Before Ratchet and Clank, Sony developer Insominac developed this early Playstation FPS game. Amidst a sea of Doom clones that were already on the system during it’s early days, Disruptor’s high production values. live-action cut scenes, and unique level designs made it stand out. Players also gained access to several psionic powers such as shield, psi-blast, and healing. Even though the game could be completed in a weekend, it’s still fun to play through. With Insominac closely in Sony’s corner, we could be seeing this game again on the Playstation network. It might not be Half Life 2, but it’s still an excellent game.

Unless you want to shell out an extra $10 for the PSP version, this is a good deal. It’s the same thing as the PSP game which was released a few months ago after all. Like Liberty City Stories before it, this game is a spin off which doesn’t add a whole lot that we haven’t seen in any of the past entries. Graphical and control problems almost make this a step below them. The larger screen size makes the graphical problems more apparent than they were on the PSP, while the targeting system is one of the most problematic seen in the series so far.

However, the real draw of this game is the story, atmosphere, and of course the violence. Taking place 3 years before Vice City, the game follows the ill-fated Vic Vance as he is forced to leave the army after being betrayed by his commanding officer. From then, he gets caught up in a world of drug dealers, kingpins, and other seedy figures. The story takes a darker tone than other entries with it’s casts of racists, woman-abusers, drug addicts, and people who are just jerks in general. However GTA’s trademark humor is still in place, largely in part due to the radio stations that play a selection of classic tunes from the 1980s. The empire building makes a return, as you can take over gang-owned businesses and complete assets for them to increase the money they make.

Even though it’s badly in need of a shot in the arm, GTA:VCS is still an excellent game. It might not be revolutionary of groundbreaking as it’s predecessors, but it’s a fun way to pass the time until GTA IV hits this fall.

As many of you have probably read already, as of this past Thursday, Mr. Ken Kutaragi has stepped down and retired from his position as chief executive officer and chairperson of Sony Computer Entertainment. Kutaragi will still have a role as an Honorary Chairman, but for all intents and purposes, will no longer be working directly with Sony.

As a little recap, Kutaragi was the inventor of the original Playstation gaming console, and has been dubbed the “Father of the Playstation”, and it’s subsequent sequel systems. With this act, the Playstation franchise became the the most profitable division of Sony. However, Kutaragi will end up passing the torch at the next Sony shareholders meeting on June 19, 2007, where it is said he will then venture off to work on his own projects.

““It has been an exciting experience to change the world of computer entertainment by marrying cutting edge technologies with creative minds from all over the world. I’m looking forward to building on this vision in my next endeavors.”

Additional news and press release information can be found here.

Of course, rumors of conspiracy are abound and in full swing. With Sony having to deal with $2 Billion in losses related to their gaming division over the past year, and the underwhelming failure of Playstation 3 sales, this will do anything but give the company new momentum and direction. Kutaragi admitted himself that the shortage of Playstation 3 consoles sent to North America and Japan retailers, as well as the postponement of the console’s release, led to Sony’s declining strength in software. Sacrificial lamb? Who knows. All that is known now is that Sony is losing a brilliant mind and the original driving force behind the Playstation franchise. What this means for the company’s future will remain to be seen, though it seems like it very well could be just another nail in the coffin for their reputation.

Hideo Kojima, mastermind of Metal Gear Solid, has played Super Smash Bros Brawl. Not only has he played it, he said:

The game already feels very complete, it’s already a lot of fun and that you guys (Sakurai’s studio) could put it out now, and it would sell millions of copies.

This is very, very good news. For Hideo Kojima, since he got to play it and we didn’t. The rest of us will have to put up with the fact that what will surely be the biggest Wii title yet is coming along great. I guess a 2007 release date isn’t out of the question?

This news comes from the Kojima Productions podcast, which I never would’ve suspected is in English!

Latino Review‘s El Mayimbe has scored a read of the 22 page treatment for the Gears Of War movie we heard about a while ago.

While its a treatment, not a full script and could be subject to many revisions, it sounds like an amazing companion to an amazing game. The game tossed you right into the most action-packed part of the story, with very little in game to go over the background of what happened before. This movie fleshes out Marcus and Dom’s military career before the game, and also shows off Emergence Day. We’ll also see Cole actually playing thrashball!

I realize making Halo into a movie might’ve been crazy. The male lead never shows his face, the female lead is a computer program. The story is there, the action is there, but its a huge leap for a studio to take. Gears on the other hand is a lot more cinematic than Halo, and has every right to be turned into a great war movie with some sci-fi action. What do you think? Are Marcus, Dom, Baird, and Cole destined to be the next great movie team? Who could even direct this monstrous movie? Leave a comment!

Bloody Disgusting reports on the next project to be released from Director James Cameron. Its not Avatar, its not Jesus, its Marylin Manson.

Marylin Manson will release a new album soon titled “Eat Me, Drink Me” and the man himself has conceptualized another shocking video for the track “Heart Shaped Glasses.” Academy Award winner Cameron filmed the clip using his new favorite 3D technology so you at home can feel like you’re in a bloody sex scene. Watch a short clip at YouTube, but not when your boss is around.