Mass Effect 3
If you haven’t played Mass Effect 1 or 2, I apologize but, don’t bother. You’ve waited too long, your time has come and gone. If you have kept abreast of Commander Shepard’s exploits, then friend, your wait is over – the final piece to the Mass Effect puzzle has been delivered.
Key Game Features
A Rich, Branching Storyline – Experience a sci-fi epic with multiple endings determined by your choices and actions throughout the game
Massive in Scope – Battle on many worlds across the galaxy as you unite the ultimate force to take back the Earth before it’s too late
Large-scale and Intelligent Enemies – Battle enormous enemies and take on a smarter type of foe that will consistently challenge your best combat tactics and put you on the edge of your seat
Unlock a Customizable Arsenal – Tailor each weapon with devastating upgrades including scopes, grips, barrels and dozens of other unique attachments. Each weapon boasts its own powerful impact and visual flair
Unleash Death from Afar or Go Toe-to-Toe – Customize your soldier and squad to engage the enemy on your terms. A huge variety of weapons, abilities and equipment allow you to combat the enemy in your preferred style of play
Play with Kinect – Mass Effect 3 features compatibility with the Kinect Sensor for Xbox 360
$59.99
Mass Effect 3 Available from Amazon.com
Playstation Vita
PS3 capable gaming on the go? Yes, please. Dual analog sticks? Yes, please. Rear touch panel? Yes, please. Quad core, OLED display, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, touch screen and motion sensors – YES PLEASE!! Hyper-expensive memory card that’s required if you really want to enjoy the thing? I am disappoint, Sony.
That’s ok, I’ll overlook it this time considering all the other improvements you’ve made over past failures. Game changer? Almost. They’ve taken the Apple approach of giving consumers what they want, but just couldn’t keep it up when it came to the memory card, that’s when old-Sony reared it’s ugly head. Unfortunate, but something we can move beyond.
Multi-touch 5-inch organic light emitting display (OLED) as the front display Multi-touch pad on the rear of the device Dual analog sticks Two digital cameras (front and rear) Software titles on small, Vita-specific flash memory-based cards Three motion sensors, gyroscope, accelerometer and electronic compass Advanced and fast Wi-Fi connectivity Free PlayStation Network access, including trophy support and new Vita features “LiveArea” and “Near” Vita can play PSP titles, minis, PS one classics, video and comics from the PlayStation Store
Technical Specifications
CPU – ARM Cortex-A9 core (4 core) GPU – SGX543MP4+ External Dimensions – Approx. 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm (width x height x depth) (tentative, excludes largest projection) Touch Screen – 5-inches (16:9), 960 x 544, Approx. 16 million colors, OLED Multi touch screen (capacitive type) Rear Touch Pad – Multi-touch pad (capacitive type) Cameras – Front camera, rear camera Game Media/Storage – New Vita-specific dedicated flash-based game medium; dual slots, one for the new game medium, the other is for storage media to be utilized for personal content and download content Sound Built-in stereo speakers Built-in microphone Sensors – Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer), three-axis electronic compass Location Built-in GPs Wi-Fi location service support Keys / Switches PS button Power button Directional buttons (Up/Down/Right/Left) Action buttons (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square) Shoulder buttons (Right/Left) Right stick, Left stick START button, SELECT button Volume buttons (+/-) Wireless communications IEEE 802.11b/g/n (n = 1×1) (Wi-Fi) (Infrastructure mode/Ad-hoc mode) Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (A2DP/AVRCP/HSP) Battery – Internal/embedded (not removable) * Connectivity subject to Wi-Fi availability coverage limitations. ** 3G functionality and coverage requires purchase and activation of an additional AT&T data plan. Connectivity subject to 3G coverage limitations.
Product Description
Sony’s PlayStation Vita, previously codenamed “Next Generation Portable”, is the successor to the PlayStation Portable hardware series. Vita retains the familiar general form of the PlayStation Portable hardware series while dramatically improving on virtually every aspect of its use with powerful and exciting new features including: dual touch pads at the front and rear, dual cameras at the front and rear, dual analog sticks, a 5-inch OLED screen, six-axis motion sensors and a three-axis electronic compass and exceptional built-in connectivity via Wi-Fi. Taken together this makes for a handheld gaming device that truly signals the entry of handhelds into the world of Next-Gen gaming.
