VIDEO GAME REVIEW: Bioshock Infinite: Burial At Sea Episode 1 - Take 2 Interactive

Release Date: 12/11/13
Publisher:  Take 2 Interactive

SYNOPSIS:

Burial at Sea - Episode 1 is the first part of the story-driven downloadable content of BioShock Infinite, which was released on November 12th. This DLC puts the player in the perspective of Booker DeWitt in a new story, taking place in the city of Rapture right before its fall.


REVIEW:

Having loved playing Bioshock Infinite I couldn’t wait for the chance to return to spend time with Booker and Elizabeth so when this outing became available, with these two characters as well as returning to a familiar Rapture setting, I couldn’t wait to embark.

Whilst this follows its own plotline, please be aware that whilst you can play it without having played the full game first, this add on with have spoilers, so I urge you make sure you’ve finished the original first otherwise you may have elements spoilt. What this title does is bring the edgy horror elements into an enclosed environment which, as a player will find you sneaking round corners hoping to get the jump on villains as ammo is in short supply so a quick melee attack can be a lifesaver.

Its lots of fun, has great twists and of course with the storyline taking the reader on a great journey, this addition will keep you playing for a couple of hours leaving the reader not only on the hook but demanding the second part when the cliff-hanger ending finishes playing. Great stuff.

VIDEO GAME NEWS: The Bureau: Orbit and the Asteroid TV Show - Take 2 Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs, 
Our friends at The Bureau have sent us exclusive TV footage of the alien invasion from the 1950's.

We hope that this will help convince you to take up the fight against these invaders and show them what earth people are capable of when riled:

So stand up, be proud, your planet needs you.  


Gareth and Lady Eleanor

VIDEO GAME NEWS: The Bureau: XCOM Declassified Game Footage Trailer - Take 2 Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs, 
Our friends at The Bureau have let us have some footage from their Xcom Declassified Files that go to show the battle that rages in the US against the Xenos foes back in the 50's.

We hope that you'll take up the fight and show these invaders what earth people are made of:

May their deity have mercy on thier souls and we look forward to hearing  how you progress in your own struggles.


Gareth and Lady Eleanor

LADY ELEANOR VIDEO GAME REVIEW: Bioshock Infinite - Take 2 Interactive

Release Date: 26/03/13
Publisher:  Take 2 Interactive

SYNOPSIS:
Indebted to the wrong people, with his life on the line, veteran of the U.S. Cavalry and now hired gun, Booker De-Witt has only one opportunity to wipe his slate clean. He must rescue Elizabeth, a mysterious girl imprisoned since childhood and locked up in the flying city of Columbia. Forced to trust one another, Booker and Elizabeth form a powerful bond during their daring escape. Together, they learn to harness an expanding arsenal of weapons and abilities, as they fight on zeppelins in the clouds, along high-speed Sky-Lines, and down in the streets of Columbia, all while surviving the threats of the air-city and uncovering its dark secret.

Gameplay
BioShock Infinite is a first-person shooter with role-playing elements. As Booker, the player moves about the various structures of Columbia using a grappling hook, a series of railways connecting the buildings called the Skyline, and other transport means to search for Elizabeth. The player will gain weapons which can be used in numerous ways within the environment, including on the Skyline, to defeat enemies. Booker gains powers and abilities by using ‘vigors’ and wearing gear that are found through Columbia. Vigors grant activated powers such as telekinesis, electricity manipulation, or animal control, while selected gear are passive abilities that can improve the player's strength or damage resistance. With gear, the player has four available slots, and has to make decisions on which combination of offensive and defensive capabilities work for them. The key to success is to use vigor and weapons strategically – the player will be rewarded for considering all elements of the combat scenario and utilising the tools at Booker’s disposal in the best way possible!

Key Features
The City in the Sky – Leave the depths of Rapture to soar among the clouds of Columbia. A techno¬logical marvel, the flying city is a beautiful and vibrant world that holds a very dark secret.

Unlikely Mission – Set in 1912, hired gun Booker DeWitt must rescue a mysterious girl from the sky-city of Columbia or never leave it alive.

Whip, Zip, and Kill – Turn the city’s Sky-Lines into weaponized roller coasters as you zip through the flying city and dish out fatal hands-on punishment.

Tear Through Time – Open Tears in time and space to shape the battlefield and turn the tide in com¬bat by pulling weapons, turrets, and other resources out of thin air.

Vigorous Powers – Throw explosive fireballs, shoot lightning, and release murders of crows as dev-astatingly powerful Vigors surge through your body to be unleashed against all that oppose you.

