Siren

The world of Fable III is based heavily on your decisions and promises that you make to other leaders throughout the game. The decisions not only effect your moral standing with the people of Albion, but also your relationships with others in the world around you and in some cases it is a matter of life or death. Can you order innocents to die for a supposed "crime" and save the love of your life or should your lover die and have the lives of the civilians spared all in the name of doing the right thing? You are the only that can decide their fate as well as the fate of Albion. While the outcome of your hero's story in Fable III is mostly decided by your difficult and sometimes heart wrenching decisions, your hero's abilities, interactions with others, and jobs that can be taken on are dependent on the new leveling up system dubbed, Road to Rule. During your long and strenuous path to become the leader of Albion, Theresa the Blind Seer is back to guide you along the Road to Rule which will supply you with an ample amount of chests that contain leveling up abilities along your way. Much like the Silver Key Chests, each of the chests that you will come across along the Road to Rule will need Seals in order to open. You can earn Seals throughout Fable III by completing quests and some of the seals can be found in certain types of chests that are scattered throughout the world of Albion. When Theresa allows you to pass through one of the many gates that you will come across in the Road to Rule as you gain more followers, you will find chests on either side of you. The expensive chests to the right are for you to level up your ranged, melee, and magic attacks which you can now combine two different types of magic attacks to use against your foes, while the much cheaper chests on the left are for your hero to gain the ability to do several different types of interactions with the civilians in Albion, leveling up your jobs that you can do throughout the game to earn money, different types of packs that allow you to get married and have children, and you will also find different colored clothing/hair dyes in these chests. The chests are just one example of leveling up in the game. Your weapons can also be leveled up and when doing so, their appearance will be altered. The tasks that are involved with leveling up each weapon can be quite tedious so if you set out to do this you have been warned. The leveling up system and combined magic attacks are not the only new thing to be introduced in the Fable series. The health system has completely been revamped. Say goodbye to the health bar and welcome in the red screen that many modern FPS's use. This health system makes fighting enemies much easier, but also takes away from the challenge of battling enemies and being knocked out, because you just simply have to roll out of harm's way for a certain amount of time and your health is replenished. Along with the disappearance of the health bar is the mana bar. Your magic usage is now determined on your leveling up in the Road to Rule and purchasing of magic gauntlets in the chests that enable the use of different spells. Another new thing introduced in Fable III, is The Sanctuary. The Sanctuary, which was your father or mother's depending on your general choice in Fable II, is where you will find your complete inventory, promises made to others, treasury, armory, and dressing room along with the option to join a co-op room over XBL. To access The Sanctuary, the player must tap the start button and you will be taken there instantly. You can do this even during the middle of combat to make weapon changes if need be. You can also fast travel to towns and quests by using the world map which you will find in the middle of The Sanctuary. While viewing the world map you are also able to buy properties and repair the houses that have fallen apart over time. Leaving a house in disarray means the tenants will not pay rent, so it is important to check on your houses frequently throughout the game or else suffer the consequences of losing money. What else you ask? That's about it. Everything else in Fable III is the same as in Fable II minus the gorgeous and bright graphics. The camera does suffer a tiny bit during single player, but it's not enough to rant or waste your time talking about. Other than that, the world of Albion including gameplay and controls are the exact same as the previous games. The only question left to ask about Fable III is in a world where you control every little thing, will this power corrupt and set you on a path to your demise or will you rise and change the lives of everyone around you for the better? Fable III Tips and Tricks As soon as you are able to buy properties start with the businesses and then buy and rent the houses out later. In Fable III you need a lot of money and this is the best way to get it quickly. Start saving money as soon as you can. Whether this means you spend quite a few hours doing jobs or buying/trading items and selling them, do it. You will thank me in the end. Your dog is your companion in Fable III. Make sure to buy the books in the stores to level him up so he is well equipped to handle the battles and sniff out dig spots and treasures. Interact with the people of Albion frequently. You will gain Seals by doing this. Experiment with the dyes in the dressing room of The Sanctuary. You can now dye just about every little thing on your clothes and include highlights in your hair. You will also get an achievement by doing this as long as everything on you that is dyeable is a different color. After the Final Credits Fable III left me with a rather sour taste in my mouth. Where the game takes a step forward with the introduction of the leveling up system, it takes quite a few steps back when it comes to everything else. The Sanctuary is an utter disaster. I found myself spending most of time using this awful place to travel back and forth between towns and to accept quests. In fact, The Sanctuary fast travel for quests is often confusing and took a very long time to get use to. Not to mention I know know where I am because I don't have an in-game map. Instead I have to travel to The Sanctuary, choose the map, and pinpoint my location in the town I am in, which makes it a hassle when I am looking for properties I don't own and I am trying to figure out which street I need to go down to find them. Not to mention the fact that when I buy a house, the majority of my playing time is not spent exploring Albion, but repairing the stupid houses, because there isn't a "repair all" feature so I have to choose each one individually to repair. What the fudge is that about?! Another thing this game falls flat on is when it comes time for you to take over as leader. Lionhead shame on you for putting this in the game. This is the most boring part of the game and is the reason I refuse to advance the story. I do not want to advance it anymore because of the boring and utterly stupid decisions I have to make every day, in-game, in Fable time. This is a complete waste of my time and maybe instead of either just the "good", "bad", or "meh" choices they could have spiced it up by doing something else or just not had this in the game at all. I chose not to review the online co-op of Fable III, because your experience depends on who you are playing with and that is all I am going to say about that. However I will say that Lionhead did fix the issues with camera in Fable II co-op. In the end, I seriously hope that Lionhead takes the time to work on Fable IV for quite a few years before it comes out. Where is the luscious and bright scenery of Fable II? Why is the game glitchy as far as stopping for 5 seconds and why in the world does the gold trail keep disappearing when I have it picked to glow the brightest so that I can see where I need to go? Lionhead, you seriously dropped the ball on Fable III and for that reason, I feel that the series should have gone in this order: Fable, Fable III, and Fable II and that is never a good thing in the world of gaming.

