Look up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a Japanese role-playing game character watching you shower? Los Angeles residents have been introduced to the cast of the upcoming Square Enix powerhouse, Final Fantasy XIII, via building-sized promotional posters. The giant ads for the upcoming JRPG can be spotted on the corner of S. Figueroa Street and Olympic Boulevard in Downtown Los Angeles.

The 124ft image showcases the game’s three main characters, (above-left, from left to right) Vanille, Snow and Lightning, as well as a heading that promises the game will launch in 2010 (with logos for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360). Giant video game based promotional posters in LA, huh? You’d think some kind of huge gaming event was happening in the area soon, or something.

Giant Final Fantasy XIII characters watch over LA residents originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 May 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So here it is, folks. The second game in 2009 to have an individual and somewhat unique premise with a less than flattering visual accompaniment (not to mention bland, seen-it-before looking gameplay). But hey, let’s give it a fair shake — we haven’t laid our grubby, jaded mitts on the game yet, so it’d be unfair to prejudge.

What we can glean from the trailer is this: the totally sweet, Raiden-esque sword action seen in previously released clips seems to have all but left in the multiplayer-combat focused video above. In it’s place? “Verticality.” At least we can still flip around like most … cowboys. That’s what cowboys do, right? Right?!

New Damnation multiplayer trailer features acrobatic cowboys originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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According to VG247, Codemasters has confirmed that its upcoming open-world racer, Fuel, has been delayed a week — putting the game out on June 5 in the UK — for the Xbox 360 and PS3, while the PC version is set to release soon after. It should be noted that VG247 is a UK website, so it’s unclear if this delay also applies to North America. For what it’s worth, GameStop lists the title for June 2, while Amazon maintains it will release on May 26. Our request for comment from Codemasters has gone unanswered as of press time, but we’ll be sure to update this post when we have new information.

Still, even if the title is delayed, it’s only a week outside of the originally intended May release window. Surely we can keep our post-apocalyptic racing urge in check until then.

VG247: Console versions of Fuel delayed a week originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 May 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We honestly can’t decide which is uglier: Ricky Hatton’s mangled face in real life, or his rearranged digital visage after a few pummels. See, that’s Hatton’s incredibly life-like render in EA’s Fight Night Round 4 right there, pictured to the left getting his jaw jammed out like a typewriter carriage.

Although you can’t see the swift movement that went into that jab, Fight Night’s dev team says you’ll certainly feel it once you’ve finally got the controller in your hands. Believe the hype? Check out the video after the break to see some of the improvements made to Round 4 and decide for yourself.

Continue reading Face meet fist: more Fight Night media to knock you out

Face meet fist: more Fight Night media to knock you out originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 May 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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According to Tomb Raider Chronicles, Eidos has announced that Tomb Raider Underworld has become part of the Xbox 360 Classics range as well as PS3 Platinum Hits in the UK. The upshot here is that both the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions should now be available for a mere £19.99. We’ve contacted Eidos to see if the new price applies to all PAL regions and if North America will see any budget love.

Considering Eidos was disappointed in the game’s sales in North America and the game enjoyed relative success in the UK, we’re not holding our breath.

Lara’s Underworld adventure goes budget in the UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 May 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameTrailers has released two new videos from the upcoming Gears of War 2 DLC explosion “All Fronts.” The first is a flythrough of one of the new maps, Memorial. The map features a two level courtyard that provides open ground on the upper level and tight underground passages on the lower level. There’s also a small plaza at the far end. We’re sure it would make for some epic Horde mode standoffs.

Don’t take our word for it though, as the second video features plenty of action on Memorial in both versus multiplayer and Horde modes. Find both videos after the break.

Continue reading Video: Check out GOW 2 Memorial map, gameplay

Video: Check out GOW 2 Memorial map, gameplay originally appeared on Joystiq Xbox on Fri, 22 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So now we have not one, not two, but three posts discussing the imminent Modern Warfare 2 trailer. This time, Activision has announced that the first full gameplay trailer for Infinity Ward’s follow-up to Call of Duty 4 will premiere this Sunday (May 24) during the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on TNT. Tip-off is set for 5:30ET, though the press release neglects to say just when the trailer will be shown during the event.

Viewers are directed to visit modernwarfare2.com directly after the trailer’s premiere for more info. We’re assuming that’s when the new site will officially launch and, according to the teaser trailer (for the actual trailer) that was shown on GTTV last night, the full trailer should be available at modernwarfare2.com at that time as well.

After that, it will presumably be available everywhere (including right here on Joystiq) because … you know … it’s Activision.

First full Modern Warfare 2 trailer on TNT this Sunday originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 May 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox.com hosted an Xbox All-Nighter featuring the Broken Steel game add-on for Fallout 3. Everyone had a great time and we have their photos and write-ups to prove it!

Experience awesomeness in downloadable form. Get free gamer pictures courtesy of Steve and the pure liquid awesomeness that is Nestea.

This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=0/3, Sex=0/3, Mature Content=0/3. Experience the puzzling Minesweeper game with a new modern look. Up to 4 players competitive or CO-OP. Highly customizable games complete with highscores and user statistics.