Our first in a series of Mass Effect 2 reviews: we take a look at how to import your Mass Effect 1 characters into the sequel, what bits of continuity to expect, and what to watch out for when playing the game.

(See more Mass Effect 2 videos after the jump!)

[Read the rest of this entry…]

Well, hope you’ve all had a merry Christmas. I’m sure you’ve got sweaters, teddy bears, and other good stuff. I’m also sure you got some Gift Cards, or some money from Grandma. So, why not take that extra cash and get the gifts you really want? As always, I’ve got a few suggestions. So click below for some post-Christmas cheer.
[Read the rest of this entry…]

After Command and Conquer: Generals took Command and Conquer in another direction (by way of a new universe) Command and Conquer 3 marks a return to form for the series. The Tiberium crystals have returned, the goofy live-action cinemas have returned, the command bar has returned, and most of all, the messiah himself, Kane has returned, and Electronic Art’s real time strategy franchise has never looked better.
[Read the rest of this entry…]

Are remakes bad, or just a natural part of the multimedia lifecycle in the entertainment industry? News on the future of Dollhouse, Optimus Prime, and Jackass, with reviews of Turtles Forever, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, and Blackest Night.

Audio Netcast Details
Subscribe to the Powetcast on iTunes
Direct Link: Powetcast Episode 23: Turtle Fever

(Are there any upcoming remakes that are turning your head? Leave a comment below!)

Show notes after the jump!

[Read the rest of this entry…]

What you don’t know can’t hurt you, right? Is that why the Japanese game industry has been slipping lately? Even prominent Japanese creators are seeing the writing on the wall, saying that they must innovate, “or die”. As if to prove their point, we talk about a mess of games we’ve been playing that were not made in the land of the rising sun.

Audio Netcast Details
Subscribe to the Powetcast on iTunes
Direct Link: Powetcast Episode 20: Be an Earthling First

(Name your dream team comic merger! AT&T still doesn’t own a company. How about Dark Horse? Leave your comments below!)

Show notes after the jump!

[Read the rest of this entry…]

For years, Maxis’s games have given gamers everywhere an unprecedented amount of control over their gaming experience. Weather you’re managing (or destroying via disasters) your city’s infrastructure in SimCity, directing (or ruining) the day to day lives of the people in your household in the Sims, or climbing up the food chain and evolutionary ladder in Spore, few other game companies have given players the power to make their gaming experiences truly unique and individual. This compilation features 5 of the more recent titles (or rather 2 titles, their expansion packs, and a third) in Maxis’s SimCity franchise, and is highly recommended for fans of SimCity.
[Read the rest of this entry…]

What are the top five things you should do in Mass Effect before diving into the sequel? Find out in this week’s Keep Playing!

(Show notes after the jump!)

[Read the rest of this entry…]

When you think of great real time strategy games and franchises, several names come to mind: Starcraft, Warcraft, Age of Empires, Total War, and Warhammer. One name that you may also think of (or should) is Command and Conquer. EA/Westwood’s RTS series made a huge impact on the genre when it debuted in the mid-90s, and today, it retains its status as one of the most enjoyable RTS franchises in gaming. Yes, there are games with deeper gameplay mechanics and better play control, but very few have contributed as much to the genre as Command and Conquer did. Now, fans of the series can play through the game’s glory years on this DVD, which contains every C&C game up to and including Generals, their expansions, a poster, and a DVD containing a documentary. This disc contains it all, from when GDI first threw down with NOD, to Red Alert’s alternate reality, to Tiberian Sun’s bleak post-apocalyptic future, to Red Alert 2’s goofiness, and to General’s more realistic spin on C&C. It even contains Renegade, the first person shooter spinoff putting players in the role of Havoc. Although it wasn’t well received as the rest of the series, it was cool being able to see many of the Command and Conquer units close up and get the chance to pilot some of the vehicles. Of course, Command and Conquer wouldn’t be complete without the series’ enigmatic villain, Kane. Be warned, it’s imperative that you visit EA’s website for information on the latest patches and fixes, especially if you’re a Windows Vista user. You’ll also want to visit this site and download the fan made patch 1.03, as it fixes several issues throughout each of the games. The game takes well over 9 gigabytes of hard drive space, so make sure you have plenty available. Apart from those issues, fans of the series, as well as RTS fans in general, will want to pick up this dvd. It’s basically a history lesson about the progression of one of the genre’s most memorable titles.