Well it appears that Valve is being it’s usual generous self and is giving out L4D2 to anyone accidentally banned recently from Modern Warfare 2. I feel that this is quite nice of them and a nice way to make up for this mess-up but I do wish things like this didn’t keep happening.

Letter from Valve after the jump:

Hello,

Recently, your Steam account was erroneously banned from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

This was our mistake, and I apologize for any frustration or angst it may have caused you.

The problem was that Steam would fail a signature check between the disk version of a DLL and a latent memory version. This was caused by a combination of conditions occurring while Steam was updating the disk image of a game. This wasn’t a game-specific mistake. Steam allows us to manage and reverse these erroneous bans (about 12,000 erroneous bans over two weeks).

We have reversed the ban, restoring your access to the game. In addition, we have given you a free copy of Left 4 Dead 2 to give as a gift on Steam, plus a free copy for yourself if you didn’t already own the game.

To share your extra copy of Left 4 Dead 2 with a friend, you can ‘Manage Gifts and Guest Passes’ from the ‘Games’ Menu in Steam, or visit this article on the Steam Support site for detailed instructions: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_…4502-TPJL-2656.

To access your own copy of Left 4 Dead 2, visit your library of games in Steam. If you didn’t already own the game, it will now be listed among your others there, and is available for download immediately.

Regards,
Gabe Newell
President, Valve

Forget StarCraft. 2011 here I come.

The Alley of the Dolls is the latest installment in the franchise. The game starts in a kind of in media res to where Sam and Max are hiding in Stinky’s diner from a horde of Sam clones. This game is fairly interesting. It takes a kind of zombie apocalyptic setting combined with a mystery of what all is going down. The game focuses more on story than puzzle I feel and is once again not as innovative and new, but the story is really what pushes the game.

I do not like giving out spoilers, but here is basically what happens, after escaping the diner the game basically becomes one large puzzle on how to achieve a certain task, which is a bit different from the task to task puzzle solving of the other games. It makes a much larger puzzle that is cool and innovative. The puzzle really is not too complex though and all in all this episode feels pretty short. The complicated end game did add a bit of challenge and variety to everything overall though.

There is not much I can say about it since well there is not much new to describe at all (read my reviews of the previous episodes). The game is solid though and sets up for what seems like it is going to be an awesome ending to this season.

Sam and Max Season 3 Episode 4 definitely continues the quality of the series. This game really is more about story though and is overall enjoyable. The puzzles are not too challenging but still interesting. The dialog in this game is also quite well done. Overall it is a good installment and I am throughly excited for the closing chapter.

VGTribune gives The Alley of the Dolls an 8.5/10

This review was based on a review copy provided by the developer.

The five-episode season of Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse is available on PC, Mac and PlayStation 3 for $34.95, from http://www.telltalegames.com/samandmax/thedevilsplayhouse. The Penal Zone is available now on the iPad and can be purchased via the App Store.

After the monthly releases are complete, season customers will have the opportunity to get a Collector’s DVD containing all five games and bonus content, for just the cost of shipping!

Well it appears to be that time of year again, the time when Crytek come out and actively promote there game like mad. As we all know they have made massive claims about their Crysis games before but have only met up to them in the graphical department. Now with Crysis 2 on the way to consoles as well as the PC Crytek are obviously eager to be heard and hoping for a major success. I personally wish them luck and hope the AI really is good but more importantly that its not just he graphics that we play the game for this time. Though, It will give me another game to brag that i can run on x8AA. Are you looking forward to Crysis 2? Let us know in the comments and introduce yourself. We want more commenter’s to liven the place up guys!

Crytek Quote:

Source: CVG

Recently Blizzard decided that as part of there big update to their forums and battle.net accounts that everyone would have there real name showing to anyone when they posted. This sparked up a massive amount of complaints and moaning from the community who would obviously like to troll without there names being known. As such Blizzard has now backed down on their idea and released a statement saying:

I’d like to take some time to speak with all of you regarding our desire to make the Blizzard forums a better place for players to discuss our games. We’ve been constantly monitoring the feedback you’ve given us, as well as internally discussing your concerns about the use of real names on our forums. As a result of those discussions, we’ve decided at this time that real names will not be required for posting on official Blizzard forums.

