Nerd Rating

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  • Next Mass Effect Will Be Shepard-less

    Series Producer Says Commander Shepard’s Tour Of Duty Is Over.

     
    While this is what most people have thought would happen with the series this is the first time (to my knowledge) that a higher up at Bioware has actually confirmed that the next Mass Effect will feature a new hero…or heroine.

    Fabrice Condominas, a producer at Bioware Montreal, had this to say:

    “There is one thing we are absolutely sure of – there will be no more Shepard, and the trilogy is over. This is really our starting point. Now the Mass Effect universe is vast, and very, very rich. So at this point in time, we don’t even know what kind of time frame we’re going to be in. All we’re doing is more gathering ideas from the teams, gathering feedback to see several things.”

    It will be interesting to see how the Mass Effect universe will continue on after the whole fiasco about the game’s original ending (which I had no problem with) that may have led to the departure of Bioware co-founders Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk from the company earlier this year.

    EA and Bioware are still releasing multiplayer content for Mass Effect 3 on a regular basis and a new single player mission named Omega will release on Xbox 360 on November 27th. You can find my review of the previous Mass Effect 3 single player DLC, Leviathan, here

  • Halo 4 ‘Scanned’ Launch Trailer Is Here

    Watch The Creation Of A Legend.

    Here it is kiddos. The official [amazon_link id=”B0050SYX8W” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Halo 4[/amazon_link] launch trailer titled ‘Scanned’ and produced by Academy Award nominated director David Fincher. But don’t let that scare you off, there aren’t any uncomfortable rape scenes or backwards aging.

    Showing Master Chief, who appears to be captured by the new baddies in the game, Prometheans, he begins to have flashbacks to his childhood and various events that have turned him into the world saver he is today.

    You can always leave it to Halo to have some of the best made trailers in games and this one surely keeps that tradition alive and well.

    Its been a long five years Chief. Welcome back.

    [amazon_link id=”B0050SYX8W” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Halo 4[/amazon_link] releases on November 6th.

  • Bioshock Infinite Shows Off Its Collector’s Side

    All other video game collector’s editions, look upon Bioshock Infinite’s Ultimate Songbird Edition and despair.

    Have you, like me, been looking for that perfect companion piece statue to go alongside your Marcus Fenix From Gears 3 and Alduin from Skyrim? Well Bioshock Infinite is here for you with this massive set which includes a 9 1/2 inch statue of a Songbird from the game.

    And yes it will come with a hefty price tag of $150 but that should be nothing for such a committed group of gamers as yourselves (or me). Here is the rundown of the list of goodies:

    – 9 1/2 inch Songbird statue

    – Keychain of a Murder of the Crow vigor bottle

    – 5X7 lithograph

    – Handyman resin miniature resin game piece from the Bioshock Infinite board game

    – Bioshock Infinite art book

    – Digital soundtrack

    – Exclusive avatars for Xbox 360 and themes for PC and PS3.

    A Premium edition of the game will also be available for $79.99 which includes all the goodies from the Ultimate minus the Songbird statue.

    Now let’s just hope the game makes it February 2013 release.

  • Lightbox Interactive Forced To Layoff Employees.

    Starhawk Developer To Focus On iOS Development.

    In some sad news it was announced by Lightbox Interactive’s founder and president Dylan Jobe that the company would be cutting 24 jobs from their workforce and would be getting out of developing games for consoles, instead focusing on iOS games.

    Jobe has asserted that the company is not shutting down completely and that all 24 employees were told ahead of time of the layoffs to give them time to get their resumes and portfolios in order. The employees will also be receiving severance packages.

    Sony has gone on record officially saying that their partnership with Lightbox has ended as well.

    “Sony Computer Entertainment can confirm that it has amicably ended its working agreement with developer LightBox Interactive, Inc. We have had a positive and long-standing working relationship with this talented studio, and wish them the best of success in their next endeavor. Starhawk and Warhawk will continue to be supported by Santa Monica Studio.”

    This is very disheartening to hear especially since Starhawk was such a wonderful game. I had a blast playing it earlier this year even if the multiplayer kept kicking my @**. The game did not sell as well as Sony would have hoped and one has to think that it played a huge part in what is happening with the studio now.

    You can still support Lightbox by buying [amazon_link id=”B005185SDA” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Starhawk[/amazon_link] and seeing how much work was put into the game and how much fun it truly was. It is a hidden gem that should be experienced.

  • Marvel Announces Release Date For Ant-Man

    Edgar Wright’s Tale Will Follow Up The Avengers 2.

     

    Marvel Studios have officially announced that the feature film based on Ant-Man will be released in theaters on November 6, 2015 making it the first Marvel release after The Avengers 2.

