The highly anticipated sequel earned an 8.5/10 from IGN.com, who called the game, “ …One of the best action games in recent memory.”

Shank 2 drops players into a stunning pulp fiction world as Shank, an ex-mob hitman who is forced down the road to redemption after his village comes under brutal attack. With precise and fluid controls, tons of new weapons, stronger enemies and the most advanced combo system of any 2D brawler,Shank 2 delivers a dynamic and evolved combat experience. Players have access to a diverse arsenal of guns, knives, chainsaws, baseball bats, and more as they move through Klei’s beautifully drawn environments that earned the indie studio IGF’s Excellence in Visual Arts nomination in 2010, and the Canadian Animator of the Year award in 2011.

Shank 2’s all-new multiplayer Survival mode drops players into fast paced and action-packed interactive environments where they tactically take down hordes of goons and mini-bosses in an arcade-style fight to protect objectives and stay alive. Teams of two can play locally or online as they battle wave after wave of smarter, stronger enemies and use fallen weapons and on-the-fly purchases in gory brawls.

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To celebrate, OnLive has partnered with BT to offer a PES 2012 Play 2 Win Kickoff Giveaway for the first week that the game is available, enabling gamers to win an incredible array of prizes just for playing the game on-demand using OnLive.* Gamers who play for more than three hours between 24 January and 31 January will be automatically entered to win a pair of BT luxury box seats for a top-level fixture on 10 March, among other prizes. But gamers and football fans can also win OnLive Gaming Packs just for playing the free demo—instantly on-demand, on nearly any type of device, with no purchase or commitment necessary. Coming shortly after OnLive’s UK debut, the game’s launch not only adds the first KONAMI blockbuster to the 200 premium video games available for instant play on the ever-expanding OnLive Game Service, it sends a clear message to UK gamers: OnLive won’t leave its UK fans on the sidelines.

Beginning with the game’s launch this morning at 12:01 A.M. GMT, anyone who plays PES 2012 on the OnLive Game Service before 1 February 2012 will be entered to win break-away prizes through the BT-sponsored PES 2012 Kickoff Play 2 Win Giveaway:

• Gamers who play for 3 or more hours before 11:59 P.M. GMT 31 January will be automatically entered to win one of two Grand Prizes, a pair of luxury box seat tickets to a top-tier match at the Emirates on 10 March. Runners Up prizes include an Option 3 BT broadband line, with free broadband for 12 months (5 winners) and an OnLive Gaming Pack, including the winner’s choice of an OnLive Game System or a recently released Universal OnLive Wireless Controller, Full PlayPass to any game (excluding pre-order promotions), OnLive beanie and PES t-shirt (3 winners).
• Gamers who play the free demo or play for less than 3 hours before 11:59 P.M. GMT 31 January will be automatically entered to win one of 10 OnLive Gaming Packs, including a Universal OnLive Wireless Controller, a copy of PES 2012, an OnLive beanie and PES t-shirt.

PES 2012 is the latest edition in KONAMI’s top-selling football franchise, and continues the series’ growth throughout Europe, Asia, Latin America and the United States. The game extends KONAMI’s partnership with UEFA via its exclusive UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League competitions and also boasts the Copa Libertadores license. PES 2012 improves on past versions with features such as an all-new Active AI system, which sees players behave more realistically on-field in creating space and making key runs, while the game’s more fluid gameplay and new Teammate Control system gives players unprecedented control of the action.

Harnessing the power of the cloud, OnLive is the first-ever gaming platform to enable high-performance games like PES 2012, which would normally be limited to high-end computers and consoles, to be played on devices like tablets in addition to PCs, Macs and HDTVs. Gamers can now jump into the game anytime, anywhere, or jump seamlessly from device to device without losing achievements or progress. And, with the new Universal OnLive Wireless Controller, gamers can retain a console-quality experience no matter what device they’re on: tablet, PC, Mac or HDTV.

In addition, OnLive has many one-of-a-kind social features that promise to add unparalleled dimension to the game, such as a massive spectating Arena with trans-Atlantic voice chat, and the ability to record and share videos of your best and worst gameplay moments. Gamers can instantly broadcast goals, fouls, runs and saves to friends on Facebook, along with achievements or a heads-up that they’re looking for friends to play. Friends can click in instantly from Facebook, to join a game or spectate as they play.

