I currently have it on the download, 31% and counting, I’m watching this like a dog does a washing machine. Words can’t describe how excited I am about getting some new GRAW action, impressions once it hits my HDD in full!

UPDATE - Impressions
Well, after having a blast through this beauty of a demo, I can confirm that GR:AW is better than ever.

The game is pretty much the same as GR:AW, at first glance that is. When the action starts to kick in, you can really appreciate what the guys at Ubisoft have done with the game. The smoke, fire and gun tracing looks simply amazing, the gleams of sun soaking the earth in front of you, everything just looks fantastic. I’m no idiot when it comes to graphics, but I can honestly say that when the game starts you up and you’re rolling in a jeep - I thought it was an FMV, I kid thee not, this is truly a wonderful game to look at.

The sound seems pretty up-to scratch too, chopper’s blades thundering above you, and the ever-so glorious sound of your semi-automatic letting loose on your enemies to the thundering boom of mortars soaring through the air and smacking the ground 5 feet away from you.

The controls are the same as the last game, to cover you simply run up to a crate or a box and snap up on your left stick (unfortunate for those that have begun to enjoy the simplicity of the Rainbow Six cover system), holding down the right shoulder button lets you get into the more in-depth crosscom system, and everything else is where you’d expect it to be.
The ability to view your team-mates cameras and control vehicles manually is a god-send and really ads to the beauty of the game. I found myself pinned down by 7+ enemy soldiers, mortars flying all about me and a chopper’s railgun pinning down my men. Being able to watch the action through the cross-cam was simply breath-taking.

All in all, I’m heavily impressed, and while the demo was unfortuantely quite short (with a god-awful to be continued smacked on the end), I can say that I’m very very happy with what I’ve played.
Discuss

-Andy

According to Chris Kohler, one of the biggest publishers in the biz is about ready to announce a flood of support for the Nintendo Wii. Konami, who’s already had great success working with the Wii controls via the critically acclaimed Elebits is rumored to be on the verge of announcing several new games for the Wii this week.

With one of the largest franchise libraries in the industry, speculation is already buzzing as to what we may be seeing on the Wii from Konami in the near future. Metal Gear? Castlevania? Or maybe they will even make this bloggers dream come true and bring Suikoden to the Wii. At least we won’t have to take long to find out, that is, unless the rumor mill is just making fools of us all once again.

Discuss this story in our forums.

-EarthViper

Koei, one of the largest publishers in Japan has announced that one of their longest running franchises will be on the Wii this generation. Strategy fans rejoice, Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI is on it’s way to a Wii near you!
Discuss this story in our forums.

-EarthViper

The folks over at Homestar, or rather, Videlectrix, have made a number of their flash games Wii compatible for the Wii internet browser. Playable titles include:

• Strongbad Zone
• Secret Collect
• Kid Speedy
• Population: Tire

I think I’m going to have to try these out myself. The games can be played by visiting www.videlectrix.com/vii/ on the Wii Internet Browser.

Thanks to our Ace-Playa for the heads up! See the original post here.

- Chris (Grohdinger)

Mark Rein not only reveals why the confirmation of UT3 on the 360 took so long, but confirms a dream some of us have been waiting since E3 2005!

Speaking to Game Informer, Epic’s Mark Rein believes that user created content will be featured in the 360 version of Unreal Tournament III. In fact, Rein admits that user created content is the reason the 360 version of UTIII took so long to confirm. According to Rein, Epic was unsure that Microsoft would allow such content to pass through the dreaded certification process (Whatever happened to VelocityGirl?). Whatever the issue was, Rein is now confident that mods should be coming our way.

It’s about time we get some serious user created content on the 360. I only wonder if it’ll appear on the Xbox Live Marketplace or will be completely in game like FarCry’s user created levels.

Thanks to Invader Phlegm for the heads up! See the original post here.

- Chris (Grohdinger)

Today Midway officially announced two new titles slated for the 360 this summer.  Blacksite: Area 51, the sequel to the original Area 51 game released on PC, Xbox and PS2, and Hour of Victory, a WWII 360 exclusive.

“Featuring a powerful single-player campaign, along with multiple online multiplayer modes, BlackSite: Area 51 delivers vicious combat action, next generation graphics and A.I., and a plethora of powerful weapons and vehicles.  Set in present day, players take the role of a decorated military veteran charged by the government to lead a squadron of “secret soldiers,â€? each with his/her own specialty skill set, into the Rachel, Nevada area to fight off the invasion of unidentified enemy races.

..“Gamers will be instantly immersed in the game’s seamless storyline, set in the desert and small towns surrounding Area 51 that feature highly detailed environments that transform themselves into awesome battlefields.  Without question, BlackSite: Area 51 will raise the bar in the next generation FPS genre with its stunning visuals, life-like squad interactions and its multitude of online multiplayer modes.â€? “

Well, the first Area 51 was pretty fun, but nothing spectacular.  A solid shooter, but no redefinition of the genre.  The story was terrible, though, so I’m not sold on their claims of having a seamless storyline.  I hope the squad plays more like Republic Commando than G.R.A.W., personally, because I hate it when my squad mates are too stupid to keep themselves from dying on their on.

Hour of Victory, scheduled to be available exclusively for Xbox 360 in Summer 2007, allows you to play a key role in the pivotal and cinematic battles from the European and North African theaters of World War II, using the skills and gameplay style you choose.  Built with Unreal Engine 3.0, Hour of Victory allows you to sneak into enemy territory as a covert operative, storm the gates as a British commando, or snipe from afar as an Army ranger – each character’s unique attributes will be needed for the fulfillment of the overall objective.  Only with all these skill working closely together will you be able to say that you helped define the Hour of Victory.

What can you say about another WWII FPS?  Not much…

- Chris (Grohdinger)

Yes thats right, Japan is once again seeing a huge list of massive games to hit their precious VC, this one is for Febuary. Lets hope some of these babies hit the EUR and US counterparts soon, or we may just collapse into a flood of angry tears. Check the list below.

NES

• Galaga (500) I’ve never been more happy that VC games are straight ports.
• Hoshi no Kirby (500) Kirby’s Adventure?
• Mighty Bomb Jack (500)

Super NES

• Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (900 - popular games appear to cost more)
• Kamaitachi no Yoru (800) Not even Wikipedia knows what this.
• Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV: Wall of Fire (800)
• Shin Megami Tensei (900)
• Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts (800

Nintendo 64

• Mario Kart 64 (1000) Interestingly, the Japanese are the last to get this one.
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1200)

(more…)

Since September we’ve known Telltale games was looking to bring a new Sam & Max game to the Wii and now it looks like it’s ready to happen.  It’s been thirteen years since the cult hit Sam & Max Hit the Road was released on the PC to rave reviews, now gamers will get to experience the hilarious duo in action once again.

Thanks to Olly for the heads up on the newest break in this story, which you can read about and discuss in our forums.

-EarthViper

The latest edition of Ngamer has an exclusive on a new Wii game - Scarface.

Yes, its another port from last-gen, but this isn’t so bad as it stacks up yet another M game for the Wii. Check out the report from Vooks below:

The latest issue of NGamer has a big exclusive and that is that Scarface: The World Is Yours is heading to the Wii. Launched last year on the Xbox and PS2, Scarface is a “what-if� sequel to the movie.

(more…)

According to our local insomniac BrainBoxLtd, the Wii news channel is live in the states. He’s posted pictures and reports from GameFAQs that it is live in the UK and Australia as well.

You can read more about it in this thread.

- Chris (Grohdinger)