When sports fans think of snowboarding video games, the SSX series immediately comes to mind as being one of the best in the business. Since debuting back in 2000, EA Sports has continued to evolve the series from one generation of consoles to the next. Originally titled SSX: Deadly Descents then later shortened to SSX , this release is expected to set the bar by creating a more realistic open world atmosphere along with keeping the same core gameplay experience that fans have come to know and love. It’s safe to say that even if you aren’t a hardcore snowboarding fan, this game is guaranteed to have enough firepower to peak you’re interests and then some.

The videos below feature pre alpha gameplay footage as well as a 3 part video series detailing the massive worlds that you’ll be exploring once the game drops later this month.

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Back in January of 2010, Vigil Games and THQ embarked on the journey of creating a game inspired by the controversial phenomenon known as the Apocalypse. Aptly titled Darksiders, the hack and slash action-adventure title went on to receive numerous accolades for both story and character development. As The Horseman War, the player is given the task of preserving the balance between Heaven and Hell by forcing a truce between both kingdoms. The end result is a series of events that lead to a renewed war requiring the assistance of the remaining 3 Horsemen Of The Apocalypse. In Darksiders 2, Death becomes the main character and thus introduces a new style of play and personality into the mix.

The developer diary below dives deeper into the Death character and shows various gameplay sequences to give you an idea of how the franchise has evolved. Darksiders 2 is scheduled for release on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC this Summer and as a Wii U launch title later this Fall.

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During the 2009 Spike Video Game Awards, 2K games previewed clips of their upcoming Dubai based third-person shooter Spec Ops: The Line. Several months later, I had a chance to get a hands-on look at the game during an E3 2010 private session. I walked away from my early impressions with a sense of excitement and curiosity as to how they would be able to accomplish all they set out to do with this title. Granted that Spec Ops is already a popular series in it’s own right, the focus of this game expands to include a darker themed narrative, dangerous sandstorm environments, and critical squad-based tactical scenarios. When you then add the element of decision making into the equation, you have an experience that can truly be rewarding if done right.

The developer diary below provided by GameTrailers dives further into expressing the core mechanics of gameplay and story. While no firm release date has been set, 2K games has mentioned that they are aiming for a launch sometime in 2012. As soon as I get word on an official release date, I’ll be happy to let you all know.

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Back in May of 2010, Remedy Entertainment released the psychological thriller Alan Wake exclusively on the Xbox 360. While the game went on to receive favorable reviews from both critics and fans alike, there remained constant concern over whether the game attracted enough people to justify creating a sequel. Luckily for fans of the series, the creative team heard the responses and secretly continued to work on the vision.

Alan Wake’s American Nightmare is not a direct sequel to Alan Wake, but rather a separate game that expands upon the universe while exploring conflicts with Alan’s evil alter ego, Mr. Scratch. Remedy described the game as having a very pulp-fiction oriented style in regards to story and cinematic presentation. The big draw behind this game is that it’s expected to have the same time length and high quality as most retail games, but with the exception that it will be a download only game over the Xbox live Arcade. If done right this could be a game changer for how Microsoft decides to do more of their franchise titles moving forward.

Just as the GameTrailers video details below, American Nightmare is expected to have both a Story Mode and Arcade Action Mode. The Arcade Action mode is similar to Gears Of War’s Horde Mode, in the sense that the premise centers around you surviving a night full of enemy encounters. New weapons and creatures have also been added to make for a more engaging experience.

Alan Wake’s American Nightmare will cost 1200 Microsoft Points ( $15.00) when it releases on Xbox Live Arcade on February 22, 2012.

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From the mind of Ken Levine , creator of BioShock and designer of System Shock 2 , comes one of the most heavily anticipated RPG first-person shooters of 2012. BioShock Infinite is not a direct sequel to BioShock, but rather a new concept set in an air suspended city on the brink of political unrest during the year 1912. The main protagonist in the story is Booker Dewitt, a former agent gone rouge who takes on the task of infiltrating the city and rescuing a young woman named Elizabeth. With the growing war between two factions, Elizabeth holds the key to victory for either side and thus must be kept out of harm’s way. Fans of the original BioShock can expect an intriguing storyline full of memorable characters and dramatic twist plots at every corner.

