Blizzard is totally for serious this time, guys. They just announced Diablo III‘s official release date of May 15, 2012. You can pre-purchase digital copies right now, and the game will unlock at 12:01 am PDT on the 15th.

The game will also be available at retailers in the USA, Canada, Europe, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Other regions like Latin America and Russia will have to wait until June 7th. Blizzard’s press release contains more details about other fully localized versions. While I can’t confirm that this May 15th release date is because of my birthday, I can’t deny it either.

Just a quick heads up to remind all of you that Journey, the latest offering by thatgamecompany, is out today on PSN as part of their Spring Fever event.

Journey is developed by the same company that made flOw and Flower, and it looks like this one too is garnering critical acclaim. Kyle previewed the beta and said he couldn’t wait for a chance to play the full game. Well, everyone gets a chance to play Journey today.

For the next installment of my “Quick Tips” line, I bring you a Mass Effect 3 multiplayer guide, earned through my blood, sweat, and tears after earning a 100% Galactic Readiness Rating for the purposes of my review.

Even on Insanity, ME3‘s campaign is easy enough, but multiplayer, especially on the “Gold” rank setting, can get pretty tough. Read on to find out how to have an easier time raising your Galactic Readiness rating. Read more… »

Another big name release — another iOS spinoff. It seems like ever since EA got into the mobile game, no franchise stone is left unturned in terms of tapping a mobile team to create a gaiden for it. This month’s model is Mass Effect Inflitrator, an iOS game in honor of Mass Effect 3‘s launch.

You’d expect it to be a cash grab, but you know what? Infiltrator isn’t that bad. Read more… »

Donkey Kong Country…3D? What a wild turn of events! Apparently a user over at DK Vine spotted cases for “Donkey Kong 3D” marked for pre-order. So what’s the big deal? Well, the game hasn’t even been announced yet.

It’s also interesting to note that there’s a box for Super Smash Brothers 3DS — EB Games/Gamestop is getting pretty desperate for pre-orders! Either this is a huge mistake, and the game was cancelled a while ago, or it’s a really early leak, and we’re in for some Donkey and Diddy goodness later this year.

[Source: Nintendo Life]

In a sad turn of events, 1UP is reporting that Diablo III will launch without one of it’s planned modes – PVP Arena. Evidently, it will come later in the year in the form of a patch. The PVP Arena mode would essentially pit players against each other like any standard deathmatch situation — a mode a lot of fans were looking forward to, given that the series has only traditionally provided world PVP.

While I don’t think it will break the game, this move is particularly surprising, because of how much it will fracture the community. Blizzard, like Valve, is one to wait until their games are 100% finished before launch — my guess is Activision has had enough of “Blizzard Time”, and is forcing them to launch it.

[Source: 1UP.com]

The above headline is a real piece of the official press release from Konami for their latest piece of software, Blades of Time — they clearly know their audience!  So what in the world is it? Well, Blades of Time is an action adventure game in the same vein as Devil May Cry, that features a “young yet tough” character named Ayumi.

Other than the fact that it has a coop mode, there really isn’t a whole lot of discernible details about the game that set it apart from any other action title. But despite today’s fanfare, Konami seems hell-bent on making this game vaporware, as pretty much no one is stocking the game on its official release week.

Konami has officially unveiled the release of Metal Gear Solid HD Collection for the Playstation Vita in Japan. The game will feature HD graphics for both Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 (of course!), utilize the Vita’s touch controls, and is set to launch on June 28th.

Unfortunately, there’s no news yet on whether or not the US will get the previous version of the HD package they were offered, which includes Peace Walker on top of 2 and 3. In Japan, the original HD set only included 2, 3, and a PSN code for 1. Come this Summer, fans will have two ways to play Metal Gear Solid 3 on the go!

Acclaimed and sometimes prone to over-hyping British game developer Peter Molyneux has announced that he’s leaving Lionhead Studios and Microsoft Game Studios Europe. So where is Molyneux going, and what is he saying about his departure?

Hit the jump for more information. Read more… »

After looking everywhere, I couldn’t find a complete achievement guide for Mass Effect 3 – so I decided to make one.

Mass Effect 3 has some pretty cryptic achievements. Nearly every achievement can be obtained through single player, but some can be unlocked in tandem with multiplayer play. Read on to figure out how to earn that Platinum/1000GS.

Read more… »

Mass Effect 3 is here, and much to the chagrin of non-Collectors-Edition buyers, there is day one DLC — specifically a downloadable pack that adds new squad member costumes, a new weapon, a new mission, and a new very spoilery squad member.

In fact, this DLC character in particular is the absolute focus on this pack, as original Mass Effect fans most likely have been dreaming about this moment for years.

Do not click the break or continue reading unless you’re ready for spoilers for this DLC only — specifically regarding the squadmate. Read more… »

Mass Effect, over the years, has been quite the chameleon. At first, it started as a pretty RPG heavy title that involved tons of customization and obtuse design choices. Then it evolved into possibly the most streamlined product Bioware had ever produced.

Mass Effect 3 attempts to marry the two types of gameplay into one action packed conclusion. But does it succeed? Or is it too action packed for its own good? Read more… »