Call of Duty Black Ops 2: Vengeance
The second half of Black Ops 2 DLC has arrived! Vengeance seems to have a centralized theme: up close and personal. The quad set of multiplayer maps and an "underground" zombies foray are all restricted in terms of available foot path. The result? Tight proximity that will test the limits of your reflexes and quick draw accuracy. Will this third download also be a charm?
NCAA Football 14
Our yearly "tide us over until the season starts" is here. From EA Sports comes the latest in the virtual college football realm that features the Infinity Engine 2 as the main stage headliner. IE2's strong effect on gameplay, added emphasis on "team" based modes, and awesome presentation create what we come to expect from this game: a very solid experience.
The Howling
I wonder how many folks have been "howling" for this to appear on Blu-ray? Shout! Factory appeases those with this release directed by Joe Dante and starring Dee Wallace and Patrick Macnee. And though I would describe this as just a cut above most cheesy horror entries, the real draw to this new printing is the lengthy extras section.
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger
You know what they say, shoot first and, uh, shoot again! Ubisoft and Techland ride together to bring the latest installment into the Juarez series available for download through the LIVE Arcade. And although the experience is a bit linear, the gameplay is spot on, the action is furious, and the "alternative" modes make revisiting this "old west" retreat a pleasant trip.
The Great Escape
Sound the alarm... the HD alarm that is! From MGM comes a 1960s classic with an incredible cast headed by Steve McQueen and James Garner, directed by John Sturges. Based on true events, this tells the triumphant story of Allied POWs with a knack for "flying the coup" that are luckily assigned to the same imprisonment. Fantastic writing, great acting, above average HD conversion, and descriptive...[Read More]
Jack Reacher
Reach out and shift into high-def high gear! From Paramount comes the Blu-ray release of an action adaptation from a novel in Lee Child's book series based on the title character written/directed by Christopher McQuarrie, starring Tom Cruise and Rosamund Pike. Cruise shines in the fightin'/shootin'/drivin' parts of the film, but the "mystery" portion of the program does eventually run a bit dry.
Call of Duty Black Ops 2: Uprising
You can ring the bell on round 2 of DLC for Black Ops 2! Xbox is getting the party started first, as Uprising dropped on LIVE earlier this week. For 1200 MS Points ($15), the 1.7Gb download comes packed with four new "close encounter" multiplayer maps and a ridiculously expansive zombie offering. And although there are less "items" this time around, Mob of the Dead is the quintessential CoD und...[Read More]
Defiance
I have a feeling this sub genre is going to be quite prevalent in the upcoming console generation. The makers of Rift seem to be putting in an early bid. This action MMORPG from Trion features a sci-fi narrative thread stacked with an abundance of gun battles, exploration, and mode variety. This isn't a sterling example of AMMORPGs. But it's solid enough to function, and is a blast to play.
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14: Masters Historic Edition
FORE... teen! EA Sports presents the newest entry into its heralded brand of PGA golf, including the usual cast and courses with some new additions, and a fresh set of exclusive Augusta National related content. The sweet adjustments made to Total Swing Control, a plethora of modes, and on-point presentation creates a console country club well worth the price of membership.
Zero Dark Thirty
Apparently, Kathryn Bigelow's "tradecraft" is making stellar war films. From Columbia Pictures and Annapurna Pictures comes a tour-de-force directed by Bigelow and starring Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, and Kyle Chandler. While this may initially come across as just an "account" of the decade long hunt for the most dangerous terrorist in the world, a deeper lens reveals a film with an abundanc...[Read More]
Smashed
Drunk, sober, or somewhere in between, love has its limits. From Sony Pictures Classics comes a low budget, but powerfully emotional indie romantic dramedy directed by James Ponsoldt starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Nick Offerman, and Octavia Spencer. Although a limited scope keeps this project in a simple focus, the story is very worth while and the performances are quite heartfelt...[Read More]
Call of Duty Black Ops 2: Revolution
The first DLC addition for the sensational BO2 multiplayer comes in the form of Revolution. Available for 1200 MS Points, or as part 1 for season pass holders, this initial installment packages: four multiplayer maps, an new SMG (first downloadable weapon for Black Ops), a fresh zombie play land, and an additional zombies match type.