With no firm release date set and news still circulating everyday, you can expect to hear more about this game over the course of the next couple months. If you haven’t yet had a chance to experience BioShock, I would highly recommend you give it a try. Then and only then will you appreciate the series and see firsthand why the game is on everyone’s radar.

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Resident Evil 6 takes place in China ten years after Resident Evil 2, with Chris Redfield and Leon Kennedy teaming up as the game’s main protagonist.

“Resident Evil 6 represents a giant stride forward in the evolution of the series,” said Capcom’s R&D and marketing head Katsuhiko Ichi.

“The development team, led by Hiroyuki Kobayashi, is working tirelessly to deliver the most impressive Resident Evil title ever both in terms of scope and production values. We are all genuinely excited by the title and cannot wait to share it with the world.”

Resident Evil 6 will be released worldwide on November 20, 2012 for both the Xbox 360, and Playstation 3. The PC version release date is not yet confirmed. Check out the Trailer and leave your comments below.

Fans of the critically acclaimed UFC series will be eagerly anticipating the launch of the latest title in the franchise when it hits stores in February. UFC Undisputed 3 recreates all the intensity and fanfare of the controversial sport complete with a roster of over 150 fighters, enhanced combat mechanics, and the addition of the all-new Pride Mode. One noteworthy feature that several sports games did right last year was nailing the presentation and authenticity of each given sport beautifully. Judging by the demo simulations below of past bouts, UFC is headed in the same direction and looks to start the year of on a high note.

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Throughout this generation of fighting games, action fans have been treated to some heavy-hitting classics year after year. Whether it was the highly anticipated launch of Street Fighter 4 or the brutally awesome reboot of Mortal Kombat, there is no denying that fighting game franchises continue to raise the bar with every new release. With the debut of Soul Calibur V scheduled for the end of this month, Namco is aiming to reignite the hearts of loyal fans everywhere while also proving their series is just as good as the competition. With a roster of 30 fighters , improved gameplay modes, and the addition of guest combatant, Ezio Auditore, Soul Calibur V is primed to be one of the must play fighting games of 2012.

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With the announcement of this title, the promotional tagline of Bigger, Badder, Better indicated that there would be a new look and feel to both the product and the way one would experience gameplay. This quote is only partially true primarily because there are still issues that need to be addressed moving forward. The newly hyped Predator technology was meant to revolutionize the sport by adding 25 new dynamic camera angles to change the perspective and excitement of the action in the ring.

While this feature works in some circumstances, it doesn’t happen often enough to receive a noteworthy mention. Tag Matches fail to offer the same intriguing viewpoints as single one-on-one encounters and many times completing aerial maneuvers doesn’t quite change the depth of field quite exactly as advertised.  Gameplay itself feels eerily similar to past games in the Smackdown series, with only minor tweaks and animations that pop up every now and then. It’s also worth noting that player reaction times vary and holds can easily be broken in both conventional and unconventional fashions. Overall, the system carries an objective love it or leave it type of feel.

In all fairness, the one aspect that shows great promise is the creation of the Comeback moment. Often times you may find yourself taking a fierce beating from your rival and have the ability to mount an impressive comeback. For the most part, this can happen randomly at any given moment during your match. When the action is setoff, your wrestler will conduct a series of signature moves that ultimately culminate into a finisher and pinfall attempt.

Part of the challenge in successfully completing these attacks relies heavily on your timing and rhythm as it relates to pressing the right button prompts when instructed to.  These tasks require skill to master but are highly rewarding when executed correctly. My only suggestion to improve this feature would be to add a comeback gauge that can help you monitor your progress more efficiently and get the jump on your competition.

