The question on many gamers mind is: “Why isn’t Brett Favre in the game?”. Well, technically he is in the game, but instead of being on any of the NFL Team Rosters, he’s included on the Madden Legends Roster, with a rating of 99 (everyone on Legends is 99). The reason why Favre isn’t currently on any roster is really Favre’s fault, because in 2 seperate interviews asking whether or not he was going to come out of retirement, he declined, stating that he would stay retired. Don’t be to worried though, because from the looks of it, Brett Favre will be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer at the earliest Wednesday (today), which would allow for a simple roster update to get him on the game. When asking EA about what Favre’s possible ranking would be, the answer was “probably mid-nineties”. Not to bad for a guy who does Wrangler commercials, has white hair and sponsors drugs for 40+ year old men.

Other then the Favre questions, one very cool new feature to the game will be the custom Touchdown Dance. Yes, it took until Madden 09, but finally users will be able to decide how their players celebrate their touchdown. Whether it be LaDanians football flip, or the ever popular Lambeou Leap, players will run into the “hot spot” and simply push the corresponding button to the celebration. Apparently there are over 85 celebrations, and each one can be added to any player. Pretty cool huh?

Overall, Madden 09 looks to be the best in the 20th anniversary of the Madden series. Who knows though, considering it’s EA, it’s always possible to be dissapointed. NCAA Football 09 was released 1-2 months ago, and right now that’s easily the best football game out.

From what I’ve read, there are going to be 2 new maps added, which will only add to the blood, violence, gore and destruction of the enemy, and the landscape. One of the maps is called Day One, which resembles a city-type landscape filled with buildings, movie theaters, and other places built for strategic sniping operations. Another new map is called Avalanche, which is exactly what you think, a giant map of snow.

Following these new maps is a brand new game play mode that without question will better your gaming experience. The mode is called Horde, and it allows for 5 human players to join up against wave after wave of AI-controlled enemies. Of course there is still going to be a featured campaign mode for you and a friend to fight through, but the new Horde mode is definitely something that all players of the game will greatly enjoy. With each successful wave destroyed, a new one will emerge with more and more enemies coming your way. It’ll get to the point that once you kill something, another enemy is breathing down your back ready to revenge it’s buddies death. The game play will surely keep gamers at the edge of their seats (and controllers), with more and more bad guys coming your way.

One of the new enemies that your sure to enjoy is called the Ticker, which looks like a funny little white dog with stubby legs, which as it gets closer and closer, by the time it’s at your feet, you hear “tick, tick, BOOM!”. That’s right, this little sucker has a time bomb strapped to it’s back, and when it gets close enough you’ll hear the “tick, tick”, and then it blows. Once you hear it, you’ll be looking all over on the ground to shoot the little sucker before it brings you down with it.

Horde also entertains players with a variety of new Boomers with new armor and weapons. Some feature flamethrowers with gas tanks, others have a shield with an explosive flail, and the last kind are the Mulchers, who carries “Mulcher” guns similar to the gatling gun.

Beyond that there are even more new enemies that are yet to be scene, along with plenty of other features that Epic is keeping under wraps. Good for them, but even better for the gamer, because GoW2 will definitely blow away GoW. Besides, how terrifying do you think it’ll be when you have 20 some odd random enemies coming right at you? Spawning in all different directions, and your only option is blow them all away.

Happy Gaming!

Turning it up to 11, Guitar Hero fans will channel their inner rock god using Gibson Guitar’s Les Paul and Kramer models as the industry standard. In addition, players will experience an incredible number of newly added features and explosive content including a new multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a bevy of exclusive unlockable content and authentic rock venues. Expanded online multiplayer game modes will also allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true legendary rock status.

While continuing to retain all the key features from their prior legendary performances, fresh downloadable content will be offered on multiple platforms, and players can now shred to a killer set list from many of the gnarliest rock songs ever recorded. Delivering more master tracks than ever before, strategic partnerships have been secured with all the major and independent music record labels and publishers to allow unrivaled access to their deep history of music catalogs, along with supplying artists’ original recordings for even greater authenticity.

