If there's one thing you can always count on id Software to do, it's make a first-person shooter that will leave your heart racing. With an impressive resume under their arm (Wolfenstein, Doom, Quake) -- along with a company like Bethesda backing them -- it seems like a no-brainer that anything id Software does will hit one out of the park. At E3 this past year I was blown away by what I had seen of its latest baby Rage, which had me at the edge of my seat as I tackled its demo. However a semi-bitter aftertaste was left in my mouth after playing the full version of this beast.

Players take control of a person known as an Ark Survivor, who must rid the desert of mutants and other bandits that wish to harm the rest of what remains of the human race. Ranging from collecting data to simply blowing away enemies in your amped-up dune buggy, gamers partake on various missions in order to find out the truth behind the goings-on in this post-apocalyptic world. While taking on these missions you also take part in races to earn points & cash to upgrade your vehicle and purchase more weaponry; the latter, of course, being most important.

Rage has the honor of being the absolute best-looking game currently on any console. Moving at 60 frames a second, the characters and worlds simply jump out at you (sometimes literally). Not even most computer-animated films look as good as this title, as there is heavy detail in just every person you run into; the mutants and nasty creatures are even more frightening than any zombie found in Dead Island. The areas you roam through like Wellspring and the Dead City look almost too real to be made by any sort of coding, giving way to much character in just about every room you step foot in.

There are times where it took some time for a room to be fully rendered, though, so some patience may be needed before you run through every since room; not to mention the loading times can be a pain. There is also a small drawback to a game running at 60 fps: the enemy AI. Since there is no lag at all in the single player game these mutants and bandits will come out at you without any sort of hesitation. In laymen's terms: you'll find yourself shooting all over the place and missing your target at least half the time.

Fortunately id Software has not lost its old-school FPS roots when it comes to ammo and items. With the money and racing points you earn you can buy just about an unlimited supply of guns, secondary weapons, ammo, and other items needed to make more powerful weapons. You can also find items laying around the various levels, and can pick them all up without having to worry about running out of space in your bottomless carry-on pack. It may take away a bit from the strategy aspect of the game, but you'll be thanking Rage for letting you keep that rocket launcher to thwart off a gang of mutants in the long run.

As mentioned the high frame-rate in the game will make it tough at times to aim at your enemies, but you have a strong advantage on your hands thanks to its control scheme. It should be noted, first off, that you have the option to change the control scheme to however it feels comfortable the most while playing; something that I had to do while in combat mode. Taking aim at your enemies hiding behind a rock has never been this simple, as the game rewards you for taking your time while looking for the sweet spot on your opponent's body. Using secondary weapons such as the remote controlled bomb and wingstick come in handy during intense moments, also rewarding you with bloody hilarity if you use them right.

Rage isn't also just a fun first-person shooter, but also a great racer. In the town of Wellspring you'll be able to sign up for various races to earn points, cash, and street credibility. The mechanics found in these races are almost as good as the ones you see Codemasters and EA Black Box creating in their franchises. Yes, these races can be pretty straightforward (beat a specific time, get first place, be the last vehicle standing), but thanks to its gameplay elements and control scheme they are also a lot of fun to tackle on.

There is, unfortunately, an Achilles' Heel found in Rage: its storyline. For the life of me I have not been able to figure out what is really going on in this game. Why was I chosen to be a survivor when the asteroid was about to hit? What's this special gift that these people claim I have? What is it about these survivors from the past that make them wanted by The Authority? I found myself asking more questions about what was going on in this game than there were answers, and for that Rage made me feel like I had no real purpose playing this game.

Rage has a run time of about ten to twelve hours, depending on which difficulty level you have it set on. There are also a few side quests to go on while the main game happens, but they're quite miniscule. Wellspring also hosts some mini-games that range from speed-stabbing to an RPG-styled card game. There are also two online modes: a free-for-all vehicle race battle mode and a co-op mission mode that explains some of the back story going on while the main game is happening.

PROS:

• Best damn looking game ever made
• Strong gameplay elements, control aspects are heavily regarded
• Racing is more fun than it is let on

CONS:

• Story is very uninspired
• Enemies are a bitch at 60 fps
• Could've used more side quests, online modes

FINAL THOUGHTS:

There is no better looking title out there on consoles than Rage, and it plays like a true beauty. Unfortunately its uninspired story will probably leave you forgetting this game existed as soon as you finish it. A shame, considering it's the type of first-person shooter gamers have been wanting companies like DICE and Infinity Ward to create for their storied franchises. Definitely give Rage a spin to see how id Software does FPS gaming right, but also bear witness to how not to tell a worthwhile tale.

FINAL GRADE: 8.0 (out of ten)

Our Bastette-In-Training returns for an all-new episode!

This week the B3 crew looks at the week in sports, including a final wrap-up before Super Bowl Sunday (since this was recorded the Saturday before the game). The new movie Chronicle is reviewed, Saignement tries her hardest to forget Underworld: Awakening, and King Baby Duck gets riled up when the best movie of 2011 gets screwed over at this year's Oscar nominations. Finally the demos for Twisted Metal, Syndicate, Gotham City Impostors, Happy Action Theater, and Rhythm Heaven are looked at, and Saignement shares her initial thoughts on Final Fantasy XIII-2 and Soul Calibur V.

A lot to discuss, and it all fits into place. It's Episode 127: "Don't Pay Attention To Us! We're Mormons!" (You'll have to see Chronicle to know the meaning behind today's title.)

Any anime that allows itself to be dubbed Bodacious Space Pirates in English would easily be scrutinized; after all, no one has used the word "bodacious" since Bill & Ted went on their last rockin' adventure in the 90s. The title will be forgiven, though, as this new anime series based on Yuuichi Sasamoto's light novel series has plenty to like.

Taking place in the not-so-distant future Bodacious Space Pirates follows young Marika Kato, who recently discovers that her mother and recently-deceased father were legal space pirates. Upon the father's death it has been revealed that his next of kin is to take his place as captain of the ship Bentenmaru. Worried that she might not be for the part Marika finds herself surrounded by those who knew her father well, as well as those who wish to either protect or harm her. One of those who wishes to keep her safe is Chiaki, a mysterious transfer student who has a sweet tooth for chocolate parfaits and explosives.

The Bentenmaru's Helmsman Kane McDougal finds himself in the position of being both Marika's homeroom teacher and advisor for her yacht club. It is in her club where she finds her natural knack for battling off cyber attacks on their ship the Odette II, and after a test run of the ship with her club members she discovers that within her is the urge to sail amongst the many stars. One question still remains: will Marika have what it takes to be captain of the Bentenmaru, or will she soon find herself walking the plank?

Surprisingly, for a show with a plethora of female characters, there is practically no fan-service to be found; a nice change of pace considering all the moé series that have suffocated the anime industry these past few years. What we are treated with is a nice coming-of-age tale about a young lady destined for a life of adventure. All the characters are likable, as the only guy who seems to be around Kane isn't a pervert and the tsundere character Chiaki easily shows her sweet side when given something tasty. The cel-shaded animation is run-of-the-mill, but it's quite colorful when it needs to be; the CGI ships are beautiful, looking like something from the latest Mass Effect game.

The strongest component in Bodacious Space Pirates has to be its score, created by production brand Elements Garden. It sounds as if the company did its homework, using classic Celtic music for the calmer areas of the series and strong orchestrations for the more intense scenes. Its opening theme, humorously titled "Bodacious Space Symphony's Movement VII: Infinite Love," has the voice actresses singing the stereotypical stuff about love and wishes that you find in just about every anime about girls, only this time it has Marty Friedman to do the guitar part in it. (Yes, that Marty Friedman!) The voice acting's pretty good, though it's what you'd expect for a series about anime space pirate girls.

All in all, after watching the first three episodes, Bodacious Space Pirates is turning out to be more fun to watch than I imagined it would be. The characters are believable, the animation's pretty good, and the music fits well with what's going on onscreen. It probably won't bump One Piece off the top of your Favorite Pirate Anime list, but there is smooth sailing for those looking for some good space pirate adventure time. Now to wait for someone to turn I Was Kidnapped By Lesbian Pirates From Outer Space into a cartoon...

Story: 8.5/10
Animation: 8.5/10
Seiyuu (voice actors/actresses): 7.5/10
Script: 8/10
Final Grade: 8/10

Bodacious Space Pirates can be viewed on Crunchyroll.

After a break, the Bastards regroup for an all-new episode.

This week the B3 crew look at the demos for UFC Undisputed 3, The Darkness 2, and Quarrel, and Blueonic shares his reasons why Call of Juarez: The Cartel is such an awful game! Anvil gives his weekly sports report, the Bastards give their Super Bowl picks, and reveal a special bet they have made with Toronto rockers Hunter Valentine on what happens if their Patriots win or lose. An Oh For Fuck's Sake about annoying people in the movie theater is thrown on the table, and Contraband and Haywire are both reviewed.

Don't tap out just yet! It's Episode 126: Thank You, Gina, May I Have Another?

It's hard not to be hypnotized by a game like Trine 2. A title filled with much beauty and wonderment, this sequel to the moderately successful 2009 game from Atlus and Frozenbyte knows how to dazzle any gamer by its sheer looks alone. Once you get past the gorgeousness of Trine 2 you'll find yourself head-on with one of the most clever puzzle games released in years.

Trine 2 has you re-teaming your old friends from the first game: Zoya the thief, Pontius the knight, and Amadeus the wizard. They are called upon once again by the Trine, and are sent out on a quest to search for clues regarding the mysteries behind the black magic in the forest. Throughout the game players will have to solve puzzles in order to reach the next section of the game, while at the same time defeat any goblins and other mystical creatures that want to keep you from finding out too much about what's really happening in the forests.

Players can switch between characters at any time during gameplay, as each character has its own uses. Pontius is good with combat, along with breaking through rock walls. Zoya can reach bigger heights with her grapple rope, and can use her bow for long-ranged attacks. Amadeus -- the weakest of the three -- can use his magic to pick up heavy objects, as well as conjure up boxes and planks for helping get across long ranges. As the game progresses you will be able to unlock new abilities and weapon upgrades for each of your character such as hammer throw and fire arrows.

All these abilities come in handy when it comes to the puzzle aspect of the game, where the only way to solve them is to really think outside the box. Sometimes you will have to use just about every character's abilities in order to solve one of these puzzles. You'll find yourself turned upside-down when sometimes the answer to the hardest puzzle in the game can be right in front of your eyes. If you ever worry that a solution to a puzzle might need an upgrade you haven't unlocked yet, your fears will be put to rest; you can reset any upgrades and reorganize them however you want them to be.

Combating against goblin foes can be fun, not to mention open-ended. You can either take the easy route and have Pontius slay them all with his sword and hammer, or you can use Amadeus and fling the goblins into natural hazards with the grab option (once you unlock it). Having said that there isn't much variety when it comes to combat. However the boss battles can put you at the edge of your seat, especially when you come face-to-face with the final boss in Trine 2.

So much can be said about the graphics. It's one of those rare moments where you wish you can see a game like this on a giant movie screen and in 3D, as the beauty in Trine 2 is truly unmatched by any other downloadable title out there. Its worlds, characters, and plants are a real treat for the eyes, and look almost as good as the Navi planet in Avatar. Matching the world with its beauty is Ari Pulkkinen's score, which sounds like something you'd hear in any recent Peter Jackson movie. The voice acting could've used a bit of work, though, especially Zoya's. Its script, however, can be hilarious at times.

Trine 2 will probably take you about eleven hours to complete on your own, although it might be quicker if you play online co-op mode. The downside to beating the game is that there isn't any extra gaming modes to play in; a shame considering there could've been so much more you could do with a great title like this. (Maybe if a third one is made, they can try something like Create-A-Puzzle mode.)

PROS:

• Fantastic puzzles and gameplay elements
• Outstanding visuals and soundtrack
• Online co-op mode is tons of fun

CONS:

• Battling goblins lacks variety
• No extra game modes
• Voice acting is kinda on the meh side

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Trine 2 is one of the most fun puzzle adventure titles I've played in recent memory. A true thinking man's game, Trine 2 will have your brain work out every possible solution to each puzzle you come across. Trine 2 will leave gamers with a smile thanks to its strong gameplay elements, beautiful visuals, and a great story that will leave you wanting to come back for more.

FINAL GRADE: 9.2 (out of ten)

While the press event for Cage Titans: Invasion was happening, Blueonic and Anvil decided to do some practice drills in the (former) Tapout Training Center's cage. But what happens when Cage Titans owner Michael Polvere wants in on the action?

Yasmina Reza has made it a career of writing plays that focus on friends and/or couples at a breaking point of their lives, whether it is caused by a white-on-white painting (Art) or a dinner gone downhill (Life X 3). In God of Carnage, currently being performed at Boston's BU Theater by the Huntington Theatre Company, Reza takes two couples who meet for the first time and pushes them to the brink of destruction. You can just cut the hilarious tension with a steak knife.

Alan and Annette Raleigh (Brooks Ashmanskas and Christy Pusz) meet with Veronica and Michael Novak (Johanna Day and Stephen Bogardus), regarding the Raleigh child knocking the teeth out of the Novak kid with a stick. What was supposed to be a quick visit turns into a downward spiral filled with screaming matches, booze, the plight of a scared hamster, and even a bit of vomit. Discussions of gang violence pride and Neanderthal ways from the men give way to the state of mind the two couples really have considering the matter. It's when Annette gets sick all over Veronica's books where the real side of the couples are shown, and opening the liquor cabinet doesn't glaze over any details.

From that point the couples are at each other's throats, and at times the husbands go against the wives. Once it's clear who each person sides with on the subject at hand the true nature of the two couples breaks out of its straight jacket and pounces without hesitation. After the men label their kids "little bastards" the women leave a sort of emotional wreckage that can be compared to watching two apes battling over a ripe banana. Alan, meanwhile, cannot focus on what really matters at the moment, as he is constantly on the phone with a pharmaceutical company his law firm represents. Once the phone is taken away by Annette (and what she does with it right afterwards) he falls apart in a way that is both comical and sympathetic.

In a way God of Carnage showcases the everyday problems we face as human beings. Sometimes you'll find yourself squirming in your seat, as a moment or story in one of these character's lives might remind you of a similar life experience. It's when Reza pushes these human emotions to the extreme where the real laughs come in. The expression on Veronica's face when Michael goes deep into detail about how he left his daughter's hamster out of his cage and into this frightening world is nothing short of a riot, and when she takes away his Spartacus-inspired manhood it hits the proverbial nail on the head as to who the real coward of the family is.

The anger from the cast throughout the play is strong, but it is thankfully coated over with Reza's trademark wit and humor. You'll find yourself cringing and laughing at the same time, sometimes for different reasons than the counterparts sitting around you. Special mention should be given to set designer Dane Laffrey, who brought out a post-modern look to the Novak household with a rich but simplistic style. The staircases the actors walk up and down are reminiscent of Escher's classic painting, and the stacks of art books that cover the stage just show a tiny characteristic of Veronica's truly whacked-out mindset.

If there's one thing Reza is good at, it's making her characters tense and miserable for the sheer enjoyment of the theatergoers. God of Carnage is no exception to her special craft. Two couples come together to settle the differences between their two children, only to find out their behavior is less grown up than their kids'. It's the type of dark humor that opens your eyes to your own actions, but also tickles your funny bone when you realize these couples' lives are far worse than anything you will possibly experience in your lifetime.

**** (out of five)

"God of Carnage" is playing through February 5 at the BU Theater, located at 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. Click here for tickets.

Photos taken from the official Huntington Theatre Company website

If one was to compare the Uncharted series to anything, it would certainly be the Indiana Jones of video games. From its jaw-dropping gameplay and visuals to the various twists and turns players discover in the series, the adventures of Nathan Drake always manages to leave people wide-eyed and clamoring for more. At the end of last year his latest journey Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception was brought to PS3 owners across the world, continuing on with its trend of extreme treasure hunting that would make any Discovery Channel host envious.

The game starts off with Nathan and his mentor Sully trading Nate's ring to Talbot for cash. After accusations of counterfeit bills Nathan and Sully discover the real buyer of the ring: Katherine Marlowe, who twenty years before had tried to steal the same ring, only fourteen year-old Nathan got to it before her. The ring, as it turns out, holds the key to the secret treasure of Sir Francis Drake. Along with Charlie Cutter and their old friend Chloe Frazer, the four of them set out to find the truth behind Sir Drake's secret quest for Queen Elizabeth. When Marlowe and Talbot use their powers to thwart our heroes' journey, it takes every bullet, any form of transportation, and all the breath in their lungs to reach the peak of their adventure, but what happens when the treasure they seek out isn't the one they imagined?

Throughout Uncharted 3 you will find yourself solving puzzles that will lead you closer to Drake's hidden treasure, with each puzzle harder than the last. From cranking contraptions to piecing puzzles together each puzzle you will come across will take much time and effort to complete, with the reward at the end sometimes involving Marlowe's henchmen trying to take you down. For that you can use guns, grenades, missile launchers, and your own bare hands to take down any enemy that you face. At times you'll have to think quickly and run away from dangerous waters, crumbling building, and creepy spiders that only wish to kill you if they get close enough.

There are times when the control scheme of the game can be a little bit confusing. Hiding behind walls and reloading your weapons may take a bit of time to figure out, but in the long run moving around Nathan and taking down Marlowe's henchmen is quite easy. If you've played the first two Uncharted games, then you probably won't have any issue with the controlling aspect of it. Those who are new to the franchise, however, will be in need of a bit of practice.

The one thing you can always count on for the Uncharted series is that it will keep its gamers drawn in with its story and dialogue, and Drake's Deception is no exception. Here we see a story told with many great plot-twists, heart-stopping moments, and some of the best action sequences of the year. You feel for Nathan Drake the same way you would feel for, say, Robert Downey, Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes or -- the more obvious one -- Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones, and you also learn about his past in a way that makes him more human. Hearing the banter between Nolan North (Drake) and Richard McGonagle (Sully) is at times a riot, with a sort of Gibson/Glover Lethal Weapon vibe in the way they deliver their lines. Like Arkham City, Drake's Deception easily draws in the attention of gamers and movie buffs alike. The epic John Williams-like score from composers Greg Edmonson, Azam Ali, and Clint Bajakian alone will pull you into Nathan Drake's realm.

The Achille's Heel in Uncharted 3, however, is the graphics. These worlds you visit -- from Yemen to Colombia -- are gorgeous, no doubt, and the vehicles and characters you meet and play look great. Using motion capture, Naughty Dog was able to use true reactions to events that happen around Nathan Drake. At times I thought the characters moved in a more true-to-life fashion than the recent Robert Zemeckis films, but not without issues. Case in point, in Chapter 17 (where Nathan battles through many henchmen on the plane he snuck on) I found Nathan stuck in one of the plane's crates, a sheer feat considering that there was no way for your character to get into the wooden boxes. I had to start from the previous checkpoint many times because of my character's glitchy ability to get stuck in impossible places, and while there should be an update fixing that issue coming soon it still irked me that these glitches were there to begin with.

The single-player game will take you around ten hours to complete on Easy Mode, but there is plenty to go back to after you beat it. Throughout almost each level there are more hidden treasures to discover, and with the Level Select section of Single Player mode you will be able to revisit them and relive your favorite moments from the game. Whether it's the opening barroom brawl scene or escaping the sinking cruise ship there are plenty of instances of the game that you will want to try again. There is, as well, the multiplayer aspects of the game.

Uncharted 3 has your usual Team Deathmatch/Free For All modes that you see in many first-person shooters, not to mention a Capture-The-Flag-styled treasure match called Plunder, but it's the co-op areas that keep the game shining. Co-op Adventure Hunter Arena will not only have you facing off against endless amounts of enemy AIs, but also real players found on the web. Then there is Co-op Adventure, which will have you and up to two others online or friends in the same room as you take on a five-chapter story mode that features areas from both Among Thieves and Drake's Deception. There is plenty to go back to when you've reached the Uncharted 3's end credits.

PROS:

• Breathtaking story, visuals, soundtrack
• Great amount of puzzles and gun battles
• Multiplayer modes come in the bucketload

CONS:

• Character animations can sometimes be unnatural
• Learning some of the survival tactics will take some time for Uncharted newbies

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Uncharted 3 is another reason why video games should be looked at the same way as motion pictures. The story, characters, and worlds you will visit in the game are awe-inspiring, and it helps that the gameplay elements and puzzles add onto the wonderment of this title. Its multiplayer aspects almost guarantee that you'll be revisiting this game many times. If you own a PS3, then there is no reason why Drake's Deception shouldn't be in your library, even if you haven't played the first two Uncharted games.

FINAL GRADE: 9.7 (out of 10)

The three Bastards and Bastette-In-Training rev one up filled with tangents and topics galore!

This week the B3 crew review Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol, Green Lantern, and Colombiana, and King Baby Duck gives a rundown of the demos Final Fantasy XIII-2, EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis 2, Asura's Wrath, Amy, and Choplifter HD. Anvil gives his weekly sports report, and a quick look at one of 2011's best albums from The Knux.