From a presentation standpoint, WWE 12 is indeed one of the best representations of the sport in the history of the series. The roster is vastly improved and as complete as you would expect. The show intros and PPV pyros are of a professional quality never once seen in the Smackdown series. However with all that said, the graphics remain the weakest part of the package. Models appear the same in comparison to last year’s game and wrestler entrances are often hit or miss.

For example, Alberto Del Rio’s entrance is single handedly one of the worst due to the horrendous voicework of Ricardo Rodriquez and the poorly modeled car that Del Rio drives on stage. With games like Madden and NBA 2k12 constantly stepping up, it’s vital that THQ exhaust all efforts to get the broadcast quality as close to the real thing as possible. Once you get past the graphics, the centerpiece of WWE 12 revolves around 3 key features: An improved Universe Mode, Road To WrestleMania, and Custom creations mode.

"If THQ’s goal is to make a sports game, then they have to do it right or don’t do it at all.

Universe Mode 2.0 is the return of last year’s engaging and addictive GM type mode. In addition to deciding the roster for each show, you now have the ability to defend titles to your heart’s content on any given night. Rivalries and partnerships are customizable and integrated with the Story designer mode to generate unpredictable events from one show to another. Once you begin a show, every match is performed on an endless cycle until you decide to quit the match your in. THQ also managed to add a few surprises within the mode that allow you to unlock superstars, attires, arenas, and titles as you progress through an entire year of wrestling.

While this all sounds great on the surface, there are a few drawbacks that keep this feature from being perfect. For starters when you are given the ability to create a show, the matches themselves can only be edited one at a time. What this means is that if you don’t enjoy all the matches pre booked on the card then you’ll have to play each match through individually, quitting in-between to set them up accordingly.

In earlier games, you were granted access to edit an entire card once then play through it. Deciding to leave a computer generated card as is sometimes results in questionable matches, misguided feuds, and a high level of repetitive bouts from one week to the next. I can understand the decision to place the gamer in an environment full of surprises, but I feel you also should be able to gain more out of the experiences you create as well. Hopefully, these issues can be sorted out in time for next year’s game.

Two other noticeable flaws with the mode have to do with the ability to edit the roster. Gone in this game is the ability to make certain superstars inactive altogether. As a result, legends like Vader or Legion Of Doom show up and get themselves involved in the title picture. Having the ability to turn off certain wrestlers would at least give the player a deeper sense of control of his of her WWE universe.

Also being that this is becoming more of a sports game, it would be ideal if perhaps contracts and injury timetables were implemented.  I recall suffering a career ending injury with Cm Punk at a PPV only to appear healthy and ready for action on RAW the next night. If THQ’s goal is to make a sports game, then they have to do it right or don’t do it at all. Additions like these would not only strengthen the mode, but would create an even higher replayability factor the next time around.

This year’s Road To WrestleMania Mode is a bold new direction that bridges the gap from one storyline to the next and focuses on Shameus, HHH, and a Created Superstar. The decision to have a Villain, Outsider, and Hero storyline is a genius concept that I would urge THQ to stick with moving forward. However at the same time, I would also hope that they would give more consideration to matches that occur outside the ring. No doubt about it, the backstage and ramp brawls are among the worse in the series. While you’re able to throw your opponent into some nearby objects, the scope feels severely limited then due to the claustrophobic camera angles.

Often the end goal is to beat your adversary brutally until a button prompt appears and provides a scripted action. While I can appreciate that this also offers a bit of unpredictability to the formula, it happens all too often and begins to cheapen the overall experience. There aren’t any real variations in location either and these matches become all too predictable and boring after the first couple of rounds. Also annoying is the objective popup that constantly appears on the screen during each fight. In the Smackdown series, objectives were usually stated before the match right at the loading screen. I would suggest that the creative team fixes this issue so as not to distract the gamer while playing.

The story modes within Road To WrestleMania are compelling and a landmark of just why the WWE is the king of Male Soap Operas. As details are important, I noticed there being a flaw in regards to the WWE title appearing in the Smackdown story while the World Heavyweight Title appeared on the RAW Story. For a hardcore fan such as myself, this was a bit annoying but a casual fan won’t find fault in it.