Two major British retailers are threatening to ban the selling of games tied to Steam and are demanding that publishers remove Steam from their game or suffer the consequences. According to MCV, the two retailers who are unknown at this point are claiming that Steam is ruining the PC market and that Valve has created a monster. One of the bosses even had the following to say. "If we have a digital service, then I don’t want to start selling a rival in-store... “Publishers are creating a monster ­– we are telling suppliers to stop using Steam in their games.” What do you think? Has Valve created a monster and in doing so, have they begun destroying the market of PC games?

The numbers are in and Treyarch's Call of Duty: Black Ops has sold a combined 5.6 million copies on it's opening day in the US and UK, making Activision not only $360 million, but also very happy. As reported on Eurogamer, Bobby Kotick, Activision's CEO was extremely pleased with Black Ops first day numbers. "The game's success underscores the pop culture appeal of the brand. Call of Duty: Black Ops is the finest game that Treyarch has ever made and raises the bar for online gameplay by delivering the deepest and most intense Call of Duty experience yet." Black Ops has already outsold Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 2 who managed to make $4.7 million on day one.

Faery: Legends of Avalon Developed By: Spiders Studios Price: 1200 MS points "Magic, battles against fearsome monsters, original creatures, colorful characters, a great story to support the main quest and many side quests, for 10-15 hours of gameplay..." ~ Faerythegame.com Guwange Developed By: Cave Price: 800 MS points "The story of Guwange is set during the Muromachi period of Japan. During this time, increasing numbers of people suffer possession by shikigami. Although the shikigami grant great spiritual powers, the strain inflicted on the host causes them to die exactly one year after possession. However, a legend has sprung up regarding Guwange, the malevolent god trapped in Mt. Gokumon (i.e. Hell Gate). If one possessed by a shikigami can gather talismans of the five Chinese elements--wood, fire, earth, metal, water--from five demons serving Guwange, then infiltrate Gokumon and slay Guwange, the shikigami will be destroyed and the one possessed will not suffer a premature death." ~ Guwange The UnderGarden Developed By: Vitamin G Studios Price: 800 MS points "The Undergarden is a casual zen game that challenges players to explore underground caverns filled with strange life forms, sound, music and plenty of hidden secrets. Players traverse the Undergarden world in search of members of their musical band. Along the way they encounter physics based puzzles to be solved, strange life forms that must be befriended or avoided, and magical plant life that reacts to the music created around them." ~ Vitamin G Studios

If you have a family of four that have seperate XBL accounts, then this might be the deal for you. Announced today via Major Nelson's blog, is the Xbox Live Family Gold Pack that allows the purchase of four 12 month Gold memberships, for the price of two. What all comes with the $99.99 Family Gold Pack? Four XBL Gold memberships, access to the family center, gifting Microsoft point allowance which allows gifting of Microsoft points to your family members, activity reports, and deals on family friendly games. If you would like more information on how the Family Gold Pack works and if it is right for you, check out the Family Pack Faq from xbox.com.

Looking to get a new Xbox 360 this holiday season? Major Nelson announced on his blog, the Xbox 360 Holiday 2010 Bundle. The bundle which will be shipping to stores "over the next few weeks" featues the sleek redesigned Xbox 360 250 GB console, a copy of Forza 3, and a redeemable code for a full game download for Alan Wake. The bundle costs $299.