Buckle up your seatbelt! It's Episode 125: I'll Show You A Ghost Protocol!

Just when you thought Dead Island couldn't get any bigger, its publisher has announced a new storyline for your zombie goodness.

On January 31st on the PS3 (February 1st on Xbox 360) a new mission-based DLC pack will be released for Dead Island. The Ryder White DLC campaign will have players see the game through the main antagonist's eyes, experiencing the biggest events on the island of Banoi.  This single player campaign will feature several hours of gameplay, as well as a few brand new weapon blueprints.

“I always like to think of antagonist characters not as evil, but simply….misunderstood,” Deep Silver's evil Marketing & PR Tarantula Aubrey Norris argued while sharpening her talons and drinking the blood of the innocent from a jewel encrusted chalice.  “Ryder White was obviously suffering from a massive case of beast mood in Dead Island, and I think it’s only fair we got to learn his side of the story.”

Dead Island’s Ryder White DLC will be available on January 31, for $9.99 on PS3 and on February 1, 2012, for 800 MSP/$9.99 on Xbox LIVE and Steam.

If there's one thing anime tends to never run out of, it's cat girls. From Moonphase and Soul Eater to Outlaw Star and even the old Sonic The Hedgehog movie there is always at least one cat girl character to bring about the fan service. In 2010 an anime series premiered by the name of Asobi ni Ikuyo: Bombshells from the Sky, which will be released by FUNimation this year under the title Cat Planet Cuties. Does it bring anything new to the "nekomimi" world, or is it just another shameful attempt to cash in on another harem boobfest?

Cat Planet Cuties follows a young man named Kakazu, who one day runs into a girl named Elis wearing cat ears and a tail. At first Kakazu thinks she's cosplaying, but soon he finds out that Elis is an alien from the planet Catian, and is on a mission to learn the ways of Earth for her planet. Meanwhile Kakazu's two close friends Aoi and Manabi have kept a secret from him: they both work for different areas of the government (Aoi with the Immigration Bureau of Japan, Manabi the CIA), and at first are ordered to capture Elis. However after careful consideration (and the fact that both Aoi and Manabi have crushes on Kakazu) the two decide to go against their factions and help Elis out with her ordeals.

Like most alien-based anime series, it is a give-in that the alien protagonist that has the spotlight shown on them will more or less be oblivious to the goings-on of their new areas, and will just about every time misinterpret just about everything imaginable. Elis is no exception to this rule, who takes clothing advice from the porn magazines Kakazu hides underneath his bed and has no understanding of common sense laws throughout Japan. Sometimes the humor works, but other times it seems to be fan-service for the sake of fan-service. One example of a hit-or-miss sequence comes from Aoi and Manabi trying to rescue one of Elis's robots (known as Assist-A-Roids) literally as soon as they get out of the shower, ending with Kakazu being beaten up for pointing out their lack of clothing outside. Perhaps you have to be in the right mood to watch it, but I found their expressions hilarious.

One big issue I have with the show is that all signs point to it being yet another harem anime. It's not that I don't like harem series (they're the reason why I got into anime comedy), but there's just so many uninspired ones that don't take the proper steps to be original. I'm not sure where Bombshells From The Sky will be taking its love square, but from what I've seen so far I can only expect a bit of blandness in the romance department. (So long as it doesn't end the same way Motto To-Love-Ru did, I'll be okay with just about any storyline twist.) I also noticed a drop in the visual quality of the series starting in Episode Six, though what I saw lasted just a couple seconds. The show's action sequences are pretty-well drawn, though, so you won't be disappointed when the guns come blazing and swords start clashing.

When I was told about Cat Planet Cuties, they had said to expect humor in the same vein as Excel Saga. Unfortunately that's not what I discovered here. Sure, the series has its funny moments, but it doesn't reach the insane levels that Nabeshin was able to climb up to. Nevertheless I will be curious to see how FUNimation dubs this series, and if they plan to make any changes in the dialogue area to make it funnier. For what it's worth, Bombshells From The Sky is pretty entertaining, but only to a point. It's nowhere near a letdown like most of the recent harem anime comedies, but I'm hoping that they up the ante a bit in the originality factors in later episodes (especially in the running gag department).

** ½ (out of five)

You can watch Cat Planet Cuties on Crunchyroll before it's released by FUNimation this year.

A brand-new year, a brand-new episode!

This week King Baby Duck and Anvil share what they did over the break, jump right into the week of sports, and discuss their thoughts on Brock Lesner’s retirement announcement and Cris Cyborg’s steroid scandal. The new NFL Blitz game is put on the table, and the Kinect demos for Kung Fu: High Impact and Motionsports: Adrenaline are analyzed. Another chapter of the MBTA Oh For Fuck’s Sake! is put into the book, and Anvil does an actual anime review this time around for the classic Baki The Grappler.

Fresh out of the oven, it’s Episode 124: Once A Bitch, Always A Canuck!

Still not convinced about our top 20 albums list? Then this episode is for you!

King Baby Duck spins a song from each of the top album picks of this year. What morsels of musical treats will be oozing out of your speakers in today's program?

1. Asobi Seksu - Trails (from the album Fluorescence)
2. Flogging Molly - The Power's Out (from the album Speed Of Darkness)
3. VERBAL - CHANGE CHANGE [feat. Nicki Minaj] (from the album Visionair)
4. Cheeseburger - Party Song (from the album Another Big Night Down the Drain)
5. American Water - Old Best Friend (from the album This Is Where It Ends)
6. Evanescence - Made of Stone (from the album Evanescence)
7. The Go! Team - Secretary Song (from the album Rolling Blackouts)
8. R.E.M. - It Happened Today (from the album Collapse into Now)
9. Flash Bang Grenada - I Can Teleport (from the album 10 Haters)
10. the pillows - Movement (from the album Horn Again)
11. Foster The People - Don't Stop (Color On The Walls) (from the album Torches)
12. The Knux - Run [feat. Kid Cudi] (from the album Eraser)
13. TsuShiMaMiRe - French Toast Rendezvous (from the album Giving Blood)
14. Dropkick Murphys - Hang 'Em High (from the album Going Out in Style)
15. Beastie Boys - Lee Majors Come Again (from the album Hot Sauce Committee Part Two)
16. The Decemberists - Don't Carry It All (from the album The King Is Dead)
17. The Black Keys - Gold On The Ceiling (from the album El Camino)
18. Foo Fighters - White Limo (from the album Wasting Light)
19. Tom Waits - Hell Broke Luce (from the album Bad As Me)
20. Fucked Up - Life In Paper (from the album David Comes To Life)

The Boston Bastard Brigade kindly encourages you to support these artists, and buy their songs/album. You can find the majority of these releases on JapanFiles, CDJapan.co.jp, Amazon.com, iTunes, the bands' official websites and (in some cases) at your local record stores.

10. Foster The People - Torches

Months before their debut album dropped, Foster The People already made their mark this year with the dark and catchy “Pumped Up Kicks.” Fortunately the rest of Torches is also solid gold, from the head-bopping “Don’t Stop (Color On The Walls)” and the psychedelic “Miss You” to the boogie-inducing “Houdini.” Here’s hoping they can keep up this dance-crazed trend for their next album.

9. The Knux - Eraser

True rockstars in the rap world, The Knux made their return without suffering from the sophomore slump. You’ll be head-banging and break-dancing at the same time with the help of such tracks as “She’s So Up” and the eighties-inspired “Maniac,” while “Razorblade” perfectly meshes together the styles of classic rap with The Stooges. Collaborations with Kid Cudi (“Run”) and Natalia Kills (“1974”) act as the icing on this hip hop cake. They may not want to be famous (as mentioned in “Fame-Us”), but releasing an album like Eraser shows that they might not have a choice in that matter.

8. TsuShiMaMiRe - Giving Blood

How does this Japanese punk trio manage to keep getting better and better? Released on their own label TsuShiMaMiRe pushes themselves to the edge and back with such tracks as “Sonate de Alarm” and “Sky High,” and sings the most punk rock song about food (“French Toast Rendevous”) since Shonen Knife sang about banana chips. Their redo of “Na-mellow” is one for the books, with Yayoi’s bass sounding meaner than it ever has before. My advice: be sure you have an extra pair of pants in arm’s reach before listening to Giving Blood, for you might just explode from the album’s sheer insanity.

7. Dropkick Murphys - Going Out In Style

When the Boston bad boys kick the bucket, they want their funeral to be the biggest celebration the hub has ever seen. From its opening march into battle “Hang Em High” to the mandolin-strumming “Take ‘Em Down” the Murphys know how to get a true Irish party started. Ken Casey and company also managed to grab an unknown singer by the name of Bruce Springsteen for their rendition of “Peg O’ My Heart” that will have you singing from the top of your lungs. Going Out In Style celebrates the life and death of a fictional character named Cornelius Larkin, but after listening to this album you’ll swear he was a friend of your family.

6. Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part Two

Do they ever cease to amaze? After 30 years the Beastie Boys continue to change the rules of the rap game, thanks in part to their outside-the-box sampling and original rhymes. Tracks like “Nonstop Disco Powerpack” and “Funky Donkey” will put a smile on your face for their names alone, but fortunately the beats and lyrics are as fresh as ever.  Even their turn at Bollywood style in “Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win” with Santigold brings forth another winning formula. With all the punk, jazz, and rock fusions that appear in Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, it’s a sure sign that the Beastie Boys can do no wrong. Let’s hope that Part One will appear in some form in the near-future.

5. The Decemberists - The King Is Dead

After doing two back-to-back concept albums (The Crane’s Wife and The Hazards of Love) the Portland natives decided to do a more straight-forward album this year. The outcome: their best album to date. From the harmonica-heavy “Don’t Carry It All” and the soft-spoken “January Hymn” to the heart-stopping sounds of “Calamity Song” and “Down By The Water” Colin Meloy and friends show that their hearts and souls are in a warm, unique place. The King Is Dead, long live The Decemberists.

4. The Black Keys - El Camino

Teaming up with Danger Mouse again the Black Keys let their hair down and made a record that sounded fun to make as it is to listen. Your feet will start tapping during “Lonely Boy,” your hips will shake while “Gold On The Ceiling” plays, and by the time “Hell of a Season” hits your entire body will have succumbed to the groove of El Camino. The White Stripes may have officially broken up, but Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have showed us that The Black Keys were the garage blues rock rulers all along.

3. Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

Dave Grohl and company toured the world, took truck stop showers to a whole ‘nother level, and faced off against Westboro Baptist Church in the best way possible. They also released the best album of their careers, produced by Butch “Yes, he also produced Nevermind” Vig. The end result: heavy rock (“White Limo,” “Bridge Burning”), great ballads (“I Should Have Known,” “Walk”) and one hell of a single in the form of “Rope.” (The deadmau5 remix is worth a listen, bringing the track to fun, sadomasochistic levels.) Wasting Light has shown that rock was never dead to begin with; it was just planning an epic sneak attack on the music world.

2. Tom Waits - Bad As Me

On the day Bad As Me was announced America had the weirdest earthquake happen on the East Coast, a sure sign that our planet was nervous about not being cool enough for Tom Waits anymore. Worry not, as the king crooner still thinks it is. From its train-riding opener “Chicago” and the hip-swinging “Get Lost” to the grooving “Satisfied” Mr. Waits proved yet again at no mere mortal can compete with the likes of him. The war-cry known as “Hell Broke Luce” just may be the best track of 2011, a decree that neither God or the Devil can argue against. Welcome back, Tom. We missed you dearly.

1. Fucked Up - David Comes To Life

The most complex, catchy, and all-around jaw-dropping album of the year. The Toronto sextet is known to go against the grains of punk rock, but they upped the ante this time around with a rock opera focused on a light bulb factory worker who loses his beloved in a tragic explosion. Filled with betrayal, tragedy, and hope David Comes To Life is the breath of fresh air the music industry has needed these past couple years, and it helps that the album is chock full of great sing-along tracks like “Queen of Hearts,” “The Other Shoe,” and “Ship of Fools.” Even more impressive were the character singles and David’s Town compilation released to build up the existence of the faux town known as Byrdesdale Spa, UK. With so many layers and chapters to cover within the LP and its companion pieces, the world of David Comes To Life was, indeed, brought to life in this year’s best album. Sorry Green Day, but your reign as punk opera kings is over!

What are your thoughts on the year of music? Any albums I missed that you thought deserved to be on here? Speak your mind, and post below!

When it comes to influential mangaka, Go Nagai ranks near the top with the likes of Monkey Punch and Osamu Tezuka. Many of his series that include Devilman, Cutie Honey, Getter Robot, and Violence Jack have been dubbed classics by the Japanese comic industry. His most popular of his works -- at least in Japan -- is a horror comedy called Dororon Enma-Kun, which found itself being remade into a brand-new anime series called Dororon Enma-kun MeeraMera. The real question, however, is whether or not this ecchi comedy is still relevant in the anime world.

Dororon follows the adventures of Enma-kun, the leader of the Demon Patrol, and his cohorts Yukiko the Ice Princess and Kapperu the not-very-helpful water nymph. Discovered by the human Harumi (who replaces Tsutomu, the original human protagonist) the trio decide to unofficially let their new friend join their quest to battle all the escaped demons throughout the world; when I say the rest of the world I mean just Japan. Together the Demon Patrol face off against evil, bad puns, and the inevitable fan-service moments that get the perverted Enma-kun in more trouble than he can ever ask for.

Produced by Brain's Base (who also animated such instant classics as Durarara!! and Spice & Wolf II) the animation style stays true to the original manga, only crisper and much more heavily detailed. The show shines brightly, especially during the action sequences. While there is the usual stock footage reusing technique found during Enma-kun's final maneuver, it's still cool to watch each time. It brings to mind how they revamped Yatterman a couple years ago, where the only thing they had to worry about was modernizing everything from its 1970s counterpart. (Dororon's remake took a more cautious approach, having it being set in its original timeframe.) The voice acting is standout, too, and it's funny to hear Kappei Yamaguchi bring to life such a perverted character, considering he's better known in America as L from the Death Note anime.

When it comes to the show's overall plotline there isn't much to discuss. A monster-of-the-week series each episode features a similar guideline: a demon appears, wrecks havoc throughout Japan, followed by the Demon Patrol intervening and defeating the demon, only to discover that each of these monsters that appear are connected somehow by an unknown assailant. Also you cannot forget about some fan-service here and there throughout. While some of the more ecchi humor seems to be there for the sake of ecchi humor and nothing else, Dororon has enough good, classic humor to both balance it off and be forgiven for its perverted ways. (In one instance there is a ghost that transforms everyone he touches into round fatties, which lead into some silly sight gags that even include an abrupt halt to the Vietnam War.) After all, this is Go Nagai we're talking about, the mangaka who perfected the ecchi comedy series.

Sadly we live in a much different time than when Dororon Enma-kun was first brought to the world. Back in the 1970s this sort of perverted humor was so far and few between that it was considered a breath of fresh air to those wanting a good, unique laugh. Unfortunately here in the 21st century every mangaka and their grandmother has created an ecchi comedy, forcing Nagai's original work to be cast into an ocean of really bad imitators. A real shame, considering that many of these perverted comedies lack the key ingredient that both Go Nagai and Dororon have kept intact after all these years: the ability to be clever in its comedic delivery. It's this trait that luckily keeps this series above those tired waters, and while nowhere near unique this anime winds up being both funny and entertaining.

There is some good news, however: Americans will be able to see the new Dororon Enma-Kun series sometime next year, as it has been licensed for release by NIS America. While it may not win any awards anytime soon -- nor will it be a standout hit when it's unleashed to these United States -- you can bet that this redo of a classic series will keep you laughing throughout its thirteen episode run. Just don't expect it to be a thinking man's kind of show; leave the brain at home, and enjoy its madness. Also, be prepared to have the theme song stuck in your head for days on end.

*** ½ (out of five)

The other half of our Best-Of 2011 show is here! And it's about video games, video games, and MORE VIDEO GAMES!!!

The Bastards King Baby Duck, Blueonic & Anvil, Pandalicious & Hamsterman2049 from ESH, and The Issues Program's Issues Guy & JC Sergeant meet up in another super deluxe episode where they discuss the best, the brightest, the most overlooked and the worst in video gaming for 2011. SKYRIM! BATMAN! ZELDA! BATTLEFIELD! JIMMY JOHNSON! Plus be shocked when you hear which game Pandalicious declared the worst of the year.

It's ribbed for your pleasure, but don't stick your penis in it. It's Episode 123: Blasting Bards Ablaze!

EDITOR'S NOTE: We were also going to cover music more in-depth, but we ran out of energy. Marathoning two episodes in a row drains you, so be sure to only pull stunts like that once a year.

Atlus has just released not one, but two new trailers for the upcoming video game adaptation of Game of Thrones. Check out both "The Wall" and "Winter" trailers below.

The Wall Teaser:

Winter Trailer:

The worlds are looking good, but I'm hoping that the human characters are given a bit of a makeover. After seeing what's been accomplished in Skyrim, Game of Thrones will have to up the ante if they wish to please both fans of RPG titles and those that are into the books & movies. With George R.R. Martin collaborating on the game's story, though, we could be in for a title that pleases both sides.

Game of Thrones is due in early 2012 on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.

If you've ever played the classic shooter Gradius, and thought that it could use cute anime girls, then Otomedius Excellent would still not be for you!

Developed by Konami Excellent is the second in the Otomedius series (the first released in America), with Mine Yoshizaki (Sgt. Frog creator) designing the characters. The premise of the game has you piloting one of eleven female pilots as they battle against a new threat known as Dark Force, which terrorizes Earth with its massive armies and strange minions. Otomedius is set up in a classic side-scroller style that has you battling ships, bots, and various bosses throughout the levels. Sounds simple, right? Not by a long shot.

One of the game's bigger flaws is that throughout each level too much is going on at the same time. In many instances you'll find yourself battling it out against over thirty enemy ships and bots, only to be shot down after being hit three times. You can collect extra health, but in almost no time at all you'll be back down to one final lifeline, which is symbolized by how much your character's eyes are open in their icon. It gets even worse when all your lives are lost and wish to continue, as Otomedius Excellent will wipe out all but one point of your entire score.

Controls can be wonky at times, too, as you'll find yourself confused about which button does what to no end. One button was supposed to do single shots, whereas another allegedly fires doubles, yet throughout my entire gameplay experience I could not differentiate between the two. Another big flaw with the game is that you could not spin your character around, and while it sounds like that wouldn't make sense there will be areas where enemies will be firing behind you and you cannot evade. It became quite frustrating after being killed seven times in a row by enemies that I literally could not shoot.

Graphically Otomedius Excellent disappoints, looking like a bare bones Xbox Live Arcade title. Nothing about it screams revolutionary, even by downloadable game standards. It made me wonder why it was made into a physical release in the first place, as it looked like something that would barely take up a single Xbox disc. The game also has some translation errors that are more facepalm-inducing than hysterical, leading me to believe that whomever was in charge of bringing this game to America did a half-ass job making sure all the grammatical kinks were out of the system. Its anime sequences look great, although I would worry if a game like this was to be translated into a full-fledged TV series or OVA.

The music, though, is another story. Composed by Motoi Sakurba and Michiru Yamane the techno/trance music that fills the worlds of Otomedius is worthy enough for any club or rave. There is no English dub for the characters, however, and the only way you can understand what they are saying is on the tiny scroll on the bottom left-hand side of your screen. You'll find yourself more confused than intrigued by what's going on throughout the game.

Now comes the worst thing about the game: the Story Mode is only one hour long! You get blasted by the enemies -- and sometimes not have to defeat the bosses at the end to complete each level -- and your total gaming time will be less than even the dreadful Ugly Americans game. You'll be able to earn power-ups that can be used for the next time you play, but you'll find yourself so frustrated with this game that you won't want to bother. There's an online multiplayer mode, as well, but every time I went on there was not a single gamer to be found. (Apparently they got the "Avoid this game!" memo before I did.) As for extras there is this to be found with your right analog stick:

Can you say "Jailbait Simulator"?

PROS:

• Nice opening anime sequence
• Techno soundtrack worthy of any party

CONS:

• Graphics look worse than your average XBLA title
• Too much enemy AI attacking during gameplay
• Story Mode lasts only one hour!
• Disturbing fan-service

FINAL THOUGHTS:

You would think that a game that teamed up the Gradius developers with Mine Yoshizaki would be a winner. Alas it was not to be, as Otomedius Excellent will go down in history as one of the worst scrolling shooter titles ever to be created. This is one game that should've stayed put in Japan; on second thought it should've been scrapped for something that would've even turned out to be below mediocre. Simply put: avoid Otomedius Excellent at all costs, even when it's released on the PlayStation Vita later next year.

FINAL GRADE: 1.1 (out of ten)

It's that time of year again: our two-part Best-Of 2011 show! WITH SPECIAL GUESTS!