$249.99
PlayStation Vita – WiFi from Amazon.com
Name That Movie: 100 Illustrated Movie Puzzles
Name that Movie is a great game to play on any kind of road trip. The Name That Movie: 100 Illustrated Movie Puzzles from Paul Rogers takes it a step further by adding a visual element to the game. You get six line drawings of each movie that should help you clue in to the movie title you’re supposed to guess. A great gift and great idea for any kind of long car ride.
It really cuts through the crap and says, ” … ya know what, I know this is going to be wicked boring, so I bought this – it wasn’t that expensive, let’s try to make this fun.” Name that Movie!
Publication Date: March 28, 2012
$12.70
Available from Amazon.com
HYPERtheticals: 50 Questions for Insane Conversations
Have you ever found yourself sitting at the kitchen table in awkward silence having covered the most relevant topics you can think of? The weather, sports, whatever news of the day was big – and now – there’s nothing. On the horizon appears a distant shape, what is it? A box like figure approaches, what could it be?
It’s Chuck Klosterman’s Hypertheticals my friends, the easiest way to start a new conversation without having to think. And believe me, the less thinking you do, the better!
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Star Wars: The Old Republic is the brand new MMO from LucasArts that takes us deep within the Star Wars Universe. You can choose to be one of 8 character classes and take advantage of numerous AI companions as you make your way through the Star Wars Universe. Visually, the game is stunning, the monthly cost isn’t too bad – and honestly, it’s time for a new, decent, MMO that we can sink our teeth into and force-choke the bejeezus out of someone.
Star Wars: The Old Republic is a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Game (MMORPG) for the PC gaming platform, set in the Star Wars universe. The first game of its kind, in it players choose from either the Galactic Republic or Sith faction, create a character, and along with a multitude of fans playing from all over the world, explore the fictional historic period of the Old Republic, as the Jedi confront the resurgent Sith Empire. Players can assume one of many races through their character, visit multiple planets, pilot spacecraft, utilize advanced dialog options in-game, take advantage of AI companions for gathering and crafting tasks and more.Play Star Wars: The Old Republic and be the hero of your own Star Wars saga in a story-driven massively-multiplayer online (MMO) game from BioWare and LucasArts. Explore an age thousands of years before the rise of Darth Vader when war between the Old Republic and the Sith Empire divides the galaxy.
Choose to be a Jedi, a Sith, or one of a variety of other classic Star Wars roles, and make decisions which define your personal story and determine your path down the light or dark side of the Force. Along the way you will befriend courageous companions who will fight at your side or possibly betray you based on your actions. Together you will battle enemies in dynamic Star Wars combat and team up with other players to overcome incredible challenges.
$149.99
Check it out here, the Collectors Edition from Amazon.com
Or, Digital download via EA’s Origin Service
Check out the official site here.
The Gallery
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North
Sick of Skyrim? Want to inject a little hack-n-slash adventure into your life? Of course you do, and what better place to do it than Middle Earth? The best part of it is, your long suffering significant other, who dutifully sat on the couch and listened to your inane banter during your Skyrim sessions can now join in on the fun, with a different character class that adds a completely new dimension to the game. Fun!
Key Features
- A brutal new The Lord of the Ring adventure set during, but separate from the main events of the War of the Ring
- An exciting main story campaign coupled with dozens of side quests
- Cross paths with your favorite Lord of the Ring heroes, as well as more obscure characters
- Classic Action-RPG action that centers on co-op gameplay and character development
- Three playable races – Dúnedain (man), Elf, Dwarf, each with its own storyline and unique quests
- Multiple character classes including Mage, Scout and Warrior
- Magic abilities including active (fire, lightning and ice spells) as well passive (morale bonuses, protective shields/wards) spells
- The ability to craft items and potions
- A special Challenge Mode consisting of missions and maps built especially for co-op gameplay and not tied to the main campaign
The gameplay in The lord of the Rings: War in the North is all about cooperation. Players will take on the role of either Eradan, a Dúnedain ranger, Andriel, an Elf or Farin, a Dwarf. Each will have special abilities tied to their race – for example, a Dúnedain can combine different objects to create unique items for use or sale in-game; Elves possess superior sight, which will lead you to shortcuts and recognition of trouble ahead; and Dwarves have the ability to notice weaknesses at the walls and break them in order to find secret caves with different loots. Each race with have character class possibilities as well as legendary weapons. Once characters are established, they must band together in multiplayer action, working together to combat hordes enemies. These enemies include goblins pouring from their strongholds in the Misty Mountains, Uruk-hai from Isengard, savage wargs in the wilderness, giant spiders infesting Mirkwood, massive trolls and most dramatic and dangerous of all, bosses like Agandaûr, a deadly Black Númenórean lord who long ago was tempted and turned by the lies of Sauron.