Here is your XBL Activity Recap for the week of October 28. Deal of the WeekRapture Metro - 400 MS points Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack - 240 MS points Protector Trials - 240 MS points Big Sister Outfit - 240 MS points (male) (female) Watchface Big Daddy Doll - 160 MS points All prices are valid until November 1 for all Gold members. XBLAPinball FX2 - Free full game download. Tables purchased seperately. Free import of the original Pinball FX tables. 3D Ultra MinGolf Adventures 2 - 800 MS points Haunted House - 800 MS points Bloody Good Time - 400 MS points DemoNeed For Speed Hot Pursuit Demo Majin and the Forsaken Freedom Demo Game Add OnsRed Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Pack Add On - 800 MS points

The final round of Gamercide's Get Your Ghoul On Contest has come to a close. Who did the Grim Reaper pick to receive the final prize? InfernoParadox!!!!! Congrats go out to InfernoParadox who will be receiving a copy of Dead Rising 2 with a t-shirt that comes rolled up like duct tape. Many thanks to everyone who participated in the contest.

As ghouls, ghosts, and goblins are preparing for their adventures on everyone's favorite undead holiday Halloween, I am counting down my list for bone chilling games that terrified me so bad, I had to keep glancing over my shoulder everytime I heard the wind blow. Alan Wake In May 2010, Remedy and Microsoft finally released long awaited and very overdue survival horror title, Alan Wake. You take control of Alan Wake who is a best selling author. Unfortunately he has been suffering from writer's block and has been unsuccessful in writing another novel. Alan and his wife, Alice travel to the small, but beautfiul town of Bright Falls to help him reopen his mind and let his imagination flow through his fingers and into another novel. Upon entering Bright Falls, you are to assume that this sleepy little town surrounded by beautiful landscapes and never ending mountains, is well, normal. You quickly learn that is not the case as you find yourself looking for answers as to what exactly happened to your wife at the cabin on Cauldron Lake. Did she really fall into the merky waters surrounding the small cabin or has Alan simply lost his mind and living in a fantasy world of one of his best selling novels? As Alan tries to work through it all, he is armed with a flashlight while being chased through the dark and deadly woods by "The Taken" which have taken over the townspeople and controlling vehicles and machinery around Bright Falls. So what made Alan Wake so scary? Siren Says: Alan Wake is almost a total package. While it is missing some classic survival horror mainstays, it makes up for that in story and being able to make the gamer get so engrossed in the game, that they forget where they are and in that instant are actually living Alan Wake's life. The sound effects and the constant feeling that you are alone while traversing through the dark and lonely woods of Bright Falls makes Alan Wake one of the most bone chilling games I ever played. In fact, I was never able to beat it, because of that. Everytime I go to put it into my 360, I stop, because all I can hear is "The Taken" in my head. Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem Originally developed for the N64, Silicon Knight's Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem later found it's way onto Nintendo's tiny console, the Gamecube in late 2002. This mind freakingly extraodinary entry into the survival horror genre won quick praise from gamers and the media. Throughout Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem you play as the Buffy resembling, Alexandra Roivas who is attempting to figure out why her grandfather was murdered. Alexandra arrives at her grandfather's sprawling mansion and discovers a book titled, "The Tome of Eternal Darkness". Upon reading the book, you find yourself reliving the stories in the book. There are many characters throughout different time periods that you must play as in order to discover the secrets behind Alexandra's ancestors. During the gameplay, Eternal Darkness incorporates the "Sanity Meter". The "Sanity Meter" represents the character's overall sanity. When certain events are triggered in the game, the character's meter will start to go down causing the player to experience some sanity effects. Some of the sanity effects are bleeding walls, the volume appearing to be turned down on your television and a fake volume meter is displayed on your screen, and the appearance of monsters that upon being attacked, disappear into thin air as if they were never there. There are a host of other sanity effects besides the one's mentioned. So what makes Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem frightening? Siren Says: Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem is perhaps one of the most underrated games of it's time. This game had it all, along with the ability to cause the gamer to question their own sanity when the sanity effects began. I remember playing this game at night and having to turn the light on, because I thought I heard a woman's voice and here it was from the game's sanity effects. Resident Evil Sony's Playstation was the first console to show off Capcom's new and unforgettable zombie loving series, Resident Evil. One of the truest forms of the survival horror genre to ever be released, eventually showed up on the Sega Saturn and received an incredible graphic makeover for the Nintendo Gamecube. The one that started it all, Resident Evil introduced zombies so terrifying that one undead beast was enough to make gamer's find themselves sitting in a warm yellow puddle and dogs so shockingly disturbing, that it left gamer's gripping their controllers out of sheer terror. Gamers found themselves taking control of either the powerhouse Chris Redfield or the smaller, but faster Jill Valentine while they were investigating the mysterious murders within Raccoon City that led them to a seemingly harmless abandoned mansion. Upon entry, Jill and Chris along with the other members of STARS Alpha team quickly discover that something more sinister and deadly has begun taking over. With every door that needed to be opened and the creeking that followed, Resident Evil showed signs at the very beginning that this game mastered everything a survival horror game should be and then some. Siren Says: Crows, dogs, zombies, and breaking glass. This game terrified the sh*t out of me and still does. I can't even gather the words to describe how bone chilling this game is to me. Silent Hill 2 James Sunderland is lured to Silent Hill to figure out why he received a letter from his deceased wife Mary in Team Silent and Konami's Silent Hill 2 for the Playstation 2 and Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams for the Xbox. When entering the dreary and foggy town of Silent Hill, James meets a young woman who looks strikingly like his dead wife, Mary. Maria is killed by the towering and freakishly scary Pyramid Head, but later reappears not knowing what James is talking about when he tries to figure out why the woman he just saw die, is