Today, 505 Games released a trailer for an upcoming web series that is being directed by Demian Lichtenstein, who is also directing the Payday: The Heist movie.

The series begins in two weeks time and you can have a look at the rather interesting teaser, below. Normally, these things are just fluff – so I wouldn’t get too excited – but the production in this does look great.

“We put together a new team to try to find some new energy and get some new thinking into it. But Rivals is very much a product between Criterion and Ghost, which means that a lot of the details, a lot of the thinking, about how you create a racing game are going to be there…The heritage here from Criterion is hugely helpful. In my opinion, Criterion has the best arcade handling cars, and especially the best cameras connected to those cars.”

Running on Frostbite 3, Rivals looks very impressive – as you can see from the little teaser that EA released. It doesn’t show off too much of the game, but what it does show is using the game engine.

Need For Speed Rivals will be available on current gen systems on November 19, with next generation consoles getting the game “this year”.

Square Enix Presents will be a live avenue for them to showcase what they have planned and they’ll be doing this through the official YouTube channel of Square Enix Presents. Akio Oofuji, who is the publisher’s Japanese marketing director, wasn’t too forthcoming on what SEP is, exactly:

“Square Enix will be showcasing a terrific lineup of games this E3 Expo. Square Enix Presents is a new way we can engage on a more meaningful and personal level with our community and fans and share with them the spectacle and excitement of E3.”

In the coming weeks, more information will become available, but if they’re plan is to show off their 2013 lineup on a dedicated YouTube channel, that’s clever. Movin’ with the times.

The task of making Deadpool’s very own video game fell to High Moon Studios and the project got off to a very good start when the very first script proved so good that Marvel signed off on it straight away. It’s easy to see why; High Moon has nailed the manic sense of humour that comes part and parcel with the character.

Best known for breaking the fourth wall, it’s safe to say there’s plenty of that on show here. The game’s story in fact is based around Deadpool wanting to make and star in his own game. He even owns and makes amends to a copy of the script! It’s meta, it’s manic and it’s all pulled off with panache.

There is no better example of this than the game’s opening, set in Deadpool’s apartment. It’s a small area but there is plenty to do, with everything either setting up the story, adding to the character or providing a laugh. You can play air guitar, go on the internet and even pump up a sex doll, though thankfully that was all you could do with it.

There’s even a short skit in which Deadpool makes a phone call to one Nolan North, the actor who provides the voice of both the anti-hero and the voices inside his head. It’s a great set-up for the main game’s tone, but, unfortunately, it was also by far the best thing about the demo I played.

Jumping into the story’s first level, the action begins with a short combat tutorial in the sewers below a tower owned by Deadpool’s first target. Clearly not looking to reinvent the wheel, the game has the standard light and heavy attacks, with the ability to teleport short distances substituting for the rolling dodge similar action games would have.

Guns can be integrated into the melee combat but the system doesn’t work fluidly enough for the two styles to overlap in a meaningful manner, however, this may change with any upgrades the player is able to get later on. You start out dual-wielding swords and a pistol but additional weapons, such as big comedy hammers and dual shotguns, can be bought with the Deadpool tokens picked up as you progress. Using these, players can also upgrade their existing arsenal.

There is a stealth option, but it comes with a Deadpool twist so selecting it is done for laughs rather than any tactical advantage. Tip-toeing behind an enemy in a Looney Toons fashion, the player is then presented with two options. There’s the boring stealthy kill or something a lot more over the top. Yeah, I’ll go with option B please.

For both good and bad reasons the game most reminded me of the PS1-era Spider-Man games. It’s very linear, with dry environments and little else to do but fight and collect, but the combat does work and is, for the most part, satisfying in small bursts.

There was a major problem with my time with the game however, one I couldn’t possibly leave out of this preview even if it was simply a freak incident. Deadpool is set to be released in just over a month and yet I was unable to complete the demo presented to me because of one enormous glitch.

Presented with a room of enemies shortly before the level’s climax, I dispatched of all who there was to kill but the expected cut scene that should have followed never triggered. Restarting from a checkpoint I cleared the room again, but it made no difference.  After a third attempt I reluctantly threw in the towel and my time with the game came to an end.

Another major error reared its head in a set piece shortly before the one which marked the end of my game. Deadpool, having commandeered a helicopter, takes control of its gun turret only to find that no enemies had been spawned.