In the first gigantic part of our 2011 wrap-up show members of B3, ElectricSistaHood, and The Issues Program meet up and pick out the best & worst movies of 2011. Plus Anvil and Issues Guy share their favorite highlights in the year of sports.

Here comes a super-sized line drive right out of left field! It's Episode 122: We Never Speak Of Zookeeper!

When she isn't voicing a diabetic frog or an apple-loving wolf deity, Brina Palencia works with her friend Haley Esposito on their newest production company Heal By Rain. Recently the company announced its first project: a web series called The Troubadoors, which follows seven students that form their own door-to-door chorus after being rejected by their college's top choir. Via the magic of the interwebs I had the chance to ask Palencia about The Troubadoors, as well as the origins of Heal By Rain.

What inspired you and Haley Esposito to start your own production company?

Haley had this genius idea for a web series that involved a lot of music, and I immediately jumped on board. After a few meetings we decided to produce it ourselves and start our own production company.

Where does the name “Heal By Rain” originate from?

It's actually an anagram of Brina and Haley. We also both love rain, so it worked out quite well.

You just announced your first web series called The Troubadoors. What was it about this idea that made you choose it to be Heal By Rain’s first production?

Like I said, it was Haley's idea originally. I was drawn to it because I thought the concept of people singing door to door, not on Christmas, was hilarious. I also loved that it would give me an outlet to write music. As we continued fleshing out the story and characters, I just fell in love with it all over again. It's a comedy with a lot of heart.

How will The Troubadoors stand out from other shows that focus on choirs and choruses like The Sing-Off and Glee?

While I think both of those shows are great, what sets us apart is our music will be much more folk based. All of The Troubadoors' instruments will have to be portable, too, which gives it a very un-produced and honest sound. The rival choir, The Harmonics, will be just the opposite of that. Their songs will be much more dance based and auto-tuned.

Is your character of Kagura based on anyone you know?

Not really. I suppose she's an amalgam of every con horror story I've heard in the past, mixed in with myself. As crazy as she is, I still find her to be a very relatable character. She is misunderstood and trying desperately to find herself. Who can't relate to that? And, yes, she's also a bit obsessive...

How many original songs were written for The Troubadoors?

When it's all said and done, there will be a minimum of 15 original songs for the first season. They have not all been finished just yet.

Where did the idea of doing video diaries for each character come from?

It was our way of not only introducing the characters to our audience, but to the actors as well. We want our characters to have a lot of layers and depth, even though it is a comedy. Getting to improvise as your character is a great way to explore and find those different levels. We thought it would be a good way to build buzz about the show, as well.

Be honest: on average how many takes did you have to do for these video diaries? I can’t help but imagine that you all couldn’t go straight-faced for these just in one take.

It was extremely hard for Haley and I to not bust out laughing on every one of those video diaries! All of our actors are pretty pro, though. They rarely busted a take.

How many episodes can we expect from the first season?

The first season will have 14 episodes.

After launching The Troubadoors, what else can we look forward to from Heal By Rain?

We have a lot of ideas, but for right now we're completely focused on making the best web series we can!

For more information on The Troubadoors, check out its official Facebook page and YouTube Channel.

Can your Gunstringer go up against the legendary Mad Dog McDog? Twisted Pixel wants to put you to the test with its latest DLC: Real Big Shootin!

Costing 240 MSP this DLC will have you go up against McDog, who has been running his mouth about your "lack of precision" in the firearm arts. The add-on will have arcade-style shooting similar to what was seen in the original Gunstringer title. According to the official press release:

Play through four acts of “shoot-em-up” gameplay with several challenges per act, facing everything from jet-pack minions, dynamite bombardment, metal dudes, and flying cows. With a host of weaponry at your disposal, train your good eye on all incoming obstacles for a chance to face off against McDog himself. You can also team up with a buddy for turn-based co-op to assist in shooting down that mangy no good dog.

Check out the official trailer below, and be prepared for another serving of gaming madness from the funniest gaming developers in the world! The DLC will be released this week.

The Christmas season is upon us, which means another peppermint-tasting mix of great songs to put you into the holiday spirit!

Join King Baby Duck as he spins some Christmas cheer from America, Japan, and England. Which stocking stuffers have made it onto the playlist this year? Take a look below and see:

1. Trans-Siberian Orchestra - First Snow (from Christmas Eve and Other Stories)
2. the pillows - I Can Hear Jingle Bells (from 90's My Life Returns)
3. Brian Setzer Orchestra - Santa Drives A Hot Rod (from Dig That Crazy Christmas)
4. Petty Booka - Mele Kalikimaka (from Christmas Everywhere)
5. Sting - Christmas At Sea (from If On A Winter's Night...)
6. Swinging Popsicle - At Christmastime (JapanFiles single)
7. The Nervous Wreckords - All I Want for Chri$tmas (special single)
8. YUKI - Message (from Cosmic Box single)
9. The White Stripes - Candy Cane Children (From Merry Christmas From The White Stripes 7" vinyl)
10. Ketchup mania - Jingleberry (from Greetings From Tokyo)
11. Shonen Knife - Sweet Christmas (CD single)
12. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - This Time Of Year (from Medium Rare)
13. Amy Lee - Sally's Song (from Nightmare Revisited)
14. GACKT - December Love Song (out-of-print single)
15. Weezer - Merry-Chri (from The Red Album (Japanese Edition))

The Boston Bastard Brigade kindly encourages you to support these artists, and buy their songs/album. You can find the majority of these releases on JapanFiles, CDJapan.co.jp, Amazon.com, iTunes, the bands' official websites and (in some cases) at your local record stores.

King Baby Duck's Recipe: Peanut Blossoms

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup of shortening
1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
48 Hershey kisses

Preheat oven to 375°F

Directions:

1. Stir all-purpose flour, baking soda and salt in large mixer bowl
2. Add the rest of the ingredients except the kisses
3. Mix ingredients on the medium setting of your electric mixer until well combined
4. Place the dough into the refrigerator for 30 minutes
5. Take out of fridge, then roll small amounts of dough into one-inch balls
6. Place on un-greased cookie sheet, and bake for 12 minutes, or until they’re lightly brown
7. Remove from oven, and immediately place a chocolate kiss in each of the cookies
8. Repeat with remaining dough.

Makes 48 cookies!

Anvil's Recipe: Poor Man's Cheesecake

Ingredients:

2 sticks soften cream cheese
1 1/2 tub Cool Whip whipped cream
1 graham cracker crust
(Editor's note: Add any fruit/fillings if desired)

Directions:

1. Mix cream cheese and Cool Whip until smooth
2. Pour mixture into graham cracker crust
3. Place in fridge, wait until chilled to serve

Saignement's Recipe: Pumpkin Cookie Dip

Ingredients:

1 can pumpkin pie filling
1 tub Cool Whip whipped cream
1 box French Vanilla pudding mix
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ginger
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of cloves

Directions:

1. Mix all the ingredients except Cool Whip together
2. Fold mixture into Cool Whip
3. Refrigerate for two hours or until cold

Get your jollies on for a brand-new holiday-filled episode.

This week the Bastards share their favorite (and least-favorite) Christmas films, recipes, classic specials, songs, and gift ideas for all your loved ones. And yes, Anvil does another sports segment.

It's the happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby danced with Danny Fucking Kaye! Here's Episode 121: Boston Bastard Brigade's Christmas Vacation!

After months of clamoring from fans wanting to see it in America, Nintendo has announced that the critically-acclaimed Xenoblade Chronicles is finally arriving on our shores on April 3rd.

The game follows a Shulk, a young man who wields an energy blade called the Monado against the Mechon in order to ultimately save the world. First released in Japan in 2010 Xenoblade Chronicles has received universal acclaim from almost every part of the world. Earlier this year a campaign known as "Operation Rainfall" was created in order to gain Nintendo's attention to the localization of Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower. No word on whether the other two titles will receive a stateside release.

Xenoblade Chronicles will be released exclusively at Gamestop and on the official Nintendo website.

To be truly innovative in the video game world one must think outside the box. Playbrains, on the other hand, decided to think outside the portrait with its latest side-scroller Sideway: New York.

In this platformer players control Nox as he battles his way through the street art-covered cityscape of New York City. His friend is kidnapped by a villain named Spray, and it is up to you (and, if you play co-op mode, a friend) to stop him and his minions. As you play through the level you will earn new power-ups and abilities that can be used to defeat your enemies, which range from the average slide kick and gliding technique to a floor stomp that can kill your opponent in one smash.

It's all these different moves that makes it a tad difficult to remember which button does what. While there is a control map to show you exactly which one performs each maneuver it doesn't help you out during split-second decisions (which happen more often than not). While each of these power-ups are impressive to watch they would be far more enjoyable to accomplish if it didn't involve having to play finger Twister with the PlayStation controller. Despite the difficult control scheme the overall gaming experience is quite unique.

Sideway: New York is presented in a 2D side-scrolling style within a 3D landscape. What that entails is that while the gameplay aspect is in 2D the worlds and buildings that are presented within the third dimension. In some scenarios you'll be running on one side of a building, jumping up, then suddenly find yourself fighting off the enemies on the top of the roof. This may sound like the average platformer, but what makes it stand out is that because you and the other characters are presented as paint on the Big Apple's walls they will always be seen as flat personas. (It's very hard to describe, so the video below should give you a better understanding.)

The characters are very vibrant, combining the styles of Shepard Fairey and Ed Hardy in some cases. One-eyed globs that shoot slime, minions that draw other creatures that wish to kill you, and scuba gorillas (yes, you read that right!) are just some of the characters that you will come across in this title. The crazier characters show up during the boss battle, many of whom are quite inventive. In one case you will come across a psychotic bunny that pukes up smaller bunnies that will attack you in droves. The only character that I found to be disappointing was the Knuckler, whom you will find near the end of the game. His 3D presentation contrasts every other character found in Sideway: New York, and its overall appearance looks more like something you'd see in a shovelware PS2 title.

In spite of that character the look of Sideway: New York is quite stunning. Its style stays true to the spray painting characteristics found throughout the game, and will certainly make many fans of street art happy, whether they're just into crazy letterings spray-painted onto billboards or the politically-charged pieces of art by Banksy. Its soundtrack by Mr. Lif is catchy, bringing to mind the classic hip hop styles of Grandmaster Flash and Naughty By Nature. Unfortunately there is a limited amount of music in the game, so expect a lot of heavy repetition. (It's a shame that PlayStation owners can't switch to their own personal playlists that they upload onto the PS3.)

Players can expect to beat Sideway: New York within seven hours, which is a decent amount of time for a $10 game. You'll also be encouraged to go back to older levels and use the powers you earned later on in the game to reach items and collectibles you couldn't the first time around. Online features are only limited to a leaderboard, where you can compare your score with others from around the world. (SPOILER ALERT!!!) Be warned: like in the brilliant game Rochard the game ends on a cliffhanger, hinting on a sequel that will probably take place in Tokyo.

PROS:

• Visual presentation out of the ordinary
• Innovative characters, boss battles
• Memorable hip hop soundtrack...

CONS:

• ...but songs get repetitive fast
• Control scheme is a bit complicated
• Knuckler boss battle is kind of ugly

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Sideway: New York has its flaws, but its overall presentation makes it a game that any PS3 owner should try. Download the demo first, and if you really like what you've seen I suggest buying the full game. It takes a gameplay style that's been done similarly for over 25 years, and gives it a unique spin. Let's just hope we won't have to wait too long for the next chapter in Nox's story.

FINAL GRADE: 7.0 (out of 10)

After almost OD'ing on tryptophan the Bastards drag themselves onwards for a brand-new episode.

This week the B3 crew share on their experiences with the Thanksgiving holiday, Anvil does a weekly sports report that involves a sport knowledge fail by King Baby Duck, and the demos for Rage and Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2012 are discussed. Plus Anvil and Saignement go hands-on with Saints Row: The Third, and the bitch of Black Friday is put in her place. Also another beta key for Defenders of Ardania is given away!

It's all short and sweet on Episode 120: Your Shape Gets Me In A Rage.

At E3 this year it was Saints Row: The Third that brought the most insane of artillery to the table. From its crazy antics to its style of humor the latest in the Saints Row series had but only one mission in mind: bring gamers the most fun experience anyone can fathom in an open-world title.

Saints Row: The Third continues where the second one left off. The Saints are now in control of Stilwater, and have become celebrities around the world. Unbeknownst to them, however, a rival group known as the Syndicate takes over the city, forcing the Saints off their throne of luxury. From there it's up to you to build back your reputation and reclaim your kingdom. But there are many obstacles that will keep you from reaching your goal.

The Syndicate is split into three groups: Morningstar (classic mafia-looking), Luchadores (wrestling-inspired) and Deckers (Tron-like hooligans), with the three of them owning a fair share of Stilwater. In order to win back your beloved city you must slowly regain control of it by buying property or -- the more fun way -- taking it back using the most anarchic ways possible. It doesn't come easy, especially when the police and the Special Tactics Anti-Gang Unit (or S.T.A.G., for short) are on your trail every time you fire a weapon or run someone over with your vehicle. Before you do any of that, however, your character must look the part.

The folks at Volition, Inc. went all out on the Create-A-Character aspect alone, with nearly millions of ways you can have your anti-hero look. From the wideness of your eyes to the size of your, erm, package the heavy detail placed into how you can make your Saint look like you is finely-tuned; and with a crazy amount of wardrobe you can choose from you can dress him or her in just about any way possible. You can even have them run the streets completely naked if you wanted them to! (It's pixelated, though, pervs.)

After you've created your character the real madness begins. To win back respect you must tackle on multiple missions that will have you in a shootout 20,000 feet in the air, saving lovely prostitutes from underground clubs and ships, committing a chariot getaway chase with gimps instead of horses, and (CAREFULLY!) chauffeuring a tiger in your front passenger seat; and that's a mere fraction of what you can do. There are also side missions that include Insurance Fraud (getting run over by cars for cash), Professor Genki's Super Ethical Reality Climax (a Japanese-styled game show), Tank Mayhem (blow as much shit up as possible with your tank in a given time limit), and Assassinations. It is amazing how much gameplay has been placed into Saints Row: The Third, and it can be more fun when you are in co-op mode with a friend. If you need to take a break from the main game you can easily jump into Whored More, in which you (and a friend, if you'd like) can tackle on endless waves of enemies with different weapons at your disposal.

The weapons you are given in this game range from the average to the WTF, with a heavy emphasis on the F. You could easily just use a pistol to take down your enemies, but if you want to be a kinky badass then you can arm yourself with the Penetrator (the infamous dildo bat) and smash their skulls in with sexual hilarity. There are also grenades, octopus guns, and air strikes that can be called in to take care of those pesky rival gangs and S.T.A.G. soldiers. Vehicles also come in different shapes and sizes, ranging from the simple scooters and classic cars to the tanks and Professor Genki's Manapult, the latter of which can suck up any pedestrian and shoot them out of the air to meet their maker.

While on the road you can switch on the radio, listen to news clips and even rock out to some of the best songs to be heard on any game. From the hip hop styles of Kanye West and the rocking riffs of Wavves to the electronica beats of deadmau5 and the classical sounds of Bach there is a radio station for every person out there. (My personal favorite is the Adult Swim-based one, where the DJ is Jon Glasser's character in Delocated.) Add on a great cast that includes Daniel Dae Kim, Hulk Hogan, and Sasha Grey just to name a few, and you've got yourself one hell of a soundtrack that is filled with hilarious jabs, one-liners and all-around dialogue that will make you do a double-take.

While there is much to love in Saints Row: The Third there are a couple flaws that keep it from reaching open-world perfection. The first is the flying missions, which can sometimes be a major pain to control. Because of some of the camera angles in those levels it made it almost impossible to properly aim your gun or missile-launcher at the gang members. Trust me: you will find yourself spending an hour on these types of missions alone, but not for enjoyable reasons.

The other misstep in Saints Row: The Third is its graphics. While good, they are not on-par with the majority of the games that can be found on current-gen consoles. Granted it does fit with the cartoonish elements of the game, but they could've tinkered just a bit on the characters before the game's release. I also found some rendering issues within the game, especially while flying high in one of the planes you get later on in the game. And while it sounds like the oldest complaint in the world my character got stuck in a wall a few times, so I'm crossing my fingers that an update will be released sooner or later to fix that aspect. The vehicles look gorgeous, though.

Completing the main storyline will probably take you between 12-14 hours, with the side missions tacking on another 10. One of the downsides is once a main story mission is completed you cannot go back and replay it unless you start a whole new game. Still with many classic moments to be found in this game Saints Row: The Third is the type of open-world game that merits much replay value. (If you want to collect every trophy/achievement you'll need to play through it a couple times.)

PROS:

• Hilarious story, inventive missions
• Imaginative weapons
• Great voice-acting, soundtrack one of year's best

CONS:

• Graphics aren't up to current standards
• Flying missions are a bitch to handle
• Can't replay main missions once completed

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Saints Row: The Third is a barrel of laughs and fun for anyone who thought the worlds of Grand Theft Auto were too serious for them. With a massive foray of weapons and vehicles at your disposal, not to mention tons of missions to complete, the latest adventure in Stilwater will be worth multiple visits. Lovers of hilarious games are encouraged to strap this title on and enjoy Saints Row: The Third in all of its intensity.

FINAL GRADE: 9.2 (out of ten)

With Blueonic gone the Bastards decide to give this week's show a bit of a feminine touch.

Bastette-In-Training Saignement joins the crew, as she and Anvil give their take on Batman: Arkham City, but not before going on a crazy tangent over which actors should play the people of Gotham. King Baby Duck gives his reasons why Saints Row: The Third is the most fun game out there of 2011, Saignement goes into detail on how the anniversary edition of Halo: Combat Evolve redoes a classic and Anvil goes into the good (Bruins and Pats) and bad (Penn State and NBA) of the week in sports. Plus Saignement gives a review of the new movie In Time, and an Oh For Fuck's Sake! on why those Occupy Wall Street people need to just go away. (Didn't expect that from us, did ya?) And did we mention another beta code for Defenders of Ardania?

It's all pack in neatly in Episode 119: Catwoman's Training Sessions.

Follow King Baby Duck and Anvil as they take our viewers backstage to the recent Victory Promotions event held at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, MA.

Last night the folks at Deep Silver and Piranha Bytes released the first part of the behind-the-scenes look at Risen 2: Dark Waters, due in 2012 on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3. Here game designers Michael Hoge and Björn Pankratz and storywriter Jennifer Pankratz explain why they chose pirates as the topic for their latest game, Pankratz covers how the world map will help gamers on the first steps of their adventure and much more! Check out the video after the jump...

While at this past Saturday's Victory Promotions event at the Tsongas Center, the Bastards got a surprise visit from former UFC fighter John "Doomsday" Howard.

Recorded during the main event battle between Ronnie Rogers and Rich Clementi, Anvil and King Baby Duck chat with Howard about his favorite fight of the night, who he wants to step into the ring with again the most and why he wants face off again Josh Koscheck. Plus find out his true thoughts on being let go by the UFC, his recent battle with Dennis Olsen and why the perspective of MMA has changed for the better.

It all happens right in the octagon on One-On-One: John "Doomsday" Howard.

Join the Bastards tonight for a very special live event!

Coming to you live from the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, MA, we present a special edition of the Boston Bastard Brigade, where the B3 crew will discuss their thoughts on tonight's fights happening at Victory Promotions: Clementi Vs. Rogers, as well as some very special interviews. To find out the actual time be sure to follow King Baby Duck on his Twitter account.

Since PAX East this year no racing title has left more excited than Jimmie Johnson's Anything With An Engine, made by the folks at Isopod Labs (a company founded by the dudes who created a little game called Vigilante 8) and Autumn Games. With each taste I had of it at both PAX and E3 the same sentence kept coming out of my mouth: This could be a Mario Kart killer. However as a follower of smaller game developers my optimism was cautious, as I've had full meals of disappointment served to me on many occasions by these lesser-known companies. After playing the final version of it, those doubts have since been trashed into scrap metal.

Players can choose from twelve racers (seven right away, five unlockable), each one of them special in every way. You can choose to race in a bathtub, a coffin, shopping cart or even a rocket, and each vehicle comes with its own crazy character to drive it for you. You can ride on thirteen different tracks, which all have their own hidden goodies and secret ways to reach victory. Throughout a regular race you can earn points by lighting up specific switches, and the more you light you the sooner you'll be able to use such tactics as boosts, ramming, missiles and mines. Here's the cool part: each missile and mine is made custom to the vehicle you're racing. For example if you choose Couch Potato (a man trapped in a mascot uniform riding a recliner) the missiles will be pizzas and the mines will consist of exploding TVs.

Anything With An Engine features a Career Mode that has eight different Cups to win (five main, three bonus). Each Cup features a mixture of every type of race in the game, ending with a duel between you and Mr. Johnson himself. Once you beat Jimmie you are given a token to unlock one of the other four racers you can hit the tracks with. Once you unlock those and win the Diamond Cup you will have the ability to play as Jimmie and his barstool from Hell.

