Razer are the world leader in providing high-performance gaming hardware, software and systems whilst EGL are Europe’s premier console and PC gaming events provider.

The Razer Fighting Championships will take place at MCM London Comic Con on 25th and 26th of May, and will feature well known fighting games Street Fighter IV and Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3.

MCM London Comic Con attendees will have the chance to walk away with a combined total of over £2,000 in prize money across the two events. To sweeten the deal, the winners of each tournament will also be handed an all-expenses paid trip to Saint Maarten in the Caribbean for the Video X Games where they’ll be competing for a share of the $28,000 prize fund.

MCM London Comic Con takes place at ExCeL London, starting on the 24th May and ending two days later on the 26th May. Entry to both tournaments will be free provided you have a valid London Comic Con ticket.

The Super Street Fighter IV will take place on the Saturday (25th May), whilst the Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 tournament will take place on the Sunday (26th May).

Tickets for MCM London Comic Con are available at: http://www.mcmcomiccon.com/london/tickets

If you decide to enter, let us know how you get on!

Metro Last Light is 4A Games latest entry into their universe based on the underground dwellings of the Russian Metro train system. It is a universe that the team seems to fully realize and continue to build a world that feels alive and vibrant, even with the dark and dank setting. It is a hard thing to do when your subject matter is about the dangling remains of the human race after their rush to destruction under the power of their nuclear weapons. It is a game that begs to be played for its drama and sense of location and story, but can lead to lots of frustration with its combat systems and its sporadic AI.

Traveling to the surface can be a dangerous task

Metro Last Light continues on, about a year after the events that unfolded in Metro 2033. It still follows Antyom, the man who called down the bombs on the Dark Ones in the first game, and it is that ending that we explore in Metro Last Light. Antyom is told that there is a Dark One that survived the destruction of the bombs on the D6 complex and that he needs to find this Dark One to ensure the survival of humanity before them as a race, destroys themselves.

Interestingly enough, while the marketing of Metro Last Light focuses on the creatures created by the devastation of the nuclear bombs, it seems to be more a story about the survivors underground and their penchant for destruction. You would think after pulling the final trigger on mutually assured destruction, humanity would find a way to work together and survive. Instead, characters have broken into factions, each with their own goals if they were to find the surviving Dark One.

Of course, being underground isn’t completely safe

Combat is about fighting enemies on the surface, but you more often than not find yourself in the bowls of the Metro system, facing off against enemies from the Fourth Reich or the Reds. The Reich wants to promote genetic purity while the Reds are a surviving form of Communism. Each wants the secret bunker used to destroy the Dark Ones, as it is rumored to have endless supplies that could put one faction over the top of others. The factions are interesting, and overhearing conversations from them adds insights to their system of beliefs. But the combat is hit and miss, as the AI tends to be dodgy and downright dumb at times. Because of the cramped nature of the Metro, there were many times, enemies would have to stream down narrow passageways, and they would walk right into a hail of bullets. Or enemies that took too long to react after they would see me. I felt that these enemies should be more competent with their combat. They did survive in the Metro for over 20 years, so why throw all those survival instincts out the window when the bullets start flying.

You do have to head topside to the surface of the world, and here you start to get an understanding of how bad things are for mankind when the bombs dropped. Buildings are blown out; skeletons of the dead millions still litter the scene. But nature has found a way to move on, with new overgrowth everywhere and of course, mutated creatures that make the surface a difficult place to survive. Many times, you will be swarmed by these mutated creatures, and it does take your wits, especially when it comes to a few of the larger inhabitants that you end up having to deal with to move forward with the story.

Pesky Reich is always up to no good, measuring brains and all.

First person shooters do tend to focus on their combat, but Metro Last Light does build up a world that is a joy to explore and take in as you walk through it. The 4A Engine brings about an amazing clarity in detail for this world. We see the desperation for survival in the faces of those underground. Oil laps provide a glimmer of light into this world and it is a wonder to take in. Walking through a marketplace that bustles like a market of today, or the ability to just sit down in the middle of all your journeys to take in a show at the surviving Bolshoi are just some of the things you can do while traveling through the Metro make it just as much a character to the game as Antyom himself. It is a living, breathing world and traveling through it was almost as much fun as dealing with the giant, mutated creatures on the surface world.

Another interesting note is how the economy flows in Metro Last Light. It once again, uses the mechanics of pre-war bullets being used as the equivalent of money. The pre-war ammunition is very rare and very strong, hence its value after the war in the economy of Metro. There is also post-war ammo, which is normally used in your weapons for battles. But you can use your precious pre-war ammo if you run into something that might need a little extra to go down. It is interesting, and there were a couple of times where I had to weigh the value of my pre-war ammo and if it was worth using to survive. But those instances are far and few between as post-war ammo can take down just about anything you face, although it might take a few extra bullets to do so.

