We are getting closer to the release of the Back to Karkand expansion pack for Battlefield 3 containing four reimagined maps, each one changed slightly to show the pass of time with a few new buildings erected around the place. EA have also released the new trailer for their Strike at Karkand map that you can view above. EA and DICE look to be aiming to create a lot more destruction in the maps compared to the standard BF3, creating less places to hide and a heap more fun. The pack will also be introducing 10 all-new assignments introducing a new way to unlock things in the game,  giving you new weapons and matching dog tags. There is a total of 10 new weapons being added with the pack, as well as 3 vehicles, all brought over from BF2. The expansion pack is free to all those who pre-ordered Battlefield 3: Limited Edition, otherwise the game is also available for purchase on the release day for US$14.99/1200 Microsoft Points. PS3 players will exclusivly get 1 week early access.

The BETA of Battlefield 3 was released today on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3, I couldn’t help myself, I had to have a shot. Its looking to be a good game, expanding upon the Battlefield series with some new equipment, the most noticeable being the tactical light which I noticed the within my first round, they come with the advantage of blinding any players directly in front of you but come with the disadvantage of being spotted easier, I originally thought they had added a glare off the scopes to help spot people until I got a view of it pointed directly at me making it near impossible to see.

There was one thing that really bugged me at the start, and that was their choice to continue to a web browser to start the game from EA’s Battlelog, I felt it was an unnecessary feature, however I soon came to discover the full use of Battlelog and now I’m not so bothered with it, the game still starts up quickly and from a coding point of view it does seem easier to update Battlelog using web scripts instead of having to change game code. The game still has a few small bugs here and there as can be expected from a BETA and EA seem to be working hard fixing them all up ready for the release. Battlefield 3 is coming together nicely and if you still haven’t preorderedyour copy I suggest you do so.

Valve today have confirmed the rumors of a new Counter-Strike. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO) has been targeted for release on Steam, the Playstation Network and Xbox Live Arcade. It is set for release in early 2012, 12 years after Counter-Strike was first released and introduced FPS gaming to many gamers before the Call of duty franchise was even started. CS: GO is to feature new maps, characters, weapons and gameplay modes as well as introducing a matchmaking system and leaderboards. As well as the new maps CS: GO will also have some updated Counter-Strike Classics such as de_dust.

A game that looks ready to compete with the ‘Left 4 Dead’ franchise is now only a few months away. Dead Island is a tropical paradise island where a deadly epidemic has broken out where you take the role of one of the four main characters each with their own specialization and accompanying skill tree, the game is set to focus mainly on melee combat while still containing some FPS. The gameplay seems fairly straightforward, fight your way through hordes of zombies in an open world landscape ultimately trying to find your way off the island, add some brutal customizable weapons like a deadly combination of a baseball bat and a buzz saw and you’re set for a good time.

The zombies and visuals look amazing with a multi-layered system implemented on the zombies allowing for you to get through their skin and into their muscle with real time damage, allowing for even more gore in a visually stunning world. As well as some weapon customization the game also includes a leveling system, where you may work your way through your skill tree customizing your character to suit your play style. The game is also including a co-op multiplayer which should add to the fun. I am excited to see how the game turns out and believe the L4D franchise may now have viable competitor. The game has been set to release on the 6th of September for North America and the 9th of September for the rest of the world.

Zeno Clash is a rather old game that until recently, I had no idea it existed. Its is a rather different game which I find best falls under the category of FPF (First Person Fighter) where you take the role of Ghat, a man on the run from his own family. All the characters in the game have their own creepy unique looks that go well with the all round oddness of the surroundings. The gameplay is fairly simple and straightforward where you fight or shoot anyone that gets in your way using some great combat mechanics allowing you to attack, defend and counter as well as learning some advanced moves not far into the story. The storyline itself is as weird and mysterious as the character design, as well as being rather short making up around 4 hours although there is also a survival mode in which you work your way up a tower fighting your way through groups of enemies allowing for great replayability.

Zeno Clash is built on Valves Source engine available through Steam and the Xbox Live Marketplace. The ‘Ultimate Edition’ on XBLA includes new game content and new co-op play modes not available through Steam sadly, so I may also have to purchase it there, it is a great game and seems worth it for its addictive gameplay.

I recently got a chance to play Resident Evil: Mercenaries 3D. Before playing the game i was already wondering how they got around the fact that the Nintendo 3Ds only has 1 Analog stick, the single Analog stick controls both your movement and your aim, hold the R button and you can aim, hold nothing and you run, hold both R and L and you can aim and walk, it takes a little while to get used to the controls but once you’ve got that down the game becomes a lot easier.

I Found the Graphics in the game to be quite nice for a handheld, with a fair amount of gore without it being over the top, there is a lot of depth in the 3D which brings it all together nicely. The gameplay is simple yet addictive, just run around and kill as many zombies as you can within the time limit, while bettering your score each time. The Online Multiplayer brings another perk to the game, allowing you to play locally or online with a friend, although it lacks communication if you are playing online the local games are a lot of fun.

If Resident Evil: Mercenaries 3D isn’t enough for you, the game also comes with Resident Evil: Revelations (pilot) as a preview game under Special Features with similar controls incorporating a look control on the touch pad, which looks as though it could be evolved to act as a secondary analog for full aiming and walking control. Revelations seems like it will be back to the survival horror style game with some nice dark atmospheric effects and some nice looking zombies. Altogether Resident Evil: Mercenaries is a great casual game to play, with great replayability.

Valve have recently announced their game Team Fortress 2 as Free to play Forever, although there is still a cost on items from the in-game Mann Co. store, there is no longer a fee to download or to play. The move by Valve has received mixed responses from the Steam Community, with most negative responses due to the fear of Griefers and Cheaters, Valve has stated that they will be keeping an eye on players to make sure they do not exploit the system and create multiple accounts to  avoid the ban hammer.

For those who payed for the game Valve have confirmed a Proof-of-Purchase hat, as well as being upgraded to a ‘Premium’ account, if you have not payed for the game you will have a ‘Free’ account with limited items and inventory space, ‘Free’ users may make their account ‘Premium’ by making a purchase from the Mann Co. store. Personally I feel the move should draw in an even bigger community to an already large game, and introduce a few more people into the great Steam Community. If you do not yet have the game you can get started here.

EA has now officially announced the release date for Battlefield 3 as the 25th of October later this year, with an open beta set for September. EA have also released a short video showing off some great features of their new Frostbite 2 Engine above. With the destruction looking smoother than before, and the graphics and movement abilities looking amazing, this latest installation looks to be a smash hit upon release.

The long awaited update for the Nintendo 3DS has now been released, and with it the Pokedex 3D. Featuring over 150 Pokemon from the Black and White versions, giving you a full 3D view of the Pokemon along with their complete stats and a full list of their possible moves.Pokedex 3D is free from the newly launched Nintendo eShop, the eShop also has DSiWare, Virtual console games, and currently a free for 30 days 3D Classics game ‘Excite Bike’, the 3D in the game is nothing to extreme, but it is still a fun and addictive game that has me looking forward to more 3D classics to come.

The update also included the internet browser, on its first use you are given the choice of which search engine you wish to use as default, you have Google and Yahoo to choose from. The browsing is simple and fast, allowing you to navigate the page using either the touch screen or the analog stick. Sadly YouTube does not yet work on the browser, although the browser does allow you to save images, or even use this website http://www.3dporch.com/users/3DSView select the image you wish to view, then wait a little bit and it will pop up in 3D with an image to save if you wish (if it does not work make sure on the actual page of the image the ‘.MPO’ button is selected).