PS3 Fanboy

Thanks to this fairly recent Ghostbusters gameplay footage, we certainly aren't afraid of ghosts anymore. The game looks pretty nice and we hope it jump-starts the classic franchise back to life -- a lot of lesser movies and TV series' have been getting brought back, after all. What's interesting, but not in the video, is the use of Sixaxis for the PS3: apparently, you use it to control the trajectory of your ghost-bustin' stream. Of course, crossing them is a bad idea unless you're facing the final boss, we'd imagine.

We should really be used to delays by now. Just after we showed you a crazy video for Prototype, we've gotten word that the game is going to get pushed back into April of 2009. Well, the April part isn't "official" according to Sierra, but the 2009 is. As a spokesperson for Sierra said, "in the simplest explanation possible, we need more time to deliver the game the team initially set out to create." This also brings the possibility of multiplayer back onto the table for consideration, but it hasn't been confirmed as part of the plan yet. We'll keep you informed as news unfurls.

Oh my! We have a great video of Prototype to show you, but it is rated Mature, so we have to put it after the jump. The game, blending ideas from Assassin's Creed and Knights of the Old Republic and Grand Theft Auto and any number of similar sandbox and choose-your-destiny games, Prototype does still appear quite intriguing. Joystiq wrote up an impressive preview of the game for your enjoyment, so don't forget to look at what they said. Basically, the game is good but difficult to judge from a quick impression. We'll see if the game lives up to expectations when it hits later this year.

It's not every day you hear a game being touted as "genre-defining" ... it seems our "sarcasm keyboards" aren't quite working. Sure, we hear it all the time, but World in Conflict: Soviet Assault has an interesting mix of genre to get our attention, as well as Joystiq's. Calling itself an "Action-Strategy" game, it eliminates the need to build bases or collect resources -- you've mainly got to deal with fast-paced action and split second strategies.

Imagine, if you will, an alternate Cold War where you're forced to battle the Soviets. The game boasts completely destructible environments and competitive online play (head-to-head and team-based) along with a hefty single-player campaign (from both the US and Soviet angles). In online play, you get your choice of a specialty: Infantry, Armor, Support, or Air. You'll get tweaked controls for console owners, offering more streamlined interfaces. In addition, a fully 3D camera lets you sweep around the world in any way you want as opposed to the typical isometric camera options.

In case the above trailer wasn't enough for you, you'll find Bourne Conspiracy screenshots galore in our gallery below. The game looks like it'll play similarly to Uncharted thanks to its run-and-gun, duck-and-cover, punch-in-the-gut kind of gameplay. Don't expect to be brutally massacring zombies, or hunt treasure while cracking sly remarks. You're just kicking some tail. Hopefully, the game will be able to successfully translate what made the original novels (of which the game is based on) so fun.

The stellar PC strategy game, World in Conflict, has been announced for PS3 today. Formerly a Xbox 360 console exclusive, Sierra has rightly delayed console development to make sure both PS3 and 360 owners can enjoy one of the best RTS games of last year.

"World in Conflict was one of the best games on any platform in 2007 and its innovative action-focused gameplay makes it a perfect fit for the transition to consoles," said Martin Tremblay, president of worldwide studios, Sierra Entertainment. "World in Conflict is being reinvented for Xbox 360 and the PS3, with innovative features and new single player and multiplayer content created for the console audience. World in Conflict on consoles will be an amazing extension of an already great gaming franchise."

For the uninitiated, World in Conflict takes place in a fictional past, where the Cold War didn't end. As Russian troops surprise attack the West, players must use whatever they can to regain the initiative and fight back the massive Russian army. The game is being planned for console release this Fall.

Some game companies learn that when they make a horrid, insulting game that flops all over the place, they shouldn't make another one. For some reason or another, Leisure Suit Larry defies that logical rule and sucks every time he resurfaces. Maybe we're being too cruel. Out there, we're sure a couple people have enjoyed the sexual antics of a man whose stature apparently belies his charm. Now he's coming to the PS3.

Enter Box Office Bust -- a name that implies the success of the gaming franchise as well as a booby joke. Larry finds himself doing some summer work at his uncle's movie lot doing odd jobs and seeking a mole who wishes to destroy his uncle's privacy by ... airing the studio's dirty laundry? Whatever, we're sure it's not important. The game boasts a pretty decent cast of voice-actors and writers, which may be necessary to raise this series from nothing into something. Are we being too harsh? We're just skeptical. Even so, we'll keep an eye on this title as it develops.

A while back, a game called Prototype was announced to the world. We didn't know too much about it, except it was a slightly different take on the sandbox style of gameplay we've come to know through titles like Grand Theft Auto. Now we finally get a glimpse of what's to come and it looks fairly cinematic. However, we'll reserve any further judgment until we get some good gameplay footage. Enjoy!

No, a Slip N' Slide game wasn't officially announced (yet). However, hot on the heels of Prototype which features a pretty vicious looking male lead, Sierra has announced a new game to compete with the like of Tomb Raider -- it's called Wet. The title is incredibly over-the-top, so expect some Devil May Cry flavored antics in the mindset of Kill Bill, Prince of Persia, and whatever else involves fighting and generally crazy stunts. You take the role of Ruby, a sultry vixen of sorts who likes dishing out pain in the most acrobatic ways imaginable.

