Screenshots

Elemental beta coming (maybe) in 60 days

Posted Jul 3rd 2009 12:00PM by John Callaham
Filed under: RPG, Screenshots, Strategy

With all of the networking issues in Demigod now corrected, its publisher Stardock can now put more emphasis on their next major game release, the internally developed fantasy strategy-RPG Elemental: War of Magic. This week, Stardock head Brad Wardell posted up some new screenshots from the game on it's official web site and we have added those shots to our gallery. It's been a while since we have seen new shots with Wardell saying, "We've been hesitant to show too many screenshots until the shadowing is in."

Beta testing for the game should begin "in around 60 days" according to Wardell so expect it to start around the end or August or early September. As usual with Stardock's games, anyone can enter the beta by simply pre-ordering the game now.

Gallery: Elemental: War of Magic

StarCraft II tech trees revealed

Posted Jul 2nd 2009 10:00AM by John Callaham
Filed under: Multiplayer, RTS, Screenshots, Starcraft II

It's time for our now daily StarCraft II news post. Today we offer up something that we know will be of interest to the hardcore fans of Blizzard's upcoming sci-fi RTS sequel. Yes indeed . . .you guessed correctly. We have some visuals showing off the technology trees for all three of the game's factions (Terran, Zerg and Protoss).

Of course, these images (as supplied by the Giant Bomb web site) cannot be considered final since we haven't even entered the real beta test for the game. As such, these tech tree configurations could (and most likely will) change before the final game comes out (please, oh pretty please let it come out this year, Blizzard). Still if you want to know what you have to do to get to the Terran Battlecruiser, you now know what Blizzard is thinking at the moment.

Gallery: StarCraft 2 Tech Trees

Gallery: Starcraft 2

Dreamkiller announced

Posted Jun 29th 2009 8:00PM by John Callaham
Filed under: FPS, Multiplayer, Screenshots

This fall Aspyr Media is bringing a new first person shooter franchise over to the PC platform. Dreamkiller is the newly revealed game from developer Mindware Studios who previously created the 2007 FPS title Painkiller Overdose (and yes, Painkiller and Dreamkiller do sound kind of similar) This new game is promising to be "fast, frantic and mega-bloodbath first-person shooter", at least according to the official press release.

The game itself takes place in the minds of the patients of psychologist Alice Drake. She doesn't just sit on a couch listening to odd stories. She also enters her patent's dreams and battles their mental demon. The first screenshots from the game show that battling dream demons requires some heavy ordinance. In addition to single player, Dreamkiller is promising some multiplayer modes as well as supernatural powers.

[Via email press release]

Gallery: Dreamkiller

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Joystiq goes hands-on with StarCraft II multiplayer; new video released

Posted Jun 29th 2009 5:00PM by John Callaham
Filed under: Downloads, Hands-on, Multiplayer, RTS, Screenshots, Video, Starcraft II

Blizzard is getting ready (we hope anyway) to unleash the StarCraft II multiplayer beta test "soon" but in the meantime they recently invited a number of media folks to check out a new build of the long awaited sci-fi RTS sequel at their offices in Irvine, CA. Our sister site Joystiq made the trek and brought back some hands-on impressions.

They also got a tour of Blizzard's campus and received a new seven minute multiplayer vdeo showing off more StarCraft II gameplay. You can download the HD version of the video right here at Big Download. Newly released screenshots from the game have also been added to our gallery. Finally Joystiq has a extensive chat with StarCraft II producer Chris Sigaty.

Alas, it seems that plans to check out the game's single player campaign were cut at the last minute but there will likely be more press events to show off StarCraft II before it's planned released before the end of the year (fingers crossed).

Gallery: Starcraft 2

First Max Payne 3 screenshots released

Posted Jun 23rd 2009 6:00PM by John Callaham
Filed under: Action, Screenshots

While these visuals were first seen in the latest issue of Game Informer magazine, today Rockstar Games released the first true screenshots for Max Payne 3. These shots show off the 10 years older Max as the now bald and pot-bellied former cop is doing what he does best in the hot setting of Brazil.