sitting in front of him in a locked cell. As he sets out to try and free Maria who begins to talk about his life with Mary, James comes across disturbing nurses and of course the huge knife wielding Pyramid Head. One sound of the knife sliding across the floor as Pyramid Head loomed closer sent gamers running for the closest door. While wondering through the many creepy places of Silent Hill, James discovers a radio that seems to locate enemies when they are within close range. One sound of static and gamers find themselves fumbling to switch off their flashlight and wondering which direction the enemy is coming from. Silent Hill 2 boasts six different endings depending on your actions taken throughout the game. So what makes Silent Hill so creepy? Siren Says: It's not exactly the scariest game out there, but it is definitely one of the creepiest with the game's overall sound. Silent Hill 2 has the ability to get into one's head with just the sound of Pyramid Head's knife scraping across the floor. That game still makes me shudder and I could never finish it, because of that. There you have it. That is the list of games that are so bone chilling I will never play them again. Here are what Gamerciders had to say about their most bone chilling played games. "Condemned: Criminal Origins. Scariest use of an abandoned mannequin warehouse EVER. Playing that game always puts me on edge. Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem. That game was da SHIZNAT back in the day. I can't believe how awesome the "Sanity Meter" was and the weird and effed up stuff the game would do to you" -CoyAndChris "Fatal Frame 1 and 2. My wife and I played Fatal Frame 2 while we were house sitting for a friend out in Penn. He lived in a very nice gated community with a huge deer population/problem. We played it at night with the lights off and there were deer wandering around the yard and looking into the windows. Scared the hell out of both of us so we shut the game off." -Super Kev 1000 " Not much of a Horror genre gamer but Dead Space made me jump a few times." -Chinese Baboon "Dead Space puts me on edge more than anything, and the latest game to give me a scare was Alan Wake. That stupid old woman pops up in your vision when you're not expecting it. I think I have a video clip of that somewhere." -Dateranoth "Just playing Dead space now and it has made me jump, the splicer in Bioshock that would show up right behind you would get me every time. " -Dubl Duece "This is a game another member of Gamercide can relate to as well, since we both played it together at the same time. Condemned 2 was the game that I have gotten quite a few scares out of. The lights off and the TV very loud makes this a truly horrifying experience. David (Bacon V3) and I would start the game at the exact same moment and go through the game simultaneously while we chatted in party chat. There were a lot of screams to be heard. I think I probably screamed my loudest due to fear because of that game. Needless to say, neither I nor David have finished it yet." -SycoYAFF " Fear. Nuff said." -MajorWhiteBoy "The beginning of Bioshock was pretty creepy, but not the entire game. Dead Space however... I never completed the game, lol" -Skylark95 " The only game I can really recall making me jumpy was Condemned: Criminal Origins. The way the game was pretty much always dark, as well as focusing heavily on close combat and tight spaces to navigate in made the experience a lot more creepy. Not to mention the mannequin level, and the way the enemies would pop out at you constantly when you least expect it." -Elite Effect "I don't think there's been a game that has truly ever scared me, but there are plenty that have made me jump. When the berserker made its appearance in Gears of War was a memorable moment for me. I literally jumped when it busted through the wall the first time. Other games like Bioshock, the Resident Evil series and a few others have done that to me too, but it wasn't a lasting or deep scare that went beyond being surprised and caught off guard." -Pogre "The Suffering and Amnesia: Dark Descent.The Suffering is just plain creepy. The enemies are made up of different things, like hypodermic needle fingers, and blade arms. With Amnesia, it's all about the immersion and the fact you can't defend yourself. There are no weapons. You must use a cool head, and find other ways through the game without dying or losing your sanity." -PeeKnuckle " The scariest game I've ever played was Max Payne. That dream sequence was too creepy. Next on the list would be The Darkness. As soon as I got my darkness power, I got a pit in my stomach and got scared as hell." -eminutia "I don't realy play scary games lol.... cause i know ill just turn it off. Last game that made me do that was Doom 3..... I know..I'm a sissy." -Kira Onime "I know this may sound weird but a level in Banjo Kazooie scared me. The one with the big metal shark, you swim through a tube and you can see his face at the end, I couldn't finish it because I couldn't get close enough. Around the time Golden Eye came out I started having a fear of first person shooters and it took me years to get over it. I'm really not sure why but just sitting an anticipating an enemy coming around the corner made stuff leak down my leg." -Green Grenades " The game that scared me the most was the original Resident Evil. There were so many moments where you would get attacked unexpectedly. You approach a door to open it it, only to have a zombie break it down just as you get there. The moment where the dogs crash through the hallway windows was another one. The only game that could even come close to Resident Evil for me was Bioshock, but having preceded that game by almost a decade Resident Evil holds a place in my heart as the first and best horror game I've played. Another had to be in metal gear solid. The fight with Psycho Mantis has to be one of the first gaming moments to break that barrier between game and reality. The way it seemed to know things (by way of reading the memory card) was the freakiest moment for me. For a game like MGS to actually get me to shut the game down because i was so freaked out is a a feeling i'll never forget, and what is a developers purpose but to create a game that will create a lasting impact that won't be forgotten. " -LGWyant "Resident Evil was the first, Fear was the second, then Condemned came along and topped them all. The atmosphere in that game was intense and nothing is scarier than your own imagination. They used both those elements to make the ultimate scare factor. If you have not played the first Condemned, try it with ALL the lights out and surround sound. On Halloween. In a empty house. At night." -towncryer " Condemned 1 (not 2!) and RE1. RE1 I think was the scariest. I never beat it, sh*t just kept flying out of closets at me and I couldn't take it lol." -Banstyle " Bioshock 1 gave me a chill, I remember I was doing something one time in a corner and out of no where I turn around (after I thought I killed everyone) i saw a damn clown looking dude. I was like confused and actually jumped in my seat." -UND3RxOATH

