Guitar Hero walks this way

It's time for another summer hodgepodge edition where I take a look at some of gaming's upcoming titles and hot gossip!

As of the time of writing, Ninja Gaiden 2 and Metal Gear Solid 4 will have hit the streets. 1up.com and other sites are giving Gaiden 2 it fair reviews (approximately 75-85 per cent) saying that the game, while looking great, isn't as much of a knockout as the original Xbox version was. Camera issues seem to be the main gripe with reviewers (I'm getting mine on day one — so I can perhaps follow up online). I can't stand when I read reviews saying that the game's difficulty is something people should be careful with. REALLY? I don't think that needs to be said about a Ninja Gaiden title. Look, I got through the first game without any cheats or walkthroughs and if you're a gamer, and a good one at that, you should be able to as well. Yes, a thrown controller incident (or two) is always expected, but tell me you didn't chuck your controller a couple of times during the last mission in GTA 4.

Reviews for MGS 4 would have been welcome, but the only early review came from ign.com. Why you ask? Well, EGM magazine was all ready to go with their review until Sony told them what they could and couldn't say — so the magazine didn't give the game an official score. I guess the game has almost 90 minute (!!!!) cut scenes and insane loading times (according to major gaming sites). This game will sell nonetheless for two reasons: 1) it's MGS ; 2) There's nothing else to play on the PS3 anyway!

The Wiiware channel has launched to a pretty big acceptance (critic wise). I have seen decent scores for many of the games available and it seems like the creative games may give the Xbox 360 games a run for their money. I have yet to download anything because my retro games are taking up space on the lil' internal memory and I keep forgetting to get myself a storage card (not to mention console games are stealing the money out of my pocket).

If you Sony fans haven't heard yet, one of the best Xbox 360 games, Bioshock, is heading to your system for the Fall 2008 gaming season! Expect some new editions and tweaked graphics to entice those of us who blew through the game last summer to perhaps buy (I'd say rent) it again.

Thought you were going to try out Sony's “Home” online world this Spring/Summer? Fat chance... we won't be doing any betas until at least the Fall. Hurry the hell up already!


Guitar Hero fans will love these brief morsels: Guitar Hero: Aerosmith hits stores at the end of June (with the RUN-DMC collaboration of “Walk This Way” included), GH DS hits a week or so prior and so far, minus some of the repeated tracks, looks pretty cool. For $50, I'm sold for more GH on the go. GH4 will be released this fall with what seems to be a better organized drum kit, a mic and yet another guitar. No word on any compatibility with Rock Band's peripherals.

And lastly, it was filed for the 2008 fiscal year: Guitar Hero: Metallica is coming. If they leave anything they've done after the Black Album, it'll be an instant buy (I wonder if Cliff will make an appearance in the game)?
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