The initial list of face-melting awesomeness includes: * Paint It Black (by The Rolling Stones) * Cherub Rock (by Smashing Pumpkins) * Sabotage (by Beastie Boys) * The Metal (by Tenacious D) * My Name is Jonas (by Weezer) * Knights of Cydonia (by Muse) * Rock And Roll All Nite (as made famous by Kiss) * School’s Out (as made famous by Alice Cooper) * Slow Ride (as made famous by Fog Hat) * Cult of Personality (by Living Colour) * Barracuda (as made famous by Heart)

For the first time ever, Guitar Hero fans will also be able to thrash and burn with new wireless guitar controllers available for each platform. The exclusive Gibson guitars will include innovative features such as removable faceplates that will allow fans to later personalize their guitars and make it their own, and a new button color design that will be integrated for an even greater authentic feel and rock experience. Gibson Guitar’s Les Paul model will be the battle axe of choice, and an industry standard for all rock gods on the Xbox 360(TM), PLAYSTATION(R)3 system, and Wii(TM). After much anticipation, PlayStation(R)2 system fans will also be receiving a new exclusive shape as well, the classic Kramer guitar, also a Gibson brand, popularized by hard rockers and known for its body design, pickups, electronics, and construction for furious finger fretting.

“The development team at Neversoft has been exceptional, and we’ve been able to incorporate a host of fresh new online and multi-player game play modes, along with exciting content into this version of Guitar Hero that our fans have been asking for. Also, many of the top bands and songs we’ve tried to get in the past are now on board, and we’ve definitely got some giant aces in the hole to say the least,” said Dusty Welch, head of publishing at RedOctane. “In addition, offering a new line of Gibson wireless guitars for each platform is going to truly add to the authentic rock star experience like no other.”

The next iteration of Guitar Hero, published by RedOctane(R) and developed by Neversoft, is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information about Guitar Hero, please visit the dedicated community site http://www.guitarherogame.com/.

Microsoft has admitted there’s a problem with Halo 3’s Limited Edition packaging scratching game discs, and is now offering replacements via the Xbox website.

The problem is blamed on the plastic and foam nub in the LE tin designed to hold the discs; it turns out plenty of gamers - including CVG - are opening their copies of Halo to find the discs loose and scratched.

Microsoft’s replacement program lets those unfortunate few download and complete a form to get a working copy for free, with a minimum wait of two weeks. Other games are covered by the program, but you’ll have to pay £10 for anything that isn’t Halo.

In spite of the amazing sales Halo 3 has had since it’s release date, we can see that Microsoft was just as excited to send out the packages, as you were to open them, so they did it half-assed.

You can get ahold of the form yourself here.

The character you will live under is Nikolai “Niko” Bellic, an Eastern European immigrant who comes to the USA seeking the American Dream under the guidance of Niko’s cousin (who’s actually a dead-beat cab driver with massive debt — Niko was unaware of this).

GTA IV features the new world of Liberty City (NYC), and includes the 4 sections of Algonquin (Manhattan), Broker (Brooklyn), Dukes (Queens), and Bohan (Bronx). This is supposed to be the largest city in any of the games, and offers the best graphics seen so far in any of the previous versions. Still, there are some changes to the game.

First, the RPG style that was offered in San Andreas has changed dramatically. You won’t be able to waste your days working out or doing other useless things like getting haircuts and becoming fat. Instead, the developers paid more attention to the actual control and realism of the game. Your car will be supplied with a GPS, allowing for much easier navigation, and hopes that players will actually learn there way around the city, because every street has a unique name. Along with the GPS addition, your character will now be able to hail cab drivers to get around the city faster (yes, cabbies get you there faster!). Though you’ll have to dish out some money, you won’t mind once you complete your missions faster. Of course you’ll still have the option to steal cars, but smashing the window, breaking the steering column and then hot wiring the car will take longer then in the past. This will give more of a chance to you getting BUSTED!

