Crispy Gamer News

Mightier does something that not too many games have had the courage to do: use connected devices as central components for gameplay. Mightier does this in a way that is almost seamless, so that it doesn’t feel clunky or stupid. In the game ypou play as the Actionaut, a special character that surveys the environment looking for special objects called Datagons. Unfortunately, the little explorer can only jump one level and the only way to get to them is to use an orbital laser to carve out plates that are locked into the planet’s crust.

Using a connected web cam and printer, players interact with the game in the real world. This is accomplished by using your printer to print out a schematic, which you then draw on, and rescan back into the game using a connected web cam. For those that want to experience the game without all the connected device interaction, the game offers an in-game doodle pad, but to play the game that way cheapens the entire experience. You can also draw on gear and other objects you pick up in the game and you can also design your Actionaut’s look.

It’s an interesting concept, and though the gameplay isn’t all that deep, it’s free, tries to be innovative, and is oodles of fun for a little while.

Download Mightier directly from www.ratloop.com. Appropriately, Mightier has been nominated for the 2009 IGF.

Electronic Arts and developer DICE revealed that some new downloadable content is in the works for the action platformer, Mirror’s Edge. Set for a late January release, the will be available for $10 USD or 800 Microsoft points. As an added bonus, all PS3 Mirror’s Edge owners will be able to download an additional map for free - in your face 360 owners.. This new Time Trial Map Pack challenges players to achieve the fastest times possible on nine races across seven all-new redesigned Time Trial maps. These environments won’t feature distractions like guns, cops, or even the city: it’s all about aesthetics and the fastest times.

DICE also confirmed today that the PC version of the game will ship to retailers in North America on January 13th and worldwide on January 16th, 2009. Onward and upward, friends. Check out these first screens from the DLC pack:

SEGA of America has the blue blur loose on the Xbox 360. Sonic Unleashed for the Xbox 360 is officially in stores across North America. Sonic Unleashed is an action-packed adventure filled with classic fast-paced gameplay and internationally-inspired locations. Sega promises that this game takes advantage of the newly developed proprietary Hedgehog engine and the power of the Xbox 360. But the real question is, does the game actually work this time out; previous Sonic games on the platform have been less than.. stellar.

Sonic Team’s newest endeavor features classic 2D/3D gameplay and incredibly fast daytime action. The game features new moves that make Sonic even faster including the Sonic Drift (to corner quickly without losing speed), Ring Energy (faster speeds brings more ring energy), QuickStep (to move side to side without losing momentum), and Sonic Boost (uses Ring Energy to give Sonic a speed boost)- each allowing Sonic to reach ridiculously high speeds. Sonic Unleashed also introduces the Werehog – Sonic’s dark alter ego who comes out when the moon shines bright. Within the nighttime levels, players can take advantage of the Werehog’s strong and flexible arms to fight tough enemies as well as to climb and swing reaching all new heights in each level.

Sounds like fun for the whole family. Sonic Unleashed is currently available for Xbox 360, the Wii and the PlayStation 2.

Ubisoft’s new Prince of Persia game has gone gold and will begin shipping to stores for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC on Dec. 2. Ubisoft also revealed that the prince’s latest adventure is still available for pre-order. Consumers who pre-order the game will receive the free Limited Edition Upgrade including Collectable Limited Edition packaging, an exclusive look at the making of Prince of Persia, a Prima digital mini-strategy guide full of developer’s secrets to help players master the game, a digital art book that chronicles the game’s journey from concept to final product, the original soundtrack scored by master composer Inon Zur and a whole lot more.

Prince of Persia will carry a suggested retail price of $59.99 for the Xbox 360 and PS3, and $49.99 for the PC.

EA DICE tries its hand at something new with Mirror’s Edge, an interesting action platformer that see players jumping from rooftop to harrowing rooftop in a future where freedom and liberty are in short supply. Eat your heart out Lara Croft? Maybe, but I’ll reserve judgment until our review rolls in. The game introduces Faith, a ‘runner’ who traverses the cityscape, engaging in hand-to-hand and armed combat, running from the law and solving platform puzzles.

The game is available now for PS3 and Xbox 360, with a PC version to be ready in January 20099. Downloadable content is already in the works for Mirror’s Edge, though a precise release date has not been revealed.

THQ’s de Blob heads to retail in North America, exclusively for the Nintendo Wii. Developed by THQ’s internal studio Blue Tongue Entertainment, de Blob challenges players to bounce, smash and paint a colorless city back to life. To bring Chroma City back to life players will use the Wii Remote to control the pick-up-and-play action, which combines platforming with music, and color.

de Blob is available for a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Screens from this darker POP adventure.

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