As we have mentioned before, Max Payne 3 is being developed by Rockstar Vancouver, taking over from Remedy who created the franchise and developed the first two games in the series. We will have to wait a little longer to check out the game in action; it's not due out until winter 2009.

Gallery: Max Payne 3

Tropico 3 reveals avatar features

Posted Jun 18th 2009 6:00PM by John Callaham
Filed under: Simulation, Screenshots, Strategy

In the original Tropico, you got to play a dictator in charge of an island nation. However you controlled the game as if you were a god with no real character connection. In the upcoming Tropico 3 you actually get to design how your dictator looks and can actually put that character in the game itself.

Publisher Kalypso Media sent over some new screenshots showing how the new avatar features. You can choose to be either male or female with lots of customization options. Once that's done the avatar can walk around the island nation or take a limo. Avatars can affect gameplay by calming protests, speeding up construction and more. You can even get you hands dirty and shooter island rebels who want to take over your nation. However you can also get shot yourself and if that happens you have to head back to your palace to head yourself. Tropico 3, developed by Haemimont Games, is due out this fall.

Gallery: Tropico 3

Gamestop pre-orders gets exclusive in-game armor for Section 8

Posted Jun 15th 2009 10:00PM by John Callaham
Filed under: FPS, Multiplayer, Screenshots

The upcoming Tribes-like first person shooter Section 8 is due out later this summer and now Gamestop has posted word that folks who pre-order the Timegate Studios-Southpeak Games title from their store or web site will get some exclusive in-game items; specifically some special armor for both playable sides.

Versions of the "Captain's Armor" will be made available for both the Section 8 team and their enemies the Arm of Orion. The screenshot above is for the Section 8 version of the armor while the Arm of Orion has a lion symbol put on the top of his mech helmet. You can see more sceeenshots of the armor in our gallery section.

Gallery: Section 8

Second phase of Cites XL beta to begin soon; new screenshots released

Posted Jun 15th 2009 7:00PM by John Callaham
Filed under: MMO, Simulation, Screenshots

Monte Cristo Games is getting ready to release their urban city simulation Cities XL this fall (at least in Europe) and today the company sent over some new screenshots from the title along with word that the second phase of their multiplayer beta test is about to begin.

We have added the seven new (and very impressive) screenshots to our gallery where you can see how detailed you can get with creating your fictional cities. Monte Cristo informs us that they plan to launch a new beta test of the game. This beta will be all about the game's MMO features where thousands of players will have their cities on one "planet" and will be able to trade and communicate with each other. More info on the beta will be revealed later this week.

Gallery: Cities XL

Mac Monday: Mystic Emporium

Posted Jun 15th 2009 11:00AM by Akela Talamasca
Filed under: Downloads, Demos, Features, Hands-on, Mac, Simulation, Screenshots

This week's Mac Monday title, Mystic Emporium by Merscom, might seem at first blush to be a simple copy of the previously-covered Miriel, the Mystic Merchant, but fortunately, it does iterate a bit on the gameplay, offering a bit more for the money. Add to that a quirky art style and better animation, more item options, and a rudimentary budget system, and it's a great next game for those who enjoyed Miriel.

So what's it all about? Read on to find out!

Continue reading Mac Monday: Mystic Emporium

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Star Wars: The Old Republic web site shows off the Smuggler class

Posted Jun 12th 2009 9:00PM by John Callaham
Filed under: MMO, Screenshots, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Yes, you will be able to bring out your inner Han Solo in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Developer BioWare's upcoming MMO game, which was one of the big hits at E3 2009 last week, has finally revealed the smuggler class as one of the new additions they plan to have in the title.

Players will have to be both sneaky and charming if they are going to play as the smuggler but it's always good to have a handy blaster at your side while playing the class. Once again BioWare, along with its publishers EA and LucasArts, is mum on when the long awaited title will be shipping to stores.

