Set for release this week, Max Payne 3 defines the growth of videogames through its own unique vision of the Hollywood studio system of the 1950’s. This is a franchise championed by one small studio, bringing fame and fortune to a name that was subsequently purchased by a bigger studio, and brought back to an eager audience on a quest for even more of the public’s attentions. That Max Payne 3 will succeed is not a given, but is most certainly the safest bet. And given the strong arm presented by the videogame itself, you’d be wise to think of Rockstar Games as a studio that will define this period in the history, as opposed to becoming merely another footnote in the annals of the industry.
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Motocross videogames haven’t been blessed with the greatest commercial success on the current-generation formats. THQ’s first stab with the hugely popular MX Vs. ATV series moved away from it’s surreal collection of golf carts and lawnmowers and far too close to simulation for many, while their latest 
The original Syndicate launched nineteen years ago, and still to this day is a highly cherished piece of entertainment software design. An isometric tactical action videogame, the original Syndicate – and its sequel – delivered the kind of unique experience that the 16-bit era has become renowned for: titles built to provide something unique under the constraints of limited hardware. And so in 2012, when the systems upon which videogames are brought to market offer a staggering amount of processing power, what would a modern revision of Syndicate look like? A first-person shooter (FPS), of course.
The latest Warriors title from Tecmo Koei Europe is the newest edition of what is arguably their smallest series, Warriors Orochi. The third release to make it out of Japan, Warriors Orochi 3 is a title aimed at the core fans of the Warriors franchise and of Tecmo Koei’s output in general, of which there are many. The budget may have been limited but the demand for Warriors Orochi 3 is genuine, and many gamers hope that it can deliver the same compelling combination of action and strategy that the spin-off series has become known for.
There seems to be a silent debate between Capcom and Konami right now, addressing how best to bring previous titles to modern hardware as high-definition (HD) packages. While Konami seem to think players don’t need the whole story, able to jump in to a series at any point, Capcom seem to be of the opinion that these compilations can be used for more than just fan service, potentially expanding the established audience. Devil May Cry HD Collection is evidence of this, offering all three of the titles not previously available in HD.
Racing videogames are one of the ever-presents; just like football and match-3 puzzles, it’s a genre that will never go out of fashion. This confidence gives the bigger franchises the opportunity to experiment, and just as DiRT is about to diversify with two simultaneous content streams, Ridge Racer: Unbounded is a brand new direction for Namco Bandai Games’ cherished arcade racer. This is no longer about mountain ranges and circuit racing, Ridge Racer: Unbounded is all about getting down and dirty on the city streets.
As part of Konami’s efforts to re-establish Silent Hill as a franchise at the forefront of the videogames industry, Silent Hill: Downpour joins 
Armored Core V is set to make it’s retail debut this week, arriving on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 with nary a whisper of discussion amongst the videogames media, specialist or otherwise. Maybe it’s because of the number pf other, bigger videogame franchises birthing new releases around this time of year, or maybe it’s because they just don’t think it’s a title worth covering. In reality, it’s most likely because Namco Bandai are well aware that Armored Core has a devout following who will lap this latest title up, and everyone else beyond that is a very hard sell.
For many years now, Konami has appeared quite unsure as to what the appropriate direction for their critically acclaimed Silent Hill franchise should be. The advancement of technology has seen the stuttered gameplay of the series become obvious in it’s lock-and-key gameplay and parlour trick horror, a far cry from the Mass Effect’s and 
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