Developer: Starbreeze
Publisher: 2K Games
Rating Guide: How I Review Games
Review:
You are Jackie Estacado. You’ve been killed. You’ve been killed again. You’ve been killed once more but you just can’t die. Why? The Darkness has you. And I’ll say right now that not only does it have Jackie Estacado, the main character in the game, but it also has me. Ladies and gentlemen say hello to this year’s first Untouchable of the Year candidate.
The minute The Darkness began, I knew something special was about to go down. The opening sequence has you in the back of a car on an eventual car chase. That’s all I can say or rather that’s all I will say. You have to experience it and I don’t want to rob you of that. Prepare for one hell of a journey that involves crime, revenge and crazy subway stories.
The Darkness has managed to skyrocket up my eagerly anticipated list. You all might remember it from my Summer Titles article and I’m here to remind you that in about 10 days you’ll be able to experience it.
You are the horror! You are Jackie Estacado, a mafia hit-man who becomes the latest bearer of the Darkness, an ancient demonic force passed through the generations, on his twenty-first birthday. Having been set-up by your “Uncle” Paulie Franchetti, don of the Franchetti crime family, grapple with your old mob while learning to control the Darkness … before it controls you.
The Darkness hits stores on June 26th for both Xbox 360 and PS3. With that said I’m sure many of you are wondering what the differences between the two are and simply which is the better version. I don’t have much information to pass beyond a small comment from the 2K Team that details at least one difference.
The main difference between the 360 and PS3 versions at this point is the amount of video content on the disc. Blu-Ray discs have more storage capacity so there’s more video content on the PS3 version. This is NOT in-game cinematics or anything like that. It’s mainly the video stuff you’ll see on TVs throughout the game.
The HUD is indentical in both PS3 and 360 versions with the only difference being the X,Y,A,B/Square, Circle, Triangle, X buttons that are specific to each console.
Are you ready for 2K Sports’ return to the gridiron? Many of you have been unwilling Madden players for the past few years without an alternative source for NFL football. Although you won’t get your complete fill of NFL greatness with All-Pro 2K8, you will get a taste of some NFL legends with the game. I’m really not too sure how I feel about that after seeing the latest trailer for the game. I love Troy Aikman but do I love him in anything but the Dallas Cowboys’ star?
The media has been swirling around this title for a while and I wanted to know what the U360 football crowd felt about this title. After watching the trailer, I just didn’t get the reaction I thought I would especially seeing the fruity looking uniforms the teams will have. The animations and play seemed to be okay but not a jaw-dropping improvement over NFL 2K5. I’m hoping for more from this title especially since it appears it will release next month.
The soundtrack for All-Pro Football 2K8 was released a week ago sporting some very nice tunes so at least the music will be thumpin’. We’ve also seen the box art for the game with Barry Sanders, John Elway and Jerry Rice looking far more fit than anyone imagined. Gameplay is what makes a game right? I hope so because even with the editor in place, I’m struggling to get that old football feeling from this title right now. With a $59.99 price tag, I really need to get that feeling before I invest in it.
What say you?
I know many of you have been wondering what’s next after the Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta? What can Xbox 360 owners look forward to playing as the wait for September 25th begins? Here’s my rundown of titles that you can look forward to and some that you can head out to play right now (or again).
Forza Motorsport 2 - May 29
Racing fans around the globe have been eagerly anticipating the release of this sequel. It’s the Xbox 360’s premiere simulation racer so you know the goodies are packed within. Try playing it with the 360 wireless wheel for maximum experience.
Shadowrun PC/Xbox 360 - May 29
Hey you asked for something to do while you wait and this is a very viable option. If only for the PC to Xbox 360 play, Shadowrun is worth a test drive. The multiplayer has as good a chance as any game to be great especially considering it’s the only option available.
I can’t wait for this game! I don’t have any points on my account but for this, I’m adding some. You all should know that BioShock is on the list of my Hottest Titles for 2007.
