, but I am a bit leery of a full story escort mission if that's the case. On the flip-side, you do have some nifty abilities being immortal. You can rip your arm off and use it as a detonation device. Can't get to a certain area? Well why don't you just rip your head off and toss it up to the desired location, teleporting the rest of your body to it? It also looks to bring dual welding guns and a sword for melee, bolstering your arsenal. Co-op and versus look to offer unique challenges for those wanting to take it online. I am curious to see the strategy behind the online modes. With the mechanics of the game, it may be unique enough to turn some heads.
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Crimson Alliance - Xbox 360
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher: Certain Affinity
Developer: Certain Affinity
Release: Q3 2011


Just when I thought there weren't enough Action RPG's, we get slapped with one after the next. Certain Affinity is a fairly new developer that brought map packs via Halo and CoD. They are branching out and adding to the Summer of Arcade on Xbox 360 with Crimson Alliance. Choosing between three separate classes (Merc, Wizard and Assassin), players will be able to team up online with their buddies in this dungeon crawler. Just like most RPG's, you'll be able to level, spec and equip your toon to become a powerful force. Comes complete with 4 player online co-op. (Dungeon Siege III, if an arcade game can get it right, why can't you?) Graphics aren't too complex, but display a fun, fantastical style similar to WoW or Torchlight. Being the final game in the Summer of Arcade lineup, if you're planning to purchase the previous games, you'll get Crimson Alliance for free! Check it out!
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Orcs Must Die! - XBLA, PSN PC
Genre: Third Person Action Strategy Shooter / Tower Defense
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Robot Entertainment
Release: Q3 2011


Ha! This game could only mean one thing: killing orcs and lots of them. You play as a WarMage with both benefits of magic, melee, range and traps at your disposal. Using your sword-staff, you can combo into knocking the snot out of orcs while quickly switching to your force back magic. This helplessly launches the suckers into the spikes you laid earlier set to spring on any sorry sap meandering about. Don't forget to pick'em off with your crossbow. Headshot! Just by watching some footage, you'll see how flawlessly fun it is to chain combos to your kill multiplier by getting creative with your arsenal. Hordes of orcs will make their way through your defenses, so you had better strategically plan exactly where to best fool your foes. The aforementioned pop-up spikes, spring floor catapults and archers are just some of your disposable preventions available. I am very excited about this game. It just looks downright awesome. The blending of third person action and strategic planning looks so well done. Give it a look and see for yourself!
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By the way, here's what I'm currently playing through:
Bastion - XBLA
Dungeon Siege III - Xbox 360
L.A. Noire - Xbox 360
Trine - Xbox 360
Mortal Kombat - Xbox 360
Gears 2 - Xbox 360


----> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 1 HERE!
----> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 2 HERE!
----> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 3 HERE!



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Best Upcoming Games of 2011 (Xbox 360, XBLA, PS3, PC) - Part 3

We are almost to the ridiculous holiday gaming season.  As for now, we have some fun distractions to keep us at bay until the craziness of amazing releases roll around.  Check out some more of the "Best Upcoming Games of 2011" below that I think are worth your time and money. Don't worry PS3, we have some exclusives for you just around the bend. (Continued from our ongoing list of the Best Upcoming Games of 2011 series.)

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Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet - XBLA, PC

Genre: Shooter / Metroidvania
Publisher: Fuelcell Games
Developer: Fuelcell Games
Release Date: August 3


The Summer of Arcade via XBLA kicked off with Bastion this week and Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet will be sweeping your Xbox 360 and PC shortly.  And what is this game exactly about you might ask?  It's a side scrolling shooter that pits you in a flying saucer, hovering and adventuring through planets with beautifully silhouetted martian landscapes and even more "martian" inhabitants.  You have an assorted variety of weapons at your disposal, huge bosses to defeat, puzzles to solve and plenty to explore a la Metroidvania-esque design. Did I mention the color and animations look exquisite and the music is grandiose?  This upcoming game is MARVELOUSLY DELICIOUS LOOKING!  

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Torchlight 2 - PC, Mac

Genre: Action RPG
Publisher: Runic Games
Developer: Runic Games
Release: Rumored July 2011 for PC / TBD for Mac


I loved Torchlight. It itches that fix of obsessive compulsive loot hoarding while keeping things fresh with randomized dungeons and detailed talent trees to customize all whilst looking bright and beautiful.  Just a super fun game.  I only really had one problem: the lack of multiplayer.  This time around, Runic has added drop-in-and-out multiplayer, allowing for you to take or search for a buddy, join in for some hackin' and slashin' and continue on your merry way with what ever loot and experience you picked up.  Wow, that sounds amazing, doesn't it Dungeon Siege III?  With four new classes, plenty of new skills and loot, updated weather and world effects, this is a must have for me.  The Mac version street date (or should I say Steam date) is currently being determined.  There is also talk of a port to Xbox 360 and maybe even a mobile version.  That would be cool.