Despite the issues mentioned above, there are various twists and turns that keep you playing until the end. The only suggestion I would love to see moving forward would be the idea to explore some elements of choice from the main superstar. These conventions were toyed around with in the past and I think bringing them back may actually give people an incentive to play through a story again to see a different result. I was a little disappointed that Randy Orton wasn’t the star of the Outsider story over HHH, but the narrative centered around The Game just feels right. Kudos goes to THQ for working with WWE to craft some memorable storylines.

Both Creation and Online modes remain intact this year with few enhancements. Online Royal Rumble and Exhibition modes return to the forefront with better options that let you know how stable a person’s Internet connection is before playing him or her. In addition to creating and sharing stories and entrance videos, you can now design your own arena to coincide with your own PPV event. The customization is extremely detailed with options ranging from choosing wrestling mat colors to creating logos to be included on those mats. Whether you’re a fan of Degeneration-X of the NWO, you can now create rings based off both factions.

When it comes to superstar threads, you can still customize attire colors but that’s about it. Given that this mode has had a few editions, one can help but think how THQ can take things further. Several sports games have started to allow gamers to take pictures of themselves for upload and creation of themselves in various titles. Taking this path of action would allow the team to maintain authenticity and invoke a deeper connection between the audience and the game itself.

WWE 12 is an engaging wrestling simulation that comes close to hitting the mark but isn’t quite there yet. While it can be argued that this is the best in the series, the truth is from a presentation standpoint it shines brightly in some areas but fails to impress in others.It’s no doubt that this series is destined to be the best and I’m confident that with some fixes it can get there next year. The amount of scripted gameplay elements in Road To WrestleMania are very annoying and the lack of control in WWE Universe mode is equally bothersome. Still, if you’re a fan of the genre then picking up this title is absolutely a no brainer.

In addition to being a rich feature that provides constant replayability, THQ also managed to add the WWE Draft into the mix for that extra push. While I haven’t personally had the chance the play the game yet, I should be receiving the game shortly and I’ll be writing up a detailed review on it. If you’re on the fence about whether to buy this game or not, then I would encourage you to come back here on November 22nd to check out my review. In the meantime, feel free to check out the preview video and leave your comments below.

"offers three dynamic set pieces that are varied slightly apart from Dead Rising 2.

Dead Rising 2: Off The Record is a faithful recreation of all the events of the Fortune City Outbreak through the eyes of wisecracking photojournalist Frank West. After the cancellation of his television show and the loss of millions, Frank finds himself at the lowest part of his life. He ultimately decides to participate in the dangerous Terror Is Reality Game Show to massacre zombies and regain fame and fortune. Shortly after the contest, a zombie outbreak occurs and Frank finds himself in the middle of a controversy he aims to solve. Overall, the gameplay in Off The Record offers three dynamic set pieces that are varied slightly apart from Dead Rising 2.

First and Foremost, bringing back Frank West also reestablishes the element of using photography as a tool to progress through the game. Players are rewarded with Prestige Points (PP) for taking photographs of different areas of interest throughout Fortune City. Important areas are clearly indicated by the black and white camera icons that are strategically placed in certain spaces. You can also use the camera to capture the essence of certain situations in their entirety. Photos are graded on a scale of how much Horror, Drama, Erotica, and Brutality are in them. Maxing out all these areas within a snapshot will also earn you extra PP and help you to level up quicker.

Secondly, Off The Record offers some new additions to the settings, enemies, and combo weapons. Among the most noticeable of the bunch is Fortune City’s newest theme park, Uranus Zone. Scaled to perfection and full of deadly rides and attractions, the sci-fi themed amusement park becomes a tool for both discovery and decimation. The idea of using certain rides as zombie-killing mechanisms is fun, but all too short. It would be great to see more of these ideas played around with in future installments of the title. As for the new psychopaths and weapon choices, most are unique to Frank’s badass persona and thus succeed in giving the feel of this being a new game.