Besides the regular races there are other modes to compete in. In Survival players will have a set time limit to escape from being in last place, which will lead to their elimination. Endurance has you facing your opponents in a long race that is determined in the end via a point system; the higher you are in the ranking at the end of each lap, the more points you will earn. No other mode will keep you on the edge of your seat than Matador, where eight racers are spilt into two groups, placed on opposite ends of the track and forced to literally go head-to-head to win. Trying to evade racers that speed towards you, not to mention trying to reach the front of the pack further than the racer at the other end, make it the sort of nail-biting racing experience that gamers have been clamoring for.

As you race your vehicle will get beaten up, which is where the Pit Stop comes in handy. By pushing the Repair button fast enough not only will your vehicle be good as new, but your weapons will be replenished. Be careful, for if you don't reach a Pit Stop in time your vehicle will explode, possibly pushing you back to last place. It makes me wonder why many kart racers -- or racing games period -- don't have a feature like this, as it adds on to the strategic experience of racing.

Strategy plays a major role in how to win a race. You're given boosts, missiles and mines, but it's about how and when you properly use them that will either help or hinder your chances at a victory. You can have one of your mines sticking out in the back of your vehicle to keep people from ramming behind you, but at the same time it takes away a bit of your speed. Using your Boost will come in handy, but if you use it too soon another racer might come up from behind and pass you. Then there is the red buttons on the track, which will spring Gotcha! traps on you or your opponents if triggered at the right moment. You can even find secret pathways on the track that will lead you past your opponents and into first place. Don't think that victory will come easy, as these races are just about neck-and-neck at every corner of the track. (Don't be surprised if one of your opponents passes you at the very last second of the race and steals your victory away.)

While the control aspect of the game is standout, there is but one minor gripe I had with racing in Anything With An Engine. In order to use Boost you need to double-tap the Gas button to activate it, which can sometimes lead to a quick slowing down of your vehicle if not done properly. I'm surprised that one of the other buttons that's not used wasn't chosen to be just the Boost button, as it would've made it a bit easier to operate it. However this tiny problem does not take away anything from the experience of this title, as it is much harder to not use Boost the right way.

While there isn't many racers to choose from the variety you get from each character will keep you entertained for as long as you want to race. There will also be some DLC content later on in the year that will feature more racers to choose from, the first of which will be talk show host Jimmy Fallon. (Proceeds from that specific DLC will go to the American Red Cross, so not only will you be downloading another fun vehicle but you'll also be helping out a good cause.) Players can also race online with one another from across the globe (except for the Wii version, sadly), as well as do split-screen mode in the same room, guaranteeing much craziness for all to enjoy.

Anything With An Engine is one unique title, as Jimmie Johnson himself was involved with creating much of the style of the game. Having an actual NASCAR racer, not to mention one of the world's best, on-hand to help design a kart racer had many advantages. Yes, it has much cartoonish elements thanks in part to its racers and usage of weapons, but its handling, steering and Pit Stop usage help add a sort of realism to the insanity on the tracks. It's that sort of combination that makes Anything With An Engine one amazing thrill ride around the track.

PROS:

• Edge-of-your-seat racing modes
• Fun characters, tracks and weaponry
• Solid control scheme, vehicle mechanics

CONS:

• Last-second losses will probably leave you frustrated
• Boost could've had its own button

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Jimmie Johnson's Anything With An Engine might not be this year's prettiest racer out there, but it is certainly the most fun and exciting. Isopod Labs, Autumn Games and Jimmie Johnson have developed something that both Sony and Microsoft have failed to accomplish on their own: a game that not only rivals Mario Kart, but also makes a fool out of it. If that statement doesn't make you run out and give Anything With An Engine a spin, maybe this will: it's only $30. Your move, Nintendo!

FINAL GRADE: 9.6 (out of ten)

Review copy provided by the folks at Isopod Labs

One of most popular book series (which has also been adapted into a popular HBO program) is now coming to a console near you...

In press release today Atlus has announced that it is planning to release a video game adaptation of Game of Thrones, which will be developed by Cyanide Studios. Launching in 2012 on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC the role-playing game will be an original story developed under the supervision of series creator George R. R. Martin, and will feature the likenesses of the worlds and actors portraying the characters. No word on if the actors themselves will be voicing the characters, though more will be revealed before the release date.

Here is more info regarding Game of Thrones from the press release:

In this 30-plus hour action RPG, players will enter the gritty and medieval fantasy world of Westeros. As one of two original characters with disparate motivations, both former soldiers of Robert's Rebellion, players will forge alliances and wage battles as they play a pivotal role in the ongoing war for power of the Seven Kingdoms. Their journey will span numerous quests, during which they will interact with many characters and make key decisions that impact the realm.

Standing before the majesty and bitter isolation of the Wall or walking through the streets and alleys of King's Landing, players will not simply pass by locations and characters integral to the series; they will explore and interact with them, meeting and learning about the people and history that defines them and their importance. Key decisions and major events will have meaningful impact on Westeros, allowing the player to witness how the game world evolves over time based on their actions or inactions. Moreover, "Game of Thrones" introduces an innovative "active slowdown tactical combat engine" in which combat mirrors the series' thoughtful approach to war and politics: fighting slows but never stops entirely, forcing the player to make quick, pressured choices before their enemy strikes again.

For more information visit the game's official site.

With Halloween over the Bastards use up the rest of their sugar rush energy on a brand-new episode.

This week the B3 crew look at the demos for Saints Row The Third, Deepak Chopra's Leela, Rabbids: Alive & Kicking and LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7. Plus Blueonic and King Baby Duck share their reasons why Jimmie Johnson's Anything With An Engine just might be the best racer of 2011, the trailer for Grand Theft Auto V is dissected and another beta key for Defenders of Ardania is given away. Anvil gives his weekly sports report, and another Oh For Fuck's Sake! regarding the MBTA is put up for grabs.

It all happens right here on Episode 118: I've Got 99 Cookies 'Cause A Bitch Ate One!

Goichi Suda is one of, if not, the craziest game creator out there, so when word got out that he was teaming up with Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami gamers across the globe waited with high anticipation for the monster they were to unleash unto the consoles. What they came up with was a massive homage to the classic grindhouse films of past and present called Shadows of the Damned, not to mention a memorable anti-protagonist by the name of Garcia Fucking Hotspur.

Hotspur is a demon hunter, and after he comes home to find his girlfriend Paula being kidnapped by demon lord Fleming he and his trusty skull buddy Johnson travel down to Hell to rescue her. From there players take on demons, zombies, and other creatures of the underworld, slaughtering them all with Hotspur's massive guns and tactics. In order to get through each level Hotspur must feed these strange baby-faced doors eyeballs, brains or strawberries (which you might not want to eat anymore when it's revealed what the fruit really is); you also sometimes will have to travel through the darkness, which drains him of his health. Fortunately, unlike most games (and possibly real-life), alcohol can help Hotspur get back onto his feet. You will also learn about the backstories of the bosses you will have to face, such as George the scary harmonica player and Elliot Beast the bird man. There are also more dick jokes than a Judd Apatow film.

Throughout the game players will have to earn upgrades for Hotspur's weapons and stamina, some of which will be obtained after the big boss battles. These boss battle upgrades also transform your weapons to even-bigger destruction makers, some of which have such unique names as Hot Boner (contains a sticky explosive), The Dentist (can be used to fire multiple teeth at enemies) and the Skullblaster (fires four skulls and grenades). There will be no bigger smile-enducing moment, however, than when it comes time to use your Big Boner. Using a phone sex hotline Johnson becomes a long, massive cannon that Hotspur fires between his legs at larger demons. Isn't subtlety great?

While the weapons do pack a punch it doesn't help that the aiming system is overly sensitive. There were times where I was aiming for a demon that was inches from my face, and I still managed to miss him. It's moments like this that will cost Hotspur his life, and it happens more often than not. While you can carry loads of alcohol on you it's best to save them for the big boss battles, especially during any of the frustrating grim sister fights. These boss battles can sometimes cause much frustration, as you'll need to use split-second precision to fire on their weak spot. Sometimes it will be revealed using the light shot, while other times you'll be forced to go down the trial-and-error route. Believe me: it can get annoying when you have to waste almost every drop of your precious liquor on one boss battle.

While beating demons and bosses you are given gems that can be used to buy more ammo, liquor sometimes red gems for upgrades. Once in a while you will run into Christopher, a half-demon redneck with a heart of gold that wants to help Hotspur by any means necessary. These items can be pricey, though, so it's best to save up those white gems in case you need them for something else later on. The vending machines lie around in different areas of each level, so you won't feel regretful if you walk past one without using it.

Shadows of the Damned is quite gruesome-looking, but in the best way possible. Both the characters and the worlds just jump out at you while playing, filling your TV with a nice batch of dark essence at every corner. Granted it's no graphical breakthrough, but the usage of the Unreal Engine was used to its fullest potential. However there were times when the worlds took some time to properly render, and I did find myself caught in a glitch that had me stuck in a graveyard area, forcing me to restart from a previous checkpoint. (I'm actually surprised that, after all this time, they haven't released an update to fix this issue.)

The real stars of the game, however, are its storyline and soundtrack. The teamwork of Suda51 and Mikami helped to bring together a story that not only pays great tribute to past flicks like Evil Dead and Ghostbusters, but also manages to keep the true spirit of a memorable grindhouse movie all together. Both creators' styles are in full force, from Mikami's creepy undertones to Suda51's over-the-topness, the latter of which pulls a No More Heroes with its hilarious side-scroller levels later in the game. The voice acting from Steve Blum (Hotspur) and Greg Ellis (Johnson) showcases the best "buddy cop" style of dialogue and bantering since House of the Dead: Overkill hit the Wii two years ago. Lastly there's Akira Yamaoka's musical score, which is rich with Spanish guitars, cabaret blues and burlesque jazz. You will probably want to load up your iPod with these melodies, so long as you can find the proper places that sells it.

Shadows of the Damned will take you roughly eight hours to beat, and while there's an extra hard mode to unlock by beating it in the medium/hard difficulty there are no other real extras to be found. It would've been great to have a New Game+ mode so you can play with all the upgrades you've earned, but no such thing can be found. You can't even revisit previous levels, rewatch the great FMVs that appear throughout the game or reread the hilarious stories behind the boss characters. Don't even ask if there's multiplayer, as you probably already know the answer to that one.

PROS:

• Memorable storyline
• Fantastic voice acting and musical score
• Hilarious dick jokes

It's been three years since people roamed the streets of Liberty City in Grand Theft Auto IV. Today the folks at Rockstar Games unleashed the next chapter in the book of GTA: Grand Theft Auto V.

No word on a release date, and Ray Liotta's representatives are already shooting down rumors that the voice heard in the trailer is Vice City anti-hero Tommy Vercetti. More info on the game will be revealed as the months progress.

When Pandalicious visits, you know tangents will be flying!!!

This week the Bastards give their thoughts on the World Series, the recent letting-go of Patriots player Lee Bodden and the recent happenings with their friends at Team Pradal Seray. The demos for Need For Speed: The Run, Kinect Sports: Season 2, Real Steel and Sonic Generations are on the table, and Pandalicious & King Baby Duck share their thoughts on the musical Spring Awakening. An Oh For Fuck's Sake! about a controversial (but recently taken down) Men's Fitness Article gets a wag of the finger, and Anvil reviews Never Back Down 2 and Paranormal Activity 3. Plus listen in on how you can get the first of many free beta codes for the PC game Defenders of Ardania.

It's all packed in here on Episode 117: It's The Bitch Of Gaming.

One-On-One gets its rocks on when Evanescence drummer Will Hunt calls in before his band's sold-out show at the Worcester Palladium.

In a special interview Will Hunt chats with King Baby Duck about the recording process behind the band's third album, and what it was like to work with legendary rock producer Nick Raskulinecz. Plus find out what happened the first time he filled in for Tommy Lee in Motley Crue, and which band member he tells an embarrassing story about.

You can catch it all right here in One-On-One: Will Hunt of Evanescence.

Special thanks to Greg Cortez for setting up the interview, and to Saignement for helping out with some of the questions.

In 2009 Rocksteady Studios rewrote the book on how to do a proper comic book-based video game with Batman: Arkham Asylum. It was dark, demented and represented everything we could have wanted in a Caped Crusader video game. As soon as it became a hit Rocksteady Studios set out to expand the Dark Knight's world, and in the end Batman: Arkham City was what was decided. Who would've guessed that this sequel would make its predecessor look like a Joel Schumacher film (post-Falling Down, of course).

Picking up a few months after the events in Arkham Asylum we find that half of Gotham has been transformed into Arkham City, a closed-off area where the baddest of criminals are held under heavy supervision by Dr. Hugo Strange. Fed up with the treatment of his beloved home Bruce Wayne takes a turn at politics and holds a press conference to attack what is happening behind the doors of Arkham City. Suddenly Tiger Security appears and apprehends Mr. Wayne, who takes him to Dr. Strange, where it is revealed that he knows of Wayne's biggest secret. Quickly Wayne escapes from Strange's clutches, and after a run-in with the Penguin suits up as Batman and begins searching for clues behind what's really going on.

From there Batman runs into many of his old foes, including Two-Face, Joker, the Riddler, Mr. Freeze, Harley Quinn and just about every memorable villain in the Batman universe. He also winds up rescuing Catwoman, who has her own selfish reasons for being inside Arkham. With the assistance of Alfred, Oracle and (on occasion) Robin the Detective searches for clues to figure out what the mysterious Protocol 10 is all about, while at the same time find a cure for a poison that is running in his and the Clown Prince of Crime's veins.

In Arkham City elements from the previous game continue to take center stage, one of which is detective mode. Using this visual aide will help you to find clues to solve puzzles, find out how many henchmen are in the room & which ones are holding weapons and discover hidden objects that will either assist Batman in the long run or give him some extra points that will be added to your personal trophies collection. Taking down henchmen is also fun once again in Stealth mode, where you can sneak up from behind or above and take them down silently or with a loud smack. The puzzles found in the game feature many tests and trials, some of which can be completed easily with the detective mode; other times it will take you a fair amount of effort to discover the answer to them (especially in the case of the Riddler's challenges).

Controlling Batman around Arkham City is a cinch, even with the dozen or so weapons at your disposal. Moving and attacking using melee maneuvers can be a button-masher at times, but with enough practice and timing you can take out a massive group of henchmen in just a couple minutes. Flying around Arkham and using your Batclaw to swing around buildings also has their perks, but when it comes to using the Dive Bomb technique it might take a few tries in order to perfect it. Switching your weapons with the D-pad also proved to be quite useful, as it came in handy when I needed to change what I was carrying during mid-fight.

The graphics in Batman: Arkham City are dark, grimy and exactly how we would picture Mr. Wayne's world. Each rundown building (as is the case with the majority of them) just sparks character, and the snow-drenched environments are hauntingly beautiful. The characters in the game also look phenomenal, as there is no other superhero game that has been able to capture the overall appearance of its heroes in villains. Batman looks intimidating, Joker and Two-Face appear gruesome and Catwoman & (surprisingly) Harley Quinn have never looked this sexy. (Let's just say I will worship any female gamer that can pull off one of these outfits for future cosplay.)

You cannot talk about Arkham City without discussing the sound, which truly makes what this world is. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill have always been the perfect Batman/Joker pairing, even better than any movie adaptation of the Dark Knight's adventures. You don't just hear Conroy's Batman brood, you feel it; Joker, on the other hand, always manages to put a giant smile on my face, even when he's putting a gun to my hero's head. It's a real shame that Hamill will no longer be voicing the Clown Prince after this video game, but if there was ever a moment to go out on top then this is the right way to do it. Tara Strong does a fine job with the voice of Harley (replacing Arleen Sorkin), and Grey DeLisle brings the sexiest, most flirtatious Catwoman since Michelle Pfeiffer brought life to the character in Batman Returns. The soundtrack by Nick Arundel and Ron Fish compliments every scenario seen in this game, acting like a great companion during Batman's journey to find the truth.

The biggest props for this game have to go to scriptwriter Paul Dini. Arkham City had more twists and turns than I could've ever wanted in a Batman game, and it delivered each with awe-inspiring results. Joker's dialogue is some of the funniest in a long time (the Lost reference had me in stitches), and Bruce's monologues and delivery manages to hit you both in your heart and brain. Not since Batman: The Animated Series have I seen a Caped Crusader story told as well as this, rivaling even the recent Christopher Nolan Batman films.

The main storyline will take you roughly twelve hours to complete, but there is plenty to come back to as soon as you've beaten it. With many side-story missions, the ability to play as Catwoman, Robin & Nightwing, tons of hidden goodies to discover and plenty of villains to battle it out with you will be spending many days and nights within the walled-off world of Arkham City. Then you have New Game+ mode, which amplifies the difficulty and gives you no hints to fend of henchmen. There is also the small Easter Eggs that are found throughout the game, one of which could be hinting at a third game. (I won't say what it is, but it involves Ms. Quinn.)

PROS:

• Looks, feels and plays like a Batman game should
• Fantastic voice-acting, foreboding soundtrack
• One of the most enduring Batman stories ever conceived

CON:

• This is the last time Mark Hamill sends in the clown

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Batman: Arkham City not only exceeded my expectations for the Dark Knight's gaming return, but it also made my jaw smack down to the ground at just about every corner. There are words to describe this title, such as "flawless" and "breathtaking," but if I had to choose just a mere word to describe Batman: Arkham City it would be this: perfect.

FINAL GRADE: 10 (out of ten)

WRITER'S NOTE: I would strongly recommend getting the Collector's Edition of Batman: Arkham City, as what is enclosed is a bargain compared to buying everything separate. The soundtrack (featuring music from Serj Tankian, The Duke Spirit, Raveonettes and many other indie rock bands), DLC, the anime film Batman: Gotham Knight, the beta code for Gotham City Impostors and a greatly-detailed statue of the Caped Crusader are all worth the $100, something I rarely see when companies release special editions for popular games.

The folks from GamerReaction return to the Bastard realm for show that had its share of "technical difficulties."

This week Alex & Dianna guest-star as the B3 crew discuss the recent lawsuit regarding a woman less-pleased with the film Drive (with Dianna doing a not-so-subtile plug for MoviePass). The new video game Batman: Arkham City is placed under the microscope, and Anvil shares his take on the fiasco in the Red Sox bullpen. Busdriver's new collab work Flash Bang Grenada is looked at, and Dianna & King Baby Duck chat about the demo for Dance Central 2, a game that the other Bastards wouldn't touch with a 40-foot pole.

The Joker-like craziness can be found here on Episode 116: Two Babies In A Blanket.

What can be more scary than a hillbilly threatening to kill you for eyeing his daughter wrong? How about if he shot you with a garden gnome missile?

A brand-new trailer for Jimmie Johnson's Anything With An Engine hit the web yesterday, giving players a look at the mower-riding character Hazard Hicks. Here's a quick bio from the press release before the video:

An eclectic farmer from North Carolina, Hazard was recruited to join the over the top competition by Jimmie himself after the champ witnessed him leading police on a high-speed chase in his custom mower. When he’s not out racing, Hazard Hicks also enjoys distilling moonshine and chasing suitors away from his eldest daughter with a squirrel gun.

Jimmie Johnson's Anything With An Engine races past the checkered flag on November 1 on all three consoles.

Last fall Squid Girl premiered to the world (at least the parts who had Crunchyroll), bringing in many laughs and cutesy scenarios featuring an underwater invader who's out to conquer the world that polluted her own. It was a no-brainer bringing it back for a second season, its formula fortunately unchanged.

Those who are unfamiliar with the series should do well to watch the first one, but let's go though a quick run-through: Squid Girl (or Ika-chan, as she will be referred to for the rest of the review) is pissed that humans keep polluting the oceans, so she comes to the shores of Japan to seek world domination. There she meets Eiko Aizawa, the manager of a yakisoba stand, who basically tells Ika-chan that conquering Earth isn't something that can be done overnight. After accidentally smashing a massive hole in the yakisoba stand Eiko forces Ika-chan to work at her restaurant in order to pay for damages. From there Ika-chan learns all about how the world works, and that humans aren't as bad as she perceived.

Like the first season each episode of Squid Girl is split into three mini-episodes, which -- for the most part -- don't follow any sort of canon. The first mini-episode deals with the fact that Ika-chan has just about lost all world-domination motivation, leaving her start catching up on her to-do list in order to rule the world. Unfortunately no one around her takes her actions seriously, leaving everyone to either get mad at her, or just dismiss it as being adorable. Seeing Ika-chan try her hardest to convince people she's a threat is nothing short of silly, with her frustrations adding onto the laughs.

