UK Film Charts: November 21st-27th

Perhaps in much the same vein as Call of Duty's latest megamoth outing, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One is dominating the box office charts. Despite the arrivals of five new big films this week that will appeal to a variety of audiences, it seems the Twi-hard fans keep on flocking to the cinema, and soon enough I'll be providing my verdict on the beginning of the end for the series...
10. MONEYBALL (NEW)
9. DESI BOYZ (NEW)
8. IN TIME
7. DREAM HOUSE (NEW)
6. 50/50 (NEW)
5. IMMORTALS
4. THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN
3. A WEEK WITH MARILYN (NEW)
2. ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
1. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART ONE

Filling The Doctor Who Void- News Roundup (21st-27th November)

In this weekly batch of features, I'll be filling the void Doctor Who has left us with until Christmas and ultimately next Autumn with a round up of all the latest news regarding the show and opinions on some of the decisions taken by its execs recently. First up, let's see what was announced last week:

• Karen Gillian has revealed that Amy and Rory Williams will be making a cameo appearance in The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe. Gillan said of their work on the upcoming Christmas Special: "It was like we never left. [Their role] is brief, but it's really fun."
• Silva Screen have revealed the track listing for their upcoming Series 6 Soundtrack, due to be released on December 19th. On Disc One you'll find I Am The Doctor In Utah, 1969, The Impossible Astronaut, Trust Me, Help Is On Its Way, Another Perfect Prison, Greystark Hall, Apollo 11, Day of the Moon, I See You Silence, You're A Dead Man, Deadly Siren, Perfect Reflection, All for One, The Curse of the Black Spot, I've Got Mail, My TARDIS, Run Sexy, Locked On, The Chemical Castle, Which One Is The Flesh?, Scanning Me, Ransacked, Always With The Rory, Doctor Doctor, Tell Me The Truth, Loving Isn't Knowing, River's Waltz, Pop, Tell Me Who You Are and Melody Pond. On Disc Two there's Growing Up Fast, The Blush of Love, Terror Of The Reich, The British Are Coming, A Very Unusual Melody, When A River Forms, Pay Attention Grown Ups, The Enigma Of River Song, Bedtime For George, Tick Tock Round The Clock, A Malevolent Estate, Night Terrors, Apalapucia, 36 Years, Lost In The Wrong Time Stream, The Hotel Prison, Room Of Your Dreams, Fear Enough, What's Left To Be Scared Off, Rita Praises, Stormaggedon, Definitely Going, Over Your Shoulder, Ladieswear, Fragrance, My Time Is Running Out, Tick Tock, 5.02PM, The Head Of An Enemy, My Silence, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, Forgiven, Time Is Moving, The Wedding Of River Song and The Majestic Tale Of A Madman In A Box. Considering you get all of those for less than a tenner, I'd say this is one release you definitely should put on your radar!

UK Gaming Charts: November 21st-27th

Remember when I kept ranting about Zumba Fitness being top of the charts for months on end in the Summer? Well, let the ranting return for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3- though it's not a terrible game, it's hard to deny that it's barely above average for the franchise, and I'll tell you why later this week. Once again, it's top of the charts, and with only WWE 12 and Professor Layton 4 making their debuts this week, it looks like things are going to stay that way for a while...
10. SUPER MARIO 3D LAND
9. BATTLEFIELD 3
8. JUST DANCE 3
7. PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE SPECTRE'S CALL (NEW)
6. WWE 12 (NEW)
5. FIFA 12
4. THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM
3. SAINT'S ROW: THE THIRD
2. ASSASSIN'S CREED: REVELATIONS
1. CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 3

Russell Tovey Leaves Being Human

Russell Tovey has announced that he will leave Being Human before the opening episode of its fourth series. The BBC Three drama stars Tovey as a werewolf in disguise who befriends other supernatural creatures and who must protect the Earth from those who choose to misuse their super powers. Tovey said: "I'm going to miss Aidan [Turner, a fellow co-star who recently departed]. I didn't want to do it without Aidan and I wanted to leave on a high. It just felt like it was time. For me three is the magic number". Tovey's character George will make a cameo appearance in an episode of Series Four to explain his sudden exit; Being Human returns early next year.

Ninja Gaiden 3 To Be WiiU Launch Title

Team Ninja last worked with Nintendo on the relatively successful Wii exclusive Metroid: Other M, but fans of the developer have really wanted to see their Ninja Gaiden franchise appear on a Nintendo console for a while now. Enter Ninja Gaiden 3- a dramatic reinvention of the RPG formula, this sequel is looking like an ace brawl-em-up for 2012, and is currently set for release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 AND Nintendo WiiU. Yep, you read right, NG3 is going to be a launch title for the next generation console, which is due for release in the third or fourth fiscal quarter next year. Quite how the game will make use of the controller's built-in screen, we don't know yet, but certainly it should provide a unique and innovative take on the characters and gameplay for series veterans, and hopefully an accessible entry point for newcomers too! Ninja Gaiden 3 hits stores for 360/PS3 in Q1 2012, while the WiiU's launch details are set to be revealed at next year's E3 conference in June.

Coming Up This Week: November 28th-December 4th

Blimey, are we really about to hit the final month of 2011 already? Believe it, and believe too that there's still a wealth of great entertainment releases to come before the year's up. You probably wouldn't guess that from this week's line-up, but there are still definitely a few things to look forward to:
NEW MOVIES- Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Steve Martin unite to tackle their bucket lists in The Big Year; a classic horror is resurrected with The Thing and kids can get their groove on with some penguins once again in Happy Feet Two.
NEW SHOWS- Walden meets a potential new flame in Two and a Half Men: A Fishbowl Full of Glass Eyes, while Greg has a new patient to deal with in House: Perils of Paranoia, the New Directions must recover from a devestating blow in Glee: I Kissed A Girl, Warwick meets Steve Carrell via Skype in Life's Too Short and the Knights of Camelot discover a momentous shrine in Merlin: A Herald of the New Age.
NEW DVDS- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two; Transformers: Dark of the Moon; Horrid Henry: The Movie and the first volume of Merlin Series 4 (containing Episodes 1-6) all ship this week, so it's a pretty big one for those of you who need to catch up on some of 2011's best entertainment!
NEW GAMES- Things are getting very quiet on this front (and they'll stay that way now until February), with Assassin's Creed Revelations (PC), Puss In Boots and Power Rangers Samurai only serving to show this, but at least 3DS fans can finally get a hold of the much anticipated racer Mario Kart 7!
ON THE BLOG- I'll be bringing you reviews of Merlin: Series 4 Volume 1, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Need for Speed: The Run, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Mario Kart 7 in days to come, plus it's just about time for our Advent Calendar 2011 to begin (doesn't time fly? I remember doing the 2010 edition like it was yesterday!). And of course, my COD review will then serve as a lead-in to my definitive verdict on whether DICE or Infinity Ward won the FPS war this year, so keep an eye out for that...

LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 Review (7/10)

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the sequel to LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (8.5/10) finds itself in an awkward situation, having the harsh task of following up on adaptations of Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean released earlier this year. Thankfully, Travellers Tales have still managed to retain much of the charm of the original in this one, successfully recapturing the dark tone of Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows despite a distinct familiarity overshadowing the whole experience. The solid gameplay of the LEGO franchise remains wholly intact, dependant on the 'Force'-style Wingardium Leviosa spell to move blocks into place and to solve puzzles. Sadly, though, this reliance on a single play technique makes most missions of the eight to ten hour campaign feel pretty repetitive, even if there's some kind of unique innovation in each of the twenty four levels to keep players interested (broomstick flights and wand duels being the most notable examples). Adding to the sense of there being lack of innovation present is the Hogwarts overworld, which looks damn near identical to Years 1-4 and still requires you to romp through it on countless occassions- perhaps the worst offence on TT Games' part is that it doesn't look wrecked at all in the midst of the final battle, just littered with duelling wizards and Death Eaters. If you can look past this overall shortcoming, then it's easy to see this as just being another fun romp for the Boy Who Lived, but when we've had so many other great titles this Autumn that are have been all but perfect video gaming experiences, it's pretty difficult to do that. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 retains the wit, humour and fun factor of TT's previous efforts, however I can't help but think that if the developer doesn't do something to surprise us with its next adaptation, it'll lose the strength and loyalty of its fanbase completely.

Super Mario 3D Land (8.5/10)

The history of Super Mario, Nintendo's famed Italian plumber mascot, is an illustrious one filled with great platforming moments that have defined entire generations of video gaming. Now, with Super Mario 3D Land, the head honchos at Ninty are hoping to finally gain a foothold on their 3DS sales, and given the overall quality of the final product I'd say there's a good chance of that. The plot is as simple as you'd expect- Bowser and his minions steal Princess Peach from Mushroom Castle, and it's your job to rescue her from their clutches. I'd say that keeping to this long established tradition is fine, although I'm beginning to question the approach for its predictable nature after such a storyline has been employed in Galaxy, New Super Mario Bros and more titles very recently. In fact, this brings me onto my main irk with 3D Land- everything feels rather predictable this time around, more so than usual. The game borrows from all twenty six years of Mario's past, bringing back Fire Flowers, Racoon Suits and Music Blocks, but as a result of this there's a real sense of lacking innovation throughout all eight Worlds. It's great to see such classic trademarks of the franchise brought back to life by the developers, yet it is hard to ignore the nagging wonder of whether this series can ever truly move forward on handheld consoles when such a reliance on the past rather than the examples of the present (Rayman Origins, for one) is noticeable in the game. That said, 3D Land is as fun as the franchise has ever been, making complete use of the 3DS' capabilities by using the newfound depth in its puzzles and packing tons of replay value thanks to the inclusion of Luigi and Green Star Coins for a second playthrough. If you want something new and inventive from Nintendo, you might have to wait until the WiiU releases next year, but if you're just looking for a bit of fun this Christmas, then go no further than Super Mario 3D Land.

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Review (9/10)

When I first saw the critics' verdicts on Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, I could not quite believe the number of 8s and 9s that were being given considering that the 2001 classic original pretty much scored 10s across the board- what could have changed? As it happens, nothing...but strangely enough, that's the main problem. You see, whenever I pulled out my copy of Combat Evolved in the past, I unknowingly wore nostalgia-tinted sunglasses that made the experience seem fluid and damn near perfect, when in reality this decade-old title has some notable problems in the case of comparing it to modern day first-person-shooters. Before I outline Anniversary's shortcomings, though, let's look at the positives: above all else, there's an undeniable sense of true freedom on the Halo ring uncommon in the likes of linear blockbuster shooters like Modern Warfare 3 and Medal of Honor, making this feel much more like a series of condensed sandbox maps rather than a predictable sequence of setpieces. On top of that, Halo's engine remains just as strong today, still showcasing how Bungie managed to revolutionise the console FPS in 2001 and standing firm against the Frostbite and COD engines in its fluidity and handling in intense battles. However, do you remember how the framerate of the game was choppy at best in the midst of the major conflicts of the Human-Covenant War, even causing the console to crash at its worst? Well, perhaps due to 343 Industries working more on maintaining two visual engines at the same time (you can switch between Classic and HD graphics, and believe me, the latter style is beautiful!), this issue still persists the title throughout, and it can really jar the experience when you're fighting alongside a human army and everything slows down for a few moments. In addition, do you remember how hard the original was? Boy, does Anniversary pose a challenge for those of us used to the Master Chief and the UNSC's sheer dominance of the Covenant in Halo 3, ODST and Reach, and sadly a lot of the time this is simply because Bungie were accustomed to throwing us into consecutive shooting galleries again and again, placing enemy after enemy in unfair positions and leaving little in the way of health packs (yep, after your shield depletes you're reliant on your health bar) to rejuvenate. These flaws are the biggest setbacks for Anniversary, and if you're a relative newcomer having started with Reach then you're likely to notice the flaws more than most fans will. To be honest, though, for the most part I'm nit picking: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is still one of the video gaming greats, boasting a reasonably lengthy campaign and a host of memorable multiplayer maps, and above all taking the sci-fi movie legends of lore (there are tons of riffs on Star Wars, Aliens and more) and turning them into a genre-defining epic that will be remembered for decades to come. Now, if we can just get Halo 2 Anniversary out before the Nextbox...
(http://i2.listal.com/image/2372775/600full-halo%3A-combat-evolved-anniversary-cover.jpg)