The growing list of expensive games that are being added to the XBLA are lacking creativity and not worth the amount of points that they are releasing for. Sure there are some downloadable worthy titles that will keep you busy for hours like Braid, Kingdom for Keflings, Limbo, and Shadow Complex, but what happens when you grow tired of repeatedly playing the same games over and over and want a new arcade game? You are faced with 1200 MS point buys that are not worth even a discounted price of 400 MS points. Here are a list of games that could revamp and save the XBLA from disappearing into the ugly dark hole that it is slowly digging for itself with out of control prices and lack luster games. Oregon Trail Hands down, Oregon Trail would be an instant hit. How many of you remember fighting your classmates in elementary school just to play this game for 15 minutes? Or racing home to your PC just to make sure that your latest enemy in school got a case of dysentary, because they laughed at you for wearing that knit shirt that your grandma bought you for Christams? In Oregon Trail, you take on the role of a leader that is trying to get his group of settlers to Oregon's Willamette Valley from Independence, Missouri in 1848. Along your trek you face different types of diseases, wagon breakdowns, animal deaths, and settler deaths. When one of your settlers died in your party, you could write an epitaph that would show at the brief funeral ceremony. Another key part in Oregon Trail was the ability to hunt. Little PC gamers could hunt big and small game with bullets and weapons that were purchased throughout the game. All of this added to the educational benefits that children and adults (yes you) received when they sat down to play the game. Siren Says: Oregon Trail should release for 400 MS points on the XBLA. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Broderbund Software first unleashed this addictive detective style game in 1985. It's main purpose was for educational use, but it became a huge success spawning sequels and a television show. Carmen Sandiego led young PC gamers across the globe trying to track down her whereabouts by gathering clues and finding her henchmen. The ultimate goal was to issue an arrest warrant for Carmen Sandiego and put her behind bars before the deadline was up. If you missed the deadline, you lost the game and the villian escaped. Siren Says: Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego would be a great family friendly game for the younger generation that are playing XBL. 400 MS points and I would be sold. Myst This first person point and click adventure was one of the most successful games during it's time and paved the way for many point and click adventure games like Myst and not to mention a host of sequels in the Myst series and spinoffs including Uru and Riven. In the original Myst which debuted in September 24, 1993 for the PC and later for the Sega Saturn and Playstion, you play as a person who finds a book called, "Myst". Upon reading the book, you are taken away to the world of Myst where you have to discover what happened to Atrus who leaves clues around the island. As you walk around the island you find a library which introduces Atrus's sons, Sirrus and Archer. One is trapped in a blue book, while the other is trapped in a red book. Both are asking for you to bring them their red or blue colored pages. As you travel across the "Ages" and bring the pages back and stick them in their respective books, the plot is uncovered and you must decide who you want to help. The game has several different endings depending on the choices that you make. Siren Says: If this game were to ever release on the XBLA I would wet my pants. Seriously....I still play this game on my PC. I say this is one of those games that would be worth 1200 MS points. Voodoo Vince This little voodoo doll was easily one of the best platform games that came to the original big black box on September 23, 2004. As Voodoo Vince, you found youself playing through the monster infested streets of New Orleans in order to rescue your maker Madam Charmaine, who owns a voodoo store in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Along your adventure, Vince uses classic voodoo doll style attacks like sticking yourself with needles to take down enemies and bosses. Vince also has standard attack moves that involve punching and kicking. Voodoo Vince gives gamers an authentic New Orleans experience with southern New Orleans accents and heavy jazz soundtrack. Siren Says: Voodoo Vince was one of the best games that I ever played. Release it for 800 MS points on the XBLA. Bottom line, I am sick of seeing the countless number of anime and classic games that I can play at the local arcade for a cheaper price. Give me something that I will want to play repeatedly instead of something that I want just for 12 lousy achievements to boost my gamerscore up 200 points and then is forgotten about and sits among my other 100 something arcade titles collecting dust. Gamerciders, do you agree or disagree? Is the XBLA digging itself a hole with it's high prices and "forget me" games? Or do you think the XBLA is doing just fine and will continue to plunk down the moolah on future titles and what titles would you like to see come to the arcade?