    The adventures of scientist Hank Pym will be directed by Edgar Wright and no casting has been announced yet. There may be a good chance that the character will make an appearance in an Avengers sequel with the movie coming out just six months later.

    Edgar Wright has been attached to the project for some time and it looks like it will now become a reality. This isn’t Wright’s first foray into the world of comic movies having directed the amazing Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. He is also know for his movies with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. The three are currently filming a new film titled The World’s End set for release next year.

    I don’t think that you will see Pym take his turn into domestic violence in his first movie if ever at all. He is famously know for beating his girlfriend The Wasp in comics so I don’t think the best way to convey to the world he deserves his own movie is to have him go Chris Brown in his movie. You gotta save something for Avengers 3

  • Behold! The Mighty Return Of The SNES Controller!

     

    Maybe it is just because I miss the days of 16-bit gaming so much but this controller really needs to be in my possession, even if it does have to come from Australia.

    This SNES-inspired Wii U Pro Controller will be on sale in the land down under on November 30th for around $50 U.S. dollars. I’m not sure what they use in Australia but I’ve seen Quigley Down Under about eleven times so I am assuming the exchange rate is like three Aboriginal clay pots per U.S. dollar.

     

     

  • Take It Home Tuesday. October 16, 2012.

    Merry Christmas From Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor.

    [amazon_link id=”B005LAIHWM” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Madagascar 3[/amazon_link]

    I have only watched the first one of this series and chuckled a few times but not enough to go back for seconds or now thirds. I’m pretty sure if you are a parent of a young child you will be getting this and will able to recite it after a week. I am sorry in advance.

    [amazon_link id=”B008NB0SBY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Santa Clause Trilogy[/amazon_link]

    Halloween is almost here which means Christmas is just around the corner which also means SAANTAAAA!! All three of Disney’s The Santa Clause movies come to Blu-Ray for the first time for everyone’s viewing pleasure. Well the first two at least.

    [amazon_link id=”B007L6VR6M” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Moonrise Kingdom[/amazon_link]

    To say Wes Anderson is a unique filmmaker is an understatement. Rushmore, The Life Aquatic and The Royal Tenenbaums are some of the quirkiest movies I have ever seen. I have not seen Moonrise Kingdom yet but one can only venture to guess that it is nowhere near normal. Plus, I blame Wes Anderson for not having Ghostbusters 3. When Bill Murray keeps getting constant work in Anderson’s movies he has not need for the paycheck to make GB3 happen.

    [amazon_link id=”B008RNYMH4″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]That’s My Boy[/amazon_link]

    It’s Adam Sandler ten years past funny and Andy Samberg not doing an SNL Digital Short with Justin Timberlake. Watch at your own risk.

    [amazon_link id=”B008VPF3LW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Chernobyl Diaries[/amazon_link]

    Yet another found footage movie. This one follows a group of people as they investigate the remains of the nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl and weird stuff begins to happen. Shaky camerawork and screaming follows.

    [amazon_link id=”B008B4MMSK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Alcatraz: The Complete Series[/amazon_link]

    I was about six episodes into this series last year when they announced its cancellation so I stopped watching so I would not become too attached to the story. I liked what was going on with disappearing inmates from the 60’s coming back to present day and wished it could have finished out what it had planned. You could do worse when it comes to TV.

    [amazon_link id=”B008XBCJ34″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Avatar: 3D Version[/amazon_link]

    Finally all the Avatar nuts can stop paying 300 bucks on Ebay for the few copies of Avatar in 3D floating out there. Yeah that’s been happening. Panasonic had a deal for the last few years that the only way you could receive the 3D version of the movie was to buy a 3D television and get the movie in the mail. Now it is being made to the public when no one really cares anymore.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • New Game Releases. October 16, 2012

    007 Is Back, Doom 3 Still Looks Great and Silent Hill Does Not.

    [amazon_link id=”B008E6ZXRM” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Doom 3: BFG Edition[/amazon_link] (360, PS3, PC) $39.99

    Id’s legendary shooter is back to take you to hell. Completely re-mastered in high def the BFG edition of Doom will come with the main campaign and The Resurrection of Evil add-on as well as seven new levels titled “The Lost Mission”. Fans will also get Doom 1 & 2 with full trophy and achievement support. If this is the company’s apology for Rage’s ending , then I accept.

    [amazon_link id=”B006476318″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Silent Hill: Book of Memories[/amazon_link] (PS Vita) $39.99

    The Vita’s first Silent Hill experience is a far cry away from the survival horror games of our nightmares. The game is shown from a top-down perspective like Diablo giving it a dungeon crawler feel even down to the new co-op gameplay. It may not be the Silent Hill we are used to but we Vita owners at least have a new game to play.