Sat there watching the dreary rooftop environment drift past, the game’s hero continued to spout off one-liners until another chopper finally appeared, providing the short section’s final target. I briefly considered whether this was part of the game’s sense of humour and indicative of the protagonists’ insanity seeing as he was still spouting one-liners and having the time of his life. It clearly wasn’t.

It is important to say that this was a demo assembled with an unfinished build of the game, and in these circumstances small glitches are often dismissed for that very reason. However, on this occasion it was clearly significant enough to report back on.

Deadpool may not set the world alight but it is still fun and functional. I’d say it puts the fun in functional but I’m both better than that (I think) and I was expecting the game to be a little bit more than that.

High Moon’s game carries itself with an admirable swagger but like so many superhero games before it, it lacks the polish of its contemporaries. Perhaps a case of style over substance, the style is still something that will appeal to fans and the substance is still serviceable enough to make it a ride worth taking, just maybe not at the first price of admission.

UPDATE: We’ve since chatted to Activision about the experience and they’ve given us the following statement:

“Hey Deadpool fans! As this was indeed a demo build, there would have been glitches in the build. But hopefully gamers will be happy to learn that the ones you mentioned have already been ironed out and the game is now looking even more polished in time for Deadpool’s most awesome entrance on 28th June.”

Dying Light is a first person, survival horror game that is scheduled to be released in 2014 on PC, Xbox 360, PS3, PlayStation 4 and the newly announced Xbox One.

The hook of Dying Light is that the game works on a day and night cycle where the player will be scavenging their surroundings for weapons and supplies while the sun is shining – and enemies are about, but once nightfall hits, the zombie-like creatures are said to become far more aggressive. CEO at Techland Paweł Marchewka said that next-gen tech was instrumental for Dying Light:

“The next-gen technology allows us to create a truly dynamic open world that features a game-changing day-night cycle. Inventive free running mechanics also allow for nearly unrestricted exploration and weapon-crafting to further enhance the action survival experience.”

So, Techland are going back to the undead well. With the divided opinion on Dead Island, is this a good thing? Let us know what you think in the comments section, below.

Firstly, anyone that pre-orders GTA V – regardless of whether it’s the standard/special/collector’s editon – will gain access to a blimp in-game. The Atomic Blimp looks pretty cool, but not as cool as what you can expect in your hyper-ultra-mega copies of GTA, itself.

Here’s the official blurb from Rockstar on the Special Edition:

The Grand Theft Auto V Special Edition includes:

• Full retail copy of Grand Theft Auto V

• Collectible SteelBook with Exclusive ArtworkThis special SteelBook features double-sided, never-before-seen artwork of Michael, Trevor and Franklin. Custom color and metallic treatments bring out the detail of the artwork created exclusively for this SteelBook.

• Blueprint MapThis exclusive, additional 21.5” x 26.75” map displays a blueprint view of Los Santos and Blaine County. Cryptic markings indicate locations for fast cash and other points of interest for the up-and-coming entrepreneur.

• Special Ability BoostMichael, Franklin and Trevor each have a unique special ability. With this boost, the special ability bar will generate 25% faster.

• Stunt Plane TrialsSingle player Stunt Plane Trials let you take on additional aerial challenges spread throughout Los Santos and Blaine County.

• Bonus Outfits, Tattoos and MoreMichael, Franklin and Trevor get bonus outfits in their wardrobes, character specific tattoos at tattoo parlors, and special deals from shopkeepers across Los Santos and Blaine County.

• Additional WeaponsWhen visiting Ammunation stores in single player, merchants will have special weapons in their inventory available for free: the Pistol .50, Bullpup Shotgun and melee Hammer.

The Collector’s edition includes all of the above plus a few extras:

Grand Theft Auto V Security Deposit Bag with Logo Key
Inspired by the heists in Grand Theft Auto V, this custom 10.75” x 8.5” money bag features a pop-up style lock and laser cut logo key to secure important items. The reverse side features a pressed Rockstar Games logo on the security mount with a framed ID window.

·         Grand Theft Auto V New Era 9FIFTY™ Snapback Cap
This exclusive New Era 9FIFTY™ cap features an embroidered Los Santos logo on the front, a stitched, black Rockstar Games logo on the wearer’s left side, a Grand Theft Auto ‘V’ logo applique on the opposite side, and snapback closure for an adjustable fit.

