This crass shooter has its drawbacks, but it’s got no shortage of stylish fun. Score: 8.0 / great
Sci-fi first-person shooter Bulletstorm is a celebration of adolescent crassness. It is neither artful nor sophisticated, proudly wearing strings of obscenities as a badge of dishonor. Subtle it isn’t; entertaining, it is. Where the meatheaded characters and forced, childish dialogue fail, the gameplay mostly succeeds, pushing you through a variety of attractive environments and encouraging you to “kill with skill.”
In Bulletstorm, you earn points by kicking your enemies into cacti, shooting them in the rear end, and flinging them into the air with your electric leash, among many other variations and combinations of bullets, boots, and exploding barrels. You spend these points on ammo, weapon upgrades, and more, giving you reason to perform these moves beyond the initial gratification they provide.
Bulletstorm is sometimes ludicrous and often ludicrously fun–an enjoyable and occasionally embarrassing journey to the profane future it predicts.
The Confederation of Planets’ General Sarrano is a product of this future. This potty-mouthed, wholly abhorrent man is part of a secret army called Dead Echo–as was Grayson Hunt, a grunt who discovered that the targets that Sarrano ordered his team execute were innocent of wrongdoing. Years later, a drunken Grayson, thirsty for revenge, leads his crew of mercenaries into a battle they’re ill-prepared to win.
Grayson and Sarrano both crash-land on the planet Stygia, where Grayson’s quest for vengeance is coupled with his plan to escape. As Grayson, you are accompanied by Ishi, a colleague constantly fighting to control the robotic AI used to patch his brain after he’s injured during Grayson’s alcohol-fueled rampage.
Ishi is Bulletstorm’s best character: conflicted, temperamental, and unpredictable. Nevertheless, praising any of this game’s characters is somewhat of a backhanded compliment, given their shallow penchant for describing events, emotions, and each other using four-letter words combined in various nonsensical ways.
A few of these bizarre outbreaks of sexual innuendo might be absurd enough to put a momentary grin on your face, but the cringe-worthy dialogue isn’t coupled with, say, Duke Nukem 3D’s hysterical hypersexual excess, Serious Sam’s vibrant surreality, or Vanquish’s tongue-in-cheek skewering of modern video game machismo. In fact, Bulletstorm’s finest narrative moments are those that leave the trashy talk behind and touch ever-so-briefly on Grayson’s guilty conscience, and his attempts to help Ishi conquer the AI infesting his mind.
Unfortunately, the verbal sleaze gets tiring quickly and undermines any attempt at serious storytelling. Perhaps developer People Can Fly meant for this dialogue to be so over the top as to be side-splittingly funny. Instead, it comes across as a forced attempt to appeal to our basest instincts.
And so Bulletstorm lacks wit, but it has no shortage of entertaining, in-your-face action. The six-hour campaign is packed with fun shooting made even more enjoyable by the way you earn rewards for being awesome. Your awesomeness begins with the energy leash, which lets you grab foes from afar and yank them toward you. Doing so causes them to helplessly hover in the air for a few seconds as if the laws of time and gravity were temporarily suspended just for that particular enemy.
Leading the pack this week is Killzone 3. Due out on Tuesday exclusively for the PlayStation 3, the title is the second Killzone title to debut on Sony’s high-definition console, following 2009′s adored Killzone 2.
Killzone 3 will be available in two versions, a standard release and a 0 limited-edition package with a replica mask and helmet of the series’ signature Helghast armies. While the headgear is the centerpiece of the extra goodies, the collector’s edition will also include a 6.5-inch articulated cloaking Helghast marksman action figure, an art book, and a voucher to download multiplayer maps, the game’s soundtrack, and more.
Out this week for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC is People Can Fly’s controversial first-person shooter/kicker Bulletstorm. Developed by Epic subsidiary People Can Fly, Bulletstorm is built around a skill-shot system that rewards players for dispatching enemies in creative and often gory ways.
Also out this week is Knights Contract for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Knights Contract sees players following the unlikely duo of the witch Gretchen and the immortal executioner Heinrich. Though Gretchen actually died at Heinrich’s hands, she has been resurrected and now controls the scythe-wielding warrior. Together, the pair struggles to save the world from a “black spell of death” and a supernatural army called the Harmonculous.