Lastly, Off The Record boasts an impressive new feature called Sandbox Mode. This is a free reign roaming mode that allows you to enjoy the full gameplay experience of Dead Rising without having to worry about side missions and time limits. Cooperative play is encouraged as one player can request to join your game at anytime. In addition to taking photos to earn PP, you are also given the opportunity to compete in timed challenges throughout various sections of Fortune City.

"Offers some new additions to the settings, enemies, and combo weapons. 

Challenges can include anything from killing a certain amount of zombies in a particular time frame to safely navigating from one checkpoint to another. The reward for the completion of a challenge is performance based allowing you to receive either a bronze, silver, or gold medal and bragging rights among a robust online leaderboard.

The only flaw that I would point out about this feature is the lack of character choices in general. When playing cooperatively, the other player can only be Chuck and given the amount of cast members in the campaign this seems incomplete. If you decide to play this mode first, you can level up your character and enter story mode with some combat skills already unlocked. Overall, this feature is one that fans have been requesting for quite a while and I’m glad they managed to make it a part of this package.

Off The Record’s story mode greatly differentiates from that of Dead Rising 2. While Motocross sensation Chuck Greene’s quest to investigate the conspiracy stemmed from his desire to clear his name, Frank’s only aim is to reclaim his celebrity status and help others out in the process. When you also add the fact that Chuck had an infected daughter who was dependent upon him to succeed, one can’t help but feel that the lack of emotional pull in this game’s story pales in comparison.

Giving certain characters a deeper sense of importance and meaning always gains a powerful emotional response from the audience. While Off The Record may lack a little of this, it doesn’t take away from the fact that this game is still fun to play. Chances are if you’re a fan of Frank West then story won’t matter to you quite as much as it would to someone else.

Dead Rising 2: Off The Record is a superb zombie slashing experience from beginning to end. If for any reason you didn’t get to play the original Dead Rising 2, then picking up this title at it’s reduced price of $39.99 should be a no brainer. The story remains cheesy, but fun while the Sandbox mode alone will have you playing for hours on end.

After the backlash received from Marvel Vs Capcom 3, I wasn’t convinced they would do this game justice. However after looking over this gameplay video,  I’m impressed with the new modes and am anxious to tryout the game. What do you guys think? Feel free to check out the video and leave your comments below.

Back To The Future was a trilogy that not only solidified the career of breakout actor, Michael J. Fox, but also became known as a highly popular franchise that would remain profitable long after its release. In 2011, Telltale games took their patented episodic gaming formula and infused it with the newly acquired licensing rights to the series. The result is an impressive five-part story arc that recaptures the essence of the films while spotlighting key characters from one chapter to the next.

Episode 1: It’s About Time opens the series on a high note. The premise takes place several months after Back To The Future III and revolves around Marty McFly tracking down the whereabouts of Doctor Emmett Brown. His journey leads him to the controversial Prohibition era of the 1930’s, where he must rescue Doc while keeping the core balance of the time and space continuum intact. We are also introduced to Edna Strickland, an outspoken activist, and significant part of the whole story.

Episode 2: Get Tannen focuses on Marty’s dilema of trying to prevent his grandfather’s assassination by the ruthless criminal Kid Tannen. The bold decision to alter time leads to Marty crossing paths with more family members and Emmett developing a new relationship with Edna.

Episode 3: Citizen Brown further elaborates on newfound partnerships by showing how the past events negatively affect the current. Instead of exercising his passion for inventing, Emmett becomes wrapped up in using his gifts to shape society. As a result, Marty is left to confront Emmett on his ambitious decisions.

Episode 4: Double Visions is easily labeled as an escape chapter. After experiencing the negative ramifications of time travel, Marty and Emmett must work together to fix both the past and present.

Episode 5: Outatime caps off the series nicely by tying up all the loose ends of the story and promising more to come from future games. It’s also worth noting that Michael J. Fox returns as a character to give some added star power to an already stellar cast.