We will still move forward with new forum features such as conversation threading, the ability to rate posts up or down, improved search functionality, and more. However, when we launch the new StarCraft II forums that include these new features, you will be posting by your StarCraft II Battle.net character name + character code, not your real name.

Hit the jump for the full press release and one more piece of concept art!

ACTION AND FANTASY COLLIDE IN BIOWARE’S DRAGON AGE 2

Rise to Power and Change the World Forever in the Sequel to 2009’s RPG of the Year

Guildford, UK (July 8, 2010) – Leading video game developer BioWareTM, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), confirmed today that Dragon AgeTM 2 is in development at BioWare’s Edmonton-based studio. Dragon Age 2 is the sequel to the triple-platinum-selling Dragon Age: Origins which was named “RPG of the Year” in 2009 by Game Informer, G4, IGN, and SpikeTV. With Dragon Age 2, the world’s preeminent RPG developer is revolutionizing the genre again, infusing the universe with more action, a new, more responsive combat system and a dynamic story that is already among the most multifaceted in gaming. Dragon Age 2 traces the rise to power of Hawke, a survivor of the Blight and a hero who will transform the face of the Dragon Age universe forever. The new game is scheduled for release in March of 2011 on the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation 3 computer and entertainment system, and PC.

“Last year’s launch of Dragon Age: Origins was one of the most successful in BioWare’s 15-year history and one of the most successful new IP launches in the 28 year history of EA,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Senior Vice President of Electronic Arts and co-founder and Group General Manager of BioWare. “Dragon Age 2 will simultaneously deliver an epic story and set a new bar for intense action in the genre. We’re very excited to deliver this next bold evolution in the Dragon Age franchise to our fans.”

“With Dragon Age 2 we are creating an exciting new entry point into the Dragon Age universe while ensuring that fans of the original game retain a sense of satisfaction and familiarity in the world,” said Dragon Age 2 Executive Producer Mark Darrah. “We are amplifying the things that made Dragon Age: Origins such a huge success while introducing a more dynamic combat system, improving the graphics, and telling the most important story in our world.”

Dragon Age 2 thrusts players into the role of Hawke, a penniless refugee who rises to power to become the single most important character in the world of Dragon Age. Known to be a survivor of the Blight and the Champion of Kirkwall, the legend around Hawke’s rise to power is shrouded in myth and rumor. Featuring an all-new story spanning 10 years, players will help tell that tale by making tough moral choices, gathering the deadliest of allies, amassing fame and fortune, and sealing their place in history. The way you play will write the story of how the world is changed forever.

Dragon Age 2 is in production for the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation 3 computer and entertainment system, and PC. For more information on Dragon Age 2, please visit our website at www.DragonAge.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dragonage or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/DragonAgeOrigins.

The Engineer Update is finally upon us. Yesterday, Valve started on the TF2 blog the beginning of the final class update, to our knowledge, the Engineer. The Engineer has been a long anticipated since the class updates began about two years ago. Finally here, so far Valve has shown a Golden Wrench which turns people into gold statues when killed by it. There is also a new TF2 comic they put up.

http://www.teamfortress.com/loosecanon/

More on the Engineer update as it comes.

Puzzle Agent is the newest game by Telltale, known for being the current leaders in the point and click adventure genre, as you can surmise, Puzzle Agent is no different. Puzzle Agent is a game that basically follows the Professor Layton style of gameplay. Play through puzzles to get further in the story. The only difference is, is that Puzzle Agent is much shorter.

So lets being with probably the best feature of Puzzle Agent, the graphics. The graphical style of Puzzle Agent is very unique. It takes the Grickle comic series type of drawing and puts in into the point and click adventure story telling form. The entire game looks very nice. It is unique and definitely adds to the game.

The next best feature is the sound and music. The voice acting is really well done in Puzzle Agent and all the characters have good voice actors. It is always all voice acted throughout which is a nice bonus to the game. In addition, the music score is very well done for Puzzle Agent. The songs are enjoyable to listen to, and while not as catchy as some of the Layton songs, Puzzle Agent has a good score nonetheless.

And the third good feature of the game is the story. The story is basically the Nelson Tethers, the FBI’s lead puzzle agent, must solve a case in a puzzle crazed town involving the shutting down of an eraser factory. So right away Nelson is questioning people trying to figure out whats going on. The real oddity is live gnomes that keep randomly showing up. Puzzle Agent leads the player through the mystery of the Eraser Factory and then to the mystery of Scoggins (the town he’s been stationed to) overall. The story does not have too many twists, just some oddities about it. It stays captivating, however it really does in the end do a poor job of cleaning everything up, which makes one wonder if we will eventually see a sequel.