As Heinrich, gamers string together appendage-dismembering combos while the computer-controlled Gretchen uses her magic in a supporting role. Players will also be able to coordinate the pair’s attacks by issuing mid-melee commands to Gretchen, as well as executing finishing moves. While Heinrich is invincible, players will need to protect the vulnerable Gretchen if they want to complete their quest.
Gamers looking to get messy can pick up de Blob 2 this week. Unlike its predecessor, which debuted only on the Wii, the sequel hits the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and DS on Tuesday.
In the console versions of de Blob 2, antagonist Comrade Black returns to suck the vivacity out of Prisma City, rigging an election to regain control of the commonwealth. As de Blob, players platform their way through the mired Prisma City, spreading color and restoring the city to its once-vibrant nature. de Blob will have a number of new moves and upgradable abilities, as well as a robot sidekick named Pinky. In addition to free-roaming levels, the console versions will feature a 2D underground component.
The DS version will feature exclusively 2D side-scrolling play. The handheld installment sees de Blob lounging in the tropics after having reclaimed Chroma City from the clutches of Comrade Black. In said jungle, however, the evil machinations of Comrade Black collaborator Dr. Von Bolt continue. He is conducting nefarious experiments on woodland creatures. New moves, compatriots, and enemies await de Blob in the DS adventure game.
For further details on the week’s games, visit GameSpot’s New Releases page. The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later this week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Ys I and II Chronicles–PSP–Xseed Entertainment
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Bulletstorm–PC, X360, PS3–Electronic Arts
de Blob 2–DS, Wii, X360, PS3–THQ
The Dreamcast Collection–PC, 360–Sega
Fallout: New Vegas: Dead Money–PC, PS3–Bethesda Softworks
Gray Matter–PC–Viva Media
Killzone 3–PS3–SCEA
Knights Contract–PS3, 360–Namco Bandai Games
Radiant Historia–DS–DS–Atlus U.S.A. Inc.
Rec Room Games–DS–Destineer
Trackmania–Wii–Dreamcatcher
Trackmania Turbo–DS–Dreamcatcher
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Bejeweled Blitz Live–X360–PopCap
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Gemini Rue–PC–Wadjet Eye Games
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Painkiller: Redemption–PC–DreamCatcher Interactive
Trapped Dead–PC–Iceberg Interactive
Chihuahua legislators ask federal authorities to outlaw Call of Juarez: The Cartel saying it will desensitize youth to real-life bloodshed.
Call of Juarez: The Cartel was only announced two weeks ago, but already it is being threatened with a ban. Over the holiday weekend, legislators in the Mexican state of Chihuahua asked federal authorities for a ban on the game.
The reason?
Unlike its predecessors, which were set during the Wild West, Call of Juarez: The Cartel takes place during modern times. As the name implies, the game chronicles a drug war along the Mexican border, casting players as a female FBI agent, a Wild West sheriff type, and an undercover drug agent. Developer Techland said it chose the setting in order to capture a “relevant plot” that would connect with today’s gamers.
Unfortunately, for Mexican lawmakers, the plot was too relevant. According to the Associated Press, roughly 6,000 people died in the Chihuahuan city of Ciudad Juarez–one of the settings of the game–in 2009 and 2010. Legislators worry that seeing the city’s real-life violence translated into video game form will further desensitize youths.
“Children wind up being easily involved in criminal acts over time, because among other things, during their childhood not enough care has been taken about what they see on television and playing video games,” state congress leader Enrique Serrano told the AP. “They believe so much blood and death is normal.”
LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars features overhauled visuals and new gameplay alongside the cooperative action and humor the series is known for.
Having chronicled the two trilogies of live-action Star Wars movies, Lego Star Wars is setting its sights on the animated Clone Wars series for its next installment. Lego Star Wars III will follow the entire arc of the Clone Wars series. We visited LucasArts at E3 to check out a gameplay demo and saw Yoda and a few clone soldiers team up to vanquish a good number of Lego foes. Aside from new abilities and new enemies, we were impressed by the graphical overhaul that lends the environments a more realistic look while highlighting the Lego characters and making them look crisp and vibrant. Add in the possibility of large-scale battles featuring hundreds of clone soldiers, and Lego Star Wars III appears to be on track to upholding the series’ good name.
