Toronto Thumbs

X’10
Chapter 6 - Can You Play Me Now?

In a land dominated by two different mobile OS powerhouses with fruity sounding tie-ins, it’s hard to imagine anyone breaking the mold. Microsoft’s previous portable OS’s have not really rocked any boats; they are reliable, not really too flashy, and honestly overshadowed fairly easily by iOS and RIM’s proprietary OS. However, Microsoft may have just evened the playing field with their new mobile OS. Intrigued?  So was I, so I made sure to snag a demo when I was at X’10.

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Posted in First Impressions, LIVE, Microsoft, Windows Phone 7 | No Comments »

X’10
Chapter 1 - The Rockening

The first thing I noticed about X’10 was that it was much bigger than X’09 had been; a larger area was occupied by HDTVs (we’re talking multiple floors here) and the air was awash in the green light that I associate with the Xbox 360’s colour scheme. It was like being a kid in a candy factory; the only problem I was having was figuring out where I was going to go first. A nice lady from MTV Games entered the picture and led myself (as well as Rich and Don from GameNorth) to the Rock Band 3 booth.

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Posted in Events, First Impressions, Kinect, LIVE, Xbox 360 | No Comments »

Wake Up!
Watch For the Signal

The Signal (the first game add-on for Alan Wake) is available today on Xbox LIVE. Grab your flashlight and head into the world of writer Alan Wake, where reality and nightmare meet in unexpected ways; will Alan’s mind hold against the latest mystery? Follow The Signal to find out!

For those who purchased new copies of the game, a token card is included with which one may download this add-on. Otherwise, it is available for 560 Microsoft Points. This game has met with many a positive review, so if you own it, check out the new content! A new trailer is available for viewing on the Alan Wake page as well, so…

Click here for Wakey Wakey! »

Posted in LIVE, News Bytes, Xbox 360 | No Comments »

Good Things
Mission 4 Miracles

Some folks tend to look at gaming as a hobby that doesn’t really give anything back to the world other than carpal tunnel syndrome and photophobia. However, every once in a while someone shows that gamers are more than meets the eye. Last week, Microsoft introduced a really great initiative called Mission 4 Miracles: Xbox Live gamers can donate LIVE points to help raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network.

It’s a fantastic idea; gamers get to interact with participating celebrities; 14 participating hospitals get the proceeds; it’s win-win!

Check it out »

Posted in Awesome, LIVE, Microsoft, News Bytes | No Comments »

I Play What I Want!
Pac-Man Championship Edition for Xbox Live Arcade

Hello, intrepid readers! Long time no talk!

There has been a flurry of Galaxy-ing in my house lately and the mini-game-like levels of both Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel have overwhelmed me. But fear not – last night, I decided to hit up my old favourite and it gave me the desire to write about it here for you: Pac-Man Championship Edition for Xbox Live Arcade!

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Posted in LIVE, Xbox 360 | No Comments »

OMG
Might and Magic Clash of Heroes

Since I do not own a Nintendo DS there are few games for this system with which I am familiar. To catch my attention, the games have to be either very good or very well-hyped. One such game is Might and Magic: Clash Of Heroes. This 2009 release was very well received by both reviewers and players.

So, when Ubisoft announces that this summer will see the release of this game to both XBOX Live Arcade and Playstation Network I need to take note.

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Posted in LIVE, News Bytes, PSN, Previews, Videos | No Comments »

Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition
Excella’s Got The Moves

This week Capcom revealed a new playable character for the upcoming Mercenary’s Reunion in Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition. That character? The evil Tricell CEO, Excella Gionne.

When playing Resident Evil 5, Adam and I had the exact same reaction the first time Excella appeared on screen to taunt us: we knew that somewhere down the line she’d have tentacles coming out of her, and that it wouldn’t be pretty. We were half right.*

In Mercenary’s Reunion, Excella will have martial arts moves in addition to her automatic firearm. Along with the character reveal Capcom also mentioned new moves for both Jill Valentine (she can jump on a Majini from behind and twist its neck) and Josh Stone (who can tackle and elbow drop like he’s in the NHL).

Those who already have Resident Evil 5 won’t have to buy the Gold Edition to get in on the extra action as they look like they’ll all be made available in the form of DLC via both Xbox Live and PSN.

*It was pretty.

Posted in Awesome, LIVE, News Bytes, PSN, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | No Comments »

Crash Castles Cheaply
Castle Crashers On sale for 560 Microsoft Points

Microsoft is continuing with their holiday sales by dropping the much-loved Castle Crashers to just 560 Points for today only. If you like crazy multiplayer games full of disgusting humour and fart jokes, and you somehow do not already own Castle Crashers, consider this your golden opportunity to make that investment.

With the game typically selling for 1200 Microsoft Points, this is a great savings indeed. Also, if you didn’t have New Years Eve plans, now you pretty much do.

Posted in Awesome, Bargains, LIVE, News Bytes, Xbox 360 | No Comments »

Holiday Steal
Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 for 560 Points Today

If you’ve got yourself an Xbox 360 and are itching for some over-the-top fighting fun, be sure to download Marvel Vs. Capcom 2. It’s on sale today as part of Microsoft’s Holiday Extravaganza sale promotion. Regular price for this title is 1200 Microsoft Points, but today (and only today) that has been dropped down to a crazy low 560. I’ve already started my download, after having to do a hard drive cleanup (the 360’s 20 GB drive is tiny!), and encourage you to do the same.

If you’re not going to be near your console today you can purchase it through Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE Marketplace web interface.

If, however, 560 Points is still too much (or if you don’t have an Xbox 360), you can always play Deertase 2: Reindeertase for free.

Posted in Arcade, Awesome, LIVE, News Bytes, Xbox 360 | No Comments »

Assassin’s Creed II – The Promo Onslaught Continues

With the release of Assassin’s Creed II just a few short weeks away, Ubisoft is kicking the promotion machine into high gear.

On Monday, the software giant announced that the first of three episodes from their new film series, Assassin’s Creed: Lineage, will debut on YouTube starting on October 27, 2009. As part of this debut, YouTube will have the first episode on its homepage in eight countries for 24 hours.

The Assassin’s Creed: Lineage film series was developed by Ubisoft’s Hybride Technologies, the visual effects studio behind 300 and Sin City. The film series will be a blend of live-action with CGI elements and it will cover events prior to the start of Assassin Creed II. Much of the story will deal with Giovanni Auditore da Firenze, who is the father of Ezio, the protagonist in the upcoming game. Several other characters that appear in the game will have appearances in Assassin’s Creed: Lineage.

In other Assassin’s Creed II news, one of my Facebook friends just assassinated me! I received an email a few minutes ago notifying me of my untimely demise at the hands of this so-called friend. I clicked through to see a customized video in which Ezio takes me out. It was a trailer I’d seen before only my face was digitally superimposed over the main target’s face. But it was pretty cool nonetheless. If you’re on the Facebook (and who isn’t?), you can assassinate one of your friends by checking out missionassassin.com. I couldn’t quite get it to work, but maybe you’ll have better luck.

Also, if you’re on Facebook, you could also become a fan of Toronto Thumbs.

Posted in Awesome, LIVE, News Bytes, PC, PSN, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | No Comments »