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Tired of the same old maps (that were already installed on the disc)? DICE has set a date for the upcoming Onslaught mode for Battlefield: Bad Company 2. Save up your points, because on June 22nd you should be ready to drop 800 of them for a pick-me-update. It’s going to be the same ol’ Valparaiso, Atacama Desert, Isla Inocentes, and Nelson Bay maps, but Onslaught will bring new co-op, objective-based mission play for up to four players. Kit Shortcuts will also become available on June 16th, granting players the option to unlock a kit’s weapons, gadgets, and specializations for about $7 per kit (or $20 for all four). Or, you know, you could just do the work, lazy.

June 15th brings a Massload of space RPG content. On this day, Mass Effect 2 will not only unleash its demo upon the Marketplace, but it will also publish the Overlord DLC. Those new to the title will become (re)acquainted with the cast of Mass Effect 2, while the savvy may explore the expansion’s five new areas as they check out an ominously silent Cerberus research base.

In an unexpected turn of events, Fallout: New Vegas will come with four different bonus packs, each one exclusive to its own specific retail chain. GameStop will bestow upon its customers the Classic Pack, which includes an Armored Vault 13 Suit, a Vault 13 Canteen, a Weathered 10mm Pistol, and four Stimpaks. Amazon is packed with the Tribal version, which includes Tribal Raiding Armor, a Broad Machete, five Bleak Venom doses, and 10 Throwing Spears. For Steam/Walmart loyalists, the Caravan Pack is for you; this bundle is composed of Lightweight Leather Armor, a Sturdy Caravan Shotgun, four Repair Kits, and a pair of Binoculars. Finally, Best Buy gifts consumers with the Mercenary Pack, a collection of Lightweight Metal Armor, the Mercenary’s Grenade Rifle, three Super Stimpaks, and three Doctor’s Bags. While it’s nice to see GameStop’s iron grip on add-on bonuses loosened a little, this bonus pack versatility is sure to rub some collectors the wrong way.

Remember the Dreamcast? Sega has announced that they will begin porting the throwback console’s classic titles to XBLA and PSN later in the year. Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi are slated to lead the rereleases, which will be outfitted with better sound, quality, and the Achievement/Trophy system. Maybe E3 will fill in a few more details?

E3 2010 is almost here, which means anxiety levels are high over at 360 Rant Rave. Do we have everything we need? What are we wearing? Can we get to each appointment on time? Should we stop in and check out Leonard Nimoy? These and many more questions run through our heads, but perhaps chief amongst all these queries, is how we will pay for it all.

Don’t you fret, for we’ll figure it all out somehow. We’ve got a gameplan set up on the new forum (which should go live once the diligent Jolly gets the style and chat in place), so we’ll not be spending our first E3 looking like chocobos with no heads. The funding, however…well, we won’t turn down donations

Here’s a list of who is bringing what to the video game potluck going down in just a few days:

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Introduction
Bayonetta has been likened to God of War, Ninja Gaiden, Spawn, and even Sonic the Hedgehog. The titular heroine herself has conjured déja-vu in reviewers when compared to (of all people) Sarah Palin. Despite the comparisons and contrasts that will forever accompany the latest big action release, Bayonetta remains a fast-paced and over-the-top title that you simply have to play to believe.
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So I loaded up the early access demo to Bayonetta and was greeted with a very nifty intro sequence (i.e., “the story thus far”). After just enough plot to get you thinking, you are whisked to the title screen that reads Bayonetta – First Climax (giggidy spoiler?) and whispers the name of the protagonist.

I stifled a snicker and pressed the start button. Much like most of the storyline, my options here were also showcased on a rolling film reel. Tutorial, The Falling Clock Tower, and The Angel’s Metropolis were ready to play. Since it looked pretty linear I decided to tackle this from the ground up – Tutorial mode first.

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360 Rant Rave has obtained the first trailer for the upcoming Sega title, Iron Man, based on the film staring Robert Downey Jr. 

To view the trailer, click HERE. (2.15MB MOV)

Game on!

SEGA® of America, Inc., SEGA® Europe Ltd. and Obsidian Entertainment, Inc. announced today a new espionage role-playing game set in the modern world – Alpha Protocol™. Developed by award-winning development studio Obsidian Entertainment, makers of smash hits including Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic II The Sith Lords™ and Neverwinter Nights 2™, Alpha Protocol is slated for an early 2009 release for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Windows-based PCs.

“SEGA is very excited to be introducing a new type of gaming experience to next-gen consumers,” stated Sean Ratcliffe, Vice President of Marketing for SEGA of America, Inc. “With ground-breaking new RPG action and an interactive storyline matching the best spy-thrillers, Alpha Protocol delivers a true next-generation RPG experience.”

Loyalty carries a price and no one knows this more than agent Michael Thorton. A talented young agent cast out by his government, Thorton is the only one with the information needed to stop an impending international catastrophe. To do so means he must cut himself off from the very people he is sworn to protect. As players determine how to accomplish different objectives, the decisions made and actions taken in each mission will ultimately transform the type of secret agent Michael Thorton will become. Every choice the player makes as Michael Thorton will carry consequences for his future and the fate of the world.

“Alpha Protocol blends Obsidian’s knack for intricate story, engrossing characters, and significant character advancement with fast-paced modern combat,” said Feargus Urquhart, CEO of Obsidian Entertainment. “Alpha Protocol embraces everything we enjoy about making RPGs from a fresh perspective. We are confident our talented staff at Obsidian will enable us to deliver this exciting RPG experience.”

Alpha Protocol is featured in the April issue of Game Informer.  You can get a sneak peek at the cover HERE. 

Game on!

360 Rant Rave has obtained the first screenshots from the upcoming Sega title, The Incredible Hulk, based on the movie remake staring Edward Norton. 

Is this what we can expect Mr. Ed to look like when we get him too angry? 

Screenshot 1

Screenshot 2

Screenshot 3

You can view the first trailer for the movie HERE.

Game on!

360 Rant Rave has obtained the latest trailer for Sega’s upcoming title, Condemned 2: Bloodshot.  This trailer shows off a finishing move you can use to dispose of your enemies in the game.  Enjoy!

If you are 18 or over, click HERE to download the trailer (110MB .mov – R-Click & Save As).

If you are under 18, please click HERE. 

Game on!

On Tuesday, February 19th, The Club will arrive.  To mark the game’s launch, Bizarre Creations is having a launch competition. 

Two winners will be selected and each will receive signed copies of Bizarre’s recent back titles (PGR4, The Club, and Geometry Wars Galaxies at a minimum), plus all sorts of bits and bobs they’re digging up (posters, t-shirts, stickers, etc.)  This is Bizarre’s biggest prize giveaway yet, and they’re excited about it. 

Here’s the info:

• Aim: Get the highest score you can!

• Platform: Xbox 360 or PS3

• Location: Warehouse

• Route: Downtown Dash

• Difficulty: Insane

• Character: Any

Closing date: Monday 31^st March 2008

To enter, post your their scores onto Bizarre’s forum HERE.  You’ll also want to ensure that you’re connected to Xbox Live so Bizarre can verify the scores. Unfortunately this competition isn’t open to PC folks, as Bizarre can’t reliably verify the scores on that platform.

Of course you can read the full competition announcement on www.bizarrecreations.com, as well as a bunch of hints and tips from Bizarre’s resident expert Pete.  Good luck. 

Game on!