“We are excited to be working with KONAMI on another of their incredible games,” said Steve Perlman, OnLive Founder and CEO, “and even more excited to be bringing a new dimension to this highly demanded game, for OnLive players on both sides of the Atlantic.”

“We are delighted to be able to offer PES 2012 via the exciting OnLive format,” said Jon Murphy, PES Team Leader for Konami Digital Entertainment GMbH. “PES 2012 is a game best played against a rival, and OnLive will offer users a welcome taste of its incredible realism and stunning simulation elements, and will also provide them with a wealth of like-minded fans to try their luck against. It’s great to see a competitive game such as PES 2012 debuting on such a socially minded format.”

OnLive is available through www.onlive.co.uk on virtually every PC and Mac through a simple browser download, on Android tablets with the free OnLive app, and on HDTVs via the OnLive Game System. All OnLive games are available across all devices with no additional charge: simply log in and play wherever you are.

PES 2012 is now available for on-demand instant play at www.onlive.co.uk. For official rules and details of the PES 2012 Play 2 Win Kickoff Giveaway, please visit www.onlive.co.uk/pes2012.

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The latest, top-tier, high-performance games—previously limited to only consoles and computers—will be available for instant play via the free OnLive app on over 500 million mobile devices over Wi-Fi or mobile networks in the US and UK. A growing library of 25 console-class games have been adapted for touch-screen control, including the gritty, award-winning hit L.A. Noire from Rockstar Games and family titles like LEGO Batman: The Videogame, which will be given free to anyone who downloads the OnLive app. Additionally, almost all games in OnLive’s growing library of nearly 200 games are playable with the new Universal OnLive Wireless Controller, compatible with many tablets and smartphones.

OnLive harnesses the power of the cloud to instantly deliver high-end games on demand over the Internet with the simplicity of streaming video. OnLive’s breakthrough cloud gaming technology arrived in the UK in September, enabling UK gamers on PCs, Macs and TVs to instantly jump into console-quality games on demand, without discs or lengthy downloads, regardless of the performance of their local device. With today’s launch, gamers can now experience the same instant-play, top-tier games on tablets and smartphones, despite the fact that these games require vastly higher performance than is achievable on a mobile device.

“Today marks a major milestone: OnLive is now delivering the latest, console-class, top-tier games—literally to your fingertips—on tablets and phones for instant, on-demand play anywhere, anytime,” said Steve Perlman, OnLive Founder and CEO. “Through the free OnLive app, tablet and smartphone gamers can play top console and PC titles like Assassins Creed: Revelations and L.A. Noire—one of the most highly acclaimed, graphically sophisticated games to date—with exclusive OnLive Cloud Touch controls or with the new mobile-compatible Universal OnLive Wireless Controller. Tablets and smartphones, the fastest-growing consumer product categories in history, are now capable of running the hottest, highest-end games. Gaming and mobile devices will never be the same.”

Marking the most dramatic departure possible from the side-scrollers and 3D puzzlers that have defined the current tablet gaming marketplace, the award-winning L.A. Noire is now the first high-performance console video game developed specifically for touch-enabled play via tablet cloud gaming—with exclusive distribution on the OnLive Game Service. The release of a game this immersive and cinematically engaging heralds a new era—and new market—in high-end gaming.

Over 25 OnLive titles, including L.A. Noire, family titles like LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and 5-7, and indies like Defense Grid Gold, will work with touch control on tablets and smartphones. And most of the nearly 200 games in OnLive’s growing library, including recent top-tier releases like Batman: Arkham City, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations and Lord of the Rings: War in the North, are immediately playable on virtually any device with the Universal OnLive Wireless Controller, which utilizes OnLive’s exclusive adaptive wireless technology to automatically find an optimal wireless connection for a given tablet, smartphone, PC, Mac, TV or Blu-ray player. The Universal OnLive Wireless Controller will be available soon for purchase in the US and the UK, for $49.99 and £39.99 respectively.