Assassin's Creed: Revelations Review (9.5/10)

Assassin's Creed: Revelations is a great game, going the distance to prove itself as a justifiable new addition to the franchise, and as a result turning out to be the best entry so far despite a few notable flaws. This time around, the plot revolves around Desmond's desperate rush to discover the final memories of both Renaissance Assassin Ezio Auditore's journey to Constantinople and Crusades Assassin Altair's final days in the Creed. The struggle between the Assassins and the Templars has escalated, and that means Ezio and pals must use deadlier means of weaponry to take down their enemies- as such, you'll employ new gadgetry like bombs, a developed brotherhood and the awesome hookblade to kick some ass history-style! These new gimmicks are cool, but like the bizarre 'Den Defense' and FPS-esque puzzle modes that have been thrown into the mix, they don't really do much to improve the tiring series formula, and in the case of those aforementioned modes they almost work against the gameplay at times. Worry not though, because for better or for worse, Assassin's Creed is just how you remember it: a tight, intense action-adventure title packed with comedy (one riff on the Guitar Hero series should resonate with gamers for quite a while), romance, battles and blood, and its setpieces have never been more engaging. Developer Ubisoft Montreal appears to have taken notes from some of the genre greats, because Ezio's epic adventures in the locations of the five Masayaf keys would feel equally at home in the likes of Uncharted and Tomb Raider, a trait which really adds to the blockbuster movie feel of the entire experience. Mostly, though, you'll get that sense from the fantastic storyline- while the writers have decided to shed many of the key characters from ACII and Brotherhood, there is a great new cast to get to know in all three time zones, and especially towards the end of the campaign some huge twists are revealed which really will shake up the franchise for long-term fans, promising big things from next year's conclusion to the Desmond 2012 arc. So, if Revelations is the best instalment in the series so far, and Brotherhood scored full marks last year, then why doesn't this? The answer is simply that video gaming has moved on since Assassin's Creed last shipped a new title, and Revelations does very little to prove that this franchise has moved on enough with the industry to justify its annual releases. Yes, the storyline is fantastic, wrapping up Altair and Ezio's stories beautifully, but it feels disjointed and lacking in direction on several occassions, and the cliffhanger at its conclusion is even more irritatingly vague than Brotherhood's. Yes, the hookblade and bomb system do help to ensure the gameplay doesn't feel repetitive and tired, yet at times you can't help but wonder whether less would have been more when the 'Den Defense' and puzzle modes are so jarringly inefficient. And yes, the multiplayer has seen a radical improvement, however it still won't be pulling people away from COD anytime soon. Ultimately, it boils down to this- Assassin's Creed: Revelations is a superb addition to the franchise, undoubtedly an essential play for fans, but if the development of gameplay mechanics is going to be this minor every year from now on, then the series could really risk getting stale in 2012. Sort it out for AC3, Montreal!

UK Film Charts: November 14th-20th

In perhaps the least surprising turn of the year, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One has reached the top of the box office charts in its first three days. The fantasy drama has surpassed Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One as the top non-3D opening for a movie, and the film currently stands as the best selling American movie launch in Great Britain. What will the future hold for Twilight as Sherlock Holmes, The Big Year, Mission Impossible, Puss In Boots, Happy Feet, War Horse and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo arrive soon? We will see...
10. THE IDES OF MARCH
9. THE RUM DIARY
8. JOHNNY ENGLISH REBORN
7. JUSTICE
6. TOWER HEIST
5. IN TIME
4. IMMORTALS
3. THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN
2. ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
1. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART ONE (NEW)

The Autumn Of Gaming According To Metacritic

With the Autumn of Gaming having reached its conclusion, I thought now would be as good a time as any to have a look at which games the critics rated highest using Metacritic, a website which awards title an average score based on all reviews submitted by the press. So, without further ado...
DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION- 89%
DEAD ISLAND- 71%
DRIVER: SAN FRANCISCO- 81%
RESISTANCE 3- 83%
RISE OF NIGHTMARES- 53%
WARHAMMER 40,000: SPACE MARINE- 75%
GEARS OF WAR 3- 91%
FIFA 12- 90%
X-MEN: DESTINY- 48%
DARK SOULS- 89%
RAGE- 80%
ACE COMBAT: ASSAULT HORIZON- 77%
SPIDER-MAN: EDGE OF TIME- 59%
FORZA MOTORSPORT 4- 91%
SKYLANDERS: SPYRO'S ADVENTURE- 79%
BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY- 95%
BATTLEFIELD 3- 86%
KINECT SPORTS: SEASON TWO- 67%
GOLDENEYE 007 RELOADED- 74%
SONIC GENERATIONS- 78%
UNCHARTED 3: DRAKE'S DECEPTION- 91%
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 3- 88%
THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM- 95%
LEGO HARRY POTTER: YEARS 5-7- 79%
SUPER MARIO 3D LAND- 89%
ASSASSIN'S CREED: REVELATIONS- 81%
HALO: COMBAT EVOLVED ANNIVERSARY- 83%
NEED FOR SPEED: THE RUN- 66%
RAYMAN ORIGINS- 88%
SAINT'S ROW: THE THIRD- 84%
ULTIMATE MARVEL VS CAPCOM 3- 80%
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SKYWARD SWORD- 95%
So running at the front of the pack for Game of the Year now are Arkham City, Skyrim and Skyward Sword- what will your choice be? I already know mine...

First Skyward Sword Reviews Are In

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword hit stores last week, and while I probably won't be able to bring you a review of that just yet (I'm bogged down with Assassin's Creed: Revelations; Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary; Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 right now, all of which will be rated very soon), I can give you a good look at what the critics are saying about it:

IGN (10/10)- "This is the Wii game we've been waiting for- many wondered if and when Nintendo would ever find a way to delive a deeper experience that still fulfilled on Wii's limitless potential. Skyward Sword makes good on that promise."

