Microsoft

Ezio's final chapter is here, available on Xbox 360 and PS3 (PC owners will have to wait until 2nd December 2011). Desmond is trapped in the Animus and in a coma. In order to escape he must relive Ezio's final memories, to ultimately stop the Templars controlling the world. Searching for clues left by his earliest ancestor Altair, players will find themselves switching between characters throughout the campaign.

The Saints are back and bigger than ever, with a celebrity status, manic missions and a new city to explore. When a flamboyant gang known as the Syndicate, threaten the livelihood of our favourite gang, the Saints retrieve what's strictly theirs and more.

New cars, planes, jets, customizable options/items and weapons have been introduced. The handling of cars has been vastly improved to drive more smoothly, than the arcadey handling of past installments. Customizing vehicles returns with new rims, body kit options and colour pallets for spray painting your car.

Saint Row's character creation tools are more extensive than ever, with more taunts, clothing, accessories and skin tones to create characters such as the Hulk or even the Red Skull from Captain America.  Character creations can even be shared and downloaded by players all around the world now.

With 14 days left till release, time is limited to pre-order Batman: Arkham City. You should pre-order the game while you still can, to embrace many of the epic pre-order incentives and avoid disappointment.

Below is pre-order incentives provided by high street and online retailers, around the UK:

Available at most retailers (GAME, Amazon, ShopTo) in limited quantities (On Xbox 360, PC and PS3) is Batman: Arkham City's Collector's edition. The contents of the package includes: 

•    A custom Batman statue produced by Kotobukiya,
•    Collectible art book,
•    Early access to the  Iceberg Lounge Challenge Map
•    Batman: The Dark Knight Returns skin.
•    Batman: Arkham City album
•    Batman: Gotham Knight.

F1 2011 has been shipped to retailers worldwide, speeding off shelves across the globe. The new installment available for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, is a follow up to last year's BAFTA award winning F1 2010.

Celebrating its release, a launch trailer has been revealed. Showcasing the fantastic lighting and weather effects, all captured in slow motion. The main and authentic features of the game are also present in the trailer. Such as the DRS system, 2011's safety car and the fantastic visuals thanks to Codemaster's EGO engine.

Co-op Championship mode is a major feature this year, allowing you to play a whole season with a friend. Alternatively you can play amongst friends and family at home this year, in Split screen mode. Players will also be able to race against 16 players online with 8 AI cars, simulating a 24 car grid.

You can expect to see all the official teams in F1 2011 and a handheld Playstation Vita and Nintendo 3DS version coming soon. As if the launch trailer hasn't convinced you enough, check out F1 2011's developer diaries right here. Race along to your nearest retailer to purchase F1 2011 for PS3, Xbox 360 or PC right now.

In this six part developer diary, the technology, story, weapons, world, enemies and sound of Rage is explored. Starting with its origin and id Tech 5, which drives this beautiful but distortedly world. A Unique feature of id Tech 5 is it's mega texture technology, which allows you to seamlessly create layers upon layers of textures. Creating new experiences and putting an end to repetitive environments.

An Asteroid called Apophis which will pass by earth around 2036, is the cause of destruction in Rage. Players control an ark survivor who wakes up 100 years later, to witness the aftermath. Government officials known as the Authority, want to control the direction of humanity. The Resistance have other ideas and despise them, in every aspect you can think of. Bandits and other settlers in the environment, are not so welcome to fresh faces.

Probably the most unique aspect of Rage, is the various ammo types of guns collected throughout your playthrough. Pistols can shoot full automatic rounds and crossbows can fire electric bolts for example. Engineer or gadgets items in the game, range from sentry bots to remote controlled cars with bombs.

Check out the developer diaries below, of what is easily the most Epic, diverse, FPS this fall. Rage will be released on 7th October 2011 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. Pre-order details on Rage's Anarchy Edition can be found right here.

Codemaster's Birmingham has been very busy since releasing the exceptional hit F1 2010 and promises a grander experience for F1 2011. This year's focus is on Multiplayer and creating an authentic yet fun instalment.