Bryan Lee O’Malley said California studio approached him to make adventure game based on graphic novel series; author said franchise wasn’t suited for a game from the developer.
Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series was spun into a full-length feature film over the summer via the Michael Cera-led Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Further, a beat-’em-up game accompanied the film from Ubisoft in the form of the coolly received side scroller of the same name. Now, the author has revealed that Telltale Games also courted him for his series.
“Telltale wanted to do Scott Pilgrim, but I said no,” reads his tweet. “I couldn’t see it as an adventure game. All respect to them, though.”
Ubisoft’s Scott Pilgrim game follows the central plotline of the graphic novels, as the mediocre bass guitarist Scott Pilgrim tries to win his dream girl Ramona’s heart by fighting her seven ex-boyfriends. A ragtag coalition of her failed lovers–including a vegan rock star, identical twins, and an infamous skateboarder–are determined to prevent Scott from dating their old flame.
This is the follow-up title to 2008′s popular hit, de Blob.
LOS ANGELES–In February, THQ entered into a development deal with broadcasting network SyFy, in which the two would collaborate on creating new intellectual property for use in games and on TV. The deal also extended to existing IP, and to help launch SyFy’s Kids brand, THQ offered up its colorful 2008 puzzle-platformer de Blob. As could be guessed, de Blob’s television aspirations won’t be the culmination of the franchise.
De Blob can’t be taken anywhere without making a mess.
As part of the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo, THQ announced today that de Blob 2: The Underground will arrive for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and DS in spring 2011. The sequel represents an expansion to new platforms for the well-regarded original installment, having made its debut on just the Wii and PC.
In the console versions of de Blob 2, antagonist Comrade Black returns to suck the vivacity out of Prisma City, rigging an election to regain control of the commonwealth. As de Blob, players platform their way through the mired Prisma City, spreading color and restoring the city to its once-vibrant nature. de Blob will have a number of new moves and upgradable abilities, as well as a robot sidekick named Pinky. In addition to free-roaming levels, the console versions will feature a 2D underground component.
The DS version will feature exclusively 2D side-scrolling play. The handheld installment sees de Blob lounging in the tropics after having reclaimed Chroma City from the clutches of Comrade Black. In said jungle, however, the evil machinations of Comrade Black collaborator Dr. Von Bolt continue. He is conducting nefarious experiments on woodland creatures. New moves, compatriots, and enemies await de Blob in the DS adventure game.
Latest Call of Duty battles back to the number one spot as sales treble; Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds brawls into second place, TDU2 slips back to four.
2009′s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 managed nine weeks at the top of the UK sales chart–and after a four-week absence from the top spot, Call of Duty: Black Ops is making one last assault on that record. Sales for the military FPS almost trebled last week securing the title its eight week at number one, within spitting distance of MW2′s record.
There was good news for Capcom too, despite Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds only entering at number two; it nearly sold more in its launch week than its predecessor managed over its entire lifetime in the UK. EA’s sci-fi survival horror title Dead Space 2 slipped to number 3 despite a 61 percent sales bump, while Namco Bandai’s Test Drive Unlimited 2 slipped from two to four.
FIFA 11 gave EA its second top-five place of the week thanks to a 44 percent sales bump, while Ubisoft claimed six and seven with Just Dance 2 (sales up 74 percent) and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (sales down 10 percent). The rest of the top 10 was rounded out by Nintendo’s Mario Vs Donkey Kong: Mini-land Mayhem! at eight, Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto: Complete Edition at nine and Sony’s Little Big Planet 2 at 10.
Black Ops will have its work cut out for it if it hopes to claim its ninth week at the top next week, however. The last week in February sees a slew of new releases lined up in the UK; Killzone 3, Bulletstorm, Kirby’s Epic Yarn, Tactics Ogre: Let us Cling Together, De Blob 2 and Two Worlds II are all vying for gamer’s attention when they release on Friday February 25.
