Finally a solid look at what we will inevitably be the highest grossing film of 2012. It needs no introduction, it’s the full Avengers trailer, just watch.
I was slightly taken a back as the opening of the trailer looked so very Michael Bay. Exploding cars, modern military personnel, closed in streets etc. but then we hear the opening riffs of We’re In This Together Now and it all starts getting better, admittedly I was less impressed than I wanted to be by this trailer but coming from someone who almost didn’t want to watch Captain America based on it’s trailer, well suffice to say I am incredibly excited.
Oh and Hawkeye? quick release, tactical composite bow? you’re just teasing me now.
The next (possibly last?) Call of Duty Black Ops DLC was officially announced this morning, after an earlier leak. 4 new multiplayer maps and yet another zombies environment for your murderous competitive enjoyment.
The maps coming this month have been discussed at length and detailed else where so allow me to chime in on something less vital to the run of the mill fan than size and choke points but something I think is far more important. Atmosphere.
Seen in the trailer below one of Treyarch’s goals for this map pack is to be more visually dramatic than their previous outlays and from the released footage and screenshots? they’re succeeding admirably.
here is a visual breakdown of my 3 standouts from that trailer.
Hangar 18:
An homage to Area 51; Hangar 18 is a concrete laden, industrial looking level with the same grey tones we are used to from maps like Grid and Launch but with a couple of flamboyant differences. The main area, the hangar, houses an SR-71 Blackbird as it’s multi tiered centrepiece, SR-71s are good to look at on any day but as the focal point of a level like this it’s a nice touch, they were the height of technology in the 60’s after all. On the more fanciful side of things you can see an interactive Arc-reactor like Sci Fi generator room, likely below the main hangar area, it’s a nice change from the habitually bland offerings usually found in Call of Duty maps.
Hazard:
An apparent homage/reimagining of Cliffside from World at War (after the leap forward taken by Cod4 I just couldn’t get excited about a WWII setting again) Hazard is a Resort/Golf course mash up that is easily the most enticing looking map I have seen from a game developer for a long time, with the tongue in cheek colourful nature we usually find in fan made maps. Hazard is verdent fairways, lush foliage, rolling hills and gaudy signage. Unlike Treyarch I never thought of a Golf course as a killing field but the idea of looking out across the green through the scope of an SVD? sounds like a uniquely amusing experience to me.
Shangri-la:
The next entry in the Black Ops zombies mode, a pretty exciting addition from Treyarch. Shangri-la; Often thought of as a reference to the mythical spiritual city of Tibetan lore known as Shambalah this is a huge departure from what we have seen up to this point. Ancient carved temples, soft inviting skies, lush tropical overgrowth, pristine waters flowing from miniature pools all a backdrop to the defence of your comrades from the blood-letting horde of undead. Juxtaposition like this works great in zombie fiction, the corruption of the pure as it were. There is also a distinctive Indiana Jones feeling from this map, bamboo spike traps and mine cart coaster rides through what looks (at a glance) like an archaeological set up. We don’t just see a departure in the environment art here either, mask wearing ghouls, monkey zombies and robe clad female undead will be coming for your brains in Shangri-la, not to mention a very ominous burning corpse seen above.
New, original ideas from Treyarch this late after the game has been released is a refreshing change, and it may even be worth the $15 it costs you to get in. we’ll find out on June 28th
E3 2011 is almost here and the yearly new game buzz has started, the newest trend being the ‘Pre-E3′ conferences and demonstrations becoming more and more public, I just wanted to quickly spread the first theatrical trailer for the Tomb Raider reboot we have been hearing about since early last year.
Following the naming convention set up by Medal of Honor, Prince of Persia and Mortal Kombat: Crystal Dynamics’ “Tomb Raider” is a reboot in the most literal sense. Along with the redisigned heroine and new gameplay focus Crystal Dynamics has the clarity and humility to see that for the last few years we have had two excellent non Tomb Raider games that have givien us those semi-mystical, globe trotting shenanigans we are used to from Lara, and take inspiration from it. Iam of course referring to Naughty Dogs Uncharted series, this latest trailer is definitiely giving me that Uncharted vibe, you know; the gritty, more grounded high adventure feeling that has been missing from Tomb Raider since 1997
Good then that Crystal Dynamics have effectively started clean with this “new” Tomb Raider and no where is that more apparent than the newly vulnerable, young, hip and skinny (by game standards) Lara. Rather than the famously under dressed, buxom, over confident, femme fatale Lara of the nineties. There is a lot of talk about this being a more realistic portrayal, attempting to be less sexually biased towards Women in games etc etc but let’s be honest, if they were really trying to tip the genre on it’s head we’d have a sexually ambiguous middle aged unattractive protagonist. So no no boys and girls Crystal Dynamics is still selling sexy it’s just updated it’s image to that of the times, as well they should. 90’s Lara, for all her faults, broke ground as a female lead character and in her own way I think new Lara will too.
Watch below and remember 1080p because the more p’s the better:
See what I mean about the tone? I could almost envision a Lara Croft/Nathan Drake crossover, all in all I am looking forward to see how Tomb Raider comes along.
– notable here is the authentic products she is using in the early stages of the trailer. What looks to be an Iphone4 and a pair of Earphones by Monster. Say what you will about product placement but I like the ‘grounded in reality’ sensation you get from non-overt nods to authentic gear like this.
Not a lot to say here, we all knew it was coming, and we all knew it would be good, and we all know the actual game could be crap. see below for the reveal trailer for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3. (720p is good for your eyes)
For your time you get a meaty crescendo and a healthy splashing of modern destruction in an international city near you! I have to commend them for going a little nuts with the story here, it sounds like we’re talking WWIII and why not? I will keep my reservations in check for this one but you can’t say they haven’t put out a damn fine trailer.
Worthy of note is the considerably improved animations seen here, mainly from outside the familiar 1st person perspective, scripted or not that grenade toss midway through the trailer looks nice and fluid with a healthy degree of the idiosyncrasy that is usually lacking in motion capture.
Expatriategamer 