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GameTrailers was recently able to have a little chitchat with Pandemic Studios' co-founder Andrew Goldman to talk about their upcoming multi-platformer, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames.

Goldman says that Mercenaries 2 places more focus on being the best mercenary out there, as compared to the prequel which was really more about the money. Goldman's also talks proudly about the game's highly destructible game environments, which are rendered using pushed-to-the-limit physics. One of the basic points he makes is that they're just there to offer weapons and vehicles, but it's entirely up to the players to develop their own original tactics and gameplay styles.

Featuring 130 vehicles, better storyline construction, kickass weapons, and loads loads more, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames is set to conquer your PCs, 360s, and PS3s this year.

Can't get enough of Namco Bandai's Eternal Sonata, eh? After being renamed from Trusty Bell to what we now know as Eternal Sonata, Tri-Crescendo seems to be doing a great job in developing the game as the cel-shading and 3D rendering are looking top notch.

You'll also be glad to know that the batch of screens we have now finally dons English subtitles (as compared to the previous ones we've seen), thus enabling us to better understand the goings on in the game. And before you dismiss Eternal Sonata as an overly romantic title (as most will be tempted to do), you should know that it's not just about Chopin's music and saving the one you love.

Well sure, that's basically the premise of the game, but it's also worth noting that you'll get to have some ass-kicking action (as you'll see in the screens below) with its turn-based battle system with a special attack feature dependent on light and shadow. Interesting, huh?

Eternal Sonata is said to be slated for a Japanese release this June, with the U.S. and Euro versions hitting shelves "soon after." So lest you get all dramatic while waiting for the game, check out these screens we have below.

More of 'em lovely screens in the full article!

Seeing how ecstatic you guys were when Ubisoft finally confirmed that the "world's most fiercesome fighting team" is heading to Xbox Live Arcade, we knew it wouldn't be long before Ubi would start releasing sneak peeks and previews of the waaay hawt Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade.

And whaddya know, that's exactly what we have for you right now -- the Rocksteady Brawl gameplay vid from GameTrailers. As you know, the arcade title will feature seven original levels, voice-chat support, and two to four-player co-op modes via XBL. No word yet on exactly when we can mark our calendars for this baby, but what we do know is that users will be able to get time-warped to the 80's with TMNT for 400 Microsoft Points.

So while we wait for more details and goodies to head our way, load up on the classic Konami game by hitting the play button right there. Oh, and make sure your pizza's already on the way.*winks*

Electronic Arts announced today that they've just released new in-game downloadable content for their recently released sports title, NCAA March Madness 07.

The collegiate ball-playing game hit shelves around two months ago and to continually spruce up your hoop-shooting gameplay experience, EA released a Selection Sunday Bracket Pack which features the following:

• downloadable 65-team NCAA Tournament bracket - allows you to update the game with the recently announced official Selection Sunday brackets, accurate seedings, and team ratings
• the authentic Final Four court from the Georgia Dome
  

Wanna know EA SPORTS' prediction for the Final Four teams? Based on their computerized simulation via team ratings, their bets go to the University of Florida and Pittsburgh University in one semifinal, and the University of North Carolina against Texas A&M University in the other semifinal.

But hey, it's still too early to find out for sure, so if you're favorite team's not included in that prediction, make sure you stay tuned to find out who the Final Four will be. The Selection Sunday Bracket Pack should be up on Xbox Live Marketplace right about now so make sure to check that out.

Details may have been real scarce for Sega's upcoming racer, Sega Rally, but now it has bounced back to give us the official fact sheet for the game along with all-new screens for the PS3 version of the game. Some say that the keen attention to environment details (take the richness of the chocolate-like mud for example) may be comparable to MotorStorm but perhaps it's still too early to tell, eh?

Sega Rally is slated for release for the PS3, Xbox360, and PC Autumn this year. So while we wait for that, here are some of the key game features you might wanna read up on:

• Bumper to bumper Rally racing - show your competitive side by racing with multiple cars and track racing bumper to bumper across Rally inspired environments.
• Deformation - Fully deformable environments & surfaces that will ensure no two laps will be the same.
• Speed & adrenaline - Wide variety of looping tracks, surface types, and vehicles including 4WD, 2WD & Classic vehicles.
• Environments - Eight different environments inspired by exotic locations all over the world.
• Competition - Advanced AI, multiplayer and online capabilities
• Immediacy - Arcade accessibility with simulation depth.