The funniest story in the second season thus far appears in part three of episode two, in which the human characters are worried about their weight. Ika-chan reveals to them that she can change her mass at will via her bracelets. What happens after that revelation is nothing short of comedy gold, on-par with the writing in Sgt. Frog, another hilarious anime about invaders befriending humans. Storylines involving Ika-chan taking over a classroom, learning how to exercise and discovering the joys of cosplay also bring tons of laughs, enough to bring a smile to the saddest of faces.

Although the humor in Squid Girl is well-written there is still something that continues to irk me about the series: the squid puns. I get that Ika-chan is a squid, and that she likes to play around with the Japanese vocabulary by adding "geso" and "ika" (tentacle and squid, respectfully) to almost every sentence she utters. However it gets kind of annoying by the end of the first mini-episode, and while it helps that voice actress Hisako Kanemoto gives Ika-chan such an adorable voice the puns still need to be cut down. It doesn't get Howard The Duck bad, but it's still miffs me in a mind-numbing way. (The English dub version, with Christine Marie Cabanos voicing Ika-chan, tackles the puns in a more subtle, and surprisingly cuter way.)

Despite the small annoyance season two of Squid Girl continues to be charming and funny, and while you might need to familiarize yourself with a tad bit of anime history before watching it this show has enough hilarity to entertain just about anyone who watches it. It might not be the smartest anime comedy on the block, but at least it's got enough silly antics that anyone can admit to finding quite joyful.

**** (out of five)

"Squid Girl" Season 2 can be viewed here on Crunchyroll.

One of mau5trap label's talented artists SOFI joins the B3 crew for a brand-new episode of the One-On-One series.

Recorded at Boston's House of Blues on October 14, King Baby Duck and B.I.T. (that's Bastard/Bastette-In-Training for you newbies out there) Saignement sit down with the German vocalist to discuss her life on the road, her early days as a member of Danacee and back-up dancing, and if she really needed Deadmau5 to give her a ladder in the first place. Plus find out the story behind her upcoming song "Broken Souvenirs," what her preference of recording is and who she would love to collaborate with the most. As always no music interview would be complete without a trip to Three Album Island.

Pump up the bass, for the party's about to get started! It's One-On-One: SOFI!

Special thanks to John Ochoa for making this all happen. SOFI's "LOCKED & LOADED" EP will be available on October 24th via iTunes and Beatport.

Japanese band SAWAS PHOOL joins King Baby Duck for another rendition of One-On-One.

In this episode SAWAS PHOOL shares their inspirations behind their love for music, the goings-on behind the scenes of their latest EP and Sawa's work for such video game companies as Square-Enix and Konami. Plus discover which rock show past time has been banned in Japan, what happened to Sawa when she visited Boston and find out which records the band members would bring with them on a trip to Three Album Island.

It's all right here on One-On-One: SAWAS PHOOL.

At E3 this past year no Xbox 360 title impressed me more than Rise of Nightmares, a first-person free-roaming survival horror Kinect title. It had it all: creepy characters, smooth controls and some of the freakiest moments in gaming since Resident Evil 4. Does the full version give a shot of originality into the horror realm of gaming, or is Rise of Nightmares one Freddy short of a Krueger?

Rise of Nightmares follows an American tourist named Josh, who is searching for his wife Kate after she was kidnapped by Viktor, a crazed German doctor. After the train he is on crashes Josh -- along with the other survivors -- find safe haven on nearby land, only to be attacked by strange zombie-like creatures. He wakes up and finds himself strapped into a chair, but is rescued by one of the survivors of the train wreck. From there Josh must destroy any creature he comes across, search for a way out of Viktor's lair and rescue his wife from being harmed in any way.

In order to play Rise of Nightmares players must use their entire body in order to operate Josh. Moving forward requires you to step forward, and a step back moves Josh in reverse. Twisting your torso turns your character, and you can melee using your fists and legs. On occasion you'll find objects to interact with, which can be enabled by holding your hand up over the device to walk over it. Sometimes you can let your character go somewhat into auto-pilot mode simply by raising your right arm in a reverse-L position, which will bring Josh to the next section he needs to go to.

For the most part the controls work very well, but there were a few occasions where they started to act wonky. I found that the turning motion is oversensitive, as even the smallest of rotations you perform can spin Josh around like a top. Also while battling the undead in melee mode I discovered that the left arm can sometimes be unresponsive, even if I put my right arm down to see if the Kinect can read it. Moving in reverse can be troublesome in some cases, especially if you have the extreme minimum space needed to make the Xbox peripheral work.

Throughout the levels you will be able to find weapons that can be used to defeat the zombie-like characters, which can range from something as simple as a lead pipe to a more anarchic device like a chainsaw; you can even steal some weapons from the enemies you defeat like the knife arm. Like Dead Island these weapons will get worn out from over-usage, but sadly there will be no way to fix them after they've broken. Fortunately there are plenty of weapons to find around the game, even if you have to backtrack a room or two to find them. Players might get a kick out of the electric knuckles, which give off a shocking punch to any of these abominations you smack in the face. Some might be irked over the fact that you can only carry one weapon at a time, although that does add to the sort of realistic survival style Rise of Nightmares was going for.

SEGA went out of their way to make sure the game looks as scary as it feels. Roaming around Viktor's castle will have you feeling like you've entered a well-designed haunted house, with a fright at almost every corner. The zombies in this title will have you jumping out of your skin, especially when they appear out of nowhere to take you down. Granted there will be moments when Rise of Nightmares treads into campy territory (especially in the boss battles), but that's part of what makes this game fun. The soundtrack created by Ron Fish also knows how to put an extra sprinkle of chills down with your spine, adding onto the tension you'll face while playing the game. Of course you can't forget about the gore factor, which there's plenty of blood splatter, decapitations and even a little vomit to entertain those that were looking for a gruesome good time.

One big gripe I had with Rise of Nightmares was the minimum amount of save points that were within the game, which I had discovered the hard way. I was roughly thirty minutes into Act 3, and I had to stop playing the game to take a break, thinking that it would start up again at the last checkpoint. When I turned my Xbox back on and went into my saved game I found -- to my horror -- that I had to start right at the beginning of Act 3 again. My advice: wait until you reach an actual save point (i.e. one where tips and tricks are shown while the level loads) to stop playing; otherwise you'll find yourself in my shoes.

Rise of Nightmares can be completed within 5-6 hours, a short amount of time for a $50 game. Also absent from the game is any sort of online or multiplayer setup, a shame seeing as it would've been cool to have another player come in and join you in the zombie-killing spree. While there will be a novelty of sorts to watch your friends react to the game there will probably be no reason to return to Viktor's lair after you've beaten it.

PROS:

• Great environments, undead characters give proper chills
• Fun and gory elements, crazy weapons
• Showcases the true potential of what Kinect can do...

CONS:

• ...but Kinect controls act non-responsive in some areas
• Too short for a $50 title
• Not enough save points

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Rise of Nightmares has a lot of potential, but it just can't seem to pull off the showstopper it wanted to achieve. For its first try SEGA has proven that a horror Kinect title is doable. Next time, though, it should make sure that the bugs are worked out of the system before a Kinect game of this magnitude is unleashed into the world. For what it's worth, however, a visit to Viktor's home of horrors is worth at least one go-around.

FINAL GRADE: 6.9 (out of ten)

Review copy provided by Kellie Parker and the folks at SEGA of America

After dealing with the flooding situation the Bastards return for another new episode.

This week the B3 crew mourns the death of Steve Jobs, and show somewhat indifference to the death of Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis. Baseball playoffs are on the table, as well as the first game from Stanley Cup Champions Boston Bruins and the current world of MMA. The movie Fast Five is reviewed, and a plethora of demos are looked at, including NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, Forza Motorsport 4, Orcs Must Die! and the Battlefield 3 beta.

It's all right here on Episode 115: Only The Good Die Young...And Then There's Al Davis!

Once in a great while there comes a game whose protagonist represents the average guy just doing the right thing to get by. Sometimes the developers get it right, whereas other times they jump the shark and make the hero too strong to symbolize a regular person's strengths. Rochard, the first game from Recoil Games, takes the everyman approach, puts it in space and gives us one hell of a ride.

The game follows John Rochard, an astro-miner with a heart of gold and a wallet near empty. While working on a job for Skyrig Corporation he and his team discover an ancient structure hidden within an asteroid, and as soon as this discovery unravels space bandits invade the work area. From there John must use his lifting and firing skills to take on bandits evil gadgets in order to save his friend and co-worker Skylar, and protect the alien artifact from being used by the wrong hands.

Throughout the five levels of Rochard you must control your character through various puzzles that are keeping you from reaching the next room or area. Within these levels will be boxes, cubes and other sorts of items that will be in your way, but fortunately your gravity gun will be able to pick these items up and either put them to the side or be piled up on top of one another to make a stepping stool to reach high areas. You can control the room's gravity by holding down the L1 button, which will come in handy for those lengthier jumps, and later use it to swing from cube to cube to reach the top of a level. On occasion you will find space bandits there ready to take you down, and that's where the real fun in Rochard begins.

To defeat your enemies you can either do it the easy way via shooting lasers, or you can do it the more exciting way and use the many techniques available for your gravity gun. By picking up a nearby cube or robot enemy you can fling it at your opponent and hear him scream as he is whacked in the face with it. The environment around you can also play into hand for defeating your enemies. Say you have a couple of bandits chasing you on a light bridge that's over an electric field. By plucking the power surge from its holder you can watch the bandits plummet to their shocking deaths. You can also use your bombs, as well, with the bandits' effeminate cries of pain adding onto the humor of the game.

The puzzles in Rochard range from the ridiculously easy to the insanely difficult, with enemy AI almost at every corner to increase the challenge just a tad. One of the more difficult areas of the game comes in the form of self-poisitioning lasers. Using the gravity gun you must angle the lasers properly and tiptoe through without being hit by one (which causes instant death). These puzzles at first seem largely difficult to figure out, but with some sleuthing and a careful eye the solution will appear to you. Just don't think that said solution will have you reaching the next room any quicker, as the time it takes to finish each area of the level can range from seconds to almost ten minutes.

One cannot talk about Rochard without mentioning the sights and sounds of the worlds. Using the Unity engine the folks at Recoil Games managed to create its settings with shining cartoonish beauty. The space casino, where players meet Skylar's uncle Floyd, is a character all in its own, thanks to its bright lights, loud music and engulfing environments. Music from Poets of the Fall's Markus “Captain” Kaarlonen (who helped a bit with Alan Wake) also helps to create the true essence of John Rochard (who happens to be voiced by none other than Mr. Duke Nukem himself Jon St. John). The twangy guitars and convoy-influenced melody of "Grinder Blues" sets itself up to be one of this year's best songs coming from a video game.

Depending on how good you are with puzzle games you can find yourself completing Rochard the first time around in about seven hours, a good amount of time for a $10 game. While there is much replay value in the game (especially when trying to collect the three-hour completion achievement) once the game is over there are no other modes to play in. The lack of co-op or multiplayer modes, not to mention no way to show off your times via online scoreboards to compare with other players with, might turn some gamers off, but in the case of Rochard it's about the all-around experience and story of the game, which there is much to love. (SPOILER ALERT!!!) Just be prepared to be irked with its cliffhanger ending, which will hopefully lead its way into a sequel.

PROS:

• Intriguing storyline, relatable characters
• Puzzles are challenging without being frustrating
• Great music and voice acting

CONS:

• Lack of co-op/multiplayer modes
• No extras

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Rochard is the type of puzzle game that will have you smiling from start to finish, whether it'll be for the ways you can defeat your enemies or the overall puzzle-solving experiences you'll be facing. It's fun, accessible and -- most important of all -- an innovating experience that gamers will cherish for years to come. Recoil Games have made one impressive debut in the video gaming world, and with a title like Rochard topping their resumes you can bet that more great titles will emerge from them in the future. Let's just cross our fingers that Rochard 2 isn't too far down its to-do list.

FINAL GRADE: 8.9 (out of 10)

If you thought dealing with the Japanese mafia was bad, wait until you have to associate them with the undead.

Today SEGA has announced that the Japanese PS3 game Yakuza of the End will be given a US release in March of 2012. Retitled Yakuza: Dead Souls the game will have the classic characters brought back to Kamurocho to fend off demons and zombies that wish to destroy all that they love about the red-light district. Like Yakuza 4 this game will focus on the storyline through the eyes of four of the more popular characters in the series.

Yakuza: Dead Souls will also be the first Yakuza title that will feature gunplay, something most fans of the series have been clamoring for. Weaponry such as pistols, machine guns and rocket launchers will be at your disposal, though it is best to save the bigger ammo for the more tougher zombies and mutants that you'll be facing. The American release will feature the full game, the all-new mini-game Pachislot, as well as DLC content that has yet to be announced.

The Vagabonds stop by the Bastard realm for an all-new episode.

This week the Vagabonds share their experiences at the first annual Great New England Steampunk Exhibition, where they took part in many panels and witnessed some unique artifacts and designs being displayed by the con-goers. Anvil shares the sour week in sports, including the failed run of the Red Sox season and the farewell of Terry Francona. Next the nominees for the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are looked at, as the discussion of a couple nominees are put into question. Finally the demo for Sesame Street: Once Upon A Monster is reviewed for our parental fanbase, and a longer discussion on Dead Island is held for Anvil and Locke.

Stabby-stabby kill-kill things sold separately. It's Episode 114: Where Are All The Sharp Things?

It's one thing to go into a theatrical experience and have its performers give what the audience wants. It is a far worse idea to bring in one of the biggest A-list actors out there, and underuse his talents for the vast majority of an expensively-priced production. Such is the case of The Infernal Comedy, which made its American debut at Boston's Majestic Theater.

The Infernal Comedy follows the book tour of Jack Unterweger (John Malkovich), who is back from the dead to promote his latest book that promises to detail every truth about his life and the murders he committed. Jack tantalizes the audience with his cool charm, knowing far too well that all the crowd wants to hear about is the murders he had a hand in. You can tell he has no regrets for what he has done, as he mentions looking back, "I'd rather be a killer than a no one." It's unfortunate, however, that the glamour of this serial killer is blemished by an overkill of sorts by his musical cohorts.

The production is part play, part opera, with the Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra Los Angeles playing for two sopranos (Sophie Klussman and Claire Meghnagi). While the performances from the melodious aspect of The Infernal Comedy were great, they were used far too much during its running time. You would see Malkovich in character speak for roughly five minutes at a time, followed by nearly ten minutes of musical performances. It is here where writer/director Michael Sturminger decides to alienate the audience, much to Unterweger's disappointment. "I am not really used to this kind of music - it makes me nervous," says Unterweger. "This has nothing to do with the quality of the orchestra or the conductor, but normally I am not able to stand this kind of music. It makes me physically stressed."

A great shame falls onto Sturminger for not allowing Unterweger to have the sort of freedoms he wishes to have onstage. It's as if the character's frustrations are supposed to mirror those of the average theatergoer, at least from my perspective. He dislikes opera, so why should the audience be forced to be subjected to the sort of music that he himself detests? It would've been a far more interesting play had Unterweger decidedly took over every aspect of it so he could have it fit to his true style. Sure, it probably would've meant that each member of the orchestra would've ended up as dead as his victims, but at least that would've been far more entertaining than what conspires here.

This was not to be, sadly, and instead we're given roughly twenty minutes of well-written dialogue mixed in with 85 minutes of unnecessary opera filler. Its star is heavily underutilized, and our greatest desire to see what the mind of a killer is like is left unfulfilled. Despite a few big laughs (one of which hilariously focused on his hatred towards Macintosh laptops), The Infernal Comedy doesn't reach any sort of point on the mountain of greatness. What could've been a great achievement in theater is instead a massive dud, and the American premiere of The Infernal Comedy lands with a mere whimper and a plethora of disappointment under each arm.

* ½ (out of five)

For upcoming tour dates for "The Infernal Comedy", click here. Just don't say I didn't warn you.

For the past year the Kinect has been a haven for party games and exercise titles. Our favorite funny folks from Twisted Pixel, however, have decided to go against the grain, delivering the sort of video game title we've been craving for since the peripheral made its debut a couple years back. Does The Gunstringer stand toe-to-toe with some of the other vengeance-influenced mayhem in the gaming world, or is it a couple bullets short of a six-shooter?

Taking place live onstage The Gunstringer follows the trials and tribulations of our recently-risen from the dead hero as he seeks revenge against the friends who double-crossed him. Taking on the likes of angry vultures, rusty cowboys and wavy tube-men the Gunstringer punches, burns and blasts away any obstacle that stands in his way. In the game players control the skeleton cowboy as if they're using him like a marionette. Your left hand acts as the cross bar that holds the strings of your puppet, moving it left, right and up (to jump) in order to evade drops, rolling logs & boulders and angry crocodiles that wish to bite your legs off. The right hand acts as your pistol, with you highlighting each character or object in your sights and flinging upwards to fire.

Throughout The Gunstringer you'll find yourself going head-to-head with the likes of rotten outlaws, evil birds, dynamite-flinging bandits, underworld spooks and kung-fu ninjas using your trusty pistol, and on occasion your fists to earn some cash for unlockable goodies. The game plays something like a rail shooter, where you basically roam around the level on auto-pilot as you try to avoid obstacles that will cause physical harm to your dead cowpoke. If you wind up losing any sort of health you'll also discover your financial earnings being ripped away with each hit, adding a much heftier challenge when it comes to reaching those high scores in the long run. If you eat a Taco Diablo, however, you will gain a cash multiplier for the time being. Be careful, though, for if you get hit in Multiplier Mode you will lose all the points you had earned, and then some.

Regarding the control-scheme my Kinect sometimes had a hard time reading me whenever I flung my arm up to fire. I wasn't the only one to notice this, as a couple of my friends I played with were also having issues with firing their weapons. There could've been some factors that had caused this, however, like how my game room literally has the minimum space needed to play Kinect, or we could've been flinging our arms up too quickly. Sometimes during shootouts you are given temporary upgrades that will help you during battles with multiple enemies, including flamethrowers, shotguns and swords. I found these upgrades helpful when it came to meleeing other cowboys and ninjas, although using the shotgun was more difficult as it didn't use the lock-on system the six-shooter does.

The Gunstringer was originally supposed to be an Xbox Live Arcade title, so it's fairly easy to see that the game still looks like something you'd download rather than purchase a physical copy of. Twisted Pixel, though, is more known for its presentation than its overall appearance, and the developers went all out for this one. Mixing in the game with some live-action shots of the theater audience added onto the humor the game showcases overall, whether it's a simple shot of the crowd applauding or seeing a guy get smacked in the face for being overexcited about a lumberjack/gator love scene (don't ask!).Then there is the storytelling aspect of the game, which comes in the form of narration by R. Bruce Elliot (the same guy who hilariously narrates Sgt. Frog, the funniest cartoon on the planet). Using a classic western twang and drawl Elliot tells the tale of the vengeful cowboy with as much enthusiasm as any classic Lone Ranger program.

Completing The Gunstringer first-time around will probably take you around four hours to do, which isn't that lengthy for a $40 game. However players will want to go back to earlier levels to do better during the moments they screwed up the most, not to mention earn more cash in order to unlock more of the bonus material. On the first day of release gamers were able to download the first DLC content for free: "The Wavy Tube Man Chronicles." Those who yearn for the days of Mad Dog McCree will be in nostalgia heaven as they take on a live-action adventure that has the touch of Troma added to it, including Toxic Avenger creator Lloyd Kaufman himself as your guide. (A free copy of Fruit Ninja Kinect also comes packaged, which is also a nicely-added bonus and makes the price tag more reasonable.)

PROS:

• Twisted Pixel-quality humor
• Fun and exciting gameplay
• Challenges add loads of variety
• "The Wavy Tube Man Chronicles"

Get ready for some more side-scrolling anarchy from EA Games...

At this week's EA event in Las Vegas it was revealed that Shank 2 is currently in production for a 2012 release. Little is known yet about the title, though EA's Andy Katkin revealed in the EA live blog that this sequel was going to be a little bit different from its predecessor.

"Shank 2 isn't just a reboot of Shank," Katkin wrote, "it's an entirely new game."

Jamie Cheng of Klei Entertainment (the developers of Shank) also revealed that the way you play Shank 2 will also be different. "We tore our combat system apart," Cheng said, "and created new controls to be able to use the enemies' weapons against themselves." The co-op mode found in the original has also been tinkered. "We took the mechanics and created a new way of playing: multiplayer co-op survival mode."

Shank 2 will be released on Xbox Live Arcade, PSN and the PC. If you want to refresh yourselves, check out our review of the original here.

King Baby Duck and Anvil come together to bring you Bastards, Bastettes and Wenches another short, informative show.

This week the duo chat about the recent Fucked Up/Wavves show at the Royale, and tell why Damian might be one of the world's best frontmen. KBD gives his reasons why Drive might be one of the greatest films ever made, and Anvil pulls a double-duty with the films Paintball and Paul. The demos for NBA 2K11, Burnout Crash! and Renegade Ops are placed under the microscope, and Anvil wraps it up with the week in sports.