Even the oldest profession survives the most devastating events

I was surprised at how much of the game focused on the conflict between the three factions underground, the Reds, The Reich and the Order, of which Antyom belongs, and not on the Dark Ones and why Antyom is so enamored by them. I wanted to see more of the connection between Antyom and the surviving Dark One, but it is primarily a game about humanity, once again, trying to destroy itself. It is an interesting message buried in the gameplay, but the action underground never quite lives up to the promise, as the AI is a bit quirky.

While it is not perfect, Metro Last Light does a phenomenal job with painting a vivid world for players to experience and be a part of for several hours. Sure, the combat can be hit or miss at times with the human AI, but Metro is far more enjoyable when you are soaking up the world and the story that is presented to you. It does peter out towards the end, but I think there is enough there for fans of the series and FPS fans to enjoy.

Making the Train:

• Drop dead gorgeous environments
• Combat with surface enemies is challenging
• Weapons are unique and the ammo system is different

Jumping the Ticket Counter:

• AI is quirky and sometimes acts without concern for safety
• Story starts to lose focus near the end

Family Focus
Metro Last Light is not a place for young children and maybe even young teens. Violence is rampant, themes like genetic purity are explored and there are at least two points with some pretty blatant nudity. It also can be scary when creeping through the tight, thinly lit corridors of the Metro, or in the wildlife infested topside. Keep this one in the hands of those 17 and up just to be on the safe side.

It looks like mixing Gaslight Joker with someone that can heal and you could have one hell of a brute force tool of attack with his Rat Swarm summon that can do continuous damage to those in the swarm, and can be turned on and off at will, but consumes a ton of health while active.

Check out the video for more and head over to the Infinite Crisis website to sign up for entry into the closed beta access for the game. Infinite Crisis is from Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment for PC and is coming later in 2013.

A new video from Gazillion Entertainment takes us behind the velvet rope to see the work that goes into adding voices to these iconic characters, as well as discussions from the voice actors themselves and what they do to bring a distinct voice to their character. Also, find out how difficult it can be to stay gravelly for hours on end voicing Wolverine.

Marvel Heroes is set to come out June 5th, 2013 from Gazillion Entertainment for PC.

Manhunt is now available for £7.99 on Sony’s Playstation Store to play on your Playstation 3. For those who have yet to play this violent and somewhat controversial title, here’s Rockstar Games’ synopsis of the game:

As James Earl Cash, you’re a death row inmate who awakens from the lethal injection chamber to discover he’s met a fate perhaps worse than death. As the star in a sick kill-or-be-killed reality TV show, your fate is left in the hands of serial creepo Lionel Starkweather. Evade, fend off, and turn the tables on the hordes of killers out for your head.

As part of the Nintendo Unleashed Tour players will have a range of different games to get their hands on, and also be able to receive tips from the expert staff on hand. You can also team up with others to tackle ghosts in Luigi’s Mansion 2, assemble a hunting party to head into the world of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, or just get a little competitive on the racetracks of Mario Kart 7. Alternatively the time could be used to pick up some Street Passes on your own 3DS and swap friend codes with the people you meet. Plenty of games, both current and upcoming, will be available fore 3DS and Wii U at the show, which you can see a full list of just below.

Wii U:

Game & Wario

RESIDENT EVIL™ REVELATIONS

Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director’s Cut

Rayman Legends

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

Coaster Crazy Deluxe

Toki Tori 2

Cloudberry Kingdom

The Cave

Nintendo 3DS:

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

Pokémon™ Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity

Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Project X Zone

Mario Kart 7

Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move

Super Little Acorns 3D Turbo

3D Space Harrier

Luigi’s Mansion 2

Cut the Rope

The MCM London Comic Con kicks off on Friday 24th May, and runs through to Sunday 26th May at the ExCel London.

Still, you know, watching Batman and Deathstroke exchange blows beats me watching the office-employed lawn mower service rolling past my window.

Batman: Arkham Origins drops October 25, worldwide, for 360, Wii U, PC and PS3.

When I hear the words, “Blood Dragon”, I picture a game set in the middle ages where dragons roamed the Earth, attacking humans to taste their blood. What I do not think of is a game set in a post-apocalyptic world where a sequel to the Vietnam War was fought, neon is the design choice of the day, and the jam is packed with John Carpenter-inspired soundtracks and 1980s action clichés. And yet, that is exactly what Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is all about.

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is a 1980s fanboy’s wet dream. It oozes from every pore with countless catchphrases, jokes and iconic moments from every action movie that was made in the 80s. Whether it is “Predator,” “Terminator,” “TRON” or even more obscure fare like “Bloodsport,” you will find the reference in Blood Dragon. It is an idea that could have gone horribly wrong, as we saw with another classic icon that tried to come back a couple of years ago, *cough duke nukem cough*. It is more about how the jokes are played, half serious/half joke, which helps the entire mood of the game for the player.