$49.99
Diablo 3
Rumours are swirling that while, obviously the game won’t be ready for the holiday season – the general consensus seems to be that it will be released shortly afterwards.
“A fallen star burns across the sky, signaling the rebirth of a long-forgotten evil, and calling mortal heroes to arms once more. This limited edition collector’s set commemorates your return to the darkened world of Sanctuary. Inside, you’ll find a treasure trove of rare and legendary items to aid you in your apocalyptic battles at the End of Days.”
If you haven’t played Diablo before, I can’t help you. But what I can do for you, is let you know that if you like dungeons, and loot – and dungeons with loot, you’re going to love Diablo! 
Diablo III: Collector’s Edition
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
You’ve battled through Morrowind, and now, at long last – you enter Skyrim. There’s not much more that I can see about this free-roaming action RPG that hasn’t already been said; game of the year, outstanding, without equal, best ever…
I’m going to recommend the PC version, ’cause if you’ve got the machine to handle it – this game is absolutely beautiful. Don’t be bashful just because you’re rocking a 360 or PS3 though, have at it – get your version and prepare to emerge from your cave sometime in 2012.
Check out Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim here
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations
In Assassin’s Creed Revelations, master assassin Ezio Auditore walks in the footsteps of the legendary mentor Altaïr, on a journey of discovery and revelation. It is a perilous path — one that will take Ezio to Constantinople, the heart of the Ottoman Empire, where a growing army of Templars threatens to destabilize the region.
In addition to the culmination of Ezio’s award-winning story, a refined and expanded online multiplayer experience returns with new and additional modes, maps, and characters, allowing you to test your slaying skills against others from around the world.
Everyone loves the open-world easy going nature of the Assassins Creed games. Take a long ass jump off a massively tall building into a pile of hay, and give Assassins Creed a shot.
Batman: Arkham City
Arkham Asylum was a sleeper hit of epic proportions. No one expected it to be so engaging and well designed. It was well deserved that it won game of the year in 2009. Things a bit different this time around. Expectations? Yeah, they’re pretty high for Arkham City.
So, how did Rock Steady do?
They may have created one of the finest games of all time.
Arkham City takes the Dark Knight back into the depths of the criminal underworld, no longer relegated to just the Asylum, this time a section of Gotham has basically been turned into a giant prison for the inmates of the Asylum.
The premise is that Bruce Wayne is kidnapped and dragged into Arkham City by the nefarious Hugo Strange who seems to have masterminded the city’s creation. The super villains contained in the city are attacking and killing each other and Batman has to find out what is at the bottom of this.
And get this, Mark Hamill returns as the Joker! WICKED!
Gears of War 3
I’ve never had more fun than playing Gears of War with a couple friends, either in co-op or multiplayer it never ceases to be a blast. Couple that with what you know is going to be an incredible, if not slightly short, campaign and you’ve got a winning solution time in and time out. The Unreal engine may be getting a little long in the tooth, but Gears can still deliver a fantastic experience.
Battlefield 3
Hey – Modern Warfare 3 is great game, it was a great game back when they called it Modern Warfare 2 too. Battlefield 3 takes the serious gamer away from the legions of children playing the Call of Duty franchise and immerses them in Frostbite 2, a new framework technology that takes animation, destruction, lighting, scale and audio to heights not seen before on the 360.
Give Battlefield 3 a spin, you won’t be disappointed.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
It’s been described as a map pack, DLC, or simply – the best multiplayer experience you can have, all alone, on your couch. Listen, if you’re going to be a badass MW3 player, you’ll need a badass rig to play it on. This limited edition 360 clad in MW3 sexiness should be just the ticket. Check it out.
Xbox 360 Limited Edition Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Bundle
