Over the past few months we’ve seen many great exclusives coming from Sony and their latest one inFamous is one of their best to date. Infamous is coming to us from Sucker Punch studios; the people that gave us the Sly Cooper franchise. Now many people were wondering if they had what it took to create an open world action game and give us the ability to wield electric super powers, you can put those negative thoughts to rest because inFamous in a fine example on how to create a different kind of open world game and overall its one of the best games of the year so far.

The graphics in inFamous are for the most part solid but there are some issues that I encountered when playing. First off you can expect alot of texture pop up on the environments, and at time things like cars and pedestrians would sometimes disappear and re-appear right in front of you, this is due to the fact that there are no loading screens at all in the game, so I give Sucker Punch props for being able to pull that off. The character models for the most part look solid too; your lead character Cole McGrath fits the lead role and the pedestrians of Empire City are fairly diverse. Also whether your exploring or destroying Empire City, it is a treat to be in and it makes the game as a whole feel atmospheric and very different from the other open world games on the market.

The cut scenes on the other hand are my favorite part in terms of graphics. The cut scenes are told in a motion comic book type way and it really suited the game very well, and not to mention that it’s all shown in a beautiful cell shaded style. When playing as Cole you’ll be amazed by the lighting effects of the his electric powers and destroying things like cars and zapping enemies are amazing to look at.

With an open world game you can expect lots of gameplay options. Infamous features a Karma system where you can either become a hero or become infamous, now the choices they give you to pursue your side are very well thought; you can do things like heal pedestrians, save people from gangs and even let a mob of people hang someone over a light post and do nothing about it. The path you take also determines what powers you can unlock and it will also determine the outcome of the end.

As for the main story line, you’ll be sucked into it and you’ll want to figure out the reason why Cole has these powers and the overall truth to the events in Empire City. There’s also a ton of side missions to complete and there is great variety of them. Side missions vary and you’ll be doing things like escorting thugs to prison, disableing security cameras from buildings and destroying gang compounds. Doing side missions earns you part of a district and this causes the gang population to decrease with every mission that you complete and it will eventually banish the gangs from empire city.

Now doing these missions earns you experience that you use to upgrade Cole’s abilities. You’ll be able to enhance the strength behind Cole’s electric attacks and decrease the amount of damage you take. Your characters development is important throughout the game and because things get tougher throughout the game. Things are not all about fighting though, when your not busy saving Empire city you can search for the 350 blast shards and 32 dead drops. The dead drops are satellites that are on top of buildings and finding them will reveal some of inFamous’ back story.

In closing inFamous is a must have title for any PS3 owner, its a great example on how to properly make and open world super hero game. With amazing powers, lots of gameplay options, an intriguing story and lots of replay value inFamous is sure to keep you entertained for a long time and its the best reason yet to own a Playstation 3.

Score: 9.0/10

News:

Xbox Live Arcade was once looked at as a small platform for retro gaming. Overtime with the release of XNA the arcade started to evolve with games like Lode Runner and the infamous Dishwasher. These two games alone started to elevate the Xbox Arcade platform to new heights even competiting against exclusive games like Pain on the psn and rag doll kung fu.

The PSN network and Xbox Arcade offer tons of gaming content for every one whether casual or hardcore you will be happy with the game selection that’s offered too you. Now there’s more to come and more to be excited about especially with Xbox Arcade. The announcement of Shadow Complex blew everyone away at E3’09 because this games looks like a retail purchase not a traditional Xbox Arcade title.

This year Xbox Arcade has a prime opportunity to showcase even more amazing games and they are going too continue this trend with The Warriors: Street Brawl exclusively. No gameplay has been shown of this title but here’s a teaser trailer for this game along with some features that’s supposed to grace this title

Available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade, The Warriors: Street Brawl features six missions of three levels each for a total of 18 arcade-style battles. Staying true to the movie, The Warriors: Street Brawl begins at the gang summit in Van Cortland Park and continues as players fight hordes of notorious rivals in a life or death battle to their home turf. Players can become one of the iconic Warriors, including Swan, Cochise, Vermin or Rembrandt, as they try to uphold the gang’s reputation as one of the toughest factions in New York. The tension builds until the epic beach showdown against Luther, devious leader of The Rogues.

Key Features:
• Retro Side-Scrolling Brawler Action – Experience the movie the way it was intended with old-school white knuckle brawling. A gun doesn’t make you tough, use knives, bats, crowbars, 2×4’s and pool cues to get up close and personal. Fight your way back to your turf for the big showdown with Luthor on the beach.
• Three Gameplay modes:
o Single Player – Battle your way through the streets on your own all the while trying to meet up with your crew back on your home turf…Coney.
o Local Multiplayer – Up to four players representing the toughest crew in the city, The Warriors. Follow the storyline in 4 player co-op all the way to the Coney. Just remember to watch each other’s back.
o Online Multiplayer Co-Op – Recruit your own gang of friends to come out to play on the same console or over Xbox LIVE. Bring each player’s special move to the fight.
• Versus Mode – Not all gang members get along. Go toe to toe with up to 4 of your fellow gang members to see who the true Warchief is!
• Boss Mode – Put The Warriors through the grinder in a non-stop string of boss fights in this unlockable mode to see if you have what it takes to become the city’s top dog.
• Unlockable Content – Build your army of Warriors as you progress through the game by unlocking hidden gang members
• Comic Book Visuals – The Warriors: Street Brawl has a unique visual style that captures the comic book-like nature of the tale filled with gritty, dangerous characters in haunting locations across Manhattan at night

Written By: Gerard (HipHopGamer) Williams

Grammy-winning artist Usher filed for divorce from his wife of nearly two years, Tameka Foster, Friday in Atlanta.

Legal papers don’t cite an official reason for the split. A source tells Usmagazine.com the pair have been “separated for awhile.

Usher, 30, and Foster, 38, have two sons together: Usher Raymond V, 21 months, and Naviyd Ely, who was born last December. Foster also has three sons from a prior relationship.

“Usher just wants what’s best for the kids,” the source tells Us.

They are due in court Wednesday, July 15, court records show.

The pair confirmed their August 2007 nuptials exclusively to Usmagazine.com

It was beautiful and private, Usher gushed to Us. of their wedding in Atlanta, Georgia. “We didnt have a first dance but we had a lovely, intimate dinner filled with candlelight and flowers.”

They exchanged vows again on September 1.

SOURCE www.yahoo.com

A sudden increase of HIV infections within the adult movie industry could lead to health regulations, sources say. But porn industry officials warn that such moves could push the $12-billion-a-year industry “underground.”

Last Thursday, a report in the The Los Angeles Times revealed that a porn actress had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation confirmed this report, but would not release the woman’s name. This public disclosure led porn industry officials to claim that this had been the first reported case of HIV in their industry since 2004. But Los Angeles County Health officials dispute this, saying that there have been at least 16 other (though unpublicized) cases of HIV among porn performers since that time.

SOURCE thisis50.com