Co-op Championship mode is a major feature of F1 2011. Allowing you to play a whole season with a friend, for the Constructors title. Players looking at each other's stats, will definitely spark competitive race's. The team leader receives all the upgrades first, giving them the edge.

Split screen races will bring the exhilarating rivalry on the track to your living rooms. Raising competitive tensions between family and friends. Car handling has been strengthened and improved, with a lot more control over under steer and over steer.

Christmas is around the corner and Microsoft recently gave us a peek, at what games their releasing this Xmas. Among the titles I saw were Microsoft and Third party publishers games. Including Gears of War 3, Assassins Creed: Revelations, Batman: Arkham City, Forza Motorsport 4 and Ghost Recon: Future Soldier.

Gears of War 3 Hands-On

The build I played presented me with, co-op multiplayer mode Horde 2.0. Me and 4 other players were placed in a close quarters map, of wave upon wave of enemies. The weapons felt tight accompanied by brilliant sound design.
Although my time was short, this was the most intense co-op mode i've played to date. Epic's found that balance of belonging and  relying on  your team, for survival. This will fulfil the slot of many nights to come, shouting down your headset at friends and gamers around the world.

The newest feature in Horde 2.0 is fortifications, allowing you to deploy barriers, decoys, sentry guns and turrets. Fortifications can be upgraded with money earned from killing foes. Money can also buy you back into the game, after you've died. New weapons and ammo scattered around the map, can also be purchased. Alternatively Team mates can trade weapons, share ammo and give one another money.

The main events building up to this final chapter is showcased in the opening cinematic of Gears of War 3. Introducing a new threat to the Gears universe is the Lambert. Anya Stroud, formerly a communications officer, now dons the Delta squad uniform. Ready to battle on the frontline, in the last stand.

When the launch of Gears of War 3 arises on 20th September 2011, players will be entitled to the first four pieces of DLC, via a season pass. With a season pass you'll be making a saving of 33 percent as opposed to buying DLC separately. The season pass will be purchasable for 2400 Microsoft points, on the day of Gears 3's release.

Add on content is set to extend both your campaign and multiplayer experience, beginning with the first release this November. The Gears of War 3 season pass, also includes an exclusive Liquid Metal weapon set.

Dead Island is a first person open world, horror/adventure hybrid. Heavily focused on co-operative play and melee combat. Taking place on a zombie invested island, with strong themes of survival and RPG elements. There are four playable characters to choose from including Xian Mei (Undercover Cop), Sam B (Rapper), Logan (Former NFL Star) and Purna (Former Sydney Cop).

Every one of them has a class type ranging from a jack of all trades who is a all rounder with weapons and abilities (durability, strength etc). The Assassin is handy with a firearm, a tank is heavy, strong but slow. Lastly the leader specialises in handling melee weapons.

Slashing away at enemies you'll notice layers of meat and flesh being apparent, compliments of the games damage system. Depending on a well placed shot or slice, limbs will dismember. 

Once combined with items you've found. weapons and firearms are customizable at a fee. Money plays a big part of Dead Island and can be looted from bags and dead bodies. Every kill rewards you with experience points, utilizing a skill tree system you can enhance your combat skills.

Being an open world game you got to have transportation. In Dead Island you can drive any vehicle you find. Friends can even ride shotgun, while you run over zombies.

Warhammer 40,000 : Space Marine is a third person melee combat, shooter hybrid. Brilliantly fusing to the two together in a gore gushing action epic. At your disposal all times is the Chainsword, for up close and personal dismemberment. Attacking Orks lightly with this weapon stuns them, which can lead to a  brutal execution.

Weapons like the Bolt pistol, Heavy Bolter and Vengeance Launcher are also available, among others collectable throughout the game. The sheer amount of Orks attacking you is overwhelming and constantly keeps you switching between grenades, guns and melee combat.

