• Reviews

  Chime Review: Tune In, Drop Out

  There are plenty of games around that are built to be played any time. There are few, sadly, that specialise in being played under select conditions. Like if you’re stressed. Or have stumbled home from the pub at 3am. A puzzle game we’ve featured previously on Kotaku, Chime may at first glance appear familiar. You…

  By Luke Plunkett Published February 16, 2010
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  PoP: The Forgotten Sands Taps The Wii’s “Full Graphical Capabilities”

  Ubisoft has revealed new details about the Wii version of Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, a game with its own storyline that promises a “smooth, clear and impressive graphical experience on Wii.” Shipping on May 18th along with its Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 cohorts, the Wii version of Prince of Persia: The Forgotten…

  By Mike Fahey Published February 16, 2010
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  More Xbox “Programming” Coming After Success of 1 vs. 100

  When it launched, Xbox Live game show 1 vs. 100 was an experiment. Its success could mean a whole new slate of television-like programming for the gaming console. “1 vs. 100 was an entirely new space for us,” said Aaron Greenberg, director of Product Management for Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE. “In many ways we…

  By Brian Crecente Published February 16, 2010
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  First Screens From Assassin’s Creed II’s Bonfire Of The Vanities

  Ubisoft’s Christophe Grandjean is giving Twitpic a workout this morning, Twittering the first two screenshots of Assassin’s Creed II’s second dose of downloadable content, Bonfire of the Vanities. Ezio faces off against the mad monk Saconarola in the top screen. In the bottom screen he’s surveying some of the new area in Florence he’ll be…

  By Mike Fahey Published February 16, 2010
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  Toy Story 3 Game Delves Deeper Into The Toy Box

  While a portion of Disney Interactive’s video game adaptation will follow the events of the animated movie, its Toy Box mode will allow players to create their own adventures using the franchises iconic characters. Props to developer Avalanche Software for thinking outside of the toy box. Or inside of the Toy Box. However you put…

  By Mike Fahey Published February 16, 2010
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  90 Minute Darksiders Demo Coming to PS3, 360

  Darksiders turned out to be quite a polarizing game, with people loving or hating it. Now you can decide which camp you’re in when a chunky demo of the game hits later this month. The 90-minute demo, which hits the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 on Feb. 25, contains the Twilight Cathedral, the entire first…

  By Brian Crecente Published February 16, 2010
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  2009 BAFTA Video Game Award Nominees Are In

  The annual British Academy Video Game Awards has revealed this year’s nominees, with Assassin’s Creed II, Uncharted 2, Modern Warfare 2, and Arkham Asylum poised to win big, and the GAME Award of 2009 awaiting your votes. Aside from nominations for FIFA and Football Manager, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts’ 2009 video…

  By Mike Fahey Published February 16, 2010
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  Hitler Stares Into The Memeverse, Sees Himself Staring Back

  Of all the things that make Hitler angry, nothing angers him more than not being able to create a video of something making him angry. Since the original Hitler video parody video hit YouTube, the führer has lashed out against everything from being banned on Xbox Live to not being able to preorder Modern Warfare…

  By Mike Fahey Published February 16, 2010
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  Oz Attorney General Fears Gamers More Than Outlaw Bikers

  South Australian Attorney General and the only politician standing between Australia and a mature rating for video games, says that he’s more at risk from gamers than motorcycle gangs. “I feel that my family and I are more at risk from gamers than we are from the outlaw motorcycle gangs who also hate me and…

  By Brian Crecente Published February 16, 2010
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  At Last, A Keyboard With A LOL Button

  The Fast Finger keyboard was made for people, mainly children, who are not yet comfortable with the QWERTY layout of most keyboards. It’s also made for people who’d love to use just one button to type TTYL, L8R or BRB. I saw this keyboard at Toy Fair 2010 in New York City yesterday in one…

  By Stephen Totilo Published February 16, 2010
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  Talk Amongst Yourselves

  Not everything can be as good as Ico. Not even TAY. But we try, don’t we? Do your best and comment here about video games. Confused about commenting on Kotaku? Read our FAQ.

  By Stephen Totilo Published February 16, 2010
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  Beyond Halo, Marathon, Myth, Oni, What’s Next For Bungie

  As Bungie works to finish up what they say will be the best Halo game ever produced they’re also hard at work at something else, their first non-Halo game in more than ten years. “For all intents and purposes this will be Bungie’s final Halo game,” said Brian Jarrard, Bungie’s community director. “I don’t think…

  By Brian Crecente Published February 16, 2010
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  CHOCOLATE HANGOVER

  To: Crecente From: Bashcraft RE: How Would I have Texted for Help? Too. Much. Chocolate. No, make that, too many truffles. And I still haven’t polished off my chocolate beer, yet! What you missed last night Uncharted 2’s DLC Screens Look Strangely Familiar Hustle Kings Micro-Review: The Color of Fun First L.A. Noire Screens Are…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published February 16, 2010
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  The Sonic The Hedgehog Room, The Hotel Room

  On February 13, the Sonic the Hedgehog roller-coaster opened at the Alton Towers Resort in the U.K. The them park offers a “ride and stay experience”. What is that like? The Sonic room is 312, and website Girl Gamers UK got to check it out, writing, “Opening the door on arrival the first thing we…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published February 16, 2010
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  Square Enix Attempts To Explain Low Western Reviews

  Reviews and reactions for Final Fantasy XIII have been mixed. Some love it. Some don’t. But Final Fantasy XIII director Motomu Toriyama claims to know why Western critics might not dig the game. “We think many reviewers are looking at Final Fantasy XIII from a western point of view,” says Toriyama in a recent issue…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published February 16, 2010
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  Nintendo, You Missed This Marketing Opportunity

  For those saying “bwah”, see here and here.

  By Luke Plunkett Published February 16, 2010
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  British Sales Charts: Darling It’s Better, Down Where It’s Wetter…

  Perhaps because it features environments that are wet, rather than covered in ice, Britons flocked last week to stores to get hold of BioShock 2, which has promptly knocked Just Dance from the nation’s video gaming pedestal. The 360 version took top honours for the week, while the PS3 came in at #3. Even the…

  By Luke Plunkett Published February 16, 2010
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  “Large Franchise” With “Zany Ideas” Coming To Project Natal

  A job listing spotted by website CVG appears to hint that a “large franchise” is coming to Project Natal. This job listing also serves as a very important reminder — namely, not to use the word “zany”. Here’s the Microsoft Games Studio listing: We are developing interactive and creative content for Project Natal. If you…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published February 16, 2010
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  Burnout Paradise Drives Off (Cheaply) Into The Sunset

  With Criterion no longer providing downloadable content for Burnout Paradise, one of the generation’s best-supported games is about to slide into the history books. So publisher EA is going to send it off with a bang. EA announced on Friday that, until March 31, you’ll be able to get Burnout Paradise and its roster of…

  By Luke Plunkett Published February 16, 2010
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  Square Enix Keeps Answering Possible Final Fantasy VII Remake Questions

  Because, well, people keep asking Final Fantasy XIII producer Yoshinori Kitase about it. And since he’s a polite guy, he keeps answering those questions. Aw, that’s nice of him! “I don’t get tired of people asking that question,” Kitase told Game Trailers, “so I will continue to answer my thoughts at that time as long…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published February 16, 2010