As always, any game purchased on one OnLive app device (TV, PC, Mac, tablet or mobile device) can be played instantly on any other OnLive app device with full cloud save game data intact, allowing users to start play on one device, and continue playing on any other device, whenever and wherever they want. OnLive’s cross-platform capability extends to multiplayer gaming, enabling, for example, a tablet gamer to play with TV, PC, Mac and smartphone gamers. OnLive’s exclusive social features, such as international massive spectating and Brag Clip videos, are available on tablets and mobile devices, as well as chat and Facebook posting of videos, messages and achievements. And unlike downloaded games, OnLive games are streamed over the internet just like streaming music and video, never taking up storage on any mobile device.

The rollout of the OnLive app to UK gamers, occurring simultaneously with its US release, is the first of many groundbreaking initiatives overseen by OnLive’s new UK General Manager, Bruce Grove, who was previously the Company’s Sr. Director of Engineering. With more than ten years of engineering management for enterprise systems, software, gaming hardware and jet engines—including tenures at industry giants such as Dell and Sun—Bruce is uniquely qualified to understand the challenges of bringing an entirely new, revolutionary technology to an ever-increasing audience. “Having been a part of the OnLive team as it grew from a small handful of people to our first launch in a new country, I’m hugely excited to be taking on the role of GM here in the UK. Following our phenomenal reception at launch in September, it’s really important to maintain that momentum and keep growing this market. You can expect to see lots more great stuff in the future.”

The OnLive app is available for free download for tablet and mobile devices starting today (release dates and times subject to mobile app store certifications). The Universal OnLive Wireless Controller will soon be available for purchase in the US and UK through the OnLive web store at www.onlive.com/store and www.onlive.co.uk/store. As always, most OnLive games purchased on one device or through the OnLive website can be played on all devices, and L.A. Noire and other touch-adapted games will continue to work with controller and/or keyboard/mouse as they did before, including with the Universal OnLive Wireless Controller.

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One of the most critically acclaimed games of all time, Resident Evil 4 catapulted the series in a new direction, with a strong focus on all-out action as Leon S. Kennedy battled hordes of cultists, mutants and mind-controlled villagers. Now available for the first time on Xbox 360 and PS3, the release also contains all the bonus content available in previous versions of the game, including the Separate Ways epilogue.

Resident Evil CODE: Veronica X will be available on Xbox LIVE Games on Demand on 27^th September and PSN on 28^th September across Europe. Both titles will cost €19.99.

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The multi-player demo will feature 2 of our breathtaking competitive modes:

• Tag: Touch the tagged vehicle to get tag, and keep it as long as you can to score
• Trail Blazer: Follow the yellow vehicle and battle to stay in the trails to score

The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 single player demo of Driver San Francisco is also currently available on Xbox LIVE and PSN.

Driver San Francisco will ship in the UK on September 2^nd, 2011 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii.

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Mad Catz Interactive today announced the worldwide shipping of the AX 120 Stereo Gaming Headset, launched under their TRITTON professional gaming audio brand and for use with the Xbox 360.

Offering a unique combination of audio quality, comfort and ‘best-in-class’ specifications, the new AX 120 is the first core TRITTON headset to ship across Europe and North America simultaneously.

Powered by USB and featuring precision tuned 40mm speakers with Neodymium magnets, the TRITTON AX 120 offers the gamer a high value entry into the world of professional gaming audio, without the need to sacrifice quality. High-fidelity stereo sound can be tweaked to the preference of the gamer when used with Xbox 360, thanks to the in-line remote which allows chat and background audio levels to be individually adjusted. An in-line breakaway junction ensures trip-safe gaming, while the durable circumaural ear cup design, and noise isolating earpads prove ideal for extended gaming.

With an MSRP of $59.99 / £49.99 / 59.99 Euro, the TRITTON AX 120 joins the full range of TRITTON branded headsets, recently introduced across key European territories. Products shipping as part of the complete TRITTON range include:

• · TRITTON AX Pro: Dolby Digital True 5.1 Gaming Headset – Xbox 360 / PS3

For the serious gamer and committed audio connoisseur, the TRITTON AX Pro offers gamers a truly authentic Dolby Digital 5.1 audio experience. Different from Dolby Headphone technology, the AX Pro utilizes no less than 8 precision-balanced speakers (4 inside each ear cup) which accurately reproduce 5.1 surround sound with no need to emulate or simulate the experience in any way. Inside each ear cup, the AX Pro houses a front speaker, center speaker, rear speaker and subwoofer. By providing a full 4 speaker configuration inside each ear cup, the AX Pro replicates a typical 5.1 home cinema installation, providing gamers with a truly realistic and unparalleled audio experience. Individual backlit volume controls are located on the handy in-line remote and allow gamers to fine-tune each channel (front, rear, center, subwoofer), at the touch of a button, without hiding controls away on the ear cup. The in-line remote allows pro-gamers to dial-in the exact sound field needed to get a competitive advantage including raising rear drivers levels and adjusting the bass. Premium-quality ear pads deliver hours of gaming comfort for extended gaming sessions and a detachable, flexible microphone transmits crystal-clear voice commands to teammates over Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network. Perfect for gaming, the AX Pro is also highly adept at reproducing 5.1 movie soundtracks without disturbing others!

MSRP: £149.99 / 179.99 Euro

• · TRITTON AX 720 – Dolby Headphone Gaming Headset – Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3

Utilizing premium Dolby Headphone technology the TRITTON AX 720 Gaming Headset puts the gamer in the middle of a highly immersive 5.1 sound field. Complete with a discrete amplifier box which allows up to two headsets to be driven simultaneously (Second headset sold separately) the AX 720 decodes the 5.1 sound signal delivered by the console, outputting the sound through high-fidelity 40mm Neodymium drivers. Optimized for use with Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network, the detachable flexible microphone broadcasts crystal-clear voice commands to friends or teammates. Individual chat and game volume controls are located on the handy in-line remote allowing gamers full access to audio adjustments at their fingertips, with no need to blindly search for controls on the ear cups themselves.

MSRP: £129.99 / 149.99 Euro

• · TRITTON AX 180 Stereo Gaming Headset – Xbox 360 / PS3

The TRITTON AX 180 delivers high-performance stereo gaming headsets designed specifically for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Featuring precision balanced speakers for rich, full stereo audio, the AX 180 is equipped with a host of innovative features; notable attributes include an advanced communication system with independent game and voice volume control for Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network chat. Gamers have full access to their audio controls via a handy in-line remote located between the headset and console. By providing all necessary controls in the palm of the hand, gamers have more chance to concentrate on their gaming instead of searching aimlessly for the volume. Precision-balanced speakers provide rich, full stereo audio, while the detachable, flexible microphone delivers crystal-clear voice communication.

MSRP: £69.99 / 79.99 Euro

Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “We believe the TRITTON AX 120 represents an ideal entry into the world of professional gaming audio. Following our recently announced agreement with Microsoft to produce a range of licensed, co-branded audio headphones, we believe the TRITTON brand will go from strength-to-strength in 2011 and we’re delighted that gamers in multiple territories are now able to enjoy the value and quality offered by the TRITTON brand.”

The TRITTON AX 120 Stereo Gaming Headset is available from store.gameshark.net and other leading video game retailers.

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The Higher Learning add-on packs include exciting additional exercises and brand-new gameplay modes for players to engage their minds and bodies as they solve math, logic, reflex, memory and physical related exercises with the Kinect for Xbox 360 sensor. Higher Learning I will be available on the 23^rd of March, and Higher Learning II will arrive end of April.

In Dr. Kawashima’s Body and Brain Exercises, the Higher Learning add-on packs will continue to stimulate fans’ minds by adding two new exercises into a player’s daily routine and new modes to certain exercises found within the main game. Endless Edition Mode challenges players to exercise for as long as possible until they make a mistake. Duel Mode pits two players against each other in a battle of wits. Score more points than your opponent to win! These modes will work with selected exercises in each Higher Learning pack.

Dr. Kawashima’s Body and Brain Exercises was developed under the supervision of renowned Japanese neuroscientist Dr. Ryuta Kawahima and challenges players of all ages and skill level to exercise both their minds and bodies with fun, fast-paced mini-games. The unique full-body motion Kinect for Xbox 360 sensor allows a player’s body and mind to work in unison as they get off the couch to work out problems in their heads and complete the answer with specific physical actions.

Higher Learning I – Available on the 23^rd of March 2011 (400 Microsoft Points)

Exercises

• · Hit and Step – Memorize the order of hand and feet icons as they appear onscreen.
• · Figure It Out – Select the allotted shapes to construct a duplicate of the model object.

