Cartoon Network packs a punch with its new Punch Time Explosion XL game – Out Today
The Best of Cartoon Network Comes Together in One Epic Game!

London – 18th May, 2012 – Video game publisher O-Games’ much anticipated all-star brawler Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion XL is available today on PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® and the Wii™ system from Nintendo.

Cartoon Network Punch Time Explosion XL features the casts of some of Cartoon Network’s most iconic shows. Fans can go toe-to-toe with characters from their favourite Cartoon Network shows including Ben 10, Samurai Jack, Johnny Bravo, The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter’s Laboratory, Chowder and many more. The fast paced fighting game is set in iconic locations from the shows to give fans a chance to be a part of the adventure.

“The Cartoon Network universe features iconic, unique characters that have ubiquitous appeal for fans of all ages,” said Pete Yoder, Vice President, consumer products for Cartoon Network Enterprises. “Punch Time Explosion XL features many fan favourites in an action-packed, fun-filled brawler that is sure to be a must-have title for anyone’s video game collection.”

“We are delighted to be working with Cartoon Network and the Punch Time Explosion franchise as it gives fans an increased level of interactivity with the memorable TV shows that have become a part of the lives of both parents and kids,” said Jim Scott CEO of OG International Ltd. “The game allows players a unique opportunity to become their favourite Cartoon Network character, offering fans an enhanced interactive gaming experience.”

Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion XL is jam-packed with a huge cast of characters and powerful dual-character synergy attacks. Additionally, the game will feature a wide-variety of exciting multiplayer options including numerous battle modes, as well as an in-depth story mode that introduces an exciting co-op gameplay experience that supports up to four players. An in-game store will give fans an opportunity to unlock new characters and arenas, unique costumes, and memorable cartoon clips from their favourite TV shows.

Log onto www.cartoonnetwork.co.uk/punchtime for everything you need to know about the exciting game and be in chance to win fantastic prizes. Simply click on the popular characters, choose your favourite move on the ‘Vote page’ and you could win your very own console.

With new game modes, extra characters and all new battle arenas, Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion XL is ready to take home today.

Dungeon Gate is scheduled for release in September 2012 and will be available digitally and retail. More information via Wild Games Studio and Lace Mamba.

The New King Arrives: ROCCAT Savu – Mid-Size Hybrid Gaming Mouse Out Now
 
Built to reign supreme as the new titan of optical sensor mice, the Savu comes loaded with the world’s fastest Pro Optic engine and introduces an awards and achievements system to the world of gaming peripherals.

Hamburg, 15 May 2012 – ROCCAT Studios today announces the release of the Savu – Mid-Size Hybrid Gaming Mouse – a competition device that “fusion welds” an ideal blend of performance and customizable features into a robust, perfectly-balanced, medium-size design.

The Savu offers a combination of unprecedented true 4000 DPI optical sensor horsepower, world famous Easy-Shift[+]™ technology allowing for advanced button configuration, and a customizable lighting system
delivering 16.8 million colors. What’s more, it’s the world’s first mouse to feature a stats and trophy system – called the ROCCAT Achievements Display, or R.A.D. – something previously known in similar form only in online gaming. Designed specifically for fans of mid-size gaming mice, the Savu also pampers the hands with an ergonomic right-hand thumb rest and soft-touch surface.

“The Savu is the planet’s premiere mid-size gaming mouse – period,” says René Korte, ROCCAT Founder and CEO. “We packed it with not only world-beating speed and comfort, but with a slew of innovations designed to thrill. The Savu represents our continued dedication to giving gamers the exact gear to fit their every desire.”

With its advanced Pro Optic sensor, the Savu delivers true 400, 800, 1600 and 4000 DPI – placing it at the pinnacle of optical gaming mice. The latest R3 sensor also delivers lag-free gaming without any interpolation, and provides ultra-precise feedback during even the fastest movements – all so players can command with the utmost accuracy.

The Savu comes standard with exclusive Easy-Shift[+]™ technology, which lets gamers set two functions for each mouse button and the scroll wheel, essentially transforming a seven-button mouse into a 12-button one without the clutter of unnecessary additional buttons. Easy-Shift[+]™ also lets gamers take advantage of Easy-Aim, which automatically reduces DPI setting when in sniper mode – delivering pinpoint accuracy at the touch of a button. And thanks to advanced Omron switches, the Savu’s two main buttons feature the most consistent and precise pressure points – for ultra-accurate command capability – as well as the highest durability for the longest possible gaming life.