The gameplay in Puzzle Agent mirrors Professor Layton to a tee. In fact there are hidden puzzles, puzzles from talking to people, etc. It really is Professor Layton. The thing is, I found the puzzles to be much more simplistic than in Layton games. I had a fairly easy time with each puzzle, when it was clear enough to what I was doing. All too often the point of the puzzle was not clear and having to unlock hints was the only way to figure it out. A bit more work I think needed to go into the puzzles and also not blatantly ripping off Professor Layton style gameplay. The thing is though that Layton also had a lot more puzzles and a lot more depth. So overall, the gameplay really kills Puzzle Agent in that it does nothing very innovative and really just makes the game a story with some easy puzzles thrown in there.

Overall Puzzle Agent is a nice, little, and quick point and click from Telltale. If you are interested in more of a puzzle solving experience after Professor Layton, then go ahead and try it out, however out of the Telltale games I must say it is one of the weaker ones. The graphics, story, and sound are all solid it is just the gameplay kills it quite a bit. Hopefully Telltale will release a sequel that will improve the gameplay a bit and close up the story. It was enjoyable, it just did not feel complete.

VGTribune.com gives Puzzle Agent a 7/10.

Puzzle Agent can now be ordered for PC/Mac for $9.95. Pricing and availability for additional platforms (iPad, iPhone, and WiiWare) will be announced shortly. This review was based on a review copy provided by Telltale games.

PlayStation 3 fans are being forced to have patience as there has been no word of a release for the console version. Hit the jump to find out exactly what the PC collector’s edition has!

FINAL FANTASY XIV FOR WINDOWS PC CONFIRMED FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 RELEASE

FINAL FANTASY XIV PC Collector’s Edition to Offer Early Access to the Realm of Eorzea

LOS ANGELES (June 30, 2010) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that the highly anticipated massively multiplayer online game FINAL FANTASY® XIV is set for global release on September 30, 2010 for Windows PC.

In advance of the September 30 release, FINAL FANTASY XIV PC Collector’s Edition will offer early access to adventurers eager to embark on this new chapter in the FINAL FANTASY series. In addition, the Beta phase for the Windows PC version will begin in early July 2010.

* FINAL FANTASY XIV PC Collector’s Edition pre-orders will include the Onion Helm, an exclusive in-game item which accelerates character recovery after falling in battle. FINAL FANTASY XIV Windows PC Standard Edition pre-orders will include a pair of Garlond Goggles, an exclusive in-game item which increases the speed of skill progression.

“This September, players around the world will join together to explore the fascinating and exciting realm of Eorzea,” said Hiromichi Tanaka, Executive Producer ofFINAL FANTASY XIV. “We’re presenting players with a new style of online gameplay that we know will please avid fans of online games, while welcoming more casual gamers with a variety of gameplay and story-driven content.”

For additional information, visit http://www.finalfantasyxiv.com.

FINAL FANTASY XIV will become available for preorder at certain retailers from today.

Those who have registered their PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system version FINAL FANTASY XIII Campaign Codes can now choose to apply this code to the Windows PC version of FINAL FANTASY XIV. These players will also receive a pair of Asuran Armguards, an exclusive in-game item which enhances the effectiveness of their characters’ equipped arm or tool.

The Windows PC Standard Edition will have an SRP of $49.99. The PC Collector’s Edition will have an SRP of $74.99. The FINAL FANTASY XIV PlayStation 3 system version will be available early March 2011, with pricing to be announced at a later time.

Access to Eorzea is subject to certain license agreements and, after the 30-day free gameplay period, recurring subscription fees. All new game packages come with a period of free gameplay, one playable character and one non-playable retainer character (a non-playable character that provides free item storage and in-game merchant services). After the free gameplay period, the regular 30-day subscription fee will be $12.99. Each additional playable character will be $3.00 per period, with a maximum of 8 playable characters per account. Each additional retainer will cost $1.00 per period.

