Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Lets You Play as Vader

LucasArts have announced today that the one and only Darth Vader will be playable in the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Unfortunately, he will only be playable in the first level of the game, from then on you play as Vader's apprentice.

On the bright (or possibly dark) side, however, you will be able to use all the force powers available when you play as Darth Vader in the first level. Other than that, only one level.

[Vader playable in The Force Unleashed]

Mafia 2 Preview: Vito & Joe, Extensive Car Damage, Gears Cover

Tiscali Games was able to preview Take-Two's upcoming Mafia II. Here is a breakdown of what we get from their preview.

• There will be two main characters (Vito and Joe). Vito will be the only playable one but Joe is supposed to be important as well.
• There will be no story connection between Mafia I and II.
• There will be extensive car damage. They say it is better then that of Burnout Paradise. It will have exploding fuel tanks.
• You will visit the gas station for gas and to wash your car so it becomes shinny.
• Money will be very important. New clothes will help if someone is after you. Food will make you stronger like in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
• Cover system like in Gears of War.
• Pastel colors and an art style at times reminding of BioShock.
  
• Setting will be Empire City. Twice as big as City of Lost Heaven. It will resemble San Francisco, LA.
• The lead platforms will be PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 (individually developed, I'm guessing). The PC version may be few weeks or months later. But this may change.
• The release date is set for Spring/Summer 2009.
• The story starts before the end of World War II.

[Tiscali Preview] [N4G]

First Grand Theft Auto IV Review Claims PlayStation 3 Version Superior

We are still skeptical on posting this, but here it goes. The first proclaimed review of Grand Theft Auto IV tells the differences between the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions saying the PlayStation 3 version looks more realistic, while the Xbox 360 version looks more cartoony. The PlayStation 3 version also seems to have an online Split-Screen feature while the Xbox 360 does not. The writer claims to be more of an Xbox 360 fanboy than that of a PlayStation 3. He pulled the review due to a lot of internet flaming, but it can be seen here. His site is below. Remain a skeptic.

[CG Reviews]

Metal Gear Solid 4 Bundle Box Gets Makeover

Sony seems to have updated the box of the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots 80GB PlayStation 3 bundle. It looks quite different from the previous box. The new box shows the new boxart for Metal Gear Solid 4 along with a PlayStation Network and DualShock 3 Compatible logo. It's looking nice, don't you say?

[Updated Metal Gear Solid 4 PLAYSTATION 3 Bundle and Game Box Art] [Amazon]

Scott Steinberg Hints at New PlayStation 3 Features

In a new interview with GamePro, Sony Computer Entertainment America PR, Scott Steinberg, hints at a few upcoming PlayStation 3 feautres. He says that Sony hasn't had a big keynote speech yet this year, with everyone expecting a big one at E3 2008. He hints that a movie and music download service may be coming to our PlayStation Stores soon (perhaps as a surprise in the Store revamp?).

He mentions the possibility of more PSone Classics coming to the Store, along with possibly PlayStation 2 games on the Store. Regarding third-party PSone Classics, he says there are "on-going sessions" to get them on the train.

Regarding Home, he says it isn't available to the public yet because they don't want to release it until it meets the publics standards. We'll get it sooner or later.

[Steinberg hints at a few upcoming PS3 features]