·         Custom Characters for Grand Theft Auto Online
Get classic Grand Theft Auto characters to use within the Grand Theft Auto Online Character Creation System.

·         Unique Vehicles and Garage Property
Players will instantly receive a garage to store custom vehicles. In single player, the garage will be stocked with the 1930’s style Hotknife hotrod and the CarbonRS sports bike. In Grand Theft Auto Online, players will get the high-end Khamelion electric car.

So many Collector’s Editions don’t actually have many collectibles, within. Sure, you’re never going to wear that GTA hat in real life, but as an ornament, it’s rather sweet. Also, that blueprint map looks like a decent additon to any Grand Theft Auto fan’s Rockstar themed treasures.

Here’s the money part – the Collector’s Edition will retail in the States at $149.99, whilst the Special Edition will cost $79.99. Are you excited enough to splash the cash on anything other than the standard edition? Let us know in the comments section, below.

There are two main game modes in Combo Crew, “King of the Tower” and “Combo Crew” mode. The former is a level-based mode where you have to fight your way to the top of a tower in order to face The Boss. Along the way you’ll have to take on a seemingly endless amount of standard goons, along with a couple of mini-bosses who get in the way. Once each level is completed, you’re given a score and awarded a gold, silver or bronze medal. If the gold is achieved, you will also receive a game controller which serves as in-game currency and can be used to purchase more characters and even more combos – something you’ll need to do if you intend on reaching the top of the tower and taking down The Boss.

The latter mode, the titular Combo Crew, is another wave-based tower, although there’s no end to it and it isn’t stage-based. Instead, you’re tasked with fighting your way through waves and waves of enemies to see how far you can get in a single life. If you have friends who are also playing the game, you can ask them to “rescue” you, which will send them an invitation and ask them to fight in your name, with the damage they mete out converted into health to keep you alive a little longer. In Combo Crew Mode there are also mini-tasks to complete in order to unlock new combos and gain additional game controller currencies. These don’t have to be completed, but seeing as unlocking and purchasing combos is pretty much the name of the game, completing these mini-tasks is a great way to get where you need to be.

When the game first starts, you’ll only have two characters to choose from, Parker and Gina, each having their own limited combo move list. As previously mentioned, more combos can be unlocked by either completing stages in the King of the Tower Mode or by managing to get further into the Combo Crew Mode. Once they’ve been unlocked, the combos need to be purchased and then, if you want them in your move list, assigned to a position. You can only have four combos in your move list at any one time, so choosing wisely is imperative. Along with the initial two characters, there are also an additional two to unlock – Dolph and Sammo – who can be unlocked using a modest amount of the game controller currency; however, you’ll have to decide if you want to spend that currency on unlocking more characters or just unlocking the combo moves for the characters you already have. The choice is down to you, and can be rather difficult at times.

Controlling the game takes a little bit of getting used to, but once you’ve gotten the hang of swiping across enemies to attack them, holding down your finger to charge an attack, and swiping two fingers across the screen in order to perform one of the character’s four combos, you’ll be playing the game like a pro and feeling great while you’re doing it. The animation throughout the game is also solid, with the combos in particular delivering a visual feast. I found myself wanting to do more and more combos not because they would do more damage to the plethora of enemies, but because Parker – the character I chose to play as – looked amazing as he performed them.

VERDICT: Combo Crew is a gorgeous-looking game with a core mechanic that is difficult to master but entirely satisfying once you do. The visuals are impressive and the social connectivity will keep you coming back for more time and time again. The biggest downside is that it can get a little bit repetitive once you’ve risen through the tower a couple of times. A break can alleviate any of these feelings quickly enough, but the game does start to feel as though its dragging a little if played for longer than half an hour at a time. Still, it’s worth a download. and if you were on the fence about it after hearing that it’s an iOS brawler then, believe me, you’ve never played anything quite like Combo Crew.

VERY GOOD. An 8/10 is only awarded to a game we consider truly worthy of your hard-earned cash. This game is only held back by a smattering of minor or middling issues and comes highly recommended.

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Sharing the same name, the game has achieved something of a cult status itself.

It follows the release of Manhunt, the developer’s most controversial title to date.

Available from next Tuesday (May 28th) the game is listed at £7.99.

The majority of Rockstar’s PS2-Xbox-era back-catalogue is now available on PSN following the releases of Bully, Red Dead Revolver, Max Payne and entries from the Midnight Run series.

You can watch an original trailer for the game below…