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No matter where you turn, you know it's christmas at this time of the year. Whether it be the old decorations gracing the same spots they always have in your local shopping centre, or the dreaded S. Clause coming out of hibernation. Or, worse, the constant stream of bad music pumped out of those tiny mono speakers ... I shudder just thinking about that.

Anyway, the good news is, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing your fellow gamer (or yourself, go on, admit it) a present to spend the holiday season on. But there's a few bargains out there that shouldn't be overlooked, so over the next few weeks, I'll be hunting around and giving you all some ideal suggestions ... just in case you really are stuck for thought.

* Fury - PALGN has reported that the Aussie MMOPVP (that's a Massively Multiplayer Online Player Versus Player, for those of you pondering at home) will be cut down in price for Christmas to $49.95. Not a bad price cut, and it's certainly a fun title. Maybe not perfect, but it has potential to be big, so get out there and support our local gaming scene.

* Xbox and Wii Gamer Cards - If you can't decide on what to get someone, here's one possible solution, buy them an xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii credit to go towards an Xbox Live or Virtual Console download. There's a ton of great content out there for both systems, and the cards themselves can be found for a good price at your local EB or JB Hi-fi. For the record, I recommend Sin and Punishment on the Wii and TMNT Arcade on Xbox Live.

* Half Life 2: Orange Box You all know what I think of this fantastic set from Valve, and if you hunt around for a good price (again, JB looks good), you might just add even more value for money. It's arguably the best package deal of any game to date, and when you consider how much new content is in the box and not just a repackage, that's something that shouldn't be missed. Keep in mind, you might be able to find it cheaper on PC then on the consoles.

I'll have more ideas over the next few weeks, and I'll keep an eye out on the big catalogue sales to give you a few points in the right direction. Happy shopping!

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Posted By: Mark Isaacson - Category: PC Gaming, Xbox 360, Wii, MMOGs

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Answering the call: Ghostbusters Return

November 16th 2007 08:07

Well it's about time, that's all I can say. The Ghostbusters, an 80's classic that defined my very existence as a child, are returning ... to the game screen, no less.

The real sequel has been on again and off again so many times over the years, it's actually a little surprising that this has finally come about. Vivendi and Sony will publish the game across just about every major platform, with two teams working on two versions. Terminal Reality will work on the 360, PS3 and PC editions, while Red Fly Studio have been handed the task of bringing a more family oriented version to Wii, DS and PS2.

But the important information is, of course, the cast. Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis have all, reportedly, signed on to reprise their roles, lending both likeness and voice. Even William Atherton and Annie Potts will return, although no mention of the two other key members of the original cast, Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver.

And the story? Aykroyd and Ramis will pen the script once more, setting it in 90's New York. So don't expect any new characters with nuclear accelerators attached to their backs, but plenty of familiar faces in terms of the enemies they encounter.

Oh Mr Stay-Puff ... how I missed you

The project makes sense. Apparently, Murray was the only original cast member not interested in another movie, but at least here he doesn't have to do much at all to take part. The rest of the cast, having aged and built up a little in the weight department, would find it hard to play to the same level of action as the originals, so just sitting back and recording a few lines in an air-conditioned studio could be classified as the easiest job any of them have ever had.

And of course, cast your mind back to rumours of Ghostbusters in Hell, a name that was thrown out there by Aykroyd at one point, revolving around the heroes finding a portal to a dull, boring and fire infested alternate version of New York. That's not to suggest this particular video game will feature that same story, but I kinda warmed to the idea ... see what I did there?

It's a shame, though, that it's taken this long to continue the story, in some way or form. I still consider the series as one of the most original and entertaining in movie history, so of course, I'm glad that the true heroes are making a comeback. But it isn't the way I'd like it to be. There's so much more that could have been done here ... but I guess it's better to have something then nothing at all, right?

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Posted By: Mark Isaacson - Category: PC Gaming, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS

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Guitar Hero vs Rock Band Round 2

November 10th 2007 23:59

Let's skip past the obvious 'Guitar Hero III is out now' news, and get down and dirty into the more important topics, as round 2 of this epic battle takes place...

Activision, from all accounts, have put together a worthy sequel in the franchise, and the good news is, there's even MORE room for improvement. While just about everything is as it was before, the addition of online play modes and 'boss battles' certainly adds some much needed spice to the franchise. And, of course, the wireless guitar works wonders.