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BloodRayne: Betrayal - XBLA, PSN

Genre: Side-scrolling Action Adventure
Publisher: Majesco
Developer: Way Forward Technologies
Release: August 31


Vampires, blood, blades and one kick-ass vixen named Rayne.  Having played both BloodRayne and BloodRayne 2 and loving them, I have to admit, I was pretty stoked to hear about a new game from this franchise!  Our favorite red-headed dhampir returns with her twin arm blades, deadlier than ever, yet with a slightly different approach.  Still staying in the action category, Majesco has decided to change up the scene by making this entry a 2-D, hand-drawn, side-scrolling adventure action game.  And when I say hand-drawn, I mean painstakingly.  An approximate 4,000 frames are given to Rayne alone, crisply and beautifully rendering on your HD TV in all her glory.  The game has a very anime / manga artistic direction.  It looks kind of like the newer Castlevanias as far as the level layouts.  Combat looks super fluid and over-the-top as Rayne gracefully arches her body into a sweet dismount after decapitating a foe.  She has use of a gun too, which you can pull out at whim to blast a freshly stabbed baddie.  I am interested to see what the implementation of customizing combos and skills will do to the gameplay.  Hopefully the depth is there for expanse and re playability.  I am not too concerned, because there is a big emphasis on points based off of skill, so we should be seeing some fun ways to dispose of our enemies in the midst of presenting a challenge.  In the meantime, we are promised mega boss battles and a solid story, so coupled with the aforementioned features, it's going to be a bloody good time.  After following this series with much attachment, a day one purchase only makes sense for me.

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Toy Soldiers: Cold War - XBLA

Genre: Shooter / Tower Defense
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Signal Studios
Release: August 17


Remember playing with your G.I.Joe's?  Remember demolishing those cheap, plastic army men when dropping an imaginary fly-by napalm bomb from your stealth bomber?  Remember making explosions with your mouth?  I still do all of these things.  Or at least, I'd like to.  Last year's Toy Soldiers hit with great success and fulfilled our childhood toy wars to a great degree.  It only gets better.  There are some pretty nifty tweaks getting thrown into the mix and now the game takes place years ahead of the last, opening up some fresh new armies and their units.  Blast enough of the opposing force and you could be rewarded with a Commando.  This is where the camera shifts to third-person and gives you a bazooka in one hand and an assault rifle in the other to wreak utter havoc upon those who stand in your way.  There's just nothing like watching those little plastic saps twist as they fall to the ground.  Don't you strategy fans worry either, this is still a tower defense game, so managing your units and upgrading your defenses is supremely necessary.  Also, there's a rewind feature to back up and counter mistakes made. Oh and need someone to play with?  This game is loaded with online capabilities, co-op and split screen.  It's going to be explosive, so check it!

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The Lord of the Rings: War in the North - Xbox 360, PS3, PC

Genre: Action RPG
Publisher: Warner Brothers Interactive
Developer: Snowblind Studios
Release: August 24


The Lord of the Rings.  What an awesome universe.  However, when it comes to games, they have been pretty meh.  At least in my opinion.  I was a bit skeptical when first hearing of War in the North.  You see, with such a large property such as LOTR, there seems to be certain limits that always seem to hamper the quality of the experience for me.  A big limit is the art style.  While being amazing as a whole, looking at War in the North, I felt a bit uninspired.  It didn't really jump out at me.  Much criticism took me further and I began to think about how limited your race choices are and then your skill tree choices, etc.  All because you are confined within an already defined universe.  Let me guess, you can only be an elf, dwarf and human?  Bah.  But then I watched the demo.  My mind has changed.  First, the graphics are brilliant.  Everything is so detailed.  Character models look surprisingly lovely.  I love that this game is rated Mature too.  Loads of blood and dismemberment of orcs?  Check.  Finishing moves?  Check.  This is Lord of the Rings, right?  In watching the E3 demo, Snowblind promises tons of loot and reiterates that it is loot based.  I love that idea.  I'll just keep my fingers crossed that they come up with a plethora of armor and weapons.  Even though the races are kinda ho-hum, the co-operative gameplay is definitely emphasized through the utilization of their diversified strengths for each problematic circumstance.  And when the going gets too tough, call in Beleram, one of the Great Eagles to turn the tables.  Notice I said co-op, because it completely supports online co-op.  Now, it is limited to 3 players because of the amount of playable races.  Nonetheless, it's in third person, so that is awesome!  Full control of the camera instead of a fixed isometric mess?  I'll take that any day! (Ahem, Dungeon Siege III.)  Give the videos a look and I think you'll see why I changed my mind.  Looking forward to this!  

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By the way, here's what I'm currently playing through:

• Bastion - XBLA
• Dungeon Siege III - Xbox 360
• L.A. Noire - Xbox 360
• Trine - Xbox 360
• Mortal Kombat - Xbox 360
• Gears 2 - Xbox 360

----> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 1 HERE!                         

----> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 2 HERE!

----> TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON SPECIAL

Be sure to "like" us on our facebook page to keep up with us, and other projects, articles, and videos we are working on!