The BioShock team has pulled off another masterpiece. One that expands the mythology, but doesn’t lose any of the mystery. One that introduces fascinating new settings and characters, but doesn’t forget or neglect those previously established. One that gives the player devastating new power, but balances that with devastating new fear. One that takes chances and makes changes, but almost always for the better.
Thev’ve pulled off Bioshock 2!

Bioshock 2 begins as you take control of one of the first Big Daddies, a prototype called Delta, who must find his way across the Rapture of 10 years later in search of Eleanor, the Little Sister to whom he was bonded. Along the way he is taunted by Lamb, who believes he is nothing less than a threat to the future of humanity, and like his predecessor in the first game the people he meets on the way help to explain his past, while your behaviour towards them has the potential to define the future.

Once again you are equipped with plasmids and standard weapons, but now you can use both at once, loosing genetic powers with one hand and regular projectiles with the other. You can cycle between alternatives in each category, or pause the action momentarily to change your loadout through quick-to-use radial menus. As a Big Daddy you have access to new weapons, too, including a drill, a magnificent spear gun that pins enemies to walls by their appendages, and a grenade launcher the size of a filing cabinet.

The weapons are better. The plasmids are better. The enemies are better. At some points, even the storytelling is better. What’s most amazing and surprising about Bioshock 2, however, is that by diving deeper into Rapture’s tortured history and exploring more of Rapture’s haunted world, it actually manages to make the original BioShock better, too.

Get into Bioshock 2 now for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC; it retails (even underwater) for less than US $ 59.99 (check latest price!)

Dante’s Inferno is available at last for PS3, XBox 360 and PSP, but who really dares?

In Dante’s Inferno, players assume the role of Dante as he travels on an epic descent through Dante Alighieri’s nine circles of Hell – limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery. Players assume the role of Dante, who descends into Hell after returning home to find his beloved Beatrice murdered, with Lucifer seducing her soul into the underworld. His mission is to save Beatrice, but he soon realizes he is also in Hell to face his own demons and ultimately to redeem himself.

To take down the demons of Hell, Dante is outfitted with two primary weapons: the Scythe he takes from Death and the Holy Cross given to him by Beatrice, which has spiritual powers that will help Dante collect souls and spells from the creatures he defeats on his journey. The game also features a deep upgrade system so gamers can customize their abilities to their specific gameplay style. Each circle showcases its own distinct look, with demons, monsters, damned and geography that are crafted straight from the poem’s vivid descriptions.

Key Game Features

• Epic story adapted from the first book of the Medieval Italian classic The Divine Comedy, by Dante Alighieri.
• Nonstop action as you fight through Dante’s allegorical nine circles of hell.
• Wield the power of Death’s soul-reaping scythe.
• Beautiful fast-paced action and intense combat rendered at 60 frames-per-second.
• Choice-based finishes with enemies that allow players to punish the damned, or absolve them as they are defeated.
• Over 60 weapons, magic and combo upgrades and modifications.
• Huge destructive, ridable mounts that can be taken from defeated enemies.

Dante’s Inferno is available now for $56.99 (order quickly and save 5% with FREE Super Saver Shipping).

Prototype lets gamers feel the power of being the ultimate shape-shifting weapon
No conspiracy here… we promise…
Activision Publishing, Inc. confirmed that the long-awaited open-world action thriller video game Prototype will ship on June 9th!

You are the PROTOTYPE, Alex Mercer, hiding in human form. You step out onto the streets of New York with no memory, but limitless power. As a terrifying viral epidemic sweeps across Manhattan, top-secret Black Watch Special Forces move in, transforming it into a war zone. Delve into the mysteries of your origin, the true nature of your power and your part in a conspiracy 40 years in the making.

Fast and deadly combat: Shape-shift your body to the situation at hand … from claws to blades to hammers to whips, as you choose the right weapon for the situation. Change to shield or armor for defense or use advanced sensory powers (thermal vision, infected vision) to track your enemies.
Over-the-top locomotion: Seamlessly and fluidly bound from building to building, run up walls, bounce off cars and everything in your path. Adaptive parkour lets you move freely through the open-world environments of New York City.

Unique disguising abilities: Consume anyone at anytime, take on their appearance and assume their memories and special abilities.
Prototype features Deep conspiracy-driven storyline: Wake up with no memory of the past … just mysterious powers and a link to a town in Idaho. Delve into the mysteries of your origin, the true nature of your power and your part in a conspiracy 40 years in the making.

[PG 13 Warning! may not be suitable for under 13]

Price is US $ 59.99, if you dare!

World’s largest online retailer offering gift cards in return for old video games.

E-commerce giant Amazon has unveiled a video game trade-in program, offering customers gift cards to the most popular store on the Web in return for old video games.