Walking in a neon wonderland

Blood Dragon shares the Far Cry 3 moniker, but things divert down a wildly different path from Far Cry 3. (And in fact, this is NOT downloadable content for Far Cry 3. This is a wholly separate game.) Instead of a well-lit Caribbean island, we have a dark, war-ravaged world. Animals have been mutated or turned into cyborgs and our main character, Rex Powercolt, is one of those poor souls changed by the world of Blood Dragon. He was killed in Vietnam War 2, but was brought back to life as a cyborg to FIGHT FOR AMERICA. It is full-on cheese and patently ridiculous, but it works for this character. He is over the top and larger than life, and should be a caricature, but there is a serious side to him that grounds the character just enough.

Say it again: “Rex Powercolt.”

Of course, I have to mention the title characters, the Blood Dragons. These are huge, hulking Godzilla-like creatures that roam the island, normally minding their own business. Of course, they will stir if you get too close or approach them with extreme violence. And Blood Dragons pack one hell of a punch. This can be used to your advantage, as you can collect Cyberhearts from fallen enemies – cyberhearts being the main food source for the Blood Dragons – and lure them towards enemies. They seem to be more like a pocket weapon to help you take out enemies stationed in garrisons. Drop in, throw a few Cyberhearts and watch the mayhem unfold.

So, that’s gonna leave a mark.

All of the parts play together well in Blood Dragon, but one point of contention is that the main story is criminally short. There are seven core missions which can be completed in a few hours of gameplay. Of course, that is not the end of the game as you have the entire island to explore and hunt and collect hidden treasures, but it just seems there was more that could have been done with the story. After building such a humorous and detailed world, it seems that the developers ran out of story ideas at the end of development. The AI is also a bit weak at the end, with enemies sometimes standing in front of you before they finally decide that they need to attack you.

Despite the neon-infused visuals, the overall world is very dark and drab. Many times I found myself trying to see what creature was attacking me while out in the world, because it is so dark outside buildings and garrisons. I get the idea of trying to give the impression of a bleak world that has been devastated by the hand of mankind… but I want to see what I am playing!

Problems aside, Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon perseveres with its humor and over the top callbacks to the decade that inspired it. It is witty, funny and a great way to expand on the Far Cry universe while carving out a niche of its own. Just getting this sample of the world of Blood Dragon makes me want more of Rex Powercolt and his world. It is an easy pickup to recommend for anyone looking for a good time, and even better if you are old enough to get the references.

Long Tall Sally:

• The ultimate 1980′s reference machine
• Blood Dragons are an absolute blast to watch at work
• There is a freaking Bloodsport reference 10 minutes into the game

Wanna Shot at the Brass Ring:

• Main story is very short
• World is very dark and unappealing outside of main garrisons

Family Focus
Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon makes no bones about being for the older crowd. Profanity is dropped routinely, cybernetic hearts are pulled from chest cavities and things are eaten by large Blood Dragons. Plus, the younger kids won’t get many of the 1980′s references anyway, so stick with the 16-17 and up crowd.

The online game retailer Bundles Stars released its first Stellar Bundle. These bundles includes amazing indie games for PC at ridiculously low prices. The first bundle, titled Zombies vs Aliens, offers 4 incredible games for the price of $1:

• Alien Hallway: A challenging strategy shooter, players control an entire army to destroy super powered enemies. Players can upgrade both their bases and teammates. Gamers will need to save falling soldiers and earn gold bonuses to survive.
• Alien Shooter Revisited: Players must go head-to-head with blood thirsty monsters who are invading a secret underground base. Earning points will allow players to unlock more powerful weaponry in their quest to destroy the alien forces.
• Zombie Shooter: Players are required to save humanity and take on waves of the undead as the latter fill an underground base. Gamers can upgrade their weapon and character skills; which is a must if they want to survive the army of the undead. The game also offers Survive mode and Gun Stand mode.
• Zombie Shooter 2: This sequel now offers a mix of Action and RPG genres. The same 3 modes from the previous game – Single Player, Survive and Gun Stand – return. Players can choose a character and upgrade it by playing the campaign. They have huge variety of 60 weapons to choose from to help them survive the zombie onslaught.

Digital Stars Digital Director, Grant Hughes, stated:

Destroying vast hordes of the undead has never been more satisfying, or affordable. Zombies Vs Aliens gets our new range of Stellar Bundle deals off to an electrifying start with four highly entertaining indie games from Sigma Team. Stellar Bundles are carefully curated to give gamers more bang for their buck. Now all our gamer friends can enjoy a bonus, ultra-low-price gaming fix in between our best-selling headline bundles.

The bundle is currently available for purchase on Steam, but act fast! This offer is for a limited time. You can purchase it here.

Independent games developer Flaming Mitten Studios have created a game that combines the “biggest names from TV, Film, Sports and Music.” So hopefully there won’t be any blank faces when the fourth runner up from Big Apprentice’s Next Top Idol season 2.7 gets mashed with the recent winner of Masterfactor: Mongolian Steppes Edition. There are over 240 familiar faces across 5 levels creating 120 celebrity face mashes.

For flummoxed players a limited number of hints are available for free with more available via in-app purchase.

The app is available now for iOS on App Store, Android via Google Play and on Amazon.