Category: Video Games

Manhunt 2 rated AO stateside; Banned in Britain, Ireland

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Once again, stuffy old people are afraid to count on free adults to distinguish for themselves the bold line between fictitious entertainment and really-real life. Low-resolution slaughterfest and high-profile hype-machine Manhunt 2 (slated for release on PS2, Wii, and PSP) is receiving the royal cold-shoulder from ratings boards across the globe, being banned so far in Ireland and the United Kingdom, and awarded the scarlet letters “AO” in the US. I’m sure the mania isn’t settled yet. Read on for the disheartening details of worldwide stupidity and my carefully formed, ojective rebuttal.

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Hitman 3-in-1

Hitman Compilation

Eidos has just announced that they’re releasing a new Hitman compilation set! Hitman Trilogy, available for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and PC-DVD, will feature Hitman: Blood Money, Hitman: Silent Assassin, and Hitman: Contracts along with a sneak preview bonus disc of Eidos’ upcoming thriller Kane & Lynch: Dead Men.

“Hitman Trilogy is a seriously intense dose of gaming,” says David Bamberger, marketing manager, Eidos North America. “The three game set will show just how controversial and innovative the action and stealth gaming genre remains. Players new to the series are in for quite a shock.”

The popular Hitman series puts gamers in the role of the infamous Agent 47, a killer for hire. Armed with an arsenal of weapons and the ability to take advantage of all the dangers found in an everyday environment, Agent 47 will do anything to complete a contract signed in blood. Featuring open-ended action gameplay and an immersive and dark storyline, each game brings players deeper into a ruthless world filled with cold-blooded revenge.

Included with the trilogy is the Kane & Lynch: Dead Men bonus disc – crammed with trailers, art, and screens – that offers gamers a glimpse into the sinister world of this upcoming game. Developed by Io Interactive, the award-winning studio behind the Hitman series, this new game introduces Kane and Lynch, a flawed mercenary and a medicated psychopath, who are on a violent and chaotic journey towards an end no one can imagine.

Hitman Trilogy is in stores across North America for $29.99 USD on June 20, 2007 for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and PC-DVD.

Blockbuster Video adopts Blu-Ray exclusively, HD-DVD pouting currently

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It looks like Sony got something right this generation after all. After dogging the HD-DVD format in sales during this year’s first quarter, Sony-backed Blu-ray has gained a powerful ally in the format wars. Blockbuster Video rental stores have announced that going forward they will carry Blu-ray DVD exclusively in-store, although they will continue carrying HD-DVD in 250 initial test stores and online. They report that Blu-ray accounted for 70% of rentals between the two formats. This may deal the killing stroke to HD-DVD in a valiantly fought, yet futile, battle. And if it isn’t, rumor has it Target plans to do the same soon. Oh Noes, HD-DVD!

The North American HD DVD Promotional Group (what a name) says Blockbuster is jumping the gun, and that their decision was skewed by the success of Blu-ray titles released the first 3 months of this year. That’s right, the “TNAHDDVDPG” says that Blockbuster’s decision was skewed by RATIONAL THINKING! Logic ftw!

Thank Science I didn’t buy that HD-DVD player for my Xbox 360!

Tomb Raider Anniversary going episodic on 360

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Eidos Interactive has announced that their upcoming game, Tomb Raider: Anniversary will be the first ever full retail game to be serialized through Xbox Live Marketplace. The game will be split into four episodes, with episodes 1 & 2 available in September, and episodes 3 & 4 following “shortly afterwards”. All the episodes will total 2400 Live points, which I think equals $30? Stupid point system.

You know there’s a catch, though. The episodes will require the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Legend disc to play, so this nifty little distribution is only for owners of the previous Xbox 360 title. D’oh! Happily, a full retail version of the game is planned for later in the year, just in case you didn’t buy that steaming pile of crap that was Legend. Read on for the full press release.

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BlackSite: Area 51 Screenshots

When Midway came out saying that BlackSite: Area 51 would be released around the same time as Halo 3 I laughed. I thought that there’s no way BlackSite: Area 51 could compete with the mega Halo 3. Midway’s latest batch of screenshots has changed my mind. Sure BlackSite: Area 51 will not be able to sell nearly as many units as Halo 3, but BlackSite: Area 51 will sell a great amount! The creatures in this game look fantastic! Check them out for yourself in The Pipeline’s Video Game Screenshot show.