Top 10 Entertainment Software (All Prices) – Week Ending February 12, 2011:
1. Call of Duty: Black Ops (Activision)
2. Marvel vs Capcom
3. Dead Space 2 (EA)
4. Test Drive Unlimited 2 (Namco Bandai)
5. FIFA 11 (EA)
6. Just Dance 2 (Ubisoft)
7. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (Ubisoft)
8. Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! (Nintendo)
9. Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition (Take 2)
10. LittleBigPlanet 2 (Sony Computer Ent.)
Leading the pack this week is Killzone 3. Due out on Tuesday exclusively for the PlayStation 3, the title is the second Killzone title to debut on Sony’s high definition console, following 2009′s adored Killzone 2.
Killzone 3 will be available in two versions, a standard $60 release and a $130 limited-edition package with a replica mask and helmet of the series’ signature Helghast armies. While the headgear is the centerpiece of the extra goodies, the collector’s edition will also include a 6.5-inch articulated cloaking Helghast marksman action figure, an art book, and a voucher to download multiplayer maps, the game’s soundtrack, and more.
Out this week for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC is People Can Fly’s controversial first-person shooter/kicker Bulletstorm. Developed by Epic subsidiary People Can Fly, Bulletstorm is built around a skillshot system that rewards players for dispatching enemies in creative and often gory ways.
Also out this week is Knights Contract for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Knights Contract sees players following the unlikely duo of the witch Gretchen and the immortal executioner Heinrich. Though Gretchen actually died at Heinrich’s hands, she has been resurrected and now controls the scythe-wielding warrior. Together the pair struggles to save the world from a “black spell of death” and a supernatural army called the Harmonculous.
As Heinrich, gamers string together appendage-dismembering combos while the computer-controlled Gretchen uses her magic in a supporting role. Players will also be able to coordinate the pair’s attacks by issuing mid-melee commands to Gretchen, as well as executing finishing moves. While Heinrich is invincible, players will need to protect the vulnerable Gretchen if they want to complete their quest.
Gamers looking to get messy can pick up de Blob 2 this week. Unlike its predecessor, which debuted only on the Wii, the sequel hits the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and DS on Tuesday.
In the console versions of de Blob 2, antagonist Comrade Black returns to suck the vivacity out of Prisma City, rigging an election to regain control of the commonwealth. As de Blob, players platform their way through the mired Prisma City, spreading color and restoring the city to its once-vibrant nature. de Blob will have a number of new moves and upgradable abilities, as well as a robot sidekick named Pinky. In addition to free-roaming levels, the console versions will feature a 2D underground component.
The DS version will feature exclusively 2D side-scrolling play. The handheld installment sees de Blob lounging in the tropics after having reclaimed Chroma City from the clutches of Comrade Black. In said jungle, however, the evil machinations of Comrade Black collaborator Dr. Von Bolt continue. He is conducting nefarious experiments on woodland creatures. New moves, compatriots, and enemies await de Blob in the DS adventure game.
For further details on the week’s games, visit GameSpot’s New Releases page. The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later this week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Ys I and II Chronicles–PSP–Xseed Entertainment
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Bulletstorm–PC, X360, PS3–Electronic Arts
de Blob 2–DS, Wii, X360, PS3–THQ
The Dreamcast Collection–PC, 360–Sega
Fallout: New Vegas: Dead Money–PC, PS3–Bethesda Softworks
Gray Matter–PC–Viva Media
Knights Contract–PS3, 360–Namco Bandai Games
Radiant Historia–DS–DS–Atlus U.S.A. Inc.
Rec Room Games–DS–Destineer
Trackmania–Wii–Dreamcatcher
Trackmania Turbo–DS–Dreamcatcher
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Bejeweled Blitz Live–X360–PopCap
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Gemini Rue–PC–Wadjet Eye Games
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Painkiller: Redemption–PC–DreamCatcher Interactive
Trapped Dead–PC–Iceberg Interactive
Today on the Spot you get the latest coming This Week on Wii Shop Channel and New Releases. Guy Cocker reports from Barcelona on the Sony Xperia Play, and Homer goes toe to toe in Fight Night Champion.