The Savu features a large, customizable rear light bar, which users can set in their choice of 16.8 million colors – to add to the atmosphere of gaming sessions. Players can also activate a color cycling feature, aswell as a “breathing” function, which instructs the mouse to pulse in a choice of color.
www.roccat.org
 

 
The Savu also marks the debut of the ROCCAT™ Achievements Display – or R.A.D. – a fun and useful application that tracks and rewards a wide range of gaming feats, such as mouse movement, button clicks, scroll steps, etc. The driver-based software compiles user data, provides a range of statistics for analysis, and hands out trophies when exceptional milestones have been reached. It’s an entertaining way for gamers to keep track of their mouse skills – and it even lets players share their accomplishments with others via social network sites, like Facebook.

Hamburg-based ROCCAT Studios says the Savu severely outperforms every gaming mouse in its class and is sure to set a new standard in the mid-size field. The Savu will be available around the globe for a MSRP of 59.99 Euros or 59.99 USD.

The current campaign is for an increasingly involved combat between the Russian navies and the Scandinavian/UK “Northern Alliance” which then escalates out of all proportion and drags in everyone else into a battle that covers an area from the mid Atlantic to the eastern edge of the Baltic and includes the frozen waters of the Arctic sea as the name would lead you to expect.

The combat is very like playing chess in real time against an opponent with an unknown set of pieces. It’s not just enough to react to the opponent’s moves, you have to have anticipate and counter them before you see them coming on the radar. Because of the distances involved in any kind of vehicle movement, sending off your interceptors to counter air attack is generally only done in time if done early allowing you to get to the meat of the game, getting your surface units in strike range of the enemy. You are left in control right down to setting the rules of engagement, when to make radar and sonar active and what weapons to fire at what point, although the AI does handle some of the fighting for you once you have delegated targets.

The game is both exciting and tedious in varying degrees, even with time acceleration. There is a tension to the boredom of watching for something to appear on the screen, working out if your interceptors are close enough to support each other while far enough apart to cover the possible approaches, whether you want your sub to go dead slow and at max depth to avoid detection or speed up a bit to get in range quick enough to cut down the enemy fleet size before they get in range of missile attacking your ships.

There are some issues with the GUI, without a pause you sometimes have to click randomly on the larger scale maps as a MIG whistles across in 2 seconds, the whole interface could be a bit smoother and for an inveterate WASD player the inability to map your own keys was a touch irritating, but the lack of high definition graphics doesn’t impinge on the game play in the slightest, because the important information is happening right there on your radar screen style strategic map. There’s a distinct feeling that you let down your crew when one of your planes takes a missile up the pipe, and with some investment in the battle, losing even a small ship is a calamity. There’s also immense satisfaction when a cloud of your harpoon missiles arrives at the same time as your surface strike aircraft fire off their Konigsberg anti-ship missiles and the defenders can’t take them all on at once.

I’m enjoying playing this game and it definitely falls into the category of games I am likely to keep going back to, especially if they start to release DLC for other theatres and weapons sets. While looking and feeling like a distinct “Harpoon” clone, this game does that cloning very well, and I loved playing Harpoon for many years, so more strength to them I say.

“Admiral off the bridge!”

Available from Steam for £14.99, GamersGate for £14.95 or Amazon for £16.11.

Check out the new trailer which showcases the game itself, which if I’m honest, is looking pretty good.  Whether the film and game are actually any good or not, is yet to be seen but follow the jump for more official info and of course, the teaser trailer.

OFFICIAL GAMEPLAY TRAILER RELEASED FOR DISNEY•PIXAR BRAVE: THE VIDEO GAME

Action-Adventure Video Game Inspired by Upcoming Disney•Pixar Film BRAVE to Launch This Summer

Inspired by Brave, the upcoming Disney•Pixar animated fantasy adventure movie, Brave: The Video Game invites players to run, jump and battle their way through the rugged landscape of mythical and mysterious Scotland. By using their wits and bravery, gamers will also be able to wield a sword and bow and arrow to defeat fierce enemies, break a magical curse and save a kingdom.

Play as Merida, Pixar’s first female hero and an expert archer, or in the console versions players can also play as other entertaining characters from the film. In addition, they will be able to go on quests through a magical world and solve puzzles to uncover secrets. Gameplay features include single-player, co-op for family and friends and a special Bear mode.

Brave: The Video Game will launch Summer 2012, in conjunction with the film, for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™, Nintendo DS™ and Windows PC/MAC.