Bioware and EA's latest trailer for the upcoming Dragon Age II was released for your viewing pleasure. The trailer gives gamer's a tiny taste to wet their appetite for game footage and there is plenty of blood, fire, weapons, and heroes with overused facial scars. Dragon Age II releases on March 8, 2011.

What items released on the XBL Marketplace today? You can find the list below. Pinball FX2 - Free full game download. Tables purchased seperately. Free import of the original Pinball FX tables. 3D Ultra MinGolf Adventures 2 - 800 MS points Need For Speed Hot Pursuit Demo Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Pack Add On - 800 MS points Majin and the Forsaken Freedom Demo

Remember when Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light released before the promised co-op was added and the game was rendered useless? Gamers rejoice, because the co-op addition is coming to your Xbox 360 on October 27 for free via a title update. Eidos announced that gamers will also have 30 days to download the first DLC pack for free. The DLC introduces a "new area to conquer and features a combination of puzzle, exploration and combat experiences". No news on what the price will be after 30 days on the marketplace and if PS3 and PC users will have to pay for the content.

Looking to pick up a new game this week? Here are the best deals that we could find for you before you make your purchase. Toys R Us All games that release today are available for free 2 day shipping. Xbox 360 250 GB console - $15 gift card with purchase. Xbox 360 Headset and Wireless Headset - Save 30% ($13.99 - $34.99 each) Xbox 360 Turbo Fire Controller - Save $10 ($29.99) The offers are good until October 27. K-MartStar Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 - $20 off game coupon for next gaming purchase WWE: Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 - $20 off game coupon for next gaming purchase The Sims 3 - $20 off game coupon for next gaming purchase Rock Band 3 - $20 off game coupon for next gaming purchase. All offers are good until October 30. GameStop25% off new copies of Call of Duty: Black Ops, Fallout: New Vegas, Fable III, and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II with any game trade. Trade 3 games and get an extra 20% off. 25% off Kinect with any game trade towards your purchase of Kinect.

Back in 2008, Microsoft was facing a public relations worse nightmare, "RROD". "RROD" which stands for Red Ring of Death, was the name that was given to the Xbox 360 by it's outraged buyers after the Xbox 360 would overheat and cause a failure requiring the system to be sent in for repairs or else the gamer spending more money on a brand new console. What does that have to do with Marines? In 2008, an angry group of Marines decided to take their frustration out on their Xbox 360 that "RROD'd" three times. PS3 fanboys prepare to wet your pants out of sheer enjoyment and Xbox 360 huggers grab some tissues and begin to prepare your rant.

Major Nelson has posted the Deal of the Week for this week and if you are a fan of BioShock 2 then you are in for a treat. Rapture Metro - 400 MS points Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack - 240 MS points Protector Trials - 240 MS points Big Sister Outfit - 240 MS points (male) (female) Watchface Big Daddy Doll - 160 MS points All of the discounted prices are available until November 1st and are for Gold members only.

