Activision

CHICAGO – No one can accuse Activision and Neversoft of allowing their music game franchise to get stale. In fact, some might argue that they have flooded the market with too many similar products including “Guitar Hero: Metallica,” “Guitar Hero: Smash Hits,” “Guitar Hero 5,” “DJ Hero,” and, now, “Band Hero” in just this year alone (with “Guitar Hero: Van Halen” dropping before Christmas as well).

CHICAGO – Activision has been accused of milking the music game genre to the point of absolute exhaustion and with “Guitar Hero: Van Halen,” “Band Hero,” and “Guitar Hero 5” crowding store shelves this holiday season, it’s difficult to disagree. And yet “DJ Hero” somehow finds a way to rejuvenate a genre on the ropes, bringing a new approach to the music game that is remarkably addictive. Put away the drums and the mic (but leave the guitar out) and jump into the world of “DJ Hero”.

Video Game Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – For every “Iron Man” or “The Dark Knight,” there are a half dozen movies like “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” or “Elektra” littering the marketplace. Naturally, those of us well-versed in the world of superhero entertainment consider ourselves lucky if every other product featuring caped men (or women) actually works.

CHICAGO – Perhaps you’ve seen the clever commercials for “Guitar Hero 5,” in which a dozen or so hot women dance around with plastic guitars and Hugh Hefner extols the virtues of “variety”? There has arguably never been more truth in advertising. Like a roomful of Playboy Playmates, “Guitar Hero 5” gives fans all the variety they could ask for, but truly falling in love with any individual part of the title is a little more difficult.

CHICAGO – The highly anticipated “Wolfenstein,” a modern reboot of one of the most legendary shooter franchises of all time, hits stores tomorrow, August 18th, 2009, and Activision has released a launch trailer to give fans a sample of the title before they pick it up for themselves. Check back here soon for a review and don’t miss the video below.

CHICAGO – With 25 songs by the legendary Van Halen and 19 songs by other artists, “Guitar Hero: Van Halen” will attempt to follow in the footsteps of “Guitar Hero: Aerosmith” and “Guitar Hero: Metallica” and deliver a rocking good time for music game players. The reveal trailer for the game hit our inbox this morning and we just had to share.

CHICAGO – It may have been airing on TV for awhile, but now we can share the best video game preview in a very long time, Activision and Infinity Ward’s 2-minute reveal clip for the incredible-looking “Modern Warfare 2”.

CHICAGO – Activision’s action game “Prototype” blends elements of several previous superhero icons into one massive superpowered experience that has a few visceral thrills and concepts that make it worth a look but some gameplay and storytelling issues that hold it back from true greatness.

Video Game Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – The first hour of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” is a total blast, a great blend of above-average graphics, interesting story elements, and clever fighting moves that hint at an enjoyable gaming experience to come. The hint is never quite fulfilled, as “Wolverine” becomes as repetitive and frustrating as the blockbuster film that inspired it.

CHICAGO – To celebrate tomorrow’s release of the video game based on the first big movie of the season, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” Activision presents what they call the “Final Reveal” trailer for the highly anticipated tie-in game. Check it out for yourself and don’t miss “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” in theaters tomorrow, May 1st, 2009. The Gavin Hood-directed film stars Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Lynn Collins, Ryan Reynolds, and Dominic Monaghan.