Screenshots

It's been a few months since there's been a lot of new content uploaded to Blizzard's StarCraft II web site. That changed today as the site added an additional 17 new screenshots for the upcoming sci-fi RTS blockbuster (we have reproduced them and put them in our ever growing StarCraft II gallery). The shots are a mix of gameplay visuals with some in-game engine cinematics like the shot you see above.

In addition to the new visuals, there are also some articles on the process of making 1v1 multiplayer maps for the game as well as how Blizzard's development team will be creating the single player story/campaign. There's even a new StarCraft II-based short story to check out that focuses on the new Zerg Changling unit. And no, there's still no word on the beta test . . . sorry.

Developer Gas Powered Games and publisher Square Enix have been fairly quiet of late about the status of Supreme Commander 2. The sequel to 2007's terrific sci-fi RTS game was announced several months ago but aside from a couple of previous and a almost unnoticed playable level at PAX 2009 there hasn't been much said lately on the progress of the game.

Today Square Enix announced that Supreme Commander 2 is now locked for a spring 2010 release and also provided a huge batch of screenshots that show off some of of the sequel's massive battles and a few gigantic units. Our question: While we are looking forward to the game, will Supreme Commander 2's release date put it in direct conflict with StarCraft 2?

It's been a long time since the development team at Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment has posted anything progress reports about their long-in-development MMO Stargate Worlds. However late last week they updated their site with not only a news post but brand new screenshots that show the Unreal Engne 3-based game.

The new screenshots focus on the various amor sets that you can use to equip characters in the game. However, that nugget will apparently have to be it for at least a little while longer. The news post claims that the dev team is working on "additional exciting news we will be revealing very soon."

[Via Massively]

Welcome to Mac Monday, where we highlight some games for your Macintosh that you might want to try ... or try to avoid. This time around, we're looking at Big Fish Games' Drawn: The Painted Tower, and New Star Games' New Star Soccer 2010. Two completely different games, and both intriguing for different reasons. Find out more after the jump!

Last week we were given a look at how Cryptic Studios' highly-anticipated spacefaring MMO Star Trek Online was coming along, and let me be the first to say that my fears have been dispelled. STO looks amazing, and from what I saw of it will feature enough interesting gameplay to keep both fans of the franchise and those new to it -- as Jean-Luc Picard might say -- engaged.

Well, you knew some kind of pun was coming, didn't you? Please forgive me. I'm a little giddy with the fact that Big Download has been blessed with three exclusive screenshots from the game -- thanks Atari! Check 'em out below, remember to click on them to see them in full-res, and read all about what we saw after the jump!

It's time once again for Mac Monday, where we take a look at a couple of games new out for the Mac (and sometimes the PC too). This time around we're checking out Anawiki Games's Spooky Runes, and Sandlot Games's Boonka. One of these games has an atmospheric vibe, and the other is vibrant and goofy. Guess which one and find out after the jump!

Welcome once again to Mac Monday, where we preview the latest Mac game releases. This time around, we look at Trapped: The Abduction by Gogii Games, and Harvest: Massive Encounter by Oxeye Game Studio. And once again we find ourselves in a situation where one of these games isn't so great and the other is surprisingly compelling. Find out which after the jump!

Developer Unknown Worlds has been working for some time on Natural Selection 2, their upcoming sci-fi shooter with RTS elements. For those not familiar with the game the first version (Natural Selection 1) began as a Half-Life 1 mod (it celebrates the seventh anniversary of its release on Halloween). Natural Selection 2 turned into a stand alone commercial game using the Source engine developed by Valve for Half-Life 2. Over a year ago the company announced it ditching the Source engine and creating their own in-house graphics engine for their game. After showing off some concept art, character art renders and animation movies over the past several months, today the developer has finally released the first two in-game screenshots from Natural Selection 2.

Big Download decided to chat with Unknown Worlds' founder Charlie Cleveland again for the occasion as he describes what the screenshots show off as well as other aspects of the game including world that they plan to release the game's level editor in November to folks who pre-order the game.

Welcome to another edition of Mac Monday, where we shine a light on Mac games that might otherwise not get the notice they may deserve. This time around we're looking at Christian Teister's Grappling Hook and Dingo Games' The Three Musketeers. Read about 'em after the jump!

Welcome back, my friends, to the show that never ends. This time around we're looking at Bullet Candy Perfect by Charlie's Games, and PlayFirst's Avenue Flo. Both of these games are entertaining in their own ways, and one of them even has its own song! Who, what, where, when, why? Find out after the jump!

Welcome to another edition of Mac Monday, your source for the latest and greatest Macintosh game demos! This week, we're taking a look at Machinarium, by the fine folks at Amanita Design, who gave us Samorost and Samorost 2. After that, we'll have a peek at QuantZ, a casual title by Gamerizon that offers a new look at the Match 3 genre. Check 'em out after the jump!

After what feels like forever, we've got a single game to review this week, rather than the two-fers we've been doing. This time around, we're looking at Miriel's Enchanted Mystery, by Game House, the publisher who brought us Miriel the Magical Merchant. This sequel offers the same basic gameplay as the original, but offers a few new twists that make owning MEM worthwhile. Find out more after the jump!

While PC players got the bad news recently that Ubisoft was delaying the PC port of Assassin's Creed 2 to the first quarter of 2010, at least we have to look forward to the return of a character from the original game. Lucy Stillman pops back up and actress Kristen Bell handled both the voice and the character likeness again for the sequel.

In the first game, Stillman was in the near-future portion of the storyline but her role in the sequel to the open world action game is currently unknown. Ubisoft sent over some photos of Bell doing her voice work for the game as well as a couple of screenshots from the game itself showing Stillman.

[Via email press release]

One of the most well known but somewhat goofy DC Comics characters gets the spotlight this week from Sony Online as they release new screenshots showing off how Green Arrow looks in their upcoming super hero MMO DC Universe Online. The character started out as a bit of a Batman clone in the 1940s. He was rich, had no super powers, had his "arrow" gadgets and even had a sidekick Speedy.

Things got more serious in the 1970s as writers changed Green Arrow into a crusading liberal who found out Speedy was addicted to heroin. The character has gone through several revivals over the last few decades and was even considered "dead" for a few years in the 1990s (with another person, Connor Hawke, replacing him) before being revived in 2000 in his current uniform.

It's that special time once again! Time to talk about Mac games. This week we're taking a look at Zuma's Revenge and Creeper World. Both of these games surprised me with how engaging they proved to be. How, you ask, or I imagine you asking? Find out after the jump!