Download HD Star Wars: The Old Republic E3 2009 Trailer
Check out all Star Wars: The Old Republic downloads

Gallery: Star Wars: The Old Republic

Continue reading Star Wars: The Old Republic web site shows off the Smuggler class

Mac Monday: Science Girls!

Posted Jun 8th 2009 11:00AM by Akela Talamasca
Filed under: Downloads, Demos, Features, Hands-on, Mac, RPG, Screenshots

For this week's Mac Monday, we bring you a little light and light-hearted RPG from Hanako Games, the folks who gave us Spirited Heart, and Cute Knight Deluxe, both previously featured games right here on MM. What do all three games have in common? First of all, they're all anime-influenced to a certain degree -- character designs, dating sim-like play, steadfast goofiness. Second of all, they're all different takes on the RPG genre. And third of all, they're just too adorable.

Science Girls! is more of a standard RPG than the other two featured games. Fans of the genre will immediately feel at home with the interface and leveling style. What may surprise you about SG!, however, is its approachable silliness and gentle humor. Hell, you might even learn a thing or two! Read on for some science!

Continue reading Mac Monday: Science Girls!

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E3 2009: First Mass Effect 2 screenshots released

Posted Jun 1st 2009 8:00PM by John Callaham
Filed under: RPG, Screenshots, Mass Effect

It's a big E3 for BioWare as they show off Mass Effect 2 to the public for the first time. Today BioWare and the game's publisher Electronic Arts released the first in-game screenshots from the sci-fi RPG sequel (previous visuals were from concept artwork) and we have launched our Mass Effect 2 gallery with those shots

As we have reported on before, Mass Effect 2 is due out in the first quarter of 2010 for the PC and other platforms. It once again features one of our favorite game characters Commander Shepard who, at least by checking out the screenshots, is not dead as the first teaser trailer for the game tried to imply.

Gallery: Mass Effect 2

E3 2009: Heroes of Telara web site launches

Posted Jun 1st 2009 12:00PM by John Callaham
Filed under: MMO, Screenshots

Ahead of showing off the game to the public for the first time at E3 2009 on Tuesday, Trion World Network has launched the official web site for their long awaited first MMO project, the fantasy game Heroes of Telara. The web site has the first screenshots from the game which we have reproduced in our gallery

The screenshots look, well, like a very generic fantasy game but Trion World Network insists that Heroes of Telara is different than the average MMO. One person's action could in theory affect the entire fantasy world. We will get lots more info on the game when we get our E3 2009 demo later this week.

Gallery: Heroes of Telara

Mac Monday: Altitude

Posted Jun 1st 2009 11:00AM by Akela Talamasca
Filed under: Downloads, Demos, Features, Hands-on, Mac, Screenshots, Arcade

This week's Mac Monday game is Altitude, by Nimbly Games. I downloaded this title purely on the strength of its slight resemblance to the Worms series of games, but was pleasantly surprised by its actual gameplay (though on second thought, there is an element of Worms-ness in it).

At first blush a simple arcadey aircraft shooter, there is much more to Altitude than first impressions grant. How much more? Read on to find out!

Continue reading Mac Monday: Altitude

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Square Enix announces Front Mission Evolved for the PC

Posted May 30th 2009 11:00AM by John Callaham
Filed under: Action, Screenshots

There were a few game announcements on Friday but one we missed at that time was for Front Mission Evolved. The game is set in Square Enix's mech-themed strategy universe but is actually a third person shooter title and it's coming to the PC and other plaforms.

Developed by California-based Double Helix Games, Front Mission Evolved will have players take control of the massive machine called the Wanzer in both single and multplayer campaigns. The game's official web site has already launched along with the game's first screenshots. Little else about the game has been revealed, including a release date, but we suspect we will learn more at E3.

Gallery: Front Mission Evolved