Here is your weekly XBL Activity Recap for the week beginning on October 18, 2010. Deal of the WeekBattlefield Bad Company 2: Onslaught Mode - 400 MS points SPECTAT Upgrade Bundle - 320 MS points The Deal of the Week is available to XBL Gold members until October 25, 2010. DemoFist of the North: Ken's Rage XBLACostume Quest - 1200 MS points Super Meat Boy - 800 MS points until November 21st Dream Chronicles - 800 MS points Games on DemandBorderlands - $29.99 F.E.A.R. 2 Project Origin - $19.99 Virtua Fighter 5 - Price not available Cabela's Big Game Hunter - Price not available Game Add OnsBorderlands Secret Armory - 400 MS points Zombie Islands - 400 MS points The Underdome - 400 MS points AvatarsIconic Job Costumes for Halloween DJ Hero

Round two of Gamercide's "Get Your Ghoul On Contest" has come to a close. Who did the Grim Reaper pick to receive a copy of Castlevania: Lord of Shadows? Evildawg731!!!!!! Congrats go out to Evildawg731. The Grim Reaper wants to thank everyone who has participated in the contest. Remember, Dead Rising 2 with a T-Shirt is still up for grabs. For more information on how to enter, please check out Gamercide's Get Your Ghoul On Contest.

THQ and Double Fine released Costume Quest on Wednesday for download on the XBLA and PSN. Here are the screens for the hilarious game that follows a group of friends on Halloween night as they try to get rid of the undead baddies that are taking over their once quiet neighborhood.

THQ announced that their Halloween themed Adventure/RPG, Costume Quest has landed on the Xbox Live marketplace and Playstation Network today. Double Fine's project lead, Tasha Harris created this humerous arcade game that will have gamers playing as a group of friends who go out on Halloween to rid their neighborhood of monsters. The characters must rely on their costumes as they transform into what they are wearing to take down the evil baddies. Each costume has it's own special set of powers that the character uses. Double Fine's Founder/CEO Tim Schafer had the following to say about the release, “We are extremely excited here at Double Fine to be releasing our first downloadable game... “Costume Quest is an awesome start and a great sign of things to come from Double Fine and THQ.” If you are interested in sending some undead creatures back to their graves, Costume Quest is available for 1200 MS points and is $14.99 on PSN.

EA announced yesterday that they are planning on releasing a new multiplayer mode for their successful hit Medal of Honor. The mode, "Clean Sweep" will have gamers relying on their skill and their teammate's skill in this elimination style gameplay. The new mode will come with 2 new multiplayer maps, Bagram Hangar and Khyber Caves, as well as redone maps for fan favorites, Diwagal Camp and Kabul City Ruins. The mode is scheduled to release on November 2, 2010 and will be free to those of you who purchased the game new and used the single use Online Pass code that came with the game. Medal of Honor Expands Award-Winning Multiplayer Experience with Free Download Pack Medal of Honor Sells More Than 1.5 Million Units in First 5 Days LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), announced today that Medal of Honor™ has claimed the #1 chart position in the UK according to official GfK-ChartTrack data. In just five days since launching in the U.S. and with just two days of sales in Europe and Asia, the game has already sold through more than 1.5M units. EA also announced that the first-person shooter will expand with the release of an all-new explosive multiplayer mode on November 2, 2010. The free* multiplayer mode titled Clean Sweep is an elimination mode where players must rely on their own skill and teammates’ expertise to prevail as the winning team. This exhilarating mode is playable across two all-new maps (Bagram Hangar and Khyber Caves) as well as redesigned versions of the popular Diwagal Camp and Kabul City Ruins maps. Clean Sweep will be available on November 2 via Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace and PlayStation®Network to owners of Medal of Honor with Online Pass. Frank Gibeau, President at EA stated, “Medal of Honor is one of EA’s most storied franchises and we’re thrilled to see that fans worldwide have embraced it. In this ultra competitive category, Medal of Honor stands out from the pack. By portraying the Tier 1 Operator as so elite, so tough, Medal of Honor offers a view into a world that has the power to resonate with FPS gamers everywhere.” Developed by DICE, Medal of Honor multiplayer delivers world-class First Person Shooter action and dedicated server support with all of the same authentic settings, weapons and realistic action depicted in the single-player game. For the first time in its 11-year history, Medal of Honor leaves the WWII theatre and enters the modern setting of war-torn Afghanistan. The game is told through the lens of a small band of fictional characters. Medal of Honor introduces players to the Tier 1 Operator, an elite warrior and relatively unknown instrument of the U.S. Military that operates under the National Command Authority to take on missions no one else can handle. To find out more information on Medal of Honor please visit: www.MedalofHonor.com. Follow the game on twitter at: www.twitter.com/medalofhonor or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/medalofhonor. * Free with game registration using single-use Online Pass code enclosed with new, full retail purchase. Additional Online Pass codes available for purchase from Xbox LIVE or PlayStation Network. Additional conditions and restrictions apply. See back of pack for details.