Health is easy depleted by the hordes of Orks but can be regenerated by killing enemies. Fury mode gives you blind rage to kill anything in sight without affecting your health. Dishing out melee attacks or mowing down foes is always rewarding in Fury mode and is easily generated with every kill.

With a fantastic cinematic experience and an epic combat system second to none, you should watch this space. Warhammer 40,000 : Space Marine is released on 9th September 2011 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

Bodycount was built with an enjoyable experience in mind, avoiding the modern combat scenario. Through implementing ragdoll physics, firepower and durability power ups, Codemasters has achieved their vision. However overlooking many aspects of the game, Bodycount plays like a prototype rather than a finished product.

Every game has a story or at least a concept which makes sense. In Bodycount the story was formed as an excuse, to kill anything in sight. Every level your briefed by a woman working for your employer, the Network. An organization taking it upon themselves, to end a conflict which doesn't concern them.

You'd be lucky to find any cutscenes at all, giving an explanation of your motives or goals. Within the first hour of the game I was lost and confused. One minute I was scanning an object for intel, then the mission had ended.

The open exploration of levels, is a distraction for players. As there's nothing to do other than mow down your enemies. I was quite disappointed by the absence of actual objectives.

The enemies are quite cumbersome at times, watching you approach them. Only acknowledging you as a threat, once you shoot. Many of the levels are lacklustre and linear. The scripted mini boss battles, are as good as it gets.

Specialist video game retailer GAME is holding its first Event, open exclusively to reward card holders. GAMEFest will take place at NEC Birmingham on 16th - 18th September.

You can expect to play games such as, Batman: Arkham City to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. It's great to see the giants of the games industry, finally visiting Birmingham for a change.

The prices are a steal, adults (Aged 12 onwards) can enter for £10 and Children (Aged 11 and under) for £5.

Feast your eyes on the list of games, from publishers attending GAMEFest:

Microsoft Xbox 360:

Gears of War 3

Sony Playstation 3:

Resistance: 3

Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception

Nintendo:

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Super Mario: 3D Land

MarioKart 7

Kid Icarus: Uprising

Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D

Activision:

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

EA:

Battlefield 3

Need for Speed: The Run

Fifa 12

Mass Effect: 3

THQ:

Saints Row: The Third

WWE 12

U Draw Game Tablet

Disney:

Codemasters newest IP is the spiritual successor of PS2 hit Black. Bodycount is a FPS at heart focusing on destructibility and a fun arcade experience. For every kill you receive skill points, rewarding you for headshots or shooting someone with your last round.

One of the great features of the game is the fluid cover system. Holding LT and moving the left analog stick allows you to either, crouch behind cover, lean and shoot or stand up simultaneously. With the games shredding system, cover never lasts long and the control scheme, allows you to adapt to the environment.

Destructibility or shredding as Bodycount calls it, is an ever present feature of the game. The exterior of buildings can be blown to smithereens in a matter of seconds. Keeping you constantly on your toes searching for cover or sweeping enemies, as fast as possible.

Xbox 360 and PS3 owners will be able to play Batman: Arkham City in stereoscopic and anaglyphic (red and blue/green glasses) 3D, when it releases in the UK on October 21st 2011.  In other words anyone who invested into a 3D TV can don their shutter glasses, for a stereoscopic experience of breath taking environments in Arkham City.

Like the game of the year edition of Akrham Asylum,  gamers with a standard HDTV can also experience 3D. By wearing the anaglyphic red and blue/green 3D glasses.  It's not the same as stereoscopic 3D but it does the job on a budget. Check out our review of Arkham Asylum's anaglyphic experience here.

PC owners can also control the dark knight in 3D with Nvidia's 3D Vision PC's. The inclusion of PhysX and DirectX 11 effects, is an even better treat for PC gamers.  You can expect there to be more trash flowing in the streets and effects like fog to be present. Arkham City is getting closer to a game of the year award, with every announcement.  Check out yesterdays Mr. Freeze reveal right here.