Custom Combat Experience – With deadly weapons in one hand, powerful Vigors in the other, and the ability to open Tears in time and space, fight your own way through the floating city of Columbia to rescue Elizabeth and reach freedom.

1999 Mode – Upon finishing BioShock Infinite, the player can unlock a game mode called “1999 Mode” that gives experienced players a taste of the kind of design and balance that hardcore gamers enjoyed back in the 20th century.


REVIEW:

Having been a fan of Bioshock since picking up the second instalment I couldn’t wait to see what Take 2 Interactive would do when they took the reader into the skies. Giving the player something a little more open with an appearance of something that had infinite space rather than the oppressive feeling that the player was subjected to within Rapture.

It’s a whole new world design, various floating platforms and whilst you get that feeling that life has something unique for the citizens, you soon learn that appearances can be deceptive as Booker delves beneath the cities sheen into the dark murky world of Zachary Hale Comstock, prophet of the city of Columbia.

The game design is not only imaginative but there’s so many distractions to keep the player looking round each section carefully, whether its searching for sightseeing items like binoculars or the various movie players, tracking down trash cans to see what’s been thrown away like silver dollars and foods or seeing what the inhabitants are up to in this apparent paradise.

Add to this cracking characters with Booker and Elizabeth (whose interaction within the game grows and blends wonderfully well as they get to know each other) working in conjunction with Booker handling the combat while Elizabeth opens tears and picks locks, really brings new elements to the game. Whilst this alone for most players would be enough, throw into the mix Villains that vary in toughness and change strategies to give the player a challenge and it’s a game of multiple options, especially when you add the use of Vigors (Bioshock 2’s Plasmids) alongside a whole new set of hardware.

All in, this game is massive, the scenery breath-taking and when added to a storyline that twists and turns throwing the viewer a few curves that, when blended with Take 2’s ability to take the player into someplace new, all round made me a very happy gamer, especially when I found even more on a secondary play through looking to complete some of the challenges.


Lady Eleanor is Falcata Times Mistress of Mayhem, be it in the Horror Genre or on the console, she gives it her all and loves to blow the hell out of anyone who gets in her way.  You can often find her perusing the game sites to get the latest gossip on what’s arriving next or checking out the latest movie/book releases to see what grabs her attention.

In addition to this Lady Eleanor is a lifelong fan of pin up and in particular the Fetish Queen of the 50’s Bettie Page and whilst the name is an alias, its due more to her love of a song by the same title by the group Lindisfarne rather than her dominating presence when she lays down the law.
(Artwork by Isis Sousa for Falcata Times)

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Bioshock Infinite new trailer - Take 2 Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,
We hope that you're getting as excited about the forthcoming Bioshock Infinite as we are.  

Lady Eleanor has been currently on the rampage through the previous two decimating everything in her way regardless and robbing for the best equipment possible to continue her rampage.

Currently we still have just over a month to go (26th March 2013) until its release and just help ease that itch to get your hands on a copy, we've been sent a new trailer:

With luck this will have helped your addiction but with a cracking world to explore, new concepts to unleash as well as unveil you know damn well that its going to be the best title yet.  Here's hoping that it'll sate Lady Eleanor's desire for carnage. All the best, Gareth and Lady Eleanor

VIDEO GAME REVIEW: Borderlands 2 - Take 2 Interactive

Release Date: 21/09/12

SYNOPSIS:

Borderlands 2 furthers the distinct blending of First Person Shooter and Role Playing genres to create the true evolution of the Role Playing Shooter. Team up with up to three other players for four-player online goodness or go old-school with two-player split-screen couch sharing mayhem as you spend hours leveling up your character and equipping them with one of the millions of badass weapons.

Borderlands 2 features a new visually stunning array of procedurally generated guns, shields, grenades, artifacts, enemies and more. Choose one of the four new character classes to be taken through a carefully crafted and connected story to all new and surprising environments across the living planet of Pandora. Make new friends, arm them to the teeth and fight alongside them on your relentless quest for revenge and redemption.

Features:

Gunzerker Leads a Cast of All-New Characters and All-New Classes: Step into the role of the Gunzerker, whose highly deadly skills allow him to dual-wield any two weapons found in the game. Not only that, you will build on that skill to do more things with two guns than you ever imagined possible. Dual machine guns? Cool. Dual rocket launchers? Of course! Dual Sniper Rifles? Sure, if that’s your thing! Want to try other styles? More tactical perhaps? There are multiple classes to choose from!