" a stylized cartoony art style that greatly suits both the subject matter and comical misadventures of the characters

Overall, Back To The Future: The Game is a solid effort from Telltale. The gameplay system is designed to be an easy interactive, click and play title that allows you to examine objects, solve puzzles, and engage in multi-layered conversations.The addition of a mystery storyline can be easily compared to plots found in the infamous Sam and Max games.

The only difference here is in the length of authenticity the studio has gone through to pay homage to the movies. The voice acting is on a completely different level and only benefits further because of the decision to include the original cast in the creative process. Voiceover newcomer, AJ LoCascio, is brilliant as Marty and is extremely believable to audiences familiar with the character.

Graphically, the game carries on a stylized cartoony art style that greatly suits both the subject matter and comical misadventures of the characters. Signature cast favorites like Biff Tannen, and George McFly make appearances and factor into solving some of the puzzles via conversational pieces.

For example, in Episode 1 Biff captures a detailed book of Doc’s experiments that you are tasked with getting back. I was under the impression that these puzzles would all remain repetitive, but was happily surprised to see the range of options. They nailed the concept by making the task of problem solving a balanced and equally rewarding experience.

Diehard fans of the films will have to pay close attention to their surroundings and the events leading up to the exchange to successfully complete each objective. There is also an option to turn on notifications or hints in the menus, which aid in making things much easier overall. Lastly, there is a robust inventory system that helps to store new items, which will come in handy as you progress through the game.

While the full game offers dynamic set pieces and  a great story, there are a few annoyances that have me concerned about the future episodes. For starters, the scope of each 3d environment appears large but the player is still limited by a flawed camera and control system. There will be instances where you’ll have to navigate along a path and be restricted to only that area. This is bothersome because you’ll want to see all that an area has to offer but won’t be able to. I can understand the philosophy behind limiting the exploration area one has to travel, but I would at least hope that at some point camera views could be improved upon.

"Michael J. Fox returns as a character to give some added star power to an already stellar cast

Another aspect that I think could strengthen this franchise would be the decision to make the outcome of your choices more significant. There was one scene in the episode where Marty mentions about not wanting to talk to one random stranger for fear that he would affect their timeline. While these concepts are teased, I have yet to see this theory tested in the actual game.

Obviously everything is scripted for a reason, but it would at least be nice to see what could happen when one thinks outside the box. Adding bridging points like these could not only extend the game’s length, but also encourage the possibilities of having multiple endings.

The full game should take you about 8-10 hours to complete and you’ll always have the incentive to go back if interested. There are no multiplayer elements involved in the game, as the central focus is on playing as Marty. It would have been interesting if multiplayer was implemented to help solve puzzles though.

I also believe that if some puzzles were timed it would add to the urgency of completing certain tasks as they are assigned. Again, I understand that the idea behind the game was to do the license justice and for the most part it does that extremely well. I would only hope that future installments can better emphasize the delicate boundaries of time travel and choices.

Back to the Future: The Game is a compelling single player experience that continues the legacy of a storied franchise while appealing to audiences from all walks of life. The presentation, graphics, voice-acting, and story are part of an impressive package that delivers time and time again. While glaring camera angles, and repetitive puzzles can be a bit of a letdown, it will never once factor into the amount of fun you’ll have playing this game. The title is currently available for PS3, Mac, PC, and the IPad platform.

Eventually an agreement was reached that not only saved the upcoming NFL Season, but also guaranteed the game would have a much more authentic and complete experience. Madden NFL 12 succeeds in crafting a formula of excellence that builds upon the success of previous entries, while leaving room for growth moving forward. Here are a few reasons why this year’s edition shines over previous ones.

“ authentic entrances and player introductions for all 32 NFL teams

Madden NFL 12 features all of the same modes that players have come to know and love, but with some additions that greatly enhance gameplay experience. The key emphasis this year was to focus squarely on keeping the hardcore fans happy by making the changes they have been requesting for years. For example, players are now able to take advantage of an all-new AI system called Dynamic Player Performance or DDP.