JOYSTIQ (90%)- "Somewhere within Skyward Sword slumbers the best Zelda game of all time. It is choked by a dozen hours of needless cruft; but it's there, a masterpiece entombed by a misguided ambition to be the lengthiest game in the franchise's history."

GAME INFORMER (10/10)- "A game everyone should experience, something fun and challenging without feeling frustrating or silly."

GAMESPOT (75%)- "Skyward Sword stays true to the Zelda formula, carrying many of the same strengths and weaknesses that have been present for years."

EDGE (10/10)- "How apt that this ultimate tale of hero-making should see Nintendo's hardware becomes the console it was always meant to be."

OFFICIAL NINTENDO MAGAZINE (98%)- "It's not something we say lightly, but the Zelda series has never been this good."

METACRITIC AVERAGE: 95%

Doctor Who Convention Announced For 2012

Next year looks to be a much calmer time for Doctor Who, with the series not set to return until the Autumn. Thankfully, BBC Worldwide are going to try and make up for this- an Official Convention has been scheduled for the 24th-25th of March 2012. The convention will feature exclusive interviews with current Doctor Matt Smith, showrunner Steven Moffat and many more icons from the show, focusing mostly on Series Five and Six but also taking a look ahead to the new run and the specials heading into the 50th Anniversary. Tickets will cost £99. Also, Matt provided us with a few more details of what we can expect for starters (this probably isn't everything) on telly from Who in the next two years:

• At least one full series of 13 episodes (possibly Series Seven Part One in Autumn 2012, Part Two in Spring 2013)
• At least one Christmas Special (2012)
• At least one 50th Anniversary Special (Winter 2013)

So that's looking like 15 episodes in 2012/13, but we should wait for the BBC's official announcement- I wouldn't be surprised if there are a few specials over the course of 2013 as well as the remainder of Series Seven!

(http://digitaljournal.com/img/6/6/8/5/5/9/i/9/9/5/o/Doctor-who-convention-111111.jpg)

Snow White And The Hunstman Trailer Debuted

The first half of 2012 is packed with exciting movie releases- The Woman In Black, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 3D, The Muppets, Beauty and the Beast 3D, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, Wrath of the Titans, The Hunger Games, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, Scary Movie 5, The Avengers, Men In Black 3, Battleship, Rock Of Ages, Prometheus and Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted are all on their way before July- but perhaps the most intriguing new contender for Most Innovative Film is Snow White And The Hunstman, an epic take on the classic fairy tale starring Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth. The first trailer is here, and it does a good job of showcasing all of the action we can expect from this gothic adaptation...Snow White And The Huntsman is out June 1st, 2012.

UK Gaming Charts: November 14th-20th

It shouldn't really come as a surprise that chart megamoth Call of Duty managed to maintain its lead this week, but a wealth of new releases have managed to shake things up a bit elsewhere. Since there's been so many new titles, I thought I'd include the Top 20 releases of the week in their entirety:
20. MARIO & SONIC AT THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES (NEW)
19. FORZA MOTORSPORT 4
18. MOSHI MONSTERS: MOSHING ZOO
17. BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY
16. UNCHARTED 3: DRAKE'S DECEPTION
15. ZUMBA FITNESS
14. SKYLANDERS: SPYRO'S ADVENTURE
13. LEGO HARRY POTTER: YEARS 5-7 (NEW)
12. MICHAEL JACKSON: THE EXPERIENCE
11. NEED FOR SPEED: THE RUN (NEW)
10. JUST DANCE 3
9. SUPER MARIO 3D LAND (NEW)
8. BATTLEFIELD 3
7. THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SKYWARD SWORD (NEW)
6. HALO: COMBAT EVOLVED ANNIVERSARY (NEW)
5. FIFA 12
4. SAINT'S ROW: THE THIRD (NEW)
3. THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM
2. ASSASSIN'S CREED: REVELATIONS (NEW)
1. CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 3

Coming Up This Week: November 21st-27th

So, the Autumn of Gaming is over (sniff), and therefore there must be loads of new entertainment releases from different areas this week instead...right? As you'll see, this is a pretty quiet week for us lot:
NEW MOVIES- Ahem. (Searches film listings desperately) Nope, there's pretty much nothing new at the box office in the next seven days, so perhaps it's worth trying out recent hits Arthur Christmas, Immortals or The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One?
NEW DVDS- The hit raunchy rom-com Horrible Bosses, fun animated sequel Cars 2, animal romp Zookeeper, recordings of Take That's Progress tour and Lee Evans' Roadrunner shows, the first series of Come Fly With Me and the fourth season of Outnumbered are all on their way to stores tomorrow, so either get your wallet out or put them on your Christmas wish list ASAP.
NEW GAMES- As I said, the Autumn of Gaming is all but finished now, however you can still get Rayman Origins, The Lord of the Rings: War In The North, WWE 12, Kinect Disneyland Adventures, Zumba Fitness 2 and Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked this Friday. Be warned, though- this really is where it all comes to a halt until Mass Effect 3 kick starts 2012's video gaming line-up next March!
NEW SHOWS- Merlin realises the return of an old friend may not necessarily be a good thing in Merlin: Lancelot Du Loc; Alan gets out of the mental hospital in Two and a Half Men: Frodo's Headshots; a death proves a deadly chain of events in House: Dead and Buried, the Glee club hit a monumental low in Glee: I Kissed A Girl, and Warwick meets Helena Bonham-Carter in unusual circumstances in Life's Too Short.
DOCTOR WHO: THE COMPLETE SIXTH SERIES- We're finally getting the full 2011 season of Who on DVD, so before The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe airs on Christmas Day, why not catch up with Amy Pond, Rory Williams, River Song and everyone's favourite Time Lord? Plus, see what the newly married couples get up to at night in the TARDIS in Night and the Doctor, and see the final series of Doctor Who Confidential in its entirety!
ON THE BLOG- Things have been a bit quiet here lately, and frankly that's because I'm pretty darn busy elsewhere, but expect reviews of Assassin's Creed: Revelations; Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary; Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3; LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7; Need for Speed: The Run and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One before week's end, plus the definitive verdict from Metacritic of the Autumn of Gaming's best releases!