As for the police, the developers really want the player to make use of the radar, and when trying to escape from police this will be especially important. In order to get your wanted level down you will have to get out of the red perimeter shown in your radar. This red circle represents where the police are searching for you. Even when you are within the red circle you won’t always be seen. Now there is more of a “cat and mouse” option to the game, where if the police are not looking directly at you, they will not be able to see you. The high speed chases will prove to be more intense (as usual), because the amount of damage your car can take has definitely dropped to a more realistic level. You will still be able to have those massive gun battles (though they are much more limited now), but be careful because your enemies feature much more accuracy in this game. Accompanied by this you now have the option to cover and “blind fire”, though it will be interesting to see this in action.

For your ammunition you will no longer be able to go see your favorite gun dealers in the city. Instead, you make a phone call to your Rastafarian gun dealer who drops off your weaponry at whatever location you desire. With this, you will also have a cell phone, being able to contact anyone by the touch of a button. There is a high level of technology used in this game, where missions include using the internet is some way or another.

The violence, of course, was improved in all areas. There is much more realism in the game, and the cock-backing of the head from a point blank bullet was proof enough. Not to mention the amount of blood squirting from the wound, the graphics are very realistic.

Overall, I’m extremely excited to see this game, and am not surprised by some of the changes made. Especially in regards to the RPG style of the game, I was never a big fan of it.

Black Eye (Located: Crow’s Nest)

When activated, you will have to battle enemies with melee tactics to regain shield energy.

Catch (Located: The Storm)

When activated, enemies will throw more grenades.

Famine (Located: The Ark)

When activated, dropped weapons will hold less ammunition.

Fog (Located: Floodgate)

When activated, the motion tracker disappears.

Iron (Located: Sierra 117)

When activated, you will be sent back to the beginning of the stage you’re on when you die instead of to the last checkpoint.

Mythic (Located: Halo)

When activated, all enemies will have twice as much health.

Thunderstorm (Located: The Covenant)

When activated, enemies will be of a higher rank.

Tilt (Located: Cortana)

When activated, enemies will become more resilient to your attacks.

Tough Luck (Located: Tsavo Highway)

When activated, enemies are skilled at getting away from projectiles such as grenades.

• EOD (Body) - Complete Tsavo Highway (on Legendary)
• EOD (Head) - Complete the campaign mode (on Legendary)
• EOD (Shoulders) - Complete The Ark (on Legendary)
• EVA (Body) - Complete Tsavo Highway (on Normal, Heroic, or Legendary)
• EVA (Head) - Complete the campaign mode (on Normal)
• EVA (Shoulders) - Complete The Ark (on Normal, Heroic, or Legendary)
• Mark V (Head) - Get the UNSC Spartan Achievement
• ODST (Head) - Get the Spartan Graduate Achievement
• Rogue (Head) - Get the Spartan Officer Achievement
• Scout (Body) - Get the Too Close to the Sun Achievement
• Scout (Head) - Get the Used Car Salesman Achievement
• Scout (Shoulders) - Get the We’re in for Some Chop Achievement
• Security (Head) - Get 1,000 Gamerscore Points
• Security (Shoulders) - Get 750 Gamerscore Points

• Ascetic (Body) - Get the Up Close and Personal Achievement
• Ascetic (Head) - Get the Steppin’ Razor Achievement
• Ascetic (Shoulders) - Get the Overkill Achievement
• Commando (Body) - Get the Triple Kill Achievement
• Commando (Head) - Get the Overkill Achievement
• Commando (Shoulders) - Get the Killing Frenzy Achivement
• Flight (Body) - Complete Tsavo Highway (on Heroic or Legendary)
• Flight (Head) - Complete the campaign mode (on Legendary or Heroic)
• Flight (Shoulders) - Complete The Ark (on Heroic or Legendary)

Achievements:

Hint: Easy goals:

Hold Speedburst while on a break away then hold X for a slap shot. Always take the shot at an angle. You will score about 95% of the time.


Hold Speedburst when on a breakaway then deke and try to get a back hander. You will score about 98% of the time.
jackie boy.


Hint: Cheaper players:

Get all the best players on a team. Make a franchise and play. Near the end of the year (season or playoffs) make all your players bad and sign them. You will be able to get them for cheap.


Hint: Avoiding bad phone calls:

To avoid bad phone calls just save the game and answer the call. If it is a bad call, reload the game and try again.


Thanks to Game Winners