It’s a move that could position Amazon to better capitalize on one of the healthier media segments: games. Reselling used games also could be potentially lucrative for the world’s largest online retailer, considering that prices on pre-played titles can still remain fairly high while still representing a discount from the $50 and $60 cost of new products.

Amazon is accepting old games from the major console systems, including Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation. The online retail giant is not accepting PC games, however, a move that has garnered criticism in the site’s discussion forum.

Check here for Amazon’s video game trade-in program.

What’s best next to a (already gorgeous) PlayStation 3?
PS3-level accessories and hit games!
Rock Band 2 for PS3, for example!
Rock Band 2 lets you and your friends take your band on an even more expansive and immersive world tour - in person or online - and continue your rock and roll fantasy.
Harmonix, deliver Rock Band 2, the next step to the platform that lets audiences of all ages interact with music in an all-new way. Rock Band 2 lets players vicariously jam out as some of the best guitarists, bassists, drummers and singers of all time.

Featuring a track list with more than 100 on-disc and downloadable tracks from some of the most hallowed bands of the rock pantheon, Rock Band 2 by challenges rockers to master lead guitar, bass guitar, drums and vocals.

Wanna get pro with rock music? Get yourself real instruments such as the Rock Band 2 Double Cymbal Expansion Kit!
Mad Catz Rock Band 2 Double Cymbal Expansion Kit provides the means for you to drum like the pros do with velocity- sensitive Crash, Ride, and Hi-Hat cymbals. With the easy-to-install mounting brackets, you have total control and can setup your drum kit in any configuration you see fit. Once your drum kit has been customized to your standards, you¿ll be all set to attack your song library with new vigor and achieve the next step in drumming perfection.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, the third game from the Guitar Hero series is going to rock your face off.
You will channel your inner guitar god as you thrash your way through all sorts of venues. In addition to standard Guitar Hero features you know and adore, this game has all kinds of killer new options such as the new multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a bevy of exclusive unlockable content, and authentic rock venues. The expanded online multiplayer game modes will also allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true legendary rock status. Best of all, check out the new songs! Fresh downloadable content will be offered on multiple platforms, and players can now shred to a set list from many of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. Featured hits include:

Barracuda (as made famous by Heart)Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock comes bundled with the all-new Gibson Les Paul wireless guitar controller. The exclusive Gibson guitars include innovative features such as removable faceplates allowing fans to personalize their guitars making them their own, and a new button color design that will be integrated for an even greater authentic feel and rock experience.

Sony is rolling out firmware 1.80 for its PlayStation 3. This latest update will add resolution upscaling capability for PlayStation and PlayStation 2 titles, as well as bring DVD playback to full 1080p resolution when viewed on compatible HDTVs. Further enhancements include Remote Play functionality for the PlayStation Portable (PSP), which allows users to access their PlayStation 3 consoles remotely from its portable little brother using any available wireless connection. Moreover, Sony is boosting the PS3 as a media hub for the front room, adding the ability to network the console with home PCs to stream media content on to TV sets.

In related news, VoIP service Jajah has made an update to its website that streamlines it for use on the PS3. As voipstage.com reports, Jajah lets you register with your “home phone number, then when you want to call someone you enter their number into your browser and Jajah will dial your phone and connect you directly”, doing away with headsets as it uses your existing handset (or mobile phone). The service is free between Jajah users.

Microsoft is today set to launch the Elite version of its Xbox 360 console, a substantial upgrade which clearly targets competing next gen gamestations like Sony’s Playstation 3. The new console comes with reworked looks (sleek black surfaces with metallic detailing) a bigger storage space of 120GB and HDMI port to drive High Definition TV sets. Included in the package are HDMI and component cables, Xbox Live headset, and a wireless game controller.

The white clad Premium and Core packages of the console remain available alongside this new beefed up version, which is set to retail at $749.99.

MotorStorm is, despite a few flaws, a great launch title for Sony PlayStation 3.
On the surface it looks like an arcade-style racer that allows you to recklessly hurtle around various canyon-themed courses while smashing into other vehicles. In reality it’s a tough racer that requires real driving skill and time to lean the correct route through each of the courses. MotorStorm’s got that next-gen “wow” factor but it’s one of the deepest launch titles for the PlayStation 3.

Before you get too excited, it’s worth noting that this depth is spread thinly over only two game modes. You get the core single-player festival mode that sees you enter in race after race in a variety of off-road vehicles, and online play. We’re used to launch titles being a little bare bones but MotorStorm really is lacking, although more expansions are promised through upcoming content downloads.

Thankfully, the festival mode is highly entertaining - at least once you’ve realized how much concentration needs to go into every race. The goal is to work through a series of racing tickets, each home to a handful of events. Each successful finish earns you points, which are needed to unlock later tickets. It’s pretty standard racing game progression, but the racing is anything but. You’ll be tasked with competing in bikes, trucks, rally cars, buggies and mud pluggers, and it’s this variety that makes MotorStorm stand out as a must own PS3 racer.