First Super Mario 3D Land Reviews Arrive

The 3DS' first Mario adventure has been heralded by Nintendo as the game to save the console- but do the critics agree? The response to Super Mario 3D Land has been pretty positive so far:
IGN (95%)- "Brilliant and addictive, this should do for 3D-enhanced platforming what the original Super Mario Bros did for 2D platforming. If you own a 3DS, you have no choice- you simply must own this game!"
EUROGAMER (90%)- "You could wish for 3D Land to be more challenging, but you couldn't wish for it to be any denser, any more imaginative, or any more daring, or any more playful."
GAMESRADAR (90%)- "Though it falls slightly short compared to other Mario titles, 3D Land is certainly a release worthy of the character's legacy. It expertly builds on franchise history, has tons of clever ideas, and even with the rare control hang-ups, it stands tall in the realm of 3D platformers, especially compared to the paltry library of games the 3DS currently has."
1UP (B+)- "3D Land's playful reverence for the 8-bit days reminds us that Super Mario Bros 3 truly was an amazing game, but it does so at the expense of its own identity."
GAMESPOT (80%)- "It eases you in with creative level design and tight controls while leaving plenty of challenging content to be discovered."
METACRITIC AVERAGE: 90%

First Skyrim Reviews Are In

So The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, possibly the biggest fantasy RPG of this generation, has finally hit stores everywhere. I'll be providing my definitive verdict on the game very soon, but before that, let's take a look at the reviews from critics so far...
IGN (95%)- "A rare kind of intensely personal, deeply rewarding experience, Skyrim is one of the best role-playing games yet produced."
OFFICIAL XBOX MAGAZINE (10/10)- "It may frustrate you at times, but it will work its way inside your skin and replace the marrow of your bones. It never gives you an opportunity to neatly stop playing- see you in Spring!"
EDGE (90%)- "A world of ice and fire that delivers more than most games attempt."
SFX (5/5)- "Skyrim tops Tolkien for vision and almost every game for sheer quality. Finish Batman: Arkham City quick, because once this begins you're not playing anything else for months."
GAMESRADAR (10/10)- "It's sprawling, generous, gorgeous and ambitious. It does what few games can- it could be possible to play only this game for the next year and still not discover all of its mysteries."
METACRITIC AVERAGE: 95%

Skyfall Announced

Columbia Pictures recently revealed that the name of the twenty third James Bond film is Skyfall. Here are the first details on the new movie:

• It sheds the convoluted 'Quantum' storyline of Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace
• It takes Bond back to his suave, action-packed roots, supposedly the most true rendition of Ian Fleming's secret agent on the big screen yet
• Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes and Naomie Harris will feature in major roles in the film's storyline
• And speaking of plot, there'll be much more of a focus on Judi Dench's M- could we find out how she was recruited to MI7, and even more excitingly her actual name...?

A trailer for the movie is expected to be unveiled early next year; Skyfall will debut in cinemas on 26th October 2012.

UK Gaming Charts: November 7th-13th

Unsurprisingly, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has already become the biggest-selling entertainment title of 2011 within just six days of its launch. What has come as a bigger surprise, though, is that it has also become the biggest entertainment launch ever in this short period. Of course, this means it's topped Skyrim and its other competitors, yet with a huge wave of games hitting this week it'll be interesting to see if COD can maintain its lead, or at least if it does, then just how long it can keep it up:
10. WII PARTY
9. ZUMBA FITNESS
8. BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY
7. MOSHI MONSTERS: MOSHING ZOO (NEW)
6. UNCHARTED 3: DRAKE'S DECEPTION
5. JUST DANCE 3
4. FIFA 12
3. BATTLEFIELD 3
2. THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM (NEW)
1. CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 3 (NEW)

Coming Up This Week: November 14th-20th

This week is perhaps the biggest one of the month for entertainment releases, pretty much across the board! A huge wave of new games will arrive to close the Autumn of Gaming with a bang; vampires and werewolves will clash in the first part of an epic finale; a brilliant charity event will be hosted and some of the Summer's best viewing experiences will be released on disc. So, without further ado...

NEW SHOWS- Waldon discovers more about Charlie Harper in Two and a Half Men: Thanks For The Intercourse, while the Glee club face their school rivals in Glee: Mash Up, House faces a problem spanning whole generations in House: Parents, Warwick's comedy antics continue in Life's Too Short, and Merlin is struck by a dangerous illness in Merlin: Lamia.

NEW DVDS- Sensational comedies Bridesmaids and Larry Crowne hit stores this week, as well as the great animated sequel Kung Fu Panda 2 and the full season boxset of Torchwood: Miracle Day.

GAMES BLITZ!- Think we gamers did well to get Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim last week? Turns out there's lots more to come as the Autumn of Gaming reaches its conclusion- Assassin's Creed: Revelations; Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary; Mario & Sonic At The London 2012 Olympic Games; Saint's Row: The Third; Need for Speed: The Run; Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3; The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword; Dreamworks Super Star Kartz AND (breaths) LA Noire: The Complete Edition will all be in stores near you by Friday, so wallets at the ready...

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART ONE- This epic opener to the movie adaptation of the last book in Stephenie Meyer's series enters brave new territory, as Bella finds herself being slowly torn apart by a vampire baby spawned shortly after her wedding to Edward Cullen. What will the ramifications of this event be on the war, and can Bella make it out of this with her heart still beating?

CHILDREN IN NEED- This one's always a great charity event, and this year we get turns from the casts of Outnumbered, Eastenders, The Muppets and Harry Hill's TV Burp, plus songs from JLS, Westlife and Susan Boyle, and even a sneak peak at this year's Doctor Who Christmas Special!