It's all right here on Episode 113: The Renegade Driver.

Ugly Americans is one of the funniest cartoons to come out stateside, thanks in part to its inventive characters, humorous storylines and one-liners. When word got out that there would be a video game tie-in called Ugly Americans: Apocalypsegeddon coming out for the PSN and Xbox Live Arcade I got genuinely excited. Alas, my excitement died down quickly when I started playing it.

In Apocalypsegeddon more Hell than usual is breaking loose, thanks in part to Callie's recently-discovered half-sister getting married to Twayne and causing the start of armageddon. Throughout the game she, Mark, Leonard and Grimes battle it out with man-birds, zombies, demons and other strange creatures that roam New York City on a daily basis. With a never-ending supply of weapons -- ranging from baseballs and lamps to demon heads -- the protagonists of the show do all they can to stop the end of the world...until a proper date can be determined by the Maggotbone family.

At first look Apocalypsegeddon looks like a finely-made video game version of the cartoon. The characters are brought to life in such a way that they appear to be perfect 3D rendering of the Ugly Americans world. With the main voice acting cast onboard the title even sounds like the show. Unfortunately while playing the game itself the one-liners get old fast, due in part to them being repeated over and over again. (I can go through the rest of my life without having to hear a man-bird scream "Suck my balls!" ever again, thank you very much.) What's worse is that, while funny, the cut scenes are done in a storyboard fashion, and not fully animated, taking away some of the cool aspects of the animated series itself. If there is one thing I can't stand in the gaming world, it's seeing companies cut corners in the FMV department.

In the game you and three co-op/online players take on eleven side-scrolling levels and battle it out with a vast amount of creatures. Some take easy hits to kill, while the bigger ones take time to defeat. To shoot you simply aim the right control stick in any direction, which will then let your character start melee blasting. The R1 button can also be used for a more powerful special attack. While it is an easy-to-use control scheme it gives way to one of my biggest complaint about the game: it's too repetitious. You can just keep on shooting throughout the levels, not having to stop at all. It also doesn't help that the enemy AI seems to only do the same three things at all times: chase, attack or throw stuff at you.

The only redeeming quality that Ugly Americans: Apocalypsegeddon has is that if you are playing with two or more players there will be more enemies to kill to raise your score, though depending on what kind of baddies you face that might act more like a hinderance than anything. However this aspect can lead to much on-screen confusion. Many times did I lose track of my character, only to find it being beaten to death by the enemy AI, forcing me to start the level all over again. You might want to play by yourself before you invite others to join, until you get used to the game's surroundings.

Now comes the worst part about the game: it's under two hours long! Even playing alone I found myself beating each level below the ten-minute mark. With there being little-to-nothing to go back for replay value-wise it seriously makes the $10 price tag a complete and utter rip-off.

PROS:

• Looks like you're playing the actual cartoon
• Features the show's trademark humor
• Easy control scheme

CONS:

• Horribly repetitive
• Ridiculously short for a $10 game
• Cut scenes aren't fully animated
• Where the hell is our favorite zombie Randall Skeffington?!

FINAL THOUGHTS:

As a cartoon Ugly Americans is one of the funniest out there. As a video game, however, Apocalypsegeddon is a massive failure of a joke. It is to be avoided like a group of zombies that wish to feast on your brains. Any fan of Ugly Americans would feel betrayed after playing this, and if you want to continue liking the series it'd be best to pretend Apocalypsegeddon didn't exist.

FINAL GRADE: 2.5 (out of ten)

So awful it made Doug cry! (On second thought, everything makes him cry.)

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With Blueonic absent the other two Bastards march on to bring you a brand-new episode.

This week the B3 crew discuss Manny Ramirez's recent arrest, and get into an informative discussion on the legality of certain muscle enhancers. The duo talk about two recent MMA events, Cage Titans: United and AFO's The Perfect Storm, and give their thoughts on the goings-on around the settings. A compare-and-contrast look is taken at the demos for Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 and FIFA 12, and King Baby Duck states his argument on why BloodRayne: Betrayal's new look is a good thing. Finally an under-the-radar British action comedy called Wild Target is given its proper dues, and Anvil shows why he's excited for the new season of Sons of Anarchy.

Get your bets placed for Episode 112: Let's Get Ready To Rumble!!!

The video game collaboration between Studio Ghibli (Porco Rosso, Spirited Away, Ponyo) and Level-5 (Professor Layton series) is heading stateside.

Yesterday Level-5 president Akihiro Hino announced that the English version of the PS3 title Ni no Kuni: Shiroki Seihai no Joō (translated as "Second Country: The Queen of White Sacred Ash") will be released sometime in America in early 2012. The game follows a young boy named Oliver, who receives a doll soon after his mother passes away. The doll reveals itself to be a fairy named Shizuka, who gives Oliver a magic book that can take him to an alternate world. There he goes on a quest to find a cure to revive his mother, battling all sorts of dangers with the help of his friends. Ni no Kuni features original animation from Studio Ghibli, as well as sound direction from acclaimed composer Joe Hisashi.

An official US release date for the Ni no Kuni DS title Shikkoku no Madōshi ("The Jet-Black Mage") has yet to be determined.

Saying the hype for Dead Island was big is a great understatement. Gamers and developers rushed like moths to the lantern to see the most-talked about video game trailer in recent memory, greatly anticipating the sort of zombie title we've been craving for years. After months of waiting we have finally arrived at our Dead Island destination. Is this the Left 4 Dead meets Dead Rising title we've been craving, or is it something a lot more?

Players take control of one of the four playable characters (Purna, Logan, Sam and Xian) as they take on the task to save the rest of the survivors on Banoi, an island filled to the brim with members of the undead. Your character is apparently the only one immune to zombie bites, so you (and up to three co-op buddies) can run around the island to gather supplies, save others and battle many different shapes and sizes of the walking dead. With a ton of weapons at your disposal and a breath of hope players will have to give it their all in order to save the people from becoming those that seek human flesh.

The trailer that shook the world...

In Dead Island gamers take up missions in order to raise their levels and gather the necessary equipment to get off the island, ranging from simple search & rescue to warding off zombies while turning off fire hydrants to save the island's water supply. Throughout the island you'll have to search for any weapons to use in order to kill what is already dead, but use a weapon too much and it becomes blunt or exhausted. Fortunately within some of the confines you will find work benches where you'll be able to fix your weapons up, and on occasion upgrade them if you have the proper funds. To find said funds you scavenger around areas with packages, bags or corpses that may be carrying some extra cash (and, at times, a new weapon for your personal gain).

The zombies' difficulties can range from the simple to the most extremely difficult. On most occasions you will find yourself battling with at least three undead creatures at a time, and sometimes it will take more than one swipe to off them. Though you can aim for the head and decapitate a zombie for a one-slice kill it very difficult to achieve that when you're neck-deep in undead chaos. To add a sort of realism to it players can experience fatigue if they swipe too many times or run fast for too long, and while it might hinder your experience it gives players the opportunity to think of more creative ways to tackle on the undead. (HINT: kicking helps.) While on Dead Island players will be able to sharpen their skills with an RPG-styled leveling system. The more successful kills you make the closer you get to leveling up your character. A tree system is also in play, where you can upgrade your abilities to help achieve your greatest advantage points.

One of the most unique things about Dead Island is its usage of sound in order to seek out zombies to kill. When entering an area you'll hear a scream or roar from a zombie, and it's your task to figure out which direction they'll be coming from. By listening carefully you can determine if they'll be charging towards you up front or partaking in a sneak attack from behind. Sometimes, however, you won't know when or where they'll be coming, especially indoors or in dark places. Your flashlight will come in handy for the latter, but by the time you see a zombie it will have already seen you. Believe me: your heart will jump at times when those things come attacking.

If you die in Dead Island you will have money taken away from you as penalty and then revive back at a certain checkpoint. Where the checkpoint is, however, is a bit of a gamble. Sometimes you will come back around in the same area, whereas other times you'll find yourself further away from your questing spot. I once died in the gas station trying to defeat one of the more tougher zombies, only to find myself revived on the other side of the island. After running back as fast as I could to the gas station I wound up dying via the same zombie, and again found myself at the other side of the island. In short: some of these revival spots can hinder you more than do good, especially if you literally come back within a massive zombie attack.

I was impressed with the heavy details put into the world and creatures around you. Techland is known for creating some of the most gorgeous worlds, as evident in their last title nail'd, and it shows greatly in the most tropical of areas on the island. From the swaying trees and the beautiful oceans to the buildings and cathedrals the world of Dead Island is a perfect contrast to the horrors you see in the game. The undead walkers are scary as hell, especially when they're charging towards you at top speeds. Granted there will be some clipping in a couple areas, but for the most part the game looks great. Regular human characters, however, kind of look subpar and emotionless.

While the aiming system is a bit tough -- especially when surrounded by zombies -- the rest of the control scheme is very easy to figure out. Using the quick inventory comes in handy for whenever you're in the middle of an undead melee, with simple kicking playing in to just knocking down a few zombies like dominos. You can even throw your weapons at either zombies or nearby explosives, and with its lock-on aiming system it makes playing undead darts a breeze. Driving around handles pretty well, but there will be some vehicles that will make it a bit difficult to see through the front window. Having said that driving head-on through a ton of zombies is a gory blast, with some of them splattering amongst your truck like jelly.

When co-op mode comes into play the true fun begins. You can tag along with other players to accomplish missions, or wait around for others to join yours. When you have at least one other person with you it makes zombie killing much easier. However be aware that if you are to join in on another person's game that your progress from that point will not be counted in your mission log. If you aren't the type that likes to repeat a level then it'd be best to wait for someone to join your quest rather then join theirs.

The storyline in Dead Island is pretty straightforward, and while there isn't much of originality within the tale there's enough going on within the game that will keep players intrigued. Completing the main part of the game might take roughly twenty hours, but that does not include the side quests that will help build up your levels and skills. With tons to accomplish and much land to cover you can probably expect a good forty hours to complete every single task, and with excitement around every corner there will be many reasons to book another vacation in Banoi.

PROS:

• Zombies are scary as hell!
• Many quests to partake in
• Co-op mode is a blast to play
• Gorgeous visuals

CONS:

• Some clipping areas during levels, cutscenes
• Human characters look more lifeless than zombies
• Can't save progress if you join another player's game online
• Storyline could've used a twist or two

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Dead Island takes what we've loved in past zombie-killing titles and cranks it up a few notches. While there are a couple hinderances that make this game not flawless there is so much to accomplish and love that these hinderances are a minor itch in the gaming system, one that can easily be fixed with a patch. Dead Island is the horror title we've been dreaming about for years, giving as many frights as there are quests and obstacles to enhance the experience. For once you can believe the hype: Dead Island is the real deal!

FINAL GRADE: 9.5 (out of ten)

Review copy provided by Aubrey Norris and the folks at Deep Silver.

After years of waiting, footage from Rockstar's upcoming Max Payne sequel has arrived.

Max Payne 3 is due in March 2012 on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. From the looks of the trailer we can probably expect a new twist on the world of Mr. Payne. Let's just hope those crazy mindfuck levels are still intact in this game.

MMA takes center stage in another short episode from the Bastards.

This week the B3 crew discusses the upcoming events within the MMA realm, including the Cage Titans event and UFC main events. Then the trio reviews the movie Warrior, and end it with a dismal look at the Supremacy MMA demo. Plus the Bostonians look back at the event that changed America ten years ago.

The Bastards want a good clean fight! It's Episode 111: Rise of the Warrior.

The trouble with trilogies is that each time someone wants to do a sequel they mainly focus on making things bigger and better, only to forego the true spirit of the original and leaving the follow-ups to be as soulless as the corpse of James Brown. Fortunately these issues rarely show up in the gaming world, where developers return to their favorites to properly figure out what they did wrong last time and how they can better the property at hand. While the Killzone series has so far been nearly faultless there have been times during gameplay where you just wanna throw the controller at the TV and light up every curse word you can think of. Killzone 3, on the other hand, eases these frustrations, thanks in part to its edge-of-your-seat mayhem, great mechanics and amazing overall appearance. However there are some things about the latest Killzone that have left me feeling uneasy...

For those of you who are not familiar with the Killzone series I will bring you up to speed. There is a war going on between the Interplanetary Strategic Alliance and the antagonists the Helghasts. The Helghast Emperor Scolar Visari is now dead thanks to the ISA, and now two members of the Helghast government are wanting to take control of their world: Admiral Orlock (Ray Winstone) and Jorhan Stahl (Malcolm McDowell), the chairman of Stahl Arms. While both people fight over control the ISA infiltrate what's left of the Helghast nation, saving their fellow captured troops and taking down the enemies once and for all. Stahl, however, has got bigger plans up his sleeve, involving the destruction of the planet Earth. While it might seem like there's a lot of catching up to do for gamers who haven't played any of the past Killzone titles there are enough flashbacks and backstories within the game that will have you caught up with the past events in no time.

Because they know you'd like to recover from the Labor Day weekend the Bastards present a new bite-sized episode for your consumption.

This week the B3 crew looks at the new TsuShiMaMiRe album Giving Blood, and explain why that particular group had a hand in creating the B3 realm in the first place. King Baby Duck and Blueonic give their thoughts on the demos for The Gunstringer, Rock of Ages, The Baconing and Ugly Americans: Apocalypsegeddon, and Anvil dives into his sport segment with Patriots preseason, the downward spiral of the recent Red Sox games and his visit to the gym of Team Pradal Seray.

It's hot off the grill on Episode 110: Bloody Vengeance From A Rock.

The Japanese underground music movement is hard to both describe and showcase, let alone the J-POP scene itself. Director Lewis Rapkin can only try, and in Live From Tokyo he and his film crew seeks through every crevice of the Japanese capital to capture its true essence. What we get out of it is a very unique look of a thriving and awe-inspiring music community.

Through the streets of Shibuya, Shinjuku and even the alleyways of the smaller areas like Koenji Live From Tokyo takes its viewers on a trip that is both a treat for the ears and the eyes. It's interesting to point out that these artists admit that -- for the most part -- Japan doesn't have much of a rock background, so many of the artists spotlighted here have to do everything within their imaginations to produce something new from an old formula. However while they try to make a name for themselves with Western-inspired melodies the musicians featured also do what they can to keep a Japanese identity within the essence of their harmonies. (A good example of this would be Tokyo Pinsalocks, who mixes Japan's poppy style with European dance rock beats.)

For what it's worth the experimental aspect of these acts are truly amazing at what they do, especially one act calling themselves d.v.d. This band in particular creates its sound via two drummers, video game-inspired visuals and guitar sounds using (surprisingly) a Wiimote. Another band called Optrum features a frontman wearing a steampunk skeletal bird mask and making music from a fluorescent light setup. (How he doesn't burn his hands during a live performance is quite baffling.)

One of the bigger bands featured in Live From Tokyo is Zoobombs, who recently came to America to perform at the annual SXSW Festival. Speaking in pretty good English one of the band members presents his music collection from all around the world, including a jazz funk group from the Congo. He then admits that he doesn't listen to Japanese music, as he finds that the rest of the world's music better enhances his creativity. Sexy-Synthesizer, on the other hand, takes the gaming elements d.v.d. used for the rock scene and places it in the electronica genre, creating one killer soundtrack for a massive party . (Here's hoping an opening slot on a Deadmau5 tour is in the future for them.)

Live From Tokyo is also filled with some eye-popping facts, such as how it's harder for indie artists out there to know they're fairing in gaining new listeners as record sales are affected by illegal downloads. While they know that their music is being spread across the world thanks to Internet sites like [mixi] and MySpace many of these artists still don't have a fair grasp at how big fanbase is getting. It also doesn't help their finances with the fact that most of these bands have to pay to play in many of the clubs in Japan if they don't sell enough tickets, a sad fact for those already trying to earn a buck for their art.

While Live From Tokyo offers a fishbowl's look at an astonishing music world it does suffer from a couple flaws, one of which is it tends to go all over the place, lacking a sort of narrative to piece every scene together. The other flaw is far wider: for a 78-minute film what we get is but the fingernail of the Japanese music underground body. As mentioned in the film thousands of artists perform in Japan every day, so what is featured in the film is a dust flake of the melodies Japan pumps out in a mere night. I am also puzzled by many of the bigger-named artists in the underground music world missing from the film, including Electric Eel Shock, BORIS, TsuShiMaMiRe and Omodaka. (There's some footage of Melt-Banana on the film's official YouTube page, but even their absence from the final cut left me scratching my head.)

Perhaps somewhere down the line Rapkin can expand on this documentary with a TV series, creating a sort of Austin City Limits that is focused on the Japanese music world. Until then viewers interested in checking out a fast-paced look at the Japanese underground music scene will find much to enjoy in Live From Tokyo. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

**** (out of five)

Review copy provided by Good Charamel Records.

Can you wait one more week for the zombie insanity to begin? The folks at Deep Silver hopes one more Dead Island trailer will suffice your cravings...

The undead rise again in on September 6 on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

The B3 crew punched Hurricane Irene in the face to bring you an all-new episode!

This week the Bastards chime in about why the Oakland Raiders have the worst fanbase on the planet, and wonder when Tim Wakefield is going to get his 200th win. The 2009 film Blood and Bone is on the table, as everyone wonders why Michael Jai White doesn't get the proper respect he's due. Anvil "reviews" the anime Tiger & Bunny, and the demos for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine and NHL 12 are examined.

It's all fresh out of the box here on Episode 109: Breaking Bones With Warhammers!

There have been many adaptations of the popular Chinese mythological story Journey To The West, whether they're done via anime (Saiyuki, Dragon Ball), Chinese TV serials and operas written by the dudes who created Gorillaz (Monkey: Journey To The West). In regards to the video game realm there has been very little to few in-between when it comes to bringing the classic tale to the consoles. Last year famed motion capture actor Andy Serkis and 28 Days Later writer Alex Garland teamed up to bring us a more Western approach to the tale, known as Enslaved: Odyssey To The West.

Taking place in a post-apocalyptic America Enslaved follows a man known simply as Monkey (played by Serkis), who escapes from an egg-shaped capsule and flees from a plane that is falling apart. When he wakes up Monkey finds himself in control of a woman named Trip (Lindsey Shaw), who has placed a mind control device on his head. Trip tells Monkey that she needs his help to get home, and if he runs away or lets her die then he shall die as well. Using his climbing abilities, a powerful staff and a flying device known as Cloud Monkey is able to take down mechs, solve puzzles and protect Trip from harm's way.

The first thing that surprised me about Enslaved was how close to the original source material it was. Three of the main characters from Journey To The West are in attendance, which also includes Pigsy (Richard Ridings) later on in the game. Monkey's weapons are just about the same as the traditional story, and while the Cloud may is now more of a technological invention than a god-given power it still rings true to the original concept. The original story didn't have robots like in the game, but they fit as a well-done substitute for the various demons that the true source had. For a futuristic adaptation Odyssey To The West keeps to the true spirit of the epic Chinese tale.

Playing Enslaved Monkey will have many abilities on-hand, as well as the option to upgrade your powers via collecting tech orbs found either lying around or popping out of defeated enemies. Trip also has her own abilities that help to make gameplay a tad more simpler in the long run, including the ability to use a hologram to distract enemies. Controlling the game is a breeze, as well, considering all the different powers you have. Meleeing against enemies with your staff is very simplistic, and while there is a lot of button-mashing involved it doesn't get to the point where your fingers start throbbing in agony. Switching between the more powerful weapons within your staff is also easy, with a mere flick left and right to choose the ones you want. Using the Cloud might take a bit getting used to, but once you figure out the ins and outs of using it within the specific levels you discover that it's tons of fun to fly around if you find the right areas.

Graphically the overall look of Enslaved is stunning, and it is amazing how much detail was put into the appearance of the characters. Using motion-capture techniques the movements and looks of the characters were pinpointed to the nth degree, and thanks to the usage of the Unreal Engine the game's visuals are gorgeous. Seeing a forest growing within the ruins of New York City was quite a sight to behold, and the other worlds glimmered with a sort of realistic vibe to it. Unfortunately there are bugs in the game, especially when it comes to loading certain areas. In Part Four of the game I was told to battle out some robots before making it onto the theater stage, and when I went down there were no enemies to be found. There was also a moment in the last boss battle where I was taking care of some side enemies, and I wound up losing my staff abilities for no apparent reason. When I went to go back to the last checkpoint instead of jumping to the last part of the game I was on it instead went back twenty minutes to the section before the last boss, forcing me to redo everything at that point.

One other gripe about Odyssey To The West is its length time. I wound up beating the game in roughly seven hours, and for a title that was $60 at its release time it seemed like a bit too much. (As of right now it's roughly $15-20 on Amazon and Gamestop, which is not a bad deal.) Fortunately the story and gameplay aspects make up for its short-comings, not to mention that it has a quite an interesting ending that deals with what's right to do in a trashed-up world looking for a place to escape all the hopelessness. It also helps that the dialogue in the game can be quite funny at times. I don't want to spoil anything, but let's just say there's a hilariously awkward moment between Pigsy and Monkey.