The sophistication behind the system lies in its ability to track a player’s on-field performance accordingly based on his behavioral trait and reaction time in certain situations. That information is then used to develop streaks and decipher how the player will execute in the games that follow. Fox example, if Michael Vick has a perfect passing game then his rating will increase in the following game, reflecting both confidence and consistency.

By that same token, if Tom Brady throws 2 interceptions in one game, then his rating will decline in the next. This feature shines best within the franchise mode because you can see player tendencies progress over seasons. However, It’s worth noting that if you’re on a hot streak it only lasts for 3 games, after which point the rating would revert back to the original number.  I believe the decision to do this was mainly to keep things more balanced and realistic, making you grow accustomed to working for every possession effectively.

To coincide with DDP, there’s also a new collision system that makes each player’s hits more momentum based and impactful on the field. In the past, gaining full control of a player was possible, but at many times inconsistent. The idea to improve upon this feature is even further reinforced by new tackle animations and player movements, some nearly identical to the real life mannerisms of any and every given athlete.

While the GameFlow system played a significant role last year, the creative team went back to the drawing board to refine areas of execution. As a result of taking these measures, fans now have the ability to create custom playbooks by modifying up to 475 different offensive and defensive plays. This feature alone was single handedly the most requested mainly because the dynamic of creating new playbooks adds significant longevity to the title overall.

Presentation wise, Madden 12 boasts stunning visuals and camera presentations inspired from both NFL Films Director Technology (DCAM) and live CBS Sports Broadcasts. The development team also studied authentic entrances and player introductions for all 32 NFL teams and implemented them into the game.

The commentary can be quite repetitive as expected, but still remains relevant in almost every game scenario. The only complaint I have is centered on the lack of a post game show. The Extra Point show for Madden 11 was a great way to track games on a weekly basis and hopefully one way or another this can be brought back for Madden 13.

“ a formula of excellence that builds upon the success of previous entries

The popular Be A Superstar mode returns in full-force with an all-new point based progression system. An athlete gains points by achieving certain milestones during practices and games. Those points can then be allocated into building up the skill attributes for that player. In many ways, this mode mirrors the My Player feature in NBA 2k11. The only aspect missing is the sense of a storyline to expand upon the player’s personality. The decision to expand upon this idea next year would go a long way in establishing deeper relationships between the gamer and player he or she is controlling.

The Madden Ultimate Team or MUT concept also makes a definitive comeback, allowing players to now add legends to their teams. The idea of trading sports cards among friends can easily become both addictive and competitive. After crafting the perfect team, players now have the option to play in single exhibition games or intense tournament showdowns.

The more games you play, the more coins you’ll earn towards buying new players for your team. Developing an average team is relatively easy, but building a dynasty powerhouse full of the best talent is extremely challenging. To get the most out of this mode, you have to think both strategically and financially when making moves to acquire the best results.

If MUT isn’t on your radar, then you can always participate in regular exhibition games online. Online Team Play remains the same, allowing up to teams of 2 to play 3 on 3 matchups. EA Sports has also gone to lengths to create Online Communities, an all-new way for Madden enthusiasts to meet and play.

“ can easily become both addictive and competitive

Communities can include up to 2,000 like-minded players who can compete on ranked leaderboards. They can also adjust the game sliders so that each Madden experience is different then the last. The great thing about this idea is that it provides a nice alternative for people who want to have a great social experience because they are able to build a unified foundation from the group up.

Madden NFL 12 is a signature release in a series that only gets better year after year. The addition of DDP, and superior presentation quality easily defines this as arguably one of the best Madden’s of this generation.

A deeper Superstar mode, and general polish can go a long way towards putting this game on another level entirely. With that said, if you’re a football fanatic I guarantee you’ll enjoy spending hours on end playing Madden long after the real NFL season ends.

Special shoutouts  go to GameRaiders for picking up the footage straight from E3.

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As a longtime fan of the series, I’m not quite sure if I like this new direction the developers are headed in. While it’s still relatively early, I feel more videos and information would go a long way towards determining whether or not this game is a cop or flop.

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City is expected to drop this fall for Xbox 360, PC, and Playstation 3.