Dynamic Co-op online, split-screen and LAN: Share your adventures with friends both online and via LAN. Borderlands 2 features a seamless system enabling you to drop in and drop out of a campaign without ever having to restart the game. On top of that you can even take your new gear from any game to any other!

World Connected Story: You will find yourself left for dead in the frozen tundra of Pandora as you begin your quest of revenge and redemption. Expose the evil surrounding the Hyperion Corporation and take on the perpetrator of a universe-wide grand deception -- the nefarious Hyperion CEO, Handsome Jack. (Oh, also: he's stolen credit for the opening of the Vault.)

New Badass Gun System: An entirely new take on the groundbreaking procedural system means millions upon millions of possible weapons. The variety and style of guns in Borderlands 2 is staggering, and you’ll see tons of new and innovative ways to engage foes on Pandora. Fire, electricity, corrosive acid, and much more will all be at your disposal as you fight your way through the Hyperion Corporation’s forces!

87 Bazillion...Everything: In addition to the new gun system, you will lust after procedurally generated shields, grenades, Alien Artifacts, class mods and much, much more. And you thought the original Borderlands had a ton of loot!

Brand new environments on Pandora: Hunt through entirely brand new areas of Pandora that are more alive than ever! From the arctic tundra, through the dangerous grasslands, past the mysterious corrosive caverns to beyond, you’ll be surprised by the unpredictable world of Pandora at every turn!

Brand new enemies: A whole slew of new enemies are out there to kill you in Borderlands 2. Hulking, gorilla-like Bullymongs, vicious predatory Stalkers and the Hyperion mechanical army, run by Handsome Jack, are just some of the new enemies you will be facing off against on Pandora. New strategies will need to be created for every fight, as enemies now interact and aid each other to ensure you don’t get far in the world of Pandora.



REVIEW:

I’ve been looking forward to this game for quite some time and after replaying the original just prior to starting I was expecting a hell of a lot with loads of missions, bazillions of guns and of course the ability to annihilate the citizens of Pandora whilst achieving my own aims.

Upon receiving the game the first thing that you have to decide is which class you want to play and with four to choose from, each offers their own style of play. For example, Lady Eleanors straight in, no messing attitude is ideal for the Gunzerker, whereas for me having loved the Siren in the original I set off playing this class and whilst it has been fun, I suspect the Assassin may be more to my taste (which I’ll try on a replay shortly) whereas you enjoy playing a more military strategic option then the Commando would suit you. It’s great fun, it has a couple of different vehicles to drive round (although I tended to stick with the Rocket Launcher on the Light Runner) which whilst fun, I’d have liked the option of flying the Buzzard at some point. Add to this lockers to stash old guns in for others characters you play and I thought it was a very nice touch.

All in the game has a lot of quirky people to meet, an absolute ton of missions and of course always the chance to get bigger and better weapons as well as the options to buy and sell. Finally add to the mix, a whole load of missions, a wicked sense of humour thrown into the programming backed up with huge amount of chaos within the threads and all in it’s a game that I’ve absolutely loved and can’t wait to re-embark upon again.

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Borderlands 2 New Launch Trailer - Take 2 Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,

So you've got an itchy trigger finger?  You need foes to slay?  Well lets just say that Lady Eleanor know's your pain.  She's been biting at the bit and to be honest you  its been getting a little disconcerting.

Thankfully our friends at Take 2 Interactive have sent us an additional Trailer for the Borderlands 2 Launch that has sated her needs for the moment (although I think that I'll still hear her using the Door Peep Hole as if it were a Sniper Scope on the unsuspecting posty until her copy lands)

So hopefully to keep things a little easier on your other half is the new trailer we hope you enjoy:

All the best, Gareth and Lady Eleanor

NEWS: Borderlands 2 Bungee Jump - Take 2 Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,

So you really want a copy of Borderlands 2 but finding that the pocket is a little bit too light to accommodate?  

Well our friends at Take 2 Interactive have let us know about a way that you can get a copy without parting with the moolah.  What do you have to do?

Nothing too bad, just get to Ely’s Yard, Brick Lane, London, on the 23rd September where you're all are invited to put your mettle to the test and take the plunge from a specially designed Borderlands 2 bungee crane  (Ed. Jumping is free and they'll even give you a cord) for your chance to win a copy of the game

Ben Lawrence, UK PR Manager 2K Games said, “We want to provide an afternoon of extreme fun and discover just how psycho Borderlands 2 fans can get. A bungee jump is the perfect way to truly test your nerves and we’re excited to bring the insane pleasure of the game into the real world!”