Are you interested in EA's throwdown title MMA? If so, then you better be putting on your fighting robes, because MMA has dropped onto shelves today. MMA is taking on a heavy contender in the world of all things mixed martial arts, UFC Undisputed. With two games under it's belt and a developed fan base, can MMA overtake the somewhat laggy and cheater's paradise UFC Undisputed and be crowned the king of mixed martial arts games? EA SPORTS MMA Hits North American Stores Today; Available Worldwide on October 22 Go Beyond the Cage with Global Fighting Experiences, MMA Superstars and Innovative Online Features REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), announced that EA SPORTS™ MMA is available in stores throughout North America starting today and will launch worldwide beginning October 22 and in Japan on November 11. EA SPORTS MMA, offering the most authentic, intense and broadest mixed martial arts experience to date, allows players to travel the world and learn a multitude of fighting techniques and skills. The game features a vast array of world-class fighters, and players can extend their gaming experience online through a first-of-its-kind feature - EA SPORTS Live Broadcast. “EA SPORTS MMA is the most immersive and authentic mixed martial arts experience available, bringing together great fighters, opportunities to train and fight internationally and features that allow players to prove their skills online to a wide audience” Fighters can further showcase their MMA skills to the world through EA SPORTS Live Broadcast in which players can create their own fighter and then produce a hype video to get noticed by an actual EA SPORTS promoter. Once selected by the EA SPORTS promoter, players will be able to have their fight broadcast online through EA SPORTS Live Broadcast, while a live commentator calls every move made during the fight. Moreover, each EA SPORTS Live Broadcast fight can be viewed on game consoles or online via the web. EA SPORTS MMA provides the definitive mixed martial arts experience, featuring multiple disciplines, rule sets, locations and fighters from all over the world. Players can fight in a ring, hexagonal or circular cage, and the MMA environment comes to life with ring girls, corner men and referees. Ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. provides fighter introductions while Big John McCarthy officiates fights and MMA legend Frank Shamrock and commentator Mauro Ranallo call the action. Through career mode, fighters will be able to train in locations around the world with legends of the sport such as Randy Couture, Pat Miletich, Rickson Gracie and Bas Rutten, visiting gyms in Japan, Brazil, Thailand and the U.S. While training internationally, players will teach their fighter new skills as they rise up the ranks to make it to one of the biggest stages in MMA – STRIKEFORCE. Other key features within EA SPORTS MMA include: Fighter Share – Players can put themselves into the world of MMA training and fighting and begin the quest to become a champion. They can upload photos of themselves and use Photo Game Face to create their own, personalized roster of fighters. Display and share these create-a-fighters via Fighter Share by uploading and browsing other created fighters. In addition, through Fighter Share players can download and try out any fighters created by the passionate EA SPORTS MMA community. Customize Your Own Fight Card – Become a promoter and set up a night of fights with your friends. With the ability to host four fights per card with up to 10 people connected*, players can challenge each other to fights, and talk trash while friends provide commentary to the fight. Total Strike Control – Through an intuitive control system for striking, elbow, knees and kicks, players can go on the offensive with Total Strike Control, providing the utmost flexibility for their fighters. EA SPORTS MMA also provides the flexibility for those who prefer fighting using face buttons with the Classic Control scheme. Sherdog MMA Fighter Exchange Program brought to you by EA SPORTS MMA. Announced on October 11, EA SPORTS will be sponsoring the Sherdog MMA Fighter Exchange program, which mirrors EA SPORTS MMA’s career mode where young fighters travel the globe to learn various martial arts disciplines. The program gives four up-and-coming fighters the opportunity to learn new fighting techniques and disciplines while training with STRIKEFORCE MMA superstars that appear in EA SPORTS MMA. Two North American fighters will train in Japan and Brazil under the tutelage of Luke Rockhold and Jason “Mayhem” Miller, while two international fighters, will be mentored by Gegard Mousasi and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in the U.S. Sherdog.com will provide a behind-the-scenes look throughout the fight camps with blog and video coverage of the fighters. After weeks of training, the four fighters will make their STRIKEFORCE debut, as an undercard, during the December 4 fight featuring Dan Henderson vs. Renato “Babalu” Sobral, which will be streamed online by Sherdog.com. EA SPORTS MMA will be available on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the iPhone® and iPod® touch. For more information about EA SPORTS MMA, visit www.easportsmma.com or follow the game on Twitter at www.twitter.com/easportsmma and Facebook at www.facebook.com/easportsmma. EA SPORTS™ is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, global videogame competitions and breakthrough digital experiences. EA SPORTS delivers personal access to the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA ELITE basketball, NCAA® Football, Fight Night boxing, EA SPORTS MMA, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf, and EA SPORTS Active. *Internet connection and EA account required