   

Looks like the the promo campaign train for Conan the Barbarian is chugging along real well as goodies for both the 360 and PS3 versions are regularly pouring in. Not that THQ really has to put in much effort really, as 90% of the gaming population is already aware of the barbaric fame that Conan has achieved through various movies, comic books, and TV shows.

Anyways, user comments on this game are really bipolar. Meaning, some have nothing but good stuff to say ("whoa, it's really violent, i love it!") while others just can't seem to stop comparing it to God of War. I dunno about you guys, but I say let's give the half-naked man a break here and let him show off just how bloodily gruesome he can get -- with the help of your superb playing skills, of course. That said, we'll leave you to enjoy the gory violence of Conan in this trailer right here. Enjoy!

 

Dwellers of Arcadia-land could not have been more ecstatic when they found out that they'll soon be able to have classic pinballin' fun on their 360's Xbox Live Arcade via Zen Studios' Pinball FX. Featuring traditional and nostalgia-inducing pinball machines, players will be able to face off with other players on XBL with live chat and support for the Live Vision Camera.

The demo showcased in GDC gave users a quick glimpse at the control system, which basically consists of the A button as the ball launcher and the triggers as the analog flippers. Zen also promises that there will be more downloadable machines after the game's release (which still remains as a big "?" 'til now). So anyway, while we wait for the release stamp on this baby, here are the 12 Achievements you can get which amount to a total of 200 points:

• Alien Technology (10) - Collect at least five artifacts on the Agents pinball table
• Angel (15) - Do a plus Airwalk free trick during any competition on the Extreme pinball table
• Multi-tasker (10) - You just have to start any of the multi-ball modes to get this achievement
• Emerald Flasher (10) - you'll have this one after scoring enough to earn your first Extra Ball
• First Aid Kit (10) - Complete the Bungee Jumping game on the Extreme pinball table
• Mr. Falcon (30) - Collecting all artifacts on the Agents table.
• Speed Demon (30) - Win the Wizard Tournament. It's on the Speed Machine pinball table.
• Platinum Cylinders (10) - Complete the Overheat Hurry Up mode on the Speed Machine pinball table.
• Professional (30) - Win the Final Confrontation game mode on the Agents pinball table.
• Sweet Ride (20) - Collect at least two tunings on the Speed Machine pinball table.
• Good Luck (10) - Earn 2 Million points on any pinball table.
• Elite Operative (15) - Complete a Hurry Up mode within 20 seconds on the Agents pinball table.
  

The folks behind Funcom did a little backtracking at how they were able to showcase their upcoming MMO and 360 title, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, at the recently held Game Developers Conference.

According to them, one of the major difficulties they faced in showcasing an MMO is to get to the main highlights of the game without having to wait, say, for the character to level up and reach certain game levels. So they came up with a nifty workaround to that pickle, and here's how item designer Mats Remman explains how it was done:

I’ve created a series of scripts that quickly lets whoever is playing the game level up their character and get access to really cool equipment, feats and combos. That way they are able to quickly develop into a character that looks impressive, and show off features that wouldn’t really be available until later in the game.

Smart, eh? One of the characters they showed at the GDC was the Soldier who turns into a Guardian, thus making combo moves immediately available to users who are trying out the demo in the said event. So anyway, to celebrate the success of their participation in the GDC, Funcom shares with us this new batch of screens for their upcoming game. Go on and feast on your eyes on the barbaric beauty.

More of 'em screenies in the full article!

Yeah, so we have loads of FPS games in the market right now. But since it's a much-celebrated genre in the industry, surely you wouldn't mind making way for one more, right? And with the upcoming PC game Warhound (that's Xbox360-bound too), Techland is making sure that users won't just be comparing their game to Far Cry and/or Just Cause, and all the other FPS/TPS titles out there.

And to give users a glimpse of what's in store for them, Techland showed this trailer at the Game Developers Conference. The vid takes us through the general user interface, drifts through some of the game environments, and of course, gives us a glimpse of all the shootin' action that'll soon be exploding on your PCs and 360s. So don't let the FPS-playing community decide for you, hit play, check out all the action yourself, and you be the judge.

The folks at GameTrailers were able to catch up with Robert Huebner, Director at Nihilistic Software, at the recently held THQ Gamers Day event to talk about their upcoming action-adventure game Conan the Barbarian.

Slated for release on the 360 and PS3, THQ's Conan has been compared by some to God of War -- albeit with better graphics and of course, the famous half-naked man gracing the game. So anyway, the video interview above lets us listen in on Huebner as he talks about the story time line you'll be following, as well as the rewards you'll get by barbarically slaughtering the masses. The vid contains even more gameplay footage (and decapitations!) so we suggest you don't miss out on this one.