Like the videogame edition of LOST, the videogame companion to the Lego Indiana Jones license was also unveiled at Comic-con. And it looks great.

Given Traveller's Tales handling of the recent Star Wars license, I think it would be pretty difficult for them to screw up, and that's evident in the video already, with the ingenious mixing of the universally loved idea of Lego and an old film franchise, that should, hopefully, mean that the game will appeal to both age groups. Of course, parodying that original source material is only going to make things all the more appealing, and already it's great to see that the humour of the past Lego titles have been included.

It's for release currently in the vague slot of "Summer 2008", but either way, this is what tie-in videogames should be like.

It was announced earlier this week that Rockstar Games' 2006 GTA school-em-up Canis Canem Edit is going to be ported to the Wii and X360. With my games collection full of half-finished and never started games, I returned to the game a few weeks ago with intentions of playing through fully, and that I did, finishing off the game last weekend.

With a plot early on as simple as "you are Jimmy, you go to School", from the outset it's quickly established that this title follows in the crime-ridden footsteps of it's bigger brother Grand Theft Auto, except the only felonies you'll be committing here are egging teachers, and the only worry being on time for class. The game is played entirely through an adolescent perspective, meaning that, obviously, the cars of this city are not for driving, and bed-time is no later than 2am, cutting back immediately on the freedom offered in many other sand-box titles, but by contrast, making the game a lot more tighter, both in gameplay and plot structure.

The game demands that you go to class twice a day, but as expected of every title nowadays, there's a story to play through as well should you have time between classes. Like the GTA titles it's the standard tale of going from the gutter to somewhere popular and influential, however one given with a high school twist. Girls are there to be made-out with while nerds picked on and bullies given the wedgie, and the plot centres around the factions of the school, and your relationship towards them, all the while training you up for your once friend now sworn enemy, in a plot straight out of any US teen drama. The story here isn't remarkable by any means, but it does it's job, and for the most part is enjoyable, falling apart only towards the closing stages of the game and the new locations.

The game opens up almost expectedly within the high school, and for the first hour or so of the game, this is the only setting you're allowed to play in. The game soon opens up considerably shortly afterwards however, with the full town of Bullworth there for a walking, skating, cycling or swimming through. In regards to other titles of this nature the play area is significantly smaller, but through the eyes of a young protagonist and with the first chapter spent entirely in class, the game seems immediately full of freedom and mischief-making possibilities. A funfair, beaches, a BMX park, and a lighthouse, all landmarks of the town, and perhaps the hidden appeal of the game, in that, yep, it's another virtual town, but this time one with it's own personality, architecture and character, and one that from the outset is an absolute joy to explore.

The other signature trait of the game is the distinct soundtrack that accompanies many of the missions and cutscenes. With a 80s guitar vibe throughout the proceedings often with retro electronica, they couldn't be a bigger contrast to videogame soundtracks if they tried, and one that despite feeling a little vintage, is entirely at ease with the game as a whole and well-suited throughout, especially during chase scenes. Voice acting additionally is also successful in it's execution, perhaps the only thing holding it back being the dialogue and story in general, but compared to the other GTA games (and certainly a relationship that can't be ignored) the general population and other NPCs in this game world aren't very chatty, and completely devoid of appeal or humanity. Supporting character in the story however are all with their own charm and eccentricities, as are for the most part the students that roam the halls of Bullworth and wander the town locales with you. Ultimately they are stereotypes yes, but along with the mission structure and gameplay in general, they do make those feelings of school life come back to the forefront of the mind.

Canis Canem Edit is an interesting game, and one that despite poor commercial success does need to be played. As a little brother to other free-roaming videogame franchises it is a remarkably easy playthrough and far from being head-scratchingly difficult, but the game as a whole is full of adolescent charm and mischief that makes up for any other shortcoming, and certainly, makes the game what it is.

Labels: Playstation 2, Videogames

The majority of my blogroll are reading "that new Harry Potter book".

Having never read (or watched) any of the titles, I feel strangely left out.

There was a time when i'd look forward to the Mercury Music Prize nominations, and indeed the awards themselves, but judging from the 2007 nominations released today, the music industry is doomed and full of crap at the same time.

Arctic Monkeys? The View? Ugh. Dizzee Rascal is nominated for the second time and that I can appreciate, but if the Arctic Monkeys win for the second time in two years no less, I will cut my arm off in anger with a rusty saw. Maybe.

Mercury Music Prize 2007 Nominations.

Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
Dizzee Rascal - Maths and English
The View - Hats Off to the Buskers
Maps - We Can Create
Bat For Lashes - Fur and Gold
Klaxons - Myths of the Near Future
Jamie T - Panic Prevention
The Young Knives - Voices of Animals and Men
Fionn Regan - The End of History
Basquiat Strings with Seb Rochford - Basquiat Strings
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
New Young Pony Club - Fantastic Playroom

Klaxons for the win.

From the post on Eurogamer-

"Stuart was 11 or 12 when I bought him the PlayStation. For a long time I didn't even realise games had age limits on them. We'd just buy him the game that all the other kids had. I didn't really know what they were about. I think most parents are the same.

I know these games are played by kids across the world, but some are truly horrific. And if they can cause a trigger to be pulled in someone's head they should be banned."

What the fuck happened to common sense? The only thing that should be banned in the UK is bad parenting, and yet again, that's where the real evil and blame in this incident should lie.

The only thing that makes me sick is the continued tirade from the press, lecturing about how bad videogames are when they're just as clueless and ignorant as the parents already at fault. Anyone remember Marilyn Manson? He was the scapegoat of the nineties, this decade? It's very clearly videogames...

Seemingly coming out of nowhere in the early months of 2003 with accompanying commercial and critical success from debut record The Neon Handshake, UK post-hardcore outfit Hell is for Heroes have a surprisingly interesting and confusing history.

In 2004, the following year from their widespread appeal the band departed from their label EMI under mysterious circumstances, decided to take a distinctly old-school approach in the record making process for their second album. They signed with the independent chaps at Captains of Industry, shortly before releasing the sophomore record Transmit Disrupt- a worthy follow-up, but in essence a mere snack compared the the three course meal that was the band's legendary debut. It's may seem like trivial backstory of course, but with the band's third album released only last month it's important to note exactly what they've been through, and just how much those experiences have shaped this record.

For starters, the sound of this new album is very reminiscent of the previous album in that this is severely muted compared to the band's original output, including their debut and the demos long before that. The rhythmic instrumentals of opening song "To Die For" is proof of this continued change of sound, and this theme continues throughout the album with compulsory untitled interlude and most notably elsewhere with the wailing electronics of Arcades, still remaining however one of the band's better songs and certainly, the undoubted highlight of the album. These songs, and indeed sound, may not be the original Hell is for Heroes you fell in love with all those years ago, but their original framework and construction is still evident throughout the record, albeit, just not as much as it perhaps should've been.

Not that this is an omission from the album structure of course, because these elements thankfully are still here and with the band. "My Protector" in that respects is bound to get the hardcore fans and early adopters of this band excited with it's driving guitar and pacing vocals. "Into the Blood" additionally is also an adventure into this past sound of the band featuring heavily-stylised guitar riffs and melodic preludes, all acting as a backdrop of course to Justin's ever-present pessimist counter-culture screams. Additionally, "Only The Ridiculous Will Survive" is again a return to the band's roots, and perhaps indeed the heaviest offering on the album, all mixed in with the electronics and keyboard style of Transmit Disrupt, making for an interesting and darkly pleasant combination that some may be unsure about.

The album closes (naturally) with an epic, anthemic monster of a closing song, this time with "Once and for All" ticking the box on that Hell is for Heroes-album-list-of-criteria. A spiritual successor to both "Slow Song" and "Retreat" in previous years, the track is paced with slow choir-esque vocals for the verses before erupting completely into a loud and fast-paced chorus and accompanying instrumental. After listening to the album it's an experience that's perhaps ended quicker than what it should have certainly, and maybe an experience not as exciting as past efforts, but regardless, "Once and for All" just seems so incredibly apt in it's placing, so gigantic and self-assured that it's the only way to end the album, no matter what way you look at it.

As a follow up to their early years, "Hell is for Heroes" is undoubtedly a disappointment to anyone looking for those monster post-hardcore tracks of the band's early beginnings, myself included. But this new album builds on previous ideas and styles introduced with the last record mixing them and utilising them than anyone could've ever imagined, into an album that feels, like a Hell is for Heroes record, but yep, at the same time, something completely different and evolved to what you'd expect.

It was great weather last night, in fact, contrary to what the majority of the UK is saying, we've had great weather loads recently, at least up here where it's normally the opposite. Weather reports aside, last night I went out for a cycle, the same route as last time, stopping off midway and going a little of course for a mile or two to take some pictures before returning to the road and going back home.

I finally got a new camera bag (more on that later actually) so I was able to take the D40 out with me, as well as the Nikor 55-200mm, which came in surprisingly handy. It was a lot lighter that last time, but I still came back with plenty of shots (count them, 126) and the road was a lot quieter as well, so all in all it was a great night. And hey, my gut probably benefited a little as well.