Picture Packs - 80 Microsoft Points
Theme - 150 Microsoft Points
Thanks for the tip JTR J Bird. You obviously know I’m caught up in the “Rapture” of this game.
2K Sports let the cat out of the bag about their new MLB game, The BIGS. I’ve never been big on baseball games but this one is looking incredible. Just take a look at the screenshots and you’ll agree with me. It’s headed to the Xbox 360 this summer. It’ll also be headed to the PS2, PS3, Wii and PSP.
“With The BIGS, we want to take the baseball genre to new heights and redefine what a baseball video game can be,” said Greg Thomas, President of Visual Concepts, a 2K Sports studio. “The BIGS has the fast learning curve of an arcade game coupled with deep play mechanics, amazing visuals, and hero-like presentation of real MLB players that will keep gamers coming back for more. The BIGS will showcase dramatic highlight reel moments at every at-bat, creating a truly epic baseball title.”
Screenshots: The BIGS
Fans will redefine the baseball highlight reel by performing dramatic wall grabs, spectacular diving plays, and epic homeruns. Unique and intuitive gameplay controls deliver a new baseball experience, while advanced power-up mechanics add exciting depth with each turn. Turbo gameplay raises the action bar to new heights, and culminates in the ultimate batter pitcher power-up duel, where either the pitcher’s Big Heat will be the turning point, or the batter’s Power Blast will be the explosive end to the game. In The BIGS, every play is a big play.
In The BIGS, each MLB player has been individualized to emphasize their extraordinary athletic attributes. The development team paid great attention to detail to portray a player’s face and physical characteristics so baseball fans will easily recognize their favorite players. To deliver the authentic MLB atmosphere, stadium landmarks have been stylized to highlight the unique architecture of each MLB ballpark. Whether it’s the glove at San Francisco’s AT&T Park resized to mammoth proportions or the left field wall in Boston’s Fenway Park made into a real “Green Monster,” gamers will be in awe at the grandeur of each stadium in The BIGS.
What say you? Are you ready to step up with The BIGS?
2K Sports wants you to know that it’s all about the green…St. Patrick’s Day green that is. Those of you with NBA 2K7 can sport your St. Paddy’s love with a few of your favorite teams courtesy of 2K Sports. To unlock and play with the St. Patrick’s Day uniforms for the Knicks, Bulls, and Celtics in NBA 2K7, enter this code: “tpk7sgn” at the cheat code menu.
Here’s a taste of Big Ben Wallace of the Chicage Bulls, Stephon Marbury of the NY Knicks and Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics all sporting their St. Patrick’s Day green.
I guess Pierce doesn’t look too out of place but Marbury and Wallace are a bit off to me. Well, enjoy the new uniforms!
Barring any delays, BioShock will be hitting the streets on August 21 in North America and August 24 for our fellow gamers in Europe. If you remember the X06 trailer like I do, then you’ll be marking this day on your calendars!
BioShock is exclusive to the Xbox 360 and Games for Windows. What this means is that I’m happy I get to play it! Who’s ready to go to Rapture? (the city in the game)
Yes I know. And now everyone else knows that the Xbox Live Marketplace had two new demos become available today. Demos for Major League Baseball 2K7 (US, Canada, Mexico only) and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 (All regions) hit the Xbox Live Marketplace earlier today. What’s that you say? You have a GRAW 2 demo already. Yes, but that was just the single player experience. This time Ubisoft unloads some multiplayer mayhem for you to try.
So head on out and get your active downloads going! I guess I know what I’m doing once I make it home. (these demos are available to Xbox Live Gold members)
Are you one of those people still fuming about the death of 2K Sports a few years ago with the exclusive NFL agreement with EA? If you are, then you might still be fuming a bit but much less than before with the latest news blazing across the interweb.
2K Sports is returning to the videogame gridiron with All-Pro Football 2K8! In an interview with Gamespot, Visual Concepts president Greg Thomas gives but small clues as to what kinds of players to expect in the game so it’s anyone’s guess at this point. Will there be Hall of Famers? Legends? Who knows?
Are you ready for some more football later this year?