So what's next? Downloadable content, of course. Here's where things get interesting. Already, two DLC packs have been released, which will hopefully be a sign of big things to come. Both packs feature three songs, much like the set up for Guitar Hero II on 360. That release didn't receive huge attention in that regard, but with a Velvet Revolver and Foo Fighters themed set of tracks out already, things are looking good.

Keep in mind, the content is for the 360 only, but PS3 and Wii owners shouldn't be waiting too long for similar content in the near future. The question is, whether the content will be console exclusive, or the same across the board. That will be interesting to follow.

And what of Rock Band? Well we know the DLC will be huge, and more varied. Instead of a handful of tracks per pack, we should be getting an entire album! A price point might be a little steeper, however, and there's no guarantee that each song on said album will be worth playing. But if the word 'Metallica' has anything to go by, it's gonna be big.

Call the DLC issue a mini war in itself. Whoever can increase market awareness online the most will receive the most plaudits. All the puzzle pieces are there to create an endless stream of entertainment, whether it be via guitar or an entire set piece of instruments.

And now, dear readers, onto the most interesting piece of info for this update. Apparently, Harmonix are already hard at work at a new game. The thing is, it won't follow the same design as Guitar Hero and Rock Band before it, and it won't be using input from plastic instruments. Essentially, the game will create music algorithmically, although I was never good at math, so how it works I have no idea. Which means next years Game Developers Conference in San Francisco should answer all my ... I mean, our ... questions, as senior designer Chris Foster will be leading a lecture on the games design.

For now, though, we've got one of the two titles on the open market. I'll keep you all informed on my progress in GHIII, and all the new DLC content that will (hopefully) make its way out over the coming months. And as the countdown to Rock Band continues, I'll take a closer look at what we can expect ... and whether Guitar Hero has found its true heir.

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Posted By: Mark Isaacson - Category: PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii

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What's up, Traveller's Tales?

November 8th 2007 11:53

Warner Brothers are the new owners of TT Games, parent company to LEGO Star Wars creators, Traveller's Tales. The good news is this latest ownership news will not cease previous partnerships made by the company, namely the highly successful Star Wars series (The Complete Saga is on store shelves as of wednesday, as you know) and the upcoming LEGO Indiana Jones, another title co-developed with LucasArts.

So why the ownership? Clearly TT are onto a winning formula, and when you associate a mainly children's game developer with one of the biggest names in children's animation ... well you can see where I'm going. But in truth, why not? Everyone else is doing it

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Posted By: Mark Isaacson - Category: PS2, Xbox 360, Wii, DS

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Game of the Week: November 5 - 9

November 8th 2007 11:30

I know what you're thinking. How could Gamemonger possibly find one game out of the stack of big releases this week?

Or 'How can Guitar Hero III not win

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Posted By: Mark Isaacson - Category: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS

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The biggest week on the video game calendar?

November 4th 2007 19:59

November has just begun and, taking a look at this weeks release, you'd be forgiven for thinking Christmas has come early this year ... come to think of it, Christmas came last month. I mean, who buys decorations in October?

So anyway, we've got Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, The Simpsons game on just about every format imaginable, Guitar Hero III (which I'll be taking a closer look at later this week), Big Brain Academy on Nintendo Wii, The Lego Star Wars is complete (another game I'll be looking into for sure), and Pro Evo returns for 2008. Hell, even Dirty Dancing is getting a release this week

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Posted By: Mark Isaacson - Category: PC Gaming, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP, DS

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Guitar Hero vs Rock Band Round 1

October 29th 2007 10:32

It's arguably one of the more interesting up and coming contests in the gaming industry. Guitar Hero, now a long standing and successful music franchise entering a new age in more ways then one, and Rock Band, which aims to take everything learnt from the GH series and turn it upside down.
Over the coming months, between the release Guitar Hero III next week (woot!) and Rock Band early next year (not so woot, impatient as I am), I'm goning take a wonder through some of the more interesting aspects of this slowly brewing rivalry for gamers wallets, and to find out once and for all who is the true king of the plastic musical instrument wars...

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Posted By: Mark Isaacson - Category: PC Gaming, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii

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Gamemonger Returns

October 25th 2007 10:10

That's right folks. Gamemonger has returned. Don't fret, there's no giant shift in focus here, this is all about the biggest news the industry can throw at its audience, among a few other bits and pieces added for good measure. So sit back, relax, and enjoy reading Gamemonger. And a shout out to the sites former owner, wherever you are buddy ...

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Posted By: Mark Isaacson - Category: PC Gaming, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP, DS, MMOGs

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