UK Film Charts: October 31st-November 6th

Secret of the Unicorn, Tintin's excellent 3D animated adventure, is doing well at our box office, having topped the charts for the second time this week. Newcomers Tower Heist, Machine Gun Preacher and In Time have had no luck trying to dislodge Moffat and Spielberg's epic, but will The Twilight Saga make big ripples on the charts come November 18th?
10. MACHINE GUN PREACHER (NEW)
9. THE LION KING 3D
8. THE IDES OF MARCH
7. CONTAGION
6. THE HELP
5. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3
4. JOHNNY ENGLISH REBORN
3. TOWER HEIST (NEW)
2. IN TIME (NEW)
1. THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: SECRET OF THE UNICORN

Saint's Row 4 Confirmed

Before we've even got the new Saint's Row: The Third in stores, developer THQ has all but confirmed that there will be another entry in the popular open-world series in the near future. "I already know what Saint's Row 4 is about," says THQ's Danny Bilson, "and it is wilder than this one. It's a good example of how you can take what you have and you can say, 'what can happen in the next?'." If there is going to be a fully-fledged sequel to The Third in 2012, I think we'll get an announcement soon, but for now Saint's Row: The Third ships on Friday November 18th.

Eddie Murphy Resigns From Oscars 2012 Role

Eddie Murphy will no longer host the 2012 Academy Awards (Oscars), it has been confirmed by the show's producers today. This follows the departure of producer Brett Ratner, a friend of Murphy who worked with him on the recently released comedy Tower Heist, after he made some negative remarks regarding the ceremony. Murphy said of his departure: "I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I'm sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job." Sounds a bit fishy, really, but we'll see how it all turns out for the new Oscars team and host when the show airs next February!

Call Of Duty 2012 Confirmed

With the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 yesterday being tipped as 2011's biggest entertainment launch, it comes as no surprise that Activision want to assure fans of the COD franchise that they'll be getting more next year. Henceforth, CEO Bobby Kotick revealed in a press statement today: "As we focus on 2012, we have a strong product pipeline which features a minimum of two highly-anticipated new titles from Blizzard Entertainment, including Diablo III, and a new Call of Duty game from Activision Publishing." No news yet on who's developing, but I'd expect Treyarch will be back to craft either a sequel to 2010's Black Ops or a brand new instalment for release next November.
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Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeway Return Confirmed

Ant & Dec have signed a new contract to bring back their television series Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, it's been confirmed today. The deal will see the show return for multiple runs until at least December 2013 on iTV1, with Ant and Dec hosting each show together and bringing on a host of special guest celebrities. I was a huge fan of the show in its original run from 2002 to 2009, so I'm looking forward to see where the new era will take the programme- could it match the successes of Strictly, Talent and the mighty X Factor? Saturday Night Takeaway returns in 2012.

UK Gaming Charts: October 31st-November 6th

Battlefield 3 continues to dominate in its second week, with new entries Sonic Generations and GoldenEye 007: Reloaded (#16) failing to make substantial impacts, only Uncharted 3 getting as high as second place, but where things get interesting is in the next fortnight, with nearly twenty new titles hitting the market...
10. SONIC GENERATIONS (NEW)
9. SKYLANDERS: SPYRO'S ADVENTURE
8. ZUMBA FITNESS
7. FORZA MOTORSPORT 4
6. FOOTBALL MANAGER 2012
5. JUST DANCE 3
4. BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY
3. FIFA 12
2. UNCHARTED 3: DRAKE'S DECEPTION (NEW)
1. BATTLEFIELD 3

XCOM Delayed

Although the bizarre science-fiction shooter/reboot XCOM was originally planned for release on March 6th next year, developer Take-Two has confirmed that the game will be delayed. Focusing on an invasion of the suburbs by unlikely extraterresterials, the title features strange physics mechanics and plot twists galore, but perhaps Take-Two thought it wise not to release on the same day as Mass Effect 3, one of the biggest releases of 2012. Whatever the reason, we'll see XCOM at some point in the fiscal year of April 2012-March 2013, and before March 2012 we'll be getting The Darkness II and Max Payne too.

Assassin's Creed 2012 Confirmed

Think your days with the Assassin's Creed franchise are done once you get your copy of Revelations and beat it? Think again- Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot confirmed this morning that "another great, full-fledged Assassin's Creed title" will be released in 2012, considered "a major release" for next year by the developer, with the promise that they'll "be communicating more about it in the coming months". Creative director Alexandre Amancio hinted in October we'd get AC3 before the fictional apocalypse in December 2012, so it should come as no surprise we're getting a new instalment next year. Assassin's Creed: Revelations ships Tuesday November 15th.
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November 2011: Top 5 Most Anticipated Releases

As you're probably already beginning to notice, November is jam-packed with exciting entertainment releases, so I've collated the five big entries you should look out for. That New Year's Eve, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Merlin, Need for Speed: The Run, Children In Need 2011, Saint's Row: The Third, Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games 2012 and many more titles didn't make the list goes to show how much there is to look forward to...
5. LEGO HARRY POTTER: YEARS 5-7- The first LEGO Harry Potter game was a great adaptation of the Boy Wizard's first four years at Hogwarts, so I can't wait to see how Travellers' Tales deal with the darker final adventures of the Potter lore across all platforms. (November 18th)
4. LIFE'S TOO SHORT- A new comedy from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant is always something to get excited about, but with iconic Star Wars legend Warwick Davis involved I think we're in for something really special on BBC Two. (November 10th, 17th, 24th)
3. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART ONE- In any other month this would easily have reached first place, but even so it should be exciting to find out what lies ahead in the coming days for Bella and Edward in this opening part of the epic finale to the series. (November 18th)
2. HALO: COMBAT EVOLVED ANNIVERSARY- It's time to return a game that while ten years old still easily stands the test of time- Combat Evolved is the definitive first person shooter, so here's hoping that 343 Industries can bring us a fully fledged high-def remake next week. (November 15th)
1. ASSASSIN'S CREED: REVELATIONS- This is where it all ends for Ezio Auditore Da Firenze. What secrets does a vault locked by Altair before his death hold for the Renaissance assassin? And what bearing will this have on Desmond Miles' modern-day battle against the Templars, if and when he can get out of the coma he fell into in Brotherhood? All will be revealed, and I for one can't wait. (November 15th)

October 2011: Best Release

Was it ever going to be anything else? Batman: Arkham City swooped onto the scene last month to provide one of the most surprising and thrilling video game experiences of this generation, full of DC Universe-shifting storyline twists and powered by a sublimely reformed engine. The stealth and combat blend that made Arkham Asylum such a all-round success returned into full force here, developed gradually over the course of the twenty-hour campaign to the point that by the epic finale in the centre of the grand metropolis, you will truly feel like you are the Dark Knight himself. Not many games could attain the same level of empathy between the player and the central protagonist that this one does, and it's this strong overriding connection that's sure to bag this one several Game of the Year awards come 2011's end (it certainly puts this in very good steads for my own growing shortlist). Yes, if you have yet to experience Batman: Arkham City, you should put the time in before Modern Warfare 3 and Skyrim consume your gaming lives for months and months- as I said in my review, where the game earned lofty full marks, this truly is a genre-defining title.