    [amazon_link id=”B007V9NHMQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]007 Legends[/amazon_link] (360, PS3) $59.99

    What better way to celebrate James Bond’s 50th anniversary than taking on five missions based on previous Bond films. Daniel Craig plays the role of 007 while going through levels based on Goldfinger, Moonraker, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, License to Kill and Die Another Day. A sixth mission will be available as free DLC based on the upcoming movie Skyfall and will be released after the movie comes out on November 9.

    [amazon_link id=”B002I0K3Z2″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Dance Central 3[/amazon_link] (360) $49.99

    The “other” dance game releases this week. Harmonix keeps music games alive somehow with this Kinect only sequel. Flail like an idiot to the music of Cobra Starship, 50 Cent, New Kids on the Block and Lil Jon. Yeah.

     

    Next week is pretty slim pickings with Medal of Honor: Warfighter being the only major release. Just the calm before the storm.

    Happy gaming!!!

     

  • Xbox 360 and Wii Receive A Price Drop

    Microsoft And Nintendo Seem To Understand What Sony Doesn’t.

     

    If you have been waiting five or six years to jump into this current generation of consoles then today is your lucky day. Microsoft and Nintendo have announced that both of their home consoles will be getting a drop in price just in time for the holidays.

    The Wii will be priced at $129.99 and will come packed with Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort while Microsoft has two different Xbox 360 bundles available for $249.99. The first will come with 4GB of memory, a Kinect sensor as well as Kinect Adventures and Kinect Disneyland. The second will come sporting a 250GB hard drive and two games, Forza Motorsports 4 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

    Nintendo dropping the Wii price comes as no surprise with the Wii U due here in just about a month. This will only help to strengthen Wii sales throughout the holiday.

    Sony just released their “super slim” redesigned Playstation 3 but actually raised the price of their bundles.

  • The Walking Dead Premieres Sunday. Here’s How To Be Prepared.

    Let’s All Get Ready For The Rise Of The Governor.

    The long wait is almost over. Season 3 of AMC’s The Walking Dead will premiere Sunday night and we can not wait just like you. This season is actually the one that should really be special especially if you are caught up on the comics and know what is to come mainly because the show is beginning to steer farther away from the source material so there is a great feeling of “I think I know what’s coming, but do I really?”.

    To get ready for the big show we here at Nerd Rating want to give you a “Walking Dead Preparedness Kit”. Everything a fan will need to get caught up on Rick Grimes and his not so merry group of survivors.

    Viva Atlanta!!

    [amazon_link id=”B005CA4SQK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Walking Dead Season 1[/amazon_link] and [amazon_link id=”B005LAJ23A” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Walking Dead Season 2[/amazon_link] Blu-Ray

    A no brainer for the best place to start watching or relive your favorite moments from the first two seasons of the show. You may be hard pressed to finish them all by Sunday but we have faith in you!

    [amazon_link id=”1607060760″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Walking Dead Compendium One[/amazon_link] & [amazon_link id=”1607065967″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Two[/amazon_link]

    Over 2,100 pages of Robert Kirkman’s zombie epic spread across two massive paperback volumes. Compendium One collects issues 1-48 while Volume Two has issues 49-96 which will get you only about six issues behind the monthly comic.

    [amazon_link id=”B007WW434I” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Walking Dead Action Figures[/amazon_link]

    Play your own version of The Walking Dead with the official toy line by McFarlane Toys. There are two separate sets out there depending on which characters you love more, the comics or the television show. Series One of the comic figures includes Rick, Michonne and two variations of zombies, Series One of the show figures have Rick, Daryl and two zombies as well. Series Two of the show has just been announced and will have Shane (shown above), Rick, the zombie in the well and the screwdriver in the eye zombie from Season 2.

    Zombie Survival Kit

    What better way to get ready for the new season of The Walking Dead than actually getting ready for the coming zombie apocalypse! This handy drawstring bag gives you everything you would need for a good head start when everything goes to hell in a hand basket. I mean at first $80 may seem steep but can you really put a price on safety? And did I mention the awesome tomahawk that comes with it?!

    Funny The Walking Dead Shirts

    Yes, zombies have become a fad and you see a lot of people with The Walking Dead shirts and zombie shirts in general but let’s face it, it’s better than seeing all of those Team Edward and Team Jacob shirts. So let’s fight against that evil with an evil we can support and love and be proud of.

    Everyone enjoy the Season 3 premiere of The Walking Dead on Sunday night unless you have Dish Network.

    In that case I hope you have friends.