We'd talk more about the gameplay, but we should have gotten your imagination running with all the comparisons we listed above. DMC, Prince of Persia, Tomb Raider. Splotch on a soundtrack reminiscent of any of the Quentin Tarantino films and you've got yourself a stylish action title that wants you to remember it exists. We'll see if that will be the case when we get more info and screens from the game itself -- this puppy is still very early in production. With some of Ubisoft's veterans on the job, though, we've got some hope that it'll turn out nicely.

Here's a new game trailer for us to enjoy today -- Prototype, set for release on the PS3, 360, and PC at some point next year. What can we say? The game looks violent and the protagonist has a costume design frighteningly close to Assassin's Creed. We aren't complaining, but the game seeks to mesh the two styles of gameplay: sandbox, killing, and ... well, actually, that's about standard fare for these types of games. Regardless, it looks impressive so we'll stew in our anticipation and keep you up to date as more details emerge!

Shooting stuff in slow motion isn't as original as it was way back in Max Payne days. That's why TimeShift is making that now "meh" function the focus of its gameplay, promising to breathe new life into time altering mechanics. We gave you a pretty comprehensive look at the game a while back, but we skipped over the multiplayer details. Now we have them, so we'll give them to you.

• Customization: you can create and name your own play modes, so if you want a no-gravity knife match, you can call it "Space Shiv" or something. The customization also presents ways to level the playing field. Sorry, "spawn camping whores," but you won't get kills that way in this game.
• Implementing time mechanics is still shaky, but it'll play like some kind of rock-paper-scissors. Using "slow" should trump "reverse" while reverse trumps "stop" ... full circle, "stop" trumps "slow." So it's Reverse -> Stop -> Slow -> Reverse. At this point in time, at least.
  

It's not much detail yet, but from the excitement the dev team over at Saber Interactive, they believe in it strongly. It might be the most customizable multiplayer shooter ever. We'll see!

Yes folks, another tie-in. The Bourne Ultimatum is coming to theaters this summer while a different, next-gen offering The Bourne Conspiracy, hits PS3 and Xbox 360 next year in 2008. The game is tailoring its plot around Jason Bourne's identity, borrowing heavily from source materials of ... The Bourne Identity. We don't fully understand why Ludlum Entertainment doesn't just call the game The Bourne Identity, other than perhaps to induce confusion amongst the franchise titles. Considering the first film already has a well-established fan base, it would seem starting the game franchise at the base level and allowing sequels to follow the film release time line would make more sense. But hey, we don't make games, we just play 'em. What do we know? Fans of The Bourne Identity novel and film reiteration will also notice new story elements added to the game. For example, the game will include the pivotal moment when Jason Bourne first learns his identity and the discovery of the overabundant cans of whoopin' he has at his disposal. No release date yet, but expect to hear more on this after The Bourne Ultimatum's release this summer and subsequent (and highly likely) DVD release.

[Update: The Bourne Ultimatum is coming to theaters this summer. The Bourne Conspiracy is the game title only, of which there has yet to be a film reiteration. Corrections made to the post clarifying this.
Thanks, The Sh0wstopper & Jon K]

We've got a soft spot for Riddick. Not so much Vin Deisel, but the original film that started it all, Pitch Black, was campy and awesome. If you disagree, you've probably got a little more sense than us. Or you've got poor sci-fi horror movie taste. Whatever the case, Riddick is pretty badass and this attribute was exemplified in the original Xbox title Escape From Butcher Bay. Now retitled Assault on Dark Athena, the recently announced remake sports high-definition graphics and added enhancements in addition to the "Dark Athena" chapter.

For the first time, says publisher Sierra, action will go from the Butcher Bay, er, episode, and throw players "in intense multiplayer combat. The game introduces the ominous Merc-ship Dark Athena, which sits silent like a marauding spider, awaiting helpless prey in the dark reaches of the galaxy. Players must face a large, bloodthirsty operation led by the dreaded Captain Revas and her slaves-turned-controllable combat drones, storm though death-defying events and fight fierce enemies in a battle of malice and gore." Malice and gore? Sounds like a double whammy of awesome. Sign us up! We'll keep tabs on this game as its release later this year grows closer.

Spark Unlimited acquired an agreement from Sierra Entertainment to cooperate on a next-gen action title to be released in 2007. Spark Unlimited, who is known mostly for their first person shooters (Call of Duty: Finest Hour), will continue this trend on next-gen consoles. They seemed fine on their own -- why take Sierra (a piece of Vivendi Games) and do a partnership for a game? Maybe the setting isn't World War 2 and that boggles some of the developer's minds over at Spark Unlimited. Maybe they wanted something like F.E.A.R. but were afraid of getting a copyright suit? Seems to be a hot ticket these days. Other than the fact they've buddied up and are making an action game in a modern setting, not much news about the game. Until more details pop up, let's hope the two can make a fun experience.