JANUARY 2011: THE KING'S SPEECH
FEBRUARY 2011: MARVEL VS CAPCOM 3

MARCH 2011: ALEX RIDER SCORPIA RISING

APRIL 2011: PORTAL 2/DOCTOR WHO: DAY OF THE MOON

MAY 2011: LA NOIRE

JUNE 2011: X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

JULY 2011: HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART TWO

AUGUST 2011: RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

SEPTEMBER 2011: TORCHWOOD: THE BLOOD LINE

First Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Reviews Are In

Perhaps this year's biggest entertainment launch, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has now hit UK retailers with an almighty bang. I'll be reviewing the game and shaping it up against Battlefield 3 and Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary later this month, but for now here are just a few of the critics' verdicts:
IGN (90%)- "Despite its flaws, Modern Warfare 3 takes the fantastic series we've come to love and iterates on it with great success. The singleplayer campaign and Spec Ops mode add value to the overall package, creating something that may not be perfect, but is too damn addicting to pass up."
DIGITAL SPY (4/5)- "It certainly treads familiar ground, but MW3 offers a package that once again proves why Call of Duty remains such a powerhouse in gaming."
GAMEINFORMER (9/10)- "The core elements of multiplayer and the campaign remain fundamentally unchanged, but the game serves as a great example of how many subtle tweaks can add up to an improved overall product- a worthy sequel to one of the most successful franchises of all time."
GAMESRADAR (9/10)- "If you're looking for a new kind of shooter, look elsewhere. MW3 succeeds by doing more of what's always worked for the series. We just can't get enough."
GAMESPOT (85%)- "This is some of the best online shooter action around, and with the daunting challenges of Spec Ops and the exciting, globe-trotting campaign, MW3 stands tall as another great descendant of the game that changed a generation."
OFFICIAL XBOX MAGAZINE (9/10)- "Modern Warfare 3 is without question better than the last three COD games and easily the most spectacular entry in the series."
OFFICIAL PLAYSTATION MAGAZINE (9/10)- "The biggest surprise isn't that it serves up another great campaign, but that its take on Modern Warfare's world-conquering online multiplayer may be the best yet."
METACRITIC AVERAGE: 88%

Coming Up This Week: November 7th-13th

This week is a biggie, let me tell you now. From the intense battles of World War Three to the snowy mountains of Skyrim to the lofty ambitions of someone rather small, there really is something for everyone in the next seven days. Want proof...?
NEW MOVIES- Before Twilight returns to our screens on November 18th, why not try out 300-style fantasy Immortals, festive animation Arthur Christmas and Johnny Depp comedy The Rum Diary?
NEW DVDS- The Lion King: Diamond Edition makes its shiny debut on DVD and Blu-Ray on Monday, plus the eleventh season of Family Guy arrives with a boxset full of episodes and extras.
NEW SHOWS- More comedic escapades are on their way in Two & A Half Men Episode Seven, while Karl looks back on his exploits in his Bucket List challenges in An Idiot Abroad 2, the production of West Side Story is performed at McKinley High gets underway in Glee: The First Time, a sacrifice must be made in House: The Confession and Merlin faces a battle on both sides of Camelot castle in Merlin: The Secret Sharer.
NEW GAMES- Other than the two big game releases of the week (more on them in a mo), there's...Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2012 and The Black Eyed Peas Experience. Yep, not much on that front, but of course we've got two huge games on their way...
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 3- The FPS behemoth doth return for its eight outing, a stunning finale to one of the biggest video gaming trilogies ever, boasting a future-war campaign, a giant Spec Ops Survival mode, and of course the much-vaunted multiplayer mode. Expect this to be 2011's big seller!
THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM- And of course we're getting a massive role-playing title to begin to round off this year's gaming line-up- prepare to be amazed as you explore vast worlds, packed with charm and innovation, with random dragons and warlocks appearing to wreak havoc on a dark kingdom of magic and wonder. RPG fans, this is the one you need to keep you playing until Mass Effect 3, 2012's first big release in March!
LIFE'S TOO SHORT- Finally we've got a new comedy series from the minds of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, starring those two comic legends and the somewhat iconic Warwick Davis too. Get ready for hilarious cameos galore, and a really heartfelt look at what it's like to be small.

GTA V Details Revealed

After the shock reveal of the great first trailer for Grand Theft Auto V, Rockstar Games have released new details on their anticipated new open-world shooter. The press statement released this week called GTA V "the largest and most ambitious game Rockstar has yet created", confirming the game would take place in Los Santos (one of the three cities that made up the city of San Andreas in the titular 2004 entry) and feature an extensive online multiplayer mode. Other than that, details are scarce on the project, but expect much more early next year and at the Electronic Entertainment Expo next Summer. Grand Theft Auto V will release in Winter 2012.

Sherlock Episode 1 Press Screening Announced

We've been waiting for Steven Moffat's modern-day adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes novels to resurface on our television screens for a while now, and with the announcement that the British Film Institute will be screening Sherlock: A Scandal In Belgravia, the first episode of Season Two, on Monday December 7th it's all but confirmed that the series will be back on BBC One by New Year 2012. The opening episode of three will resolve the big cliffhanger posed in Series One finale The Great Game back in July 2010, and feature Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Watson (Martin Freeman) on the tail of Miss Irene Adler in a thrilling new case. Tickets for the screening will go on sale this Tuesday; a Question and Answer session with the cast of the episode will take place after the 90-minute showing.