BETHESDA SOFTWORKS MARKS OCTOBER 12, 2012

LAUNCH DATE FOR DISHONORED

Arkane Studios’ Supernatural Assassin Action Game Available Worldwide This Fall

May 10^th, 2012 (London, UK) – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced that Dishonored™, the supernatural assassin action game under development at Arkane® Studios, will be available in North America on October 9, in Australia on October 11 and throughout Europe on October 12, 2012. Developed under the direction of co-creative directors Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith, Dishonored is slated for release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Games for Windows.

Dishonored is set in Dunwall, an industrial whaling city where steampunk- inspired technology and otherworldly forces coexist in the shadows. You are Corvo, the once-trusted bodyguard of the beloved Empress who has been murdered. Framed for the crime, you become an infamous assassin, known by the disturbing mask that has become your calling card. In a time of uncertainty, when the city is besieged by plague and ruled by a corrupt government armed with frightening technologies, dark forces bestow supernatural abilities upon you – but at what cost? The truth behind your betrayal is as murky as the waters surrounding the city, and the life you once had is gone forever.

Creatively eliminate your enemies with Dishonored’s flexible combat system as you combine supernatural abilities with weapons and gadgets at your disposal. Pursue your targets under the cover of darkness or boldly attack them head on with weapons drawn. The outcome of each mission plays out based on the choices you make.

“We are pleased that Dishonored has captured people’s attention,” said Vlatko Andonov, president of Bethesda Softworks. “We are looking forward to sharing lots more information about the game leading up to its launch in October, and having a hands-on build of Dishonored in our booth at E3!”

For more information on Dishonored visit www.Dishonored.com.

Have a peruse of this trailer and a nose around the game’s website.

Due in September 2012 we’re promised the ability to “choose your questioning approach to catch characters off guard and gather valuable information. Players are facing an open investigation, and must decide which leads to follow and which to ignore.” It’s the leads premise that I’m most interested in as I want to see whether there’s re-playability potential here or whether it’ll just be a more circuitous route to the finishing line.

There’s plenty to investigate on the official website and several screenshots in the gallery attached.

Take a look at the brilliant trailer featuring music from No More Kings.

Alternatively, rock on over to the Spark Plug Games website for further details.

You’ll be so engrossed in table swapping, monster soothing and trying to stop the demon slaying heroine from denting your revenue the fifty levels of the story mode part of the game will fly by and whilst the game mechanics will be familiar to you there’s enough new features to this genre to add a  breath of fresh (lycanthropic) air. For example, Black Market Games have added spells to your repertoire and with these you can zap any monster in to a zombie (werewolves and vampires hate sitting near one another and will have a fight, it ruins the ambience don’tchooknow), speed up your servers or calm down cross patrons – upgrades to these spells are purchasable from the Blackest Market trader for coinage you earn in-game.

Frankie the Frankenstein Bouncer is another unique touch; should it all start “kicking off Pru” just click the dust cloud and the offending scrappers will be escorted violently from the premises, you’ll lose those monsters though so it’s best to try and avoid this by using the spells available. It’s little thoughts like these that make this time management game stand out from the rest, it’s nice to see something available that offers a little bit of black comedy but not dark enough to alienate younger players by being unsuitable.

This isn’t the most challenging of plate juggling strategies I’ve played, you’re only dealing with one variation on the food for a start – this doesn’t actually work against it though,  instead of the expected brain crushing panic, you get a little more time to concentrate on the monster’s patience or lack thereof. Alongside the spells and monster tantrums there’s more than enough to contend with and you won’t want distractions from your family as the levels will often start with a pre-determined, awkward seating plan.

Like all games there’s room for improvement and some indication of where the next step in your carefully clicked out plan is would be nice, I found myself losing track of where Gabby was going next and it often resulted in flummoxed clicking. Feedback to the clicking would be wonderful as well, I found it quite difficult to tell if I’d missed a table by selecting it just in the wrong spot and occasionally ended up standing aimlessly instead of running around with buckets of slop.

Graphics, music and story are all well created if a little predictable but again, no bad thing. This is one of few games I’ve left the sound on for simply because it doesn’t drive me nuts after an hour; I’d have liked to have seen more customisation options for my restaurants or perhaps even achievements of some kind to display, it helps with the feeling of progression over so many levels.

Available online for £5.99 I can recommend this for anyone that enjoys time management games but would like a bit of something new.