Story

In the past, the city-states battled tirelessly, vying for domination and hegemony. Death-mongering beast tribes pillaged the land unchecked, leaving only destruction in their wake. Unseen enemies lurked beyond the borders, striking at the slightest provocation or show of weakness. The history of Eorzea is a tapestry woven of war and strife, stained with the blood of those gone before, and the tears and ash of fallen endeavor.

And yet the love the gods bear this unforgiving land endures, now as always. What is the allure of this seemingly forsaken place? With what hope and to what end do would-be inhabitants journey here to live out their days?

The answer lies with that which gives form to Hydaelyn and all myriad creation in it – crystals. The cornerstone of all things, it is these crystallized manifestations of the aether that beckon the people to come, risking all in the undertaking.

And so it is that adventures too have harkened the call – to bear witness to the epic set to unfold in this land. This Eorzea.

Features

• Conceived and produced by notable FINAL FANTASY developers – Produced by Hiromichi Tanaka (FINAL FANTASY I, II, III, XI) and directed by Nobuaki Komoto (FINAL FANTASY IX, XI), with art direction by Akihiko Yoshida (Vagrant Story®, FINAL FANTASY XII) and musical score by Nobuo Uematsu (FINAL FANTASY series).
• In-depth character creation – Choose a race and clan before going on to customize your avatar’s face, hairstyle, skin color and more, with subtle adjustments allowing for limitless possibilities.
• The Armoury System – With defining emphasis on the game’s weapons and tools, the Armoury System is a unique class system that influences both character development and an individual’s style of play. With it, players have the flexibility and freedom to fight, craft and gather whenever and however they so choose. Simply equipping an item will automatically cause the character to take on the class associated with it.
• Aetheryte transportation – Traverse the realm of Eorzea instantly using this seemingly supernatural teleportation system.
• Solo or party play – Adventure alone or in the company of others as you undertake quests and engage in battles on your travels through Eorzea.

Windows PC Version Beta Test Phase to Begin Early July

The next beta test phase is schedule to begin in early July. For more details on how to participate in the beta test, visit http://entry.ffxiv.com/na.

The required specifications for the Windows PC Beta Test are now available.

The requirements below may change at the time of retail launch. Please visit the official site periodically for the latest information.

** If using Windows XP, the executable files, installation and version updates should be set to Administrator settings.

*** 64bit OS will run in WOW64 (Windows on Windows 64) mode.

**** The file system in the drive containing the My Documents folder will need to be set to NTFS formatting.

***** A gamepad is not required.

They Stole Max’s Brain is the third episodic game in the third season of the Sam and Max series, and while it is not the best so far, it is still a quality installment. They Stole Max’s Brain is definitely not innovative like the first two episodes and feels a lot more like filler; the bridge between the beginning and end of the series.

So, it accomplishes what it sets out to do, create a story bridge  The basic premise is that after the events of last episode, Sam now must set out to find Max’s brain.

Players start the game with an interrogation, which is an interesting component of the series. Players can interrogate people in different ways and put together information by going from source to source and eventually get to a museum where you find Max. Then, by doing some standard point and click adventuring Max is saved.

The next section of the game involves Max trying to fix an augmented reality as a brain which is another use of psychic powers, but it can quickly get repetitive. It ends with a little twist and us waiting for the next chapter.

Something that I really didn’t like too much about this episode was that Sam was taking on a different personality and Max was not there for the beginning. It felt a bit awkward, I can see the humor in it, but the beginning was still a bit unhumourous. On the whole, this installment didn’t make me laugh as much as the others have. It felt like more of an empty experience. In addition, the game was relatively short. In fact, most puzzles I figured out fairly easily and I pretty much blasted through the game.

They Stole Max’s Brain is definitely not the pinnacle of greatness in the series, however it is a fairly good “bridge” game, it just doesn’t feel to be of the humor, originality, and quality of the previous two installments. Obviously it is a must play if you have played the others and does a nice job furthering the story.

VGTribune gives They Stole Max’s Brain an 8.3/10

This review was based on a review copy provided by the developer.

The five-episode season of Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse is available on PC, Mac and PlayStation 3 for $34.95, from http://www.telltalegames.com/samandmax/thedevilsplayhouse. The Penal Zone is available now on the iPad and can be purchased via the App Store.

After the monthly releases are complete, season customers will have the opportunity to get a Collector’s DVD containing all five games and bonus content, for just the cost of shipping!