Batman: Arkham City- Is It Better Than...

BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM (2009, 10/10)? The Dark Knight's first true video gaming adventure was such a success, topping it was going to be a very hard task for Rocksteady. That said, even though the main storyline of Arkham City is perhaps not as intense or thrilling as the larger setpieces of Asylum, the way in which it integrates dozens of major villains from Bat lore is superb, and some of the DC universe-shifting twists that occur towards the climax of the narrative will provide massive shocks for anyone who has even merely glimpsed the comic books or graphic novels, or even any of the recent film adaptations for that matter. Add to that that the refined gameplay makes Asylum appear to be almost be a demo for this huge package, and the major fan service provided throughout through riddles, cameos and side missions, and you've got yourself a game which despite its very minor shortcomings (some of the plot threads you might expect to be picked up on, for example Strange's knowledge of Batman's identity, are sometimes left a little undeveloped) manages to top its predecessor in every way. Yes
UNCHARTED 3: DRAKE'S DECEPTION (2011, 9/10)? Depends on your preference, really: Uncharted 3 is basically the video gaming equivalent to a movie, constantly drawing you in across a tightly-handled narrative. While it leaves you little room to stray away from where it wants you to go, where it wants you to go will be consistently thrilling and shocking. Arkham City isn't all about the setpieces, but there is a lot more freedom and genuine empathy with the main protagonist than in Drake's Deception, and the Riddler Revenge challenge maps are much better value for cash than Deception's weak online multiplayer. I've nothing against Uncharted, but I'd say it doesn't boast the same competition to City that Skyrim and Portal 2 do. YES

THE DARK KNIGHT (2008, 5/5)? Dark Knight managed to do what no-one expected, trumping Batman Begins as the best Batman film adaptation ever, and it's now held in my opinion as one of the best films ever made too. The ramifications of the movie's events are just as hefty as those of City's climax, and both this and City are jam-packed with tension and thrills, as well as being ambiguous about what will become of Gotham after the big changes that have occurred in their storyline (Rises should show us what happened next; hopefully in 2013 or '14 we'll get the next Arkham instalment as well). I can't really pick a favourite out of these too, especially as they're different forms of media, but sufficed to say they're the best adaptations of Dark Knight lore around, and deserve your attention no matter how much of a fan you are of the Caped Crusader. EQUAL

Rainbow Six: Patriots Announced

Ubisoft Montreal have announced Rainbow Six: Patriots, the latest instalment in their hit first-person-shooter franchise, for release in 2013. According to publisher Ubisoft, the new game will feature "a dynamic single-player storyline that captures the reality of modern day terrorism and allows players to experience it from multiple perspectives". Playing on the idea of modern-day terrorism will be sure to send Patriots into controversial territory, so it will be interesting to see where this project ends up in two years time. We're also promised a "huge variety" of co-op and online multiplayer modes, and judging by what we've had in the two Rainbow Six: Vegas games it would be unreasonable to expect anything different anyway. Rainbow Six: Patriots will release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC (although I would suspect we may see a shift to next-gen consoles if the 'Xbox Next' and PS4 get announced at E3 2012) in Summer 2013.
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Battlefield 3 Review (7/10)

Newsflash, developers: great multiplayer alone just doesn't cut it anymore. DICE and EA have led us to believe up to this point that the campaign portion of Battlefield 3 had just as much effort put into it as the online modes, but just a quick glance at the cookie-cutter modern levels, which insist on holding your hand through cutscenes and quick time events for the most part, shows that this is not the case. The plot, every bit as convoluted as Modern Warfare 2 and Black Ops, is standard popcorn blockbuster Michael Bay-esque fare, completely predictable and therefore completely devoid of innovation and the true thrill of surprise. Yes, the scale of destruction in the city built on a fault point in America is quite incredible to behold (well, on a high scale PC- on PS3 and 360, to get the graphics beyond the standard of a last-gen shooter you'll need to install a 1.5GB visual update), but it's impossible to justify the quality of the single-player portion as anything above average based on the gimmick that Battlefield has been milking ever since its Bad Company days. What about the multiplayer itself though, I hear you say? To be fair to DICE, the intense 28-player battles across sprawling landscapes you can partake in online are incredible, truly replicating the thrills and utmost fear of the war experience to the most realistic sense that a video game can. If you're in this for the online segment, then you really won't be disappointed with Battlefield 3- however, if you come expecting a substantial and unique single player campaign that at the very least complements the real draw of the package, as I think we should as gamers expect in this day and age, then you will understandably be left wanting. The wasted potential of this latest instalment is a real letdown when you think that had the overall offering been a bit more well-rounded, it might just have helped EA overtake Activision's Call of Duty franchise in the 2011 shooter competion. As it is, while the multiplayer is typically brilliant, sure to keep Battlefield 3 on top of the 'Most Played' online lists for months to come, the single-player campaign very much lets the side down, and guarantees that if the tide doesn't change soon, this franchise won't be getting a shot at FPS of the Year (and certainly not Game of the Year) for a long time yet!

Two New Muppets Clips Released

I'm really looking forward to seeing how Disney handle their new Muppets movie next year, and since it's going down well with critics over in America already it bodes well for what's to come. We've now got two new clips taken from the movie, one showing Jason Segel and Amy Adams' characters taking a car trip through Hollywood, and the other Miss Piggy's tense run-in with the Moopets (yep, I'm not kidding!). Both are typically hilarious, so let's hope that the movie as a whole impresses us enough to stand a good chance at being a memorable part of the 2012 line-up. The Muppets premières in the UK on February 17th, 2012.

Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition Announced

A new edition of last year's superb RPG Fallout: New Vegas has been announced for release next year. Titled Ultimate Edition, the package will feature all of the downloadable content that has been released for the spin-off since last Autumn, including Dead Money, Honest Hearts, Old World Blues, Lonesome Road, Courier's Stash and Gunrunner's Arsenal. Other than that, though, it's New Vegas through and through, so I'd probably only recommend this one if you didn't get this back in 2010 and want to see what you missed in this great 8/10 title. Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition hits stores February 10th, 2012.
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