PROS:

• Stays true to the original material
• Good gameplay and puzzle mechanics
• Gorgeous visuals and easy control scheme

CONS:

• Some buggy areas keep the game from being well-rounded
• Tad short for its own good
• Can be a bit too easy at times

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Enslaved is one of those titles that could've been a masterpiece, but due to its bugs and game length it can only be considered pretty good. Still for what it's worth Enslaved is a gaming experience that you don't see often in this world, and that's something I hope is changed in the near-future. As it's been out for almost a year the game's current low price helps make Enslaved worth checking out. Cross your fingers that Garland and Serkis will work together again to bring forth another great title, only with fewer glitches.

FINAL GRADE: 7.7 (out of ten)

Out of all the games I've played both at PAX East and E3 no title has gotten me more excited to put my shift into gear than Jimmie Johnson's Anything With An Engine. It's almost time to truly put the pedal to the metal...

According to a recent trailer it was announced that Jimmie Johnson's Anything With An Engine will be hitting Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii on October 11. Racing enthusiasts alike will be able to choose from various racers like dumpsters, lawnmowers and old-school rockets and go head-to-head (sometimes literally, in the case of Matador Mode) across thirteen different tracks and different playing styles. The game will feature eight-player online modes, as well as classic four-player split-screen for in-room combat with friends. Players can also expect secret surprises, traps and goodies on each level that will either help or hinder you on your quest for victory.

Check out the trailer below and see what insanity is in store for you, and read our PAX East and E3 reports on what could be this year's most fun title:

Good PS Minis titles come far and few in-between, and while some may be made as something as to waste some unneeded time Dr. Maybee and the Adventures of Scarygirl at least has enough heart and tradition at its core to make it a title worth looking at.

Developed by Tik Games Dr. Maybee has players take control of Scarygirl, a better known for her graphic novel adventures written by Nathan Jurevicius. Here the protagonist wakes up in her tree house, haunted by a man in her dream who may be a link to her forgotten past. Scarygirl decides to go out on a search for answers, with gaining assistance along the way from her friends Bunniguru and Blister. Along the way Scarygirl will find herself collecting rubies, fish and other objects needed to complete each level.

For the most part the gameplay setup is relatively the same: start at Point A, then work your way towards Point B. Scarygirl's abilities are also limited, with mainly just jump and spin attack buttons. Combining the two will help Scarygirl spin up higher to land on those hard-to-reach places. Later on in the last couple of levels you will have to complete tasks such as collect cogs and press buttons to reveal hidden ladders in order to reach the other side. For the most part Dr. Maybee and the Adventures of Scarygirl is fairly easy to play, but in later levels you might find yourself scratching your head while figuring out how to take town the flame-throwing goblins and evade some of the slithering creatures that crawl on the ground.

Dr. Maybee's overall look is quite wonderful, as it captures the appearance of the original comic pretty well. Clocking in at just under two hours Dr. Maybee is a good title for those who have not played the original online game. (At this moment it is no longer on the official Scarygirl site.) However be warned that you might get relatively pissed off at the ending of the game; you may even feel like you've wasted your time on it. While it tends to be a bit inventive with what it has Dr. Maybee is limited to what a PS Minis game can handle.

PROS:

• Good traditional gameplay core
• Nice artistry, inventive characters
• Simple controls for all ages to play

CONS:

• Some frustrating moments in the last couple levels
• The ending...WTF!

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Dr. Maybee and the Adventures of Scarygirl is nowhere near-perfect, and those who have played the original may want to pass on this. However the game does fare well with giving players a nostalgic take on old-school platform gamers, and will serve as a precursor for the upcoming Scarygirl title currently in works from Tik Games for PSN and Xbox Live Arcade. If you wanna freshen yourself up before its release date I suggest giving Dr. Maybee a whirl; if not, then there's always the original graphic novel to read.

FINAL GRADE: 6.7 (out of 10)

Review copy provided by Tik Games.

Music, anime, movies, games and sports! It's a big-assed smorgasbord on this new episode of the B3 show!

This week King Baby Duck gives props to the female bands on the Lady Killer Tour, promotes the local band The Battleships and looks at the recent album from Lady Killer Tour group Vanity Theft. The anime Baka & Test: Summon The Beasts is on the table, and the King is quickly reminded why he doesn't review anime without a second otaku in the room...

Blueonic and the King review the Grindhouse flick Hobo With A Shotgun, the demos for Bodycount and Fruit Ninja Kinect are looked closely at and Blueonic shares his reasons why Toy Soldiers: Cold War might be the best Xbox Live Arcade game of the year. Finally Anvil gives his weekly sports report, sharing his thoughts on what seems to be Tim Wakefield's never-ending quest for his 200th win, the Pats pre-season and the goings-on in the MMA world.

It's all here in a neat little package on Episode 108: Going Commando On The Cold War!

One of my favorite games at E3 this year is finally set to take on the world...

According to the recent PSN blog Overkill Software's PAYDAY: The Heist has been set for an October 4th release date on the PSN and PC, with a price tag of $19.99. In PAYDAY players in either single-player or co-op modes enter the roles of bank robbers as they take down guards, capture hostages, negotiate with the police outside, crack into vaults and do what you can to escape the fuzz and drive off with the prize.

To get yourself familiar with PAYDAY: The Heist check out our E3 coverage of it right here!

When the Kinect was first announced a couple years ago players across the globe had high hopes regarding what can be accomplished with the peripheral. Sadly some of our gaming prayers have yet to be answered. Since its inception the Kinect has brought us party game after dance game after exercise title, and while they’re not bad per se it still is leaving the hardcore gamers craving for more. Fortunately SEGA has heard our woes, and at E3 this year gamers were given the chance to go body-on with Rise of Nightmares, the first-ever first-person free-roaming survival melee Kinect title.

Developed by Sega AM1 (the same folks behind the House of the Dead series) the story follows an American held captive by an evil doctor known as Viktor. His wife is missing, and after being rescued by another prisoner the American must find his lost beloved and escape from the deranged doctor’s lair. Throughout the creepy asylum players must battle with those of the undead, solve puzzles and find keys to unlock the doors that will lead them closer to freedom.

During the demo I was instructed by Sam Mullen and Rowan Taffler, who were running the booth, on how to maneuver my character throughout the levels. A front step with your right leg moves your character forwards and a back step moves him in reverse; twisting your upper torso left and right turns your character in the direction you want to go. To interact with an object you hold your right palm up and place it on the object, and pushing your palm out will push items or open doorways. Then came the time to learn how to battle it out with the undead. By raising your lowers arms up to your waist you enter melee mode, and by punching the air you can battle it out with these zombified nurses and experiments. In some cases you can even use weapons such as lead pipes, brass knuckles and rusty chainsaws to take out your enemies in very fun and gruesome manner.

I was pleasantly surprised to see how fluid the controls were in this game, as there seemed to be no lag between what I was doing in real life and from what was going on on the screen. With the exception of a couple titles I’ve always had issues with the Kinect reading my movements. Playing the Rise of Nightmares demo I found no problems whatsoever with it measuring all of my motions. Granted it will take time getting used to remembering how to walk properly, but that's what trial-and-error is for.

Seeing what Sega AM1 did with the remastered HD version of House of the Dead: Overkill for the PS3 I was more than impressed with the graphical input they put into Rise of Nightmares. Most importantly this game just might be sporting the most freakiest and horrific undead creatures since Resident Evil 4. It’s no wonder they went with the title they chose: seeing these hollowed-out and occasionally mechanical zombies lunge at you will probably be one of the creepiest moments this year in gaming. The overall chill you’ll receive while playing Rise of Nightmares is also quite impressive, thanks in part to the combined elements of Kinect controls and first-person perspectives .

Because you’re in first-person mode it is you that is being attacked by these creatures, which will add more to the creepy level as the game progresses and the undead become tougher. (My advice: don’t play this game in the dark!) The game is expected to have a run-through time of eight hours, so there will be plenty of frights in store in Rise of Nightmares. As of this moment SEGA is keeping it quiet regarding if any multiplayer modes will be in the game, though with only a couple weeks until its release date it's safe to say there won't be.

With the ten minutes I was able to play Rise of Nightmares it’s clear that SEGA knows exactly what it’s doing in regards to motion control. What we were promised two years ago has finally come to pass, and the folks at Sega AM1 seem to know what the hardcore gamer wants by making a title like this. With a release date of September 6th Rise of Nightmares could potentially be one of the best Kinect titles of 2011, not to mention one of the scariest games on any current-gen console.

It's Podcast time again, with an episode filled to the brim with gaming, sports and recent movies!

This week King Baby Duck looks at the demo of Driver: San Francisco, comparing his experiences with the game both with this version and the one he played at E3. Blueonic reviews From Dust, revealing that even an atheist can have a god complex, and a roundtable discussion on how often companies should release sports-related games.

In the world of sports the Red Sox and Pats are once again on the table, along with the current ranks of the PGA Championship and the Arena Bowl Championship. Finally Mr. Cuse looks at the film 30 Minutes Or Less, Blueonic shares his thoughts on Captain America: The First Avenger and Anvil chimes in about a little-known film called D.O.A.

It happens right here on Episode 107: He Drops Back...He Passes...TOUCHDOWN!!!

Has the man who brought us such jaw-dropping titles as No More Heroes, Killer7 and Shadows of the Damned finally topped himself? After seeing the trailer for the upcoming title Lollipop Chainsaw the answer is very obvious!

Due in 2012 for the Xbox 360 and PS3 and developed by Suda51 and his Grashopper Manufacture company Lollipop Chainsaw follows Juliet, a sexy cheerleader with a badass chainsaw and a pure hatred for zombies. Little is still known about the game, but from what the trailer showcases it can be expected that blood, guts, over-the-top humor and sexual innuendos will be coming at you in the bucket loads! (The game is also the brainchild of James Gunn, who brought us such gory classics as Tromeo & Juliet and Slither.)

Check out the Lollipop Chainsaw trailer below and try not to laugh maniacally:

Sega Rally Championship was one of those titles that made gamers charge towards it in the arcades. Its realistic driving and great graphics (for its time, of course) helped to put Sega on top of the racing gaming world. However as years progressed, and more top-geared racers have been made by the likes of Codemasters and even Disney, the days of Sega Rally seemed to be just a thing of past remembrance. When Sega announced that it would be releasing the third entry in the Sega Rally series, dubbed Sega Rally Online Arcade, I was ecstatic. Sadly that excitement quickly turned into disappointment as soon as I pressed start.

In Sega Rally Online Arcade players have the chance to race through three different worlds, five tracks and thirteen different cars. In single player mode there are four choices players can go through: Championship, Quick Race, Time Attack and Classic. In Championship mode players take part in a tournament where they race in three different rounds on the three main courses (Tropical, Canyon and Alpine) and try to reach first place from their beginning 22nd. While zooming past some of the cars is easy at times, it is in the higher ranks where the AI of the game sharply increases, to the point where it is almost impossible to be the top racer in the crew. On second thought, scratch out the "almost" part from my previous statement; it IS impossible to win against the AI in these races, even on the easiest setting. (One hundred races, and I've yet to even come third, let alone first!) While Classic mode has you racing on a very well-made remake on the Desert track from the original Sega Rally the nostalgia quickly dies away when you are faced once again with the ridiculously hard AI.

The strongest aspect of the game comes from its multiplayer modes, which can be played both split-screen and online with five other players. The vast amounts of gaming styles shine brightly through in Sega Rally Online Arcade, including Dominator (where player with the most points via the track's checkpoints wins), Knockout (the last-place racer in each lap is eliminated), Time Lag (the player behind the first place racer must cross the checkpoints within a few seconds or be defeated) and online modes of both Classic modes and Championship. It is here where I started to wonder what sort of stellar game Sumo Digital Ltd. could've made if they had focused as much time and effort on Single Player mode as they had in Multiplayer mode. Nevertheless the vastness of the multiplayer section in Sega Rally Online Arcade was quite refreshing.

Using an engine known as Granny 3D it is a wonder at how good Sega Rally Online Arcade looks, despite its massive flaws. The shine of each vehicle is spot-on, and the terrain you race on each level leaves your vehicle with realistic scratches and bumps, not to mention the occasional mud stains on both your car and screen. As far as the sound goes it comes quite close to feeling like you're taking part in an actual race, thanks in part to the revs in the vehicles engines and all-around atmosphere around the levels. One thing's for sure: the folks at Sumo Digital Ltd. have what it takes to make one amazing racer. Unfortunately you won't find it here.

With only five tracks to race on the game gets old fast, and the fact that you have to unlock over half of the vehicles and tracks to play them makes it all the more frustrating to play. In order to unlock these "gems" of sort you'll have to win specific racers, which wouldn't be so bad if the AI wasn't as difficult as it was. I know it sounds like the immature complaints of a gamer who can't take the outcome of a loss well, but I cannot stand a game that doesn't give you even the slightest leeway of chalking up a win. There is a supposed to be a fair balance between AI and gamer, but it seems that the developers made the computer-controlled racers too smart for their own good.

PROS:

• Vast online mode
• Great, realistic graphics
• Classic mode

CONS:

• AI makes it impossible to win
• Very bare in the track department
• More single player modes would've been nice

FINAL THOUGHTS:

As an online racer Sega Rally Online Arcade does a fine job with catering to the needs of those wanting to find some fun with gamers from across the world. As a single-player experience, however, it fails to reach the lengths of other racing games like Dirt and Split/Second. While it may sound like a steal at 800 MSP or $9.99 on PSN the frustrating outcome of your races will be a sharp reminder that you had just wasted your money on a mediocre, unforgiving title. My advice: steer off-track to avoid this car wreck of a racer.

FINAL GRADE: 4.1 (out of ten)

From the trailer that shook the world to going hands-on with it at E3 everything about Dead Island has excited me to the core. Now the folks at Techland and Deep Silver have revealed what happens when you and a couple friends get into the zombie-killing melee.

As one can see from the trailer there will be plenty of gore, meleeing, decapitations and blood-splattering action for horror game enthusiasts to salivate over. Only one month until Dead Island finally hits the store shelves, and the question of whether or not it will be the zombie game to end all zombies games will be answered.

Last week video games dominated the show; this week Anvil and Mr. Cuse get to hog up the Podcast with their sports talk!

On the table this week include the recent goings-on with the Red Sox, their recent trades and acquisitions, the 19 year-old golf prodigy from Japan and the recent matches from UFC and Strikeforce. Plus with the NFL Lockout over the Patriots have begun getting their team ready for the season, involving a few new players that may leave a bittersweet taste in fans' mouths.

All this and more in a souped-up Sports Edition of the Boston Bastard Brigade. It's Episode 106: I'm Gonna Ochocinco You In The Face!

Fear not gamers, for this is not a video game based on the hair metal Broadway musical. Instead Atlus and ACE Team's Rock of Ages is a game whose concept can be explained in its title alone. At E3 I had the chance to go hands-on with the title, leaving me with my funny bone tickled and a much heavier anticipation for the game's release.

As the Greek character Sisyphus players will have to literally roll through the various time periods, bringing wanton destruction with your giant boulders and taking down every person you come face-to-face with. The opponent will be doing the exact same thing, so it'll be up to you to defend your area from being destroyed. You'll find yourself creating ruins in Ancient Greece, flattening out the Dark Ages in Medieval times and smooshing the hearts (and bodies) of the townspeople in the Romanticism era. Gamers will also be given the chance to go head-to-head in various multiplayer modes, including rock-to-rock combat, SkeeBoulder, Time Trial and many more to be announced soon. At the Atlus booth I was able to try out two of their tutorial modes, one main level and go head-to-head with one of the guys from Atlus in a multiplayer mode.

For the tutorial modes I was given the opportunity to figure out the ins and outs of Rock of Ages. Aram Jabbari, Atlus's PR & Sales Manager, gave me a quick demonstration of how the game works before handing it off to me. You move the boulder around the town, destroying everything you can to build up points. You also must learn to swerve around objects during crucial moments, as at the end of the level is a door that needs to be smashed open to win. The level is completed when you squish the king behind the door.

Maneuvering the boulder in Rock of Ages is somewhat reminiscent of playing the game of labyrinth, in which you'll find yourself trying to teeter on the thinest strips of land, trying hard not to fall off. Fortunately if you do fall off you'll be picked up by the hand of God and dropped back into the game, though you might be penalized if this does happen. In regards to defense mode players will be able to build towers and place catapults in the way of the opponent's rock, which will either slow it down or send it flying off-course. Gamers will also be able to insert balloons and other weird flying machines that will block the opponents from enter hidden paths, and command animals to keep the boulder from reaching its goal.

While playing Rock of Ages one key word kept ringing in my head: Pythonesque. The game pays heavy homage to the British comedy legends, especially to Terry Gilliam's animation style. Characters and worlds seem to be pulled right out of those kooky, nonsensical cartoons that take classical art pieces and use them in such a way that their original creators were spinning in their graves. Even the soundtrack adds nod to Monty Python, with silly screams from the people and crunchy crashes from the buildings you destroy; and yes, the king at the end of the level gets flattened with a farty splat.

While I played the single-player mode at the Atlus booth I had to play the multiplayer section in the Microsoft section at E3. There I met with Atlus's Assistant Editor Clayton Chan, who showed me the ropes of two of the multiplayer modes. First we both went head-to-head in a regular multiplayer battle. I made the quick mistake of spending too much on useless defense items instead of saving them for more powerful boulders, with the end result being Chan handing my ass to me on a silver platter in what was a very close battle. I quickly got my revenge, however, in SkeeBoulder, in which the more items I smashed the higher my points would accumulate when I reached the end of each level.

After hearing so much about it beforehand I was very happy with the results I've seen thus far in Rock of Ages. With a release date of August 31 on PSN, Xbox Live Arcade and PC gamers will not have to wait long to play a game that will not have them rolling through the times, but also all along the floor laughing their heads off.

What's better than have the Issues Program dudes show up to talk about the first half-year in gaming? How about having pro gamer, reviewer and model Raychul Moore joining the roundtable?

In a special episode the Bastards welcome Issues Guy, JC Sergeant and Raychul Moore to the program, as they dissect the current goings-on in the gaming world. Find out which games have already made it to their best-of 2011 list, and which upcoming titles they're looking forward to most. Plus the gang chimes in on the true nature and style of Duke Nukem Forever, and figure out if L.A. Noire is a title that deserves to be on the pedestal that other gaming sites seem to put them on.

It's all right here on this super-sized episode of the Boston Bastard Brigade. It's Episode 105: The Elite Gamers Of The Benevolent Press!

Rage is one of this year's most hotly anticipated titles, and after going hands-on with it at E3 there are plenty of reasons why.

Developed by id Software (the same folks that brought us Wolfenstein, Doom and Quake) and published by Bethesda Rage will have players take the role of a survivor in 2038, where a meteorite impact has caused the world to let all hell break loose. Hostels and mutants reek havoc on what's left of Earth, and it's up to you to restore order in your area. With your trusty dune buggy you must travel throughout the land to blow away the freaks and creatures that aim to strike fear into the hearts of the remaining survivors.

At E3 I was able to go hands-on with the Mutant Bash TV level. In it your character participates in a game show where you'll have to kill mutants in the quickest time possible to earn cash. You enter a certain section of the TV studio, and the mutants enter through the floor, doors and Futurama-styled pipe entries. As soon as I walked onto the game show floor the mutants came charging at me, with my initial response being to shoot until everything in the room is dead. Easier said than done, for the AI in Rage is ridiculously hard. I found it took roughly twenty shots to kill the weakest of characters. However when it came to take on the final boss of the level (a Kraken-inspired freak of nature) I wound up destroying him in under a minute, which was quicker than dealing with a regular mutant.

I had a bittersweet experience with the controls. The good news is it's easy to switch weapons and use the secondary ones, sometimes while in the toughest parts of battle. Meleeing is also far easy than in most games, coming in as second-nature to what you do in the game. However because of the speed of the AI it was almost impossible for me to aim properly at the mutants, leaving me to waste more of my ammo than actually use. Trust me when I said that easy melee maneuver will come in handy when six of those creatures are slicing at you all at once. One big side of Rage features some of the most gorgeous graphics I've seen in a game at E3. Everything from the scratches on your dune buggy to the facial expressions on the mutants was heavily detailed, and with the game running at sixty frames per second and no lag it is clear that not a second of the four years it has taken to create the game have not been wasted.

What I saw at E3 was just a fraction of what to expect when Rage is released, a title that will also include two multiplayer modes, weapon and buggy customization and even Burnout-styled racing. With a release date of October 4th on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC id Software is gearing up to show once again why they're the true kings of heart-stopping first-person shooters, and with Bethesda on their side Rage is looking to blow people away with its stellar graphics and apocalyptic gameplay. Just prepare to use your melee skills to the fullest potential, and savor the bullets for when the right moments come.