VIDEO GAME NEWS: New Borderland 2 Trailer - Take 2 Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,

Our friends at Take 2 Interactive have let us know about the latest advert for the latest game in the Borderlands cult franchise.

Its Handsome Jack who's there to antagonise you, a guy who thinks he's bigger, cleverer and of course untouchable, but hey, you're used to tougher opponents.  You've slaughtered your way through hordes of screaming foes (both before and after you've blown thier legs off), you've locked and loaded with the best and of course with the choice of four extremely cool characters to play we know you just can't wait.  So wet your appetite with this little beauty.

See you on Pandora, Gareth and Lady Eleanor.

VIDEO GAME NEWS: Borderlands 2 - Take 2 Interactive

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,

Our friends at Take 2 Interactive have let us know about the latest advert for the latest game in the Borderlands cult franchise.

Its got guns, big guns and of course ridiculously huge guns.  Add to this a whole host of characters to play, quirky beasts to slay as well as some really cool vehicles but all with the capacity to slay.

It looks like our sort of game, and with Lady Eleanor being all ready to go Guns Blazing, its definitely going to be something that she'll be getting a blast (or rather blasting) from.

So for your amusement, here is the trailer thats got us so excited:

Hope you look forward to this as much as we are and remember, if you happen to see us coming at ya online prepare for glory or failure with Lady Eleanors outright charging, whilst I snipe on her behalf.

Borderlands 2 is available on the 21st September for the following formats:

PC

Xbox 360

Playstation 3

Product Description:

Borderlands 2 furthers the distinct blending of First Person Shooter and Role Playing genres to create the true evolution of the Role Playing Shooter. Team up with up to three other players for four-player online goodness or go old-school with two-player split-screen couch sharing mayhem as you spend hours leveling up your character and equipping them with one of the millions of badass weapons. Borderlands 2 features a new visually stunning array of procedurally generated guns, shields, grenades, artifacts, enemies and more. Choose one of the four new character classes to be taken through a carefully crafted and connected story to all new and surprising environments across the living planet of Pandora. Make new friends, arm them to the teeth and fight alongside them on your relentless quest for revenge and redemption.

Features:

• Gunzerker Leads a Cast of All-New Characters and All-New Classes: Step into the role of the Gunzerker, whose highly deadly skills allow him to dual-wield any two weapons found in the game. Not only that, you will build on that skill to do more things with two guns than you ever imagined possible. Dual machine guns? Cool. Dual rocket launchers? Of course! Dual Sniper Rifles? Sure, if that’s your thing! Want to try other styles? More tactical perhaps? There are multiple classes to choose from!
• Dynamic Co-op online, split-screen and LAN: Share your adventures with friends both online and via LAN. Borderlands 2 features a seamless system enabling you to drop in and drop out of a campaign without ever having to restart the game. On top of that you can even take your new gear from any game to any other!
• World Connected Story: You will find yourself left for dead in the frozen tundra of Pandora as you begin your quest of revenge and redemption. Expose the evil surrounding the Hyperion Corporation and take on the perpetrator of a universe-wide grand deception -- the nefarious Hyperion CEO, Handsome Jack. (Oh, also: he's stolen credit for the opening of the Vault.)
• New Badass Gun System: An entirely new take on the groundbreaking procedural system means millions upon millions of possible weapons. The variety and style of guns in Borderlands 2 is staggering, and you’ll see tons of new and innovative ways to engage foes on Pandora. Fire, electricity, corrosive acid, and much more will all be at your disposal as you fight your way through the Hyperion Corporation’s forces!
• 87 Bazillion...Everything: In addition to the new gun system, you will lust after procedurally generated shields, grenades, Alien Artifacts, class mods and much, much more. And you thought the original Borderlands had a ton of loot!
• Brand new environments on Pandora: Hunt through entirely brand new areas of Pandora that are more alive than ever! From the arctic tundra, through the dangerous grasslands, past the mysterious corrosive caverns to beyond, you’ll be surprised by the unpredictable world of Pandora at every turn!
• Brand new enemies: A whole slew of new enemies are out there to kill you in Borderlands 2. Hulking, gorilla-like Bullymongs, vicious predatory Stalkers and the Hyperion mechanical army, run by Handsome Jack, are just some of the new enemies you will be facing off against on Pandora. New strategies will need to be created for every fight, as enemies now interact and aid each other to ensure you don’t get far in the world of Pandora.