Thursday Games ~ Halo 4 (Coming Nov. 6!)

So, as some of my blog readers probably already know (considering they're probably gamers, haha), Halo 4 is due out soon. Specifically, the release date is November 6, 2012; however, you can get the game a little earlier than most by waiting in line at GameStop around midnight with your pre-order receipt.

I know I am!

Coincidentally (or not? :P) there is another game being released exactly a week later, on November 13: the Call of Duty continuation, Black Ops 2. While probably not quite as interesting as Halo, it's still worth a look!

Check out these high definition Halo wallpapers below!

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Thursday Games #14: Halo 4

Halo 4 is looking to be huge, but not quite so big as its predecessors. It is surrounded in ominous promises and the vaguest of description by 343 Industries, the development team that Microsoft chose to replace the original creators of Halo, Bungie, after their choice to end their involvement in Halo (and Master Chief) at Reach.

The Xbox 360 game Halo 4, which is planned to be the eighth game released in the entire Halo franchise, will start a new trilogy by the name of "The Reclaimer Trilogy," and despite Bungie's wishes, will bring back the forgotten Master Chief and his trusted AI, Cortana.

The game is slated to be released in time for the holidays this year, but that should (of course) always be taken with a grain of salt. Though they have released a strong set of art and ideas, the information to actual gameplay and plot has been kept minimal. Whether this is because they haven't panned it all out yet, or because they want to keep it a secret, is still up for guessing.

In the meanwhile, though, you can get your Halo on with these high definition wallpapers featuring the main protagonist of the sci-fi series, Master Chief; the smart-mouthed AI partner, Cortana; and more!

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Thursday Games #14: Modern Warfare 3

Call of Duty is perhaps one of gaming's most successful recent franchises, seeing millions of copies fly out the door on the very first release day of each and every one of their games since Call of Duty 4. Now that they're already working on Call of Duty number eight, you can see how they have made quite a bit of dough on college kids desperate for a good FPS.

Each game switches between developers, from Infinity Ward (known for the Modern Warfare series) and treyarch (known for Black Ops, World at War, etc.). The games are simple, if you don't know them: war simulation. Everyone gets guns, equipment, etc., and you shoot 'em up on the battlefield. Anyone can get into it, so long as they don't mind the violence.

Personally, and on behalf of my good friends I am sure, there is a fundamental problem with Modern Warfare 3. After watching just a few minutes of gameplay early in the release of the game, we noticed it was pretty much exactly like Modern Warfare 2. They really had not changed much up... at all!

My school buddies would like to attribute it to the general lack of creativity Call of Duty developers have -- it would seem that there is quite a bit of similarity between the games released, even back to the beginning of the series. However, Modern Warfare 3's particular similarities issues spawn from Infinity Ward's recent legal issues with former development heads, I believe.

Back during Modern Warfare 2's reign as the leading Call of Duty game, a couple of the head employees at Infinity Ward were caught selling company secrets to competitors -- and they were taken off of the team as a result. Not that I condone what the employees were doing, but it definitely hurt Infinity Ward in the process, both now that the secrets had been sold and because they lost creative minds working on the new game.

However, overall, the game is actually quite enjoyable. Perhaps not worth the $60 I am sure it costs new at GameStop or something, but if you can find it used for $30-$35 from some college student online or something, and you have an Xbox Live connection, then it would probably be a good deal in my book. Until then, though, you can have these lovely MW3 high definition wallpapers.

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Thursday Games #13: Portal 2

Portal 2 is the epic sequel to the original mind-boggling puzzle/adventure game of Portal. One thing about the sequel is for sure: fans of the original will absolutely love to second. Portal 2 features a post-apocalyptic Aperture Laboratories, and as you can imagine that lends for some funny jokes (Valve can't resist!). Just remember, if live gives you lemons, throw the lemons back and demand a refund! You don't want life's lemons! I WILL MAKE COMBUSTIBLE LEMONS AND BURN LIFE'S HOUSE DOWN!

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Thursday Games #12: Star Wars The Old Republic (SWTOR)

Star Wars has always been a highly anticipated film series for game developers, both because of a massive cult dedication to George Lucas' universe and because of its fantastical elements that transition perfectly into gameplay. The story is all there, and the people will eat it up; the real challenge lies in presenting that story.

BioWare is a developer with the talent to turn epic stories into epic interactive game experiences, and so naturally it was the choice for developing the most ambitious Star Wars project yet: The Old Republic, an MMORPG to compete with the likes of World of Warcraft.

If you have not played it yet, then you are not doing your title of Gamer any justice. Though opinions vary widely, it is a milestone game for one of geekdom's flagship universes.

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Thursday Games #11: Borderlands 2

Borderlands 2 is due to come out in September of 2012, and if you are a fan, then you know you can get your pre-release wallpapers here to rev up for the game. Unfortunately, the second game does not seem to have any high definition wallpapers circulating yet, so the normal Borderlands walls will have to do (sorry!).

Gearbox Software put together a multi-platform game by the name of Borderlands back in 2009, and I doubt they knew how successful this game would be when it landed. It inspired the sequel, aptly named Borderlands 2, which is due out in the end of Q3 2012 (September).

Get into the Borderlands spirit with some of these backgrounds, and remember to reserve your copy of Borderlands 2 at your local game store today.

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BAM!

CL4P-TP: Interplanetary Ninja Assassin

That one hot character.

The whole gang, ready to solve mysteries.

Just classy.

Thursday Games #10: Prototype 2

Today's Thursday Games post is about Prototype 2, the sequel to the hit 2009 game developed by Radical Entertainment. In the original game, you play as a shapeshifter in mutant-plagued New York with no memories of his past, though in the second game you will play an entirely new character. The game is third-person, open world, and will be released April 24, 2012. Get your high quality backgrounds so you can look like a real Prototype fan!

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Thursday Games #8

Resident Evil 6 is scheduled for release in late 2012, and of course there is a lot of hype about it. Resident Evil has been going strong for almost sixteen years now, featuring a wide array of characters, settings, and stories. It has evolved into independent film franchises, game subseries, and other merchandise. Capcom, the creator of the RE series, are probably particularly proud of this one. To get you pumped up for the RE6, here are some high definition Resident Evil wallpapers (hopefully there will be more based around RE6 itself rather than the series closer to release).

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