Those who are waiting to buy Twisted Pixel's next title The Gunstringer are in for a treat, as it will come with a free downloadable game.

Twisted Pixel has teamed up with Halfbrick for this special deal, where each copy of the upcoming Kinect title The Gunstringer will have a code for people to download themselves a free copy of Halfbrick's Fruit Ninja Kinect, the upcoming port of the popular iPhone game. For more information on this, check out the press release below:

The Gunstringer Retail Announcement
Get the Ultimate Kinect Bundle! A Shootin’ and Slashin’ Good Time for $39.99!

Mark your calendars for a bullet-slinging, fruit-slashing party this September because Twisted Pixel’s Kinect-enabled action shooter The Gunstringer AND the highly anticipated Fruit Ninja Kinect will be bundled together at retail for just $39.99 USD! Whether you shoot-em-up or slice-em-up, YOU are the controller in these two fun, action-packed titles. The retail bundle will be available September 13 in North America, Australia, New Zealand and Asia; and September 16 in EMEA.

In The Gunstringer, you control a fiery gun-toting marionette through his adventures, combining solo platforming and shooting mechanics into fun, competitive action with a full suite of collectibles, unlockables, abilities, rewards and more. Plus, as a special bonus to celebrate the release of The Gunstringer, players can also download a free add-on pack for the game at launch called “The Wavy Tube Man Chronicles” which pits players against the time-traveling son of Wavy Tube Man, the first boss players battle in the game. In this add-on, Wavy Tube Man Jr. steals a time machine to prevent his father’s death at the hands of The Gunstringer, and it’s up to players to battle classic western cowboys and futuristic warriors to save the world from destruction.

Along with the disc for The Gunstringer, the retail package will include a token code for the full downloadable version of Fruit Ninja Kinect via Xbox LIVE. Fruit Ninja Kinect is an amazing evolution of the slice-em-up genre created by Halfbrick, which brings the worldwide mobile gaming phenomenon to Kinect so you can use your arms as blades in an epic battle against the world’s most delicious produce is just beginning. Is September too long to wait to sharpen your Ninja skills? Don’t wait! Buy Fruit Ninja Kinect via Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 on August 10 and get a jump start on your friends.

Finally, pre-order The Gunstringer from select US and European retailers today, and you’ll receive two tokens for a free Avatar Prop from the game, available exclusively through the pre-order program!

Get your hate mail letters ready...

This week the Bastards celebrate gay marriage in New York, spare no punches when one-hit wonder (song-wise) Amy Winehouse kicks the bucket, and the recent Cage The Elephant album Thank You, Happy Birthday is on the table. The demo for Xbox Live Arcade game Bastion is looked closely at, the most uneventful week in sports is covered by Anvil, the Duck reviews Horrible Bosses and a preview of some of the most hotly anticipated films is brought into the spotlight.

It all happens right here on Episode 104: The Winehouse Is On Fire!!!

Editor's Note: While we may not have been fans of Ms. Winehouse -- and make light of the situation -- it is a sad occasion when someone passes away, especially at such a young age. Comedian/actor Russell Brand recently posted a very well-worded eulogy regarding her, and personally I think it serves as a fine rebuttal to what we said in this episode. Take a moment and read it.

The Ubisoft booth at E3 was filled with games of many shapes and sizes, but only one title had my keenest eye glimmer with much anticipation. As a fan of the Driver series since it first appeared in 1999 I was ecstatic to hear that the game was set to return on all three home consoles. First getting wind of it back in 2005 I waited patiently for more news of it to be released as the years progressed. Fortunately the wait was nearing the end, and after going hands-on with Driver: San Francisco I left the booth with more excitement.

Taking place after the events in Driv3r the game will focus mainly on Tanner, who is in a coma after a mission gone bad and is stuck in a dream world version of the Golden Gate City. Being in a coma has its perks in the game, however, as it gives Tanner the ability to take over any vehicle he likes with a mere push of a button. For the demo of Driver: San Francisco I was able to try out a portion of the free-roaming mode and race mode.

In free-roaming mode players will be able to drive around freely though the city of cable cars and Rice-A-Roni, all 208 miles of road that is confined into the town. As players complete objectives throughout the town new missions and goals will be made available for you to tackle throughout the rest of the game. While you are given the ability to switch to any vehicle (known as Shift in the game), the power is limited, and in order to power up more Shift power you must perform certain stunts like power slides and big jumps to fill the meter.

Playing in free-roaming mode gave me a good look at how both graphically and audibly Driver: San Francisco is going to be. Crashes are heavily detailed, with even the tiniest of dents appearing on the vehicle after a run-in. The sounds of the vehicles also gave off the proper authentic feel of driving fast within a crowded city. Also on key was its control scheme, where making quick turns and swerves was fairly easier to do than most other racing titles. While this sort of control scheme doesn't reflect on a realistic standpoint it does well with creating a sort of arcade aspect to the Driver experience. (As the game does take place in someone's coma I expect there to be some sort of off-the-wall mission that defies much logic.)

The other mode I was able to go hands-on with was Race Mode, in which you control two racers via Shift and need to finish in both first and second place. While it sounds simple enough the A.I. in the other vehicles you're racing against makes the task a lot more difficult. There were times where one of the opponents seemed to want to take out one of my vehicles in an attempt to sacrifice their place and help their fellow racer reach the front of the line. The Shift has its perks, though, especially if the car you're in is about to veer off-course. I was able to get into first place, but lost the second place position by a mere half-second.

So far Driver: San Francisco is gearing up to be a fine follow-up to the popular series. With these modes, not to mention the split-screen/online multiplayer, the usage of over 120 vehicles and the return of the director mode players can expect much gameplay to go back to. Come August 30th driving enthusiasts will have much to look forward to on the PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Mac and Wii (the latter of which will be a completely separate game from the other ones).

Everybody loves donuts, especially those who love blowing shit up!

This week the Anvil rants on the week of sports -- including the MLB All-Star game and the Roger Clemens mistrial -- and King Baby Duck & Blueonic looks at the heavily-underrated Jim Carrey flick I Love You Phillip Morris and the recent price hikes at Netflix. Plus the Bastards are split in regards to the new Limp Bizkit album Gold Cobra, the demos for Catherine and Ms. 'Splosion Man are put under the microscope and Blueonic reviews the new Annihilation pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops.

The fun begins now on Episode 103: Annihilation By 'Splosion!

One of the biggest surprises at this past year's PAX East was the under-the-radar title Jimmie Johnson's Anything With An Engine, a kart racer whose style was like a blend of Mario Kart and Redneck Rampage. It was also my pick for Most Wanted Title during the Electric Sista Hood PAX East podcast episode, beating out the likes of Mortal Kombat, Duke Nukem Forever and Brink at the event. So it came as a wondrous shock that when I went to E3 I stumbled across this game at the Konami booth, who will be distributing the title in America.

Going hands-on with the title again I was excited to see all the new vehicles, tracks and modes that you could play, not to mention the arsenal of weapons you could use. Seeing that you can race with the dumpster, coffin, shopping cart and gold cart made me laugh, but after seeing the crazy college mascot riding a recliner I had to race as that. When racing with the recliner you were given the ability to throw pizzas at your opponent, which not only make them skid off-road but impair their vision with its gooey cheesiness. Controls were still on-key like they were on PAX East, and I even found fixing your vehicle at the Pit Stop to be fairly easier than I remembered.

One of the other modes in Anything With An Engine I finally got to give a try was the Matador one, which has racing going head-on against one another at opposite sides of the track. Here not only do you have to watch the other racers you're going against but also the ones that are pummeling towards you from the other side. I got smashed up big time when the tractor racer collided with my rocket man, losing the race by over a minute. Still it was an exciting twist to a genre that hasn't seen this much originality in a long time. Also on-hand was "Chicken Bomb," a survival mode that turns the last-place racer into a vengeful chicken that lays waste to the opponents. If there was ever a moment that truly left me in stitches at E3 it was seeing that fowl raise its explosive anarchy on the other racers.

The full game will have eight-player online multiplayer, as well as the classic split-screen mode for four players to battle it out with in the same room. You'll be able to race through thirteen tracks and unlock new racers through the title's Career Mode, with possibly new vehicles to be released via DLC. One other bit of news had me do a double-take: instead of it being an XBLA/PSN release Jimmie Johnson's Anything With An Engine will now be available as a physical title on all three current-gen consoles. A release date will be sometime late this summer/early fall, though an official date has yet to be announced.

It is an unwritten truth that female protagonists can wipe the floor with their male counterparts. This fact began many a decade ago with Ms. Pac-Man, whose gameplay and maze designs made her husband's title look like child's play. (I'd pick Lara Croft over Nathan Drake in a battle-to-the-death, and I believe that Zelda would be able to outwit and outplay Link if she was in Sheik form.) Thirty years later the battle of the gaming sexes continues to be in favor of the women's side, as evident in Twisted Pixel's latest release Ms. 'Splosion Man.

A sequel to the popular 'Splosion Man the hero of the first game finds himself captured by Big Science, but during heavy celebration a bottle of champagne is tipped over, causing circuits to fry and create Ms. 'Splosion Man. From here the Mademoiselle 'splodes her way through the remnants of Big Science, solving tricky puzzles and making death-defying leaps that would make The Great Gonzo nervous. Split into three worlds and forty-seven levels Ms. 'Splosion Man does all that a single lady can to save her hopefully dreamboat of a 'Splosion Man.

Gameplay continues to be as straightforward as the first title. You simply move around, and 'splode to jump, destroy obstacles and defeat bosses. However unlike its predecessor transportation such as power lines and automobiles will also be there to help your Señorita get from Point A to Point B. New baddies will keep you from reach that goal, not to mention electrical and acidy traps that aim to kill you. Even the level setup is different, looking similar to that of Super Mario Bros. 3 with its map layout. And yes, instead of cake there are hidden shoes to find.

What makes Ms. 'Splosion Man stand out from its forerunner is its challenging aspects, which come in the barrel load. At just about every turn of the game you will find yourself having to think quickly to reach the next checkpoint. For example in one level you'll have to turn off the light door using the switch at the end of the room, but in order to reach it you'll have to 'splode towards it using the recharging wall, all while avoiding the electrical fences that are on the top and bottom. On top of that there are robots that will explode if you 'splode on them, sending you barreling into the electrical fence killing you. I died nearly forty times before I finally managed to complete the task, only to find myself dying before I can get to the checkpoint and having to do it another seven times to get it right once more!

Saying that Ms. 'Splosion Man is frustratingly hard is an understatement. Your fingers will be in tremendous amounts of pain hours after gameplay, and there will be moments where you will want to fling your remote through your expensive TV in a screaming pit of rage. Fortunately there is plenty to love about this game that will help you simmer down your anger. In fact you might find yourself filled with pure joy while bearing witness to the whimsicalness of Ms. 'Splosion Man.

Of course you cannot talk about Twisted Pixel without discussing its humor, and as always they know how to make gamers laugh. Whether it's a video tutorial showing you how to play the game or the blatant movie references there is so much comedy to be found in this game. Much credit must be given to Monica Rial (Sgt. Frog, Shin Chan, Moonphase), whose take on our heroine is nothing short of comedic genius. Channeling the "Valley Girl" in Frank Zappa's loony ditty Rial has 'Splosion-chan spouting film quotes and Lady Gaga lyrics with the vernacular of a high school dropout. Then you've got the inspired music from Matt "Chainsaw" Chaney, ranging from the fat suit ditty "Mandy" to the greatest song about big butts since the era of Sir Mix-A-Lot.

Single player mode might take you roughly ten hours to beat, though there is plenty to go back to in order to find all the shoes and collect coins to unlock all the goodies in the Mall. For those looking for multiplayer need look no further, as up to four players can get their 'splode on in fifty levels, all of which are completely different from the single player ones. There is also the "2 Girls, 1 Controller" mode, where one player (or two if they're very close lovers) can play the multiplayer mode with one controller. It is indeed a rough task to do on your own, so those who have the worst hand-eye coordination may do well to not try it; otherwise they'll have a massive aneurism.

PROS:

• Lots of challenges to be found
• One of the funniest games of the year
• Great voice acting, catchy songs

CONS:

• Some challenges unforgivably hard
• Not enough checkpoints
• Donut man is missing

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Ms. 'Splosion Man continues the tradition that women are better gaming protagonists than men, as it is filled with lots of great gameplay, stellar humor and tons of replay value. There may be some frustrating moments here and there, but what you get out of the game in the long run is totally worth it. Hopefully Twisted Pixel will continue on with the adventures of these 'Splosion Men, as there's plenty more life to be found in this series. Maybe an "edutainment" parody game 'Splosion Kids could be next on the horizon, where players will learn such mathematical equations as 2 + 2 = open-face-loose-meat-sandwich!

FINAL GRADE: 9.3 (out of 10)

After filling their bellies with tons of burgers 'n' dogs during the Fourth of July Week the Bastards get their composure together for an all-new Podcast episode.

This week the B3 crew share how the calendar photo shoot went with the people from Cage Titans and Contemporarily Out of Order, and then review the latest release from Seether. Blueonic tries to figure out what happened to all the bands he liked back from the 90s, and Anvil gives his weekly sports reports. Finally King Baby Duck looks at the demo for MLB Bobbleheads Pro, and he and Blueonic give their takes on Deadliest Warrior: Legends and Dead Block.

It's all right here on Episode 102: Jeter the Deadliest Bobblehead!

Much gratitude is owed to Shonen Knife, the Japanese rock band now celebrating their thirtieth anniversary. The likes of Sonic Youth, Nirvana, White Flag and many others have praised their love for Naoko and company, even going so far as to either record tributes or -- if they're lucky enough -- share the stage with them. Without them the alt-rock industry (especially the grunge category) would've probably been more of a footnote in the history of music rather than the encyclopedia it is today. However had it not been for a certain group of punk icons the trio may not have been the band we see on stage now, which is why Shonen Knife are commemorating this occasion with the release of Osaka Ramones, a tribute album to Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, Tommy and Marky.

Based on their side-project Osaka Ramones showcases thirteen classic (and sometimes underappreciated) tracks from the New York band, still containing much of the angst and fun that continues to thrive in the original tracks. Thankfully the beach blanket bongo style of Shonen Knife is not lost in the shuffle, as evident in "Blitzkrieg Bop" and "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker." "The KKK Took My Baby Away" continues to be a tongue-in-cheek joy to listen to with the Shone Knife twist, as does the smile-inducing "Beat On The Brat." You won't find "She's A Sensation" or "I Wanna Be Sedated" (which was on their Burning Farm rerelease); instead we have the underplayed tracks of "Scattergun" and "She's The One" brought back into the well-deserved limelight.

Many a tribute have been heard to the Ramones, some good (Danko Jones's "The Return of Jackie & Judy," Bad Religion's "We're A Happy Family") and some we wish to never hear again (Rob Zombie's "Blitzkrieg Bop"). The ladies of Shonen Knife, however, managed to turn out an impressive lineup of good-hearted renditions of the songs we've loved for almost forty years. The covers will never stand up to the originals, but the songs still maintain the true punk rock spirit while containing the pop-happy style of this J-ROCK trio. Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee would approve of this homage, and hopefully soon a band will pay a similar tribute to Shonen Knife as they have done here with Osaka Ramones.

**** (out of five)

Review copy provided by Good Charamel Records. In stores July 19.

We've all seen the trailer, and snippets of the game have been shown here and there. At E3's Square-Enix mega-booth I had the chance to go hands-on with one of this year's most hotly-anticipated titles: Dead Island. One problem: you could only play five minutes of the game.

With a very small time limit I was given the tasks of saving one of my fellow survivors outside the safe haven, then proceed to the first-aid area to gather supplies. Before saving the other survivor your character grabs an oar for weaponry, and then proceed to head outside to bear witness to all the carnage. The undead ranged from the sluggishly slow to the split-second fast, sometimes making it hard to properly prepare yourself for attacks. Quickly I had my character swing their oar around to battle it out with the zombies.

At first play I already noticed a slight aiming issue, where if you didn't swing on the exact center of the screen where the zombie was you might wind up missing it entirely. Fortunately when it came time to bolt from the creatures and evade their hunger attacks the controls flowed easier than expected. Punching the undead also gave off more damage to them than one may think, so it seems possible to kill the zombies just with your character's bare fists.

Both Techland and Deep Silver did an amazing job with the realistic elements in nail'd, so it comes as no surprise that the graphics in Dead Island look nothing short of stellar. The gore factors of Dead Island come by the bucket loads, with each smack you lay down on the zombies leaving pools of blood on the ground and sometimes all over the screen. Props must also be given to the audio quality of the game, with each thwack and splatter fitting into the proper action happening on-screen.

As the demo was only five minutes long my time with the game was very short. Judging by the A.I. I witnessed in this game I can honestly say that most of the tasks that will be given to you will be easier said than done. Dead Island aims to add a sort of realism unseen in the majority of zombie survival games, leaving players to think on their quickest instincts with only the tiniest moment to spare a thought process. While this will add a whole new level of challenging aspects to the genre I can already foresee some folks complaining about its difficulty level.

I was roughly 300 yards away from the first-aid site, so I couldn't even finish the mission. While five minutes doesn't sound like the most ideal amount of time to spend on a much-talked about title what I was able to get out of Dead Island was a good taste of its fast-paced gameplay and heart-stopping horror that will hopefully make this game stand out from all the others. The September release date is getting closer as we speak, so it will only be a matter of time before we see if Dead Island really can become king of the zombie gaming titles.

How does one of the most influential Japanese rock bands of all time celebrate their thirtieth anniversary? Simple: by paying tribute to the band that inspired them the most!

On July 19th Shonen Knife will be releasing Osaka Ramones, a thirteen-track album that covers the best and the most catchiest of Ramones classics. Shonen Knife will also be embarking on a US Tour this October to promote both influential occasions.

For more information check out the press release below:

Shonen Knife Announce Dates For

30^th Anniversary Fall North American Tour Launching October 2011

In Support Of Osaka Ramones, Tribute To The Ramones

Out July 19 on Good Charamel Records

Shonen Knife have been the most internationally recognized name in Japanese Rock music since their entrance onto the alternative rock scene in the early 90s when them became the indie darlings of hipsters and rock stars alike. Since their inception in Osaka in 1981 (featuring Naoko’s sister Atsuko and their friend, bassist/vocalist Michie), to their current lineup featuring members Ritsuko (bass, vocals) and Emi (drums,vocals), Shonen Knife have maintained their rightful place in the ever changing indie rock scene.

2011 marks thirty years since Naoko and the band began releasing albums featuring their joyous mixture of pop, punk, food and fantasy for the world to enjoy, and to commemorate this major milestone, the ladies will be launching a fall tour in support of their latest release, Osaka Ramones, a 13-track tribute to NYC’s legendary punk band, The Ramones. Offering support on the trek will be Oakland, CA garage rockers, Shannon and the Clams.

“Ramones were my all-time idols since I first heard their music from a radio and rushed to a record shop. This year is the 30th anniversary of Shonen Knife. For celebration, we decided to record a cover album of our favorite band the Ramones. The title is Osaka Ramones with our respect. I’m very happy to release an Osaka Ramones project and to recognize their contribution to the evolution of Shonen Knife,“ explains Naoko.

Osaka Ramones is not only the name of this tribute album, but is also the name of the side project which has made its way in and out of Shonen Knife’s performing history for decades. This East meets West punk rock combination is now captured in an album recorded and mixed between Osaka, Japan and New York, over the last year. The album was co-produced by Robby Takac of Goo Goo Dolls who is releasing it July 19^th on his label, Good Charamel Records.

Come October, North American audiences will have a chance to celebrate the music of the world’s greatest punk rock band, the Ramones, while simultaneously celebrating the 4th decade of the mighty Shonen Knife...Hey Ho, Let’s Go! …

To stream snippets of Shonen Knife’s Osaka Ramones go to: www.goodcharamel.com.

Shonen Knife Tour Dates (with opener, Shannon and the Clams)

October

20- Toronto, ONT- Horseshoe Tavern

21- Montreal- QC- II Motore

22- Brooklyn, NY-  Public Assembly (CMJ)

24- Baltimore, MD- Otto Bar

25- Durham, NC-  The Pinhook

26- Atlanta, GA- Masquerade

27- Mobile, AL- Alabama Music Box

28- Houston, TX-  GroundHall

29- Austin, TX- Red 7

November

1- Los Angeles, CA- TBA

2- San Diego, CA - Casbah

3- Long Beach, CA – Alex’s Bar

4- San Francisco, CA- Bottom of the Hill

5- Portland, OR- Dante’s

7- Vancouver, BC- Biltmore Cabaret

8- Seattle, WA- Tractor Tavern

11- Minneapolis, MN- First Ave.

12- Chicago, IL- Empty Bottle

13- Kalamazoo, MI- The Strutt

14- Indianpolis, IN- Radio, Radio

17- Pittsburgh, PA- 31^st Pub

18- Broo