Update: Sorry about the delay, we were having major file hosting issues.
It's not every week you get to listen to some of the world's finest videogame bloggers from across the globe come together for an in-depth discussion on games, movies and balls. Oh wait, you do.
This week on The Easy Mode Podcast, we talk Red Dead hunting, Kane and Lynch 2, Limbo, Splinter Cell co-op, Avatar Paintball and Inception.
Continuing this years Summer Of Arcade promotion, this week sees the release of Hydro Thunder Hurricane on XBLA. The game will release today, July 28th, and will cost 1200MSP.
We here at The Easy Mode don't know a huge amount about this game, other than the fact that it's a sequel to arcade game Hydro Thunder, a powerboat racing game which was later released on Dreamcast, Playstation and Nintendo 64. However, the game looks like it'll be in the same vein as the F-Zero and Wipeout games, and could be a lot of fun, and it should be worth checking out the demo when it lands. For an idea of what to expect, check out the video below.
The first of two (that we know of, at least) planned DLC packs for Alan Wake is set to launch later today, July 27th. The DCL is priced at 560MSP ($7 US), though anyone who bought the game new will get this content free, courtesy of a download code which shipped with the game.
If you bought your copy of the game new, then there's very little reason not to pick this up. If you don't have a code, and you're on the fence as to whether to pick this up or not, then don't worry because there will be a review coming some time in the near future.
Update: If you redeemed your download code prior the release of the DLC, and have realised that the content doesn't automatically download, then fear not, as Microsoft are e-mailing out new download codes to you right now. What you shouldn't do, however, is go to the XBL Marketplace, and try to download the content from there (like I did), as you will be charged for it. If you do find yourself in this unfortunate position, then call the Xbox customer support team, and they should refund the points to your account.
For the purpose of describing Limbo, it's perhaps easiest to label it as a 2D platform-puzzler. However, to do so is really selling the game short, as for their debut effort, Danish studio Playdead Games have hand-crafted a bold and unique experience that borders on being an interactive work of art.
To see images of the game's striking art style will give you an idea as to how beautiful the game can be, but to see it in motion is another matter entirely. At times the game looks like a shadow play, though it's the small touches, and the attention to detail which stand out the most, such as the way long grass rustles and bends as you run past it, the way clods of dirt fly into the air when a heavy object falls, or the way dust and debris settles on top of stagnant water. Playdead Games have – somewhat ironically given the subject matter – given the environment such a vivid sense of life.
Here is the eighth track to be taken from Robin Hood Waiter Champion Have-Not, the forthcoming album from Shoes And Socks Off, and this week's track is slightly different in that it features full-band instrumentation, as opposed to being another acoustic singer-songwriter track. The track also sounds a good deal like Nirvana in one of their quieter moments, and if that's the sort of thing that interests you, check out the video below.
Even though I initially had a hard time swallowing its price tag, I bought an iPad a few weeks ago. I bought the cheapest version (16gb WiFi-only, $500) for two reasons: I don't plan on storing large amounts of video and music on it, and since I have an iPhone there's no way I'm paying for a 3G plan twice. For the first week I struggled to find a place for it in my gadget library - when would I use this iPad and not my iPhone or computer? - but once I finally worked out the iPad's strengths (and weaknesses), it's become an essential part of my day. Here are five reasons you should want the iPad, and five reasons why you might want to pass on it.
The argument between whose premium online service is better is somewhat fallacious. If you break down the features of the premium services, as well as their free counterparts, you'll realise the different strategies of Microsoft and Sony within the space. After the break, you can take a look at a table comparing all four services and how they stack up against each other.
This week marks the start of Microsoft's Summer Of Arcade promotion, and the first game up for release is Playdead Studio's Limbo. While details on Limbo are still pretty thin on the ground, the images and videos released so far show that it's a stylised puzzle-platformer, and it looks like it'll be an extremely haunting and atmospheric game, set in a well-realised world. To see for yourself, check out the video below.
If you need any more convincing, then maybe the huge amount of critical acclaim the game has been receiving will be enough to sway you.
Limbo is set to release on XBLA on July 21st for the price of 1200MSP.
Here's a twist I didn't see coming. The new Xbox Arcade slim comes with a matte finish, as opposed to the gloss of the "Elite" or "Pro" version. If I had a choice (which I do), my pick would be the matte. It has a more sophisticated profile, counterbalancing the harsher lines of the console more elegantly than its blazonly shiny older brother. It's a texture that begs for it to be touched and played with - much like the Nintendo DSi or even the Apple Blackbook.
Interestingly, it's another move that reflects the reverse-PlayStation design treatment that I mentioned in my analysis of the new Slim Xbox design. If you recall when the PlayStation 3 first launched, Sony differentiated its two SKUs with different finishes as well; the basic model had a predominantly all-black surface, while the higher-end model had chrome trims.
The 4GB model launches in North America August 3rd for $200. A bundle consisting of the 4GB Xbox 360 along with the Kinect sensor and Kinect Adventures pack-in will retail for $300. The bundle will be introduced along with the launch of Kinect, which will retail for $150 standalone, on November 4th.
Update: As Steven has pointed out, it was the Xbox 360 who first distinguished its premium SKU with design flourishes when it first launched in 2005. I still wonder if the strategy still holds true when the models look and feel so different (well, to my tastes anyways).
Monkey Island 2 is regarded by many fans as the best game in the Monkey Island series, and much like last year's special edition release, Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge is an attractive package to both newcomers and veterans to the series. Fans of the original now get the chance to experience the game again with beautiful hand-drawn artwork, new controls, reworked music and some extremely well done voice acting, while newcomers get to experience a modern take on one of gamings defining moments.
However, despite bearing this classic status among gamers who experienced it the first time around, those playing Monkey Island 2 for the first time probably won't hold the game in such high regard, as underneath the shiny new visuals and re-worked soundtrack beats the heart of an archaic and cantankerous game – one which revels in presenting the player with puzzles which are either relentlessly illogical, or require a good deal of back-tracking or trial-and-error guesswork to overcome.
Mark Hill Editor, Podcast Host Tyler Miller Editor, Artistic Director Steve McKay Contributor, United Kingdom Giang Cao Contributor, Australia Russ Crandall Contributor
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Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics. 
The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.
The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account!