Endless Edition Mode

• · Traffic Control – Create bridges with your arms to safely guide vehicles to the other side of the screen.
• · Math Jock – Kick the soccer ball with the correct solution to the math problem at the top of the screen.

Duel Mode

• · What Time Is It? – Move your arms like the hour and minutes hand of a clock to point out the displayed time.
• · Touch ‘n Go – Use your hands to help keep PAC-MAN and Pooka safe from the Ghosts.

Higher Learning II – Available end of April (400 Microsoft Points)

Exercises

• · Mime Games – Strike the same pose as the on-screen avatar.
• · Even Split – Split the Ferris Wheel into two equal halves!

Endless Edition Mode

• · Mouse Mayhem – Hit the mice with your hands and feet as they appear!
• · Touch ‘n Go – Use your hands to help keep PAC-MAN and Pooka safe from the Ghosts.

Duel Mode

• · Follow the Arrows – Use your arms to mimic the arrows that light up on screen.
• · Strike a Pose – Mimic the pose of the missing avatar.

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In conjunction with Sony Pictures Consumer Products, Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime is now available on Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 and Windows PC Download at Steam and Atari.com. Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime will be released on PlayStation Network on March 30^th.

Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime is a four player, ghost busting adventure that will take players on a brand new paranormal experience. Players will suit up with their proton packs and assume the role of a rookie hired by the Ghostbusters to save New York City from a disaster of ghoulish proportions in either single player, or cooperative (online or local).

The action-packed gameplay progresses as players explore a series of haunted environments that must be cleared of any ectoplasmic threats. The gripping adventure rages on as players encounter gigantic bosses that require a concentrated effort to defeat using a medley of highly destructive weapons including the Proton Stream, Plasma Inductor, and the Fermion Shock. The rookie Ghostbusters will face the dangers of the eerie world alone or with a ghost busting team of friends both locally or online through the game’s multiplayer capability.

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In Stacking, one of 2011’s most critically acclaimed downloadable titles, players joined the adventures of little Charlie Blackmore as he rescued his chimney sweeping family from the clutches of the industrialist known only as the Baron. Charlie’s unique ability to stack into dolls larger than himself and use their abilities to overcome challenges was the key to his success.

In The Lost Hobo King, Charlie travels to the kingdom of Camelfoot to help his hobo friend Levi with an important family matter. Levi’s uncle Rufus, heir to the throne of Hobo, may only take his rightful place if the lost crown can be found. To recover the fragmented crown, Charlie must use his unique talents to overcome several tests of valor left by the ancient hobo mystics. It is only then that the ancient crown can be re-forged, Rufus crowned, and the fractured hobo people united under one sardine.

The Lost Hobo King downloadable pack extends the Stacking experience with features that include:

• · An all-new storyline sprinkled with Double Fine’s signature charm;
• · A fully realized environment to explore – the lost hobo kingdom of Camelfoot;
• · Several new challenges, each with multiple solutions;
• · More than 15 new unique dolls, each with new abilities;
• · A new set of mischief making hi-jinks to discover and enjoy;
• · New achievements and trophies to earn.

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Released today by Activision, Treyarch’s Call of Duty: Black Ops First Strike adds five all new intense maps spanning the globe.

“Berlin Wall” enlists players across both sides of Cold War. Berlin; “Stadium” delivers fast-paced, close-quarters combat within the backdrop of a sports complex; “Discovery” features an abandoned German outpost set along the coast of Antarctica; “Kowloon” pits players onto the tiered levels of high-rises and rooftops of Kowloon City, Hong Kong.  And for Zombie fans the world over, Call of Duty: Black Ops First Strike also features an all new Zombie experience. The new level, “Ascension,” pits players against hoards of vicious, perk-stealing Zombie Monkeys, flesh-eating Soviet Zombies and more in a trap-filled, Cold War era cosmodrome.

“The First Strike map pack significantly expands the intense experience for the millions of fans enjoying Call of Duty: Black Ops on the PS3 every day,” said Mark Lamia, Studio Head, Treyarch. “Across each of First Strike’s multiplayer maps and the newest Zombie level, we have created unique experiences that will appeal to everyone playing online in the PSN Call of Duty community around the world.”

We reviewed the First Strike DLC when it was first released as a timed exclusive pack on the 360.  Check out what we had to say.

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