I am still on the fence about the reality of an action-adventure theme for Soul Calibur Legends, recently announced for the Wii. Details are sparse at the moment, but we do know the game will be mainly based around Siegfried - along with a complement of new and old Soul Calibur characters - on a quest for ultimate power in order to save an empire from destruction. Using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk as their weapons of choice, players perform moves and combos using orchestrated slashes and movements. Sword fighting capabilities are pushed to the limit as gamers unleash special attacks to crush scores of enemies and large bosses.

On paper, it sounds really exciting, and if these concept images are any indication, fans should be quite pleased with the end result.

A project begun at Stanford in 2000 has found its way to the Playstation 3. I can’t say that I fully understand everything they are doing behind the scenes, but basically: “Folding@Home is a distributed computing project — people from through out the world download and run software to band together to make one of the largest supercomputers in the world. Every computer makes the project closer to our goals.” (http://folding.stanford.edu/)

The overall goal? To understand the process of protein folding. Misfolded proteins lead to Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and more, so understanding them could lead to a cure. For a really indepth look at this, read the article in the June 2007 issue of PSM. The project began as a PC-focused venture, but thanks to the power of the PS3, it’s “processing the given proteins approximately 20 times faster than most platforms involved in F@H.” (PSM, June 2007.) So far, there’s no mention of it being offered on other next gen platforms.

Once you load the client on your computer or PS3, join team GotNext. Add team number “70427″ in the appropriate field. Who said videogames weren’t good for society?

Ubisoft is giving GRAW2 fans the chance to revisit the past, in the form of a new downloadble content package officially called the Throwback Pack. (How catchy. Personally I think they should have called it the “Old School” pack, but that term has been liberally abused to death as much as the once legendary phrase, hardcore. Now look what’s become of it?) But I digress, this premium package (read: it ain’t free) contains 7 fan-favorite maps from previous Ghost Recon titles enhanced to 360 visual bliss (in other words, you’re gonna love it). All the custom multiplayer options will be at your disposal in the same fashion as the native GRAW2 maps, which means you veterans should have little concern about losing your edge (or something).

“Cross-com activated…”

For me, this is HUGE news that’s going to keep me stuck on playing GRAW2 for a few months to come (that is, once some of my online buddies will quit playing Spider-man 3 and Catan). But enough of the soapbox, here’s a breakdown of each map and the number of players each supports:

Bonfires
Previous GR Title: Ghost Recon 2: DLC
Recommended # of Players: 4 to 12 players
Overview: Several bonfires punctuate a thick mountain forest. The abundance of trees breaks up sight lines and makes fast moving targets difficult to engage.

Peninsula
Previous GR Title: Ghost Recon 2
Recommended # of Players: 2 to 8 players
Overview: A remote village built on a peninsula with bridges connecting many areas of the map. Houses provide good cover when in a close-quarters combat situation.

Mountain Base
Previous GR Title: Ghost Recon 2: Summit Strike
Recommended # of Players: 8 to 16 players
Overview: An abandoned Soviet base situated in the mountains of Kazakhstan, featuring narrow passes and dense pine forests in the surrounding terrain. Fortified ridges provide excellent defensive positions.

Mountain Falls
Previous GR Title: Ghost Recon 2
Recommended # of Players: 4 to 12 players
Overview: A waterfall cuts a path down a steep mountainside, with the fast moving river dividing the map. Rocky cliffs provide excellent firing positions on enemies below.

Desert Gulch
Previous GR Title: Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
Recommended # of Players: 2 to 8 players
Overview: A rocky desert landscape carved into channels by rivers long since dried, featuring rolling terrain. Ridges overlooking twisting paths make long-range engagement and close-quarters tactics both viable options.

Fishing Village
Previous GR Title: Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
Recommended # of Players: 8 to 16 players
Overview: Dilapidated urban area gives way to a rustic fishing village near the shoreline. This map features a rolling, open terrain, abundant trees, and thick underbrush, making tactical movement a key to victory.

Jungle Mines
Previous GR Title: Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter – Chapter 2 DLC
Recommended # of Players: 6 to 12 players
Overview: A mining complex set in the jungle of El Salvador. A massive multi-tiered structure dominates the central mine, and provides ample access to the many levels of excavation in the surrounding area.

Long time no see (seems like I begin every post of mine on here this way…sorry), all. Just thought I’d drop by and let you know what’s going on in my gaming life. ^_^

The household DS has been seeing a lot of gametime lately. My fiance and I gobbled up the excellent Hotel Dusk: Room 215, which I heartily recommend to anyone who wants an intriguing story. The gameplay is your typical point/click adventure with DS-specific touch screen puzzles, but the writing is top-notch and the art style is really, really awesome (think a-ha’s Take on Me, but more gritty). I’ve also gotten the OBJECTION! bug thanks to Phoenix Wright. We’ve conquered the first game, and now I’ve begun the second case on the second. I love these. Despite being a bit more typo-ridden than HD:R215 (which only had one that I noticed), the story is really engaging and the characters are a delight. It’s great fun piecing together the evidence into the witnesses’ testimonies.

Outside of the DS, I’ve fallen in love with Okami. After roaming the fields of Nippon for several hours, my heart cries that Capcom shut down Clover Studios. I do eagerly look forward to the work SEEDS puts out. This game is gorgeous in a artistic design manner, controls like a dream and rivals Zelda in its ingenious level design. My fiance is miles ahead of me, but I’m really happy with my purchase.

So…what’s up with you guys? ^_^ I’ll post some of my later reviews at a later date…I’m almost off of work, so I’ll have to jet shortly.

Xbox Live Arcade has been digging deep into the golden year archives as of late. Catan, Paperpboy… Gyruss. It’s a dream come true for the diehard retro enthusiast. Well get ready for a double-dose of arcade greatness with the forthcoming release of Tron and Discs of Tron. See, the franchise is nearing its 25th anniversary and to celebrate, Disney has blessed us with some digital nostalgia.

*happy sigh*

Tron. On XBLA. Whooooooooooooooooo!!!! I can’t wait to break out some light cycle action.

Yes I’m old. Old enough to remember when the MCP was just a chess program!

Fans can look forward to original and enhanced versions of the arcade classics. Both versions will offer four online competitive modes which at the moment are shrouded in secrecy. However, if you’d like to get a glimpse of the game in action, IGN has some exclusive footage to check out.

For those of you not in the know, Tron (released in 1982) featured four levels in which you faced off against battle tanks, zipped around in light cycles and attack the evil MCP cone while fighting off nasty grid bugs to reach the I/0 tower. Discs of Tron was the follow-up (and much to my surprise, most of the GN crew who remember the game are actually more thrilled to play) put you in the role of Sark and it consisted of a one-on-one battle based in 3D arenas (just like the film). The key to victory lies in successfully tossing a glowing Frisbee at each other and avoid getting um… stunned. I know that doesn’t sound too exciting by today’s standards of gladitorial fun, but back in the 80’s — this was pretty sweet.

You know, all this talk about the past has me thinking about the future. I’d say that it’s about time the long-awaited sequel to Tron make its way to theatres, wouldn’t you agree? If Transformers and TMNT can be given a new lease of life. We’ve definitely got the technology to create a truly badass spirtual successor. Shoot, at the very least, hook us up with an HD version of the 1982 live-action flick.