Multiple codes are available, and fill free to message me (GHR Superman) and the guys whenever you see us on the Gears Beta and we will get you into our game. And remember the Beta ends May 15th (that’s this Sunday). So what are you waiting for?

After working on Thursday, then driving to Allen’s in Ohio, and then battling through rain, snow and even crazy Boston traffic, Bumblb19 and myself, GHR Superman, made it to PAX East 2011. First things first, WOW! In many ways the venue change was a great idea, but so far I have noticed a few things missing from last year. Not the least important of these were the bean bags that lined the halls for those of you that just wanted to lounge around and getting some PSP time etc. But it seems like a fair trade off considering that I would estimate the number of spectators on the expo floor to at least double the number at PAX East 2010, and you can move around from booth to booth with relative ease compared to the packed space of last year.

So far, due to lack of sleep, arriving late because of the 1 ½ hour 10 mile adventure with Boston traffic and the sheer size of the expo, I have only spent in depth time with a few the available games and demos. But before I did anything, I wanted to confirm something I heard, but could not find any conformation online. I scanned the floor from above and quickly found the answer I was looking for. Yes, the Gears of War 3 beta was in the house and playable. Did it get me excite for the soon to be released beta and the release in September? Of Course! While a lot of it was very much the same, one added feature will certainly be praised by some while it is cast down by others. One of the biggest additions that I noticed in the brief match I played was the over head map that you can pull up while the match is loading and while waiting to re-spawn. It list detailed names of locations on the map as well as the names and location of the weapons available. And while some will praise this as adding a level of fairness for all the players in the match, I feel it will also add to the weapons race effect that often is Gears of War.

And while I can’t wait to get my hands on all of the AAA titles represented this year, I wanted to begin to search for the hidden treasures obscured by the large displays and game booths of the major developers. While everyone sets out to draw gamers into their game world, it always seems like the smaller developers have to work extra hard to make sure the games are noticed and even further, remembered. So I started by checking out ‘Slam Bot Scrapples’ by Fire Hose Games (www.firehosegames.com). If you hear anyone start off by saying this game is like Tetris, they are wrong. The only similarity is the shape of the color blocks used to build towers. The mode of the game that is playable at PAX is a 2 v. 2 mode in which each team attacks flying colored monsters to turn them into corresponding colored blocks, shaped similar to the shapes in Tetris. But that is where the similarities end. Instead of piecing the colored shapes together to eliminate lines or blocks, you form squares to create cannons used to attack the other team. The larger the squares formed, the larger and better the weapon. The end game is simple, the last team with their blocks standing wins. ‘Slam Bot Scrapples’ is releasing on Tuesday, March 15th, 2011 on PSN for $15. It will have a playable demo to check out, and the full game will include several modes including a coop story, 2 v 2 and more. The only downside, it’s not available for online play. But it seems like a very exciting and fun game to play at any party.

And last but not least, we stepped over to Demiurge’s ‘Shoot Many Robots’. This XBLA title is planned to release mid-summer, and it is packed full of action. From the story mode loaded with enemies and bosses to the onslaught of robot attacks in survival mode you’re sure to stay busy. With a side-scroller design that will take you back to the days of Contra, artistic graphics that would make any next-gen gamer proud and 4 player online coop, you won’t regret picking up this title at an estimated 1200 spce bucks

Keep checking back for more on PAX East 2011, and be sure to continue to listen to GamerHusbands Radio for our post PAX news and opinions.

After spending some time at the Mommy’s Best Games booth at PAX East last march. We here at GamerHusbands Radio just can’t wait to see more. That’s why I have decide to make them the first indie game developer that I put in the spotlight in my new Spotlight series. Check out this trailer of the upcoming game GrappleBuggy.

Take one look at Mommy’s Best Games and you’ll know that they are different. Every part of their games from the innovative game play to the heart pounding music grabs hold of you and refuses to let go.  If you don’t believe me,  just go to XBLIG and download Shoot1up for 80 space bucks and see if I’m wrong. What makes these games so exciting and fun? The same things that made arcades and Atari so successful in the 80′s. The fast paced arcade style scrolling, the  insane moves required to dodge oncoming projectiles and urge to try and beat that high score.

Let’s take a closer look at the people behind Mommy’s Best Games. The company was started by founders Nathan and Amy Fouts in 2007.  They have since released three games, Shoot1Up, Explosionade and Weapon if Choice which are all available in Xbox Live. And they are currently working on, the very exciting, Grapple Buggy.

Here’s a closer look at their games:

Shoot1Up- Think back to the classic arcade space ship shooters like Galaga, then add fresh new graphics, heart pounding music, more features and power-ups, more fast action shooting and you’ve got Shoot1Up. MBG takes arcade style spaceship shooting to a new level as they put you in control of more than 30 ships at the same time in single player and over 60 in co-op. They also include a feature that allows you to adjust the game play to your level of difficulty.  And you can’t beat the value of this game, it’s just 80 space bucks on XBLIG. That’s right, you can Shoot1Up for just $1 US on XBL. Here’s a look at  Shoot1Up.

Explosionade- This action packed reminds me of some of the great side scrollers like Metroid and Castlevania. It features destructible  environment, 2 player co-op, and online high score  so you can show off your high score to all your friends. And once again you can pick this game up in XBLIG for just 80 space bucks. At that price, what do you have to lose?

Weapon of Choice- Weapon of Choice holds the title of IGN’s Best of XBL Community Game of 2008. Once again MBG changes the way you will look at side scrollers as you battle through non-linear levels and face dynamic in-level branch decisions that lead to multiple endings. Add  in unique weapons and powers for multiple playable characters, and you’ve got an award winning game. Download the demo today on XBLIG and if you want more you can download the entire game for 400 space bucks ($5 US). Check out this footage of  WeaponOfChoice .

Grapple Buggy (Soon to be released) GHR Superman and Teetock watched GHR Maverick as he got some hands on with Grapple Buggy at PAX East, and it was something else. The originality of the game was amazing. Who would have guest that a game about a little buggy driving around on a distant planet could be so gripping. But it left us wanting more. Once again this game incorporates upgrades dynamic decision branching, and multiple game based endings. Explore new heights with your grapple as you hunt through the planet Vald-End 317. And you choose weather to strip the planet of it’s valuable resources or rebel against your government as you fight to save the planet.

For more information on Mommy’s Best Games go to www.mommysbestgames.com or go to the indie game section on Xbox Live (XBLIG) and download trial or full versions  these games.

I hope you have enjoyed this edition of GHR Spotlight, and as always Thank You for supporting GamerHusbands Radio.

Join GHR Superman and others from the GamerHusbands Community Monday night @ 9:30 PM EST as we play a variety of game modes on Halo Reach. Just send a message to GHR Superman when you log on, and a party invite will be sent ASAP. Can’t wait to see you there!

If you haven’t already checked out The Married Gamers, where have you been. Chris and Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. Lefty Brown, invited us as guests on Episode 182 of TMG. So join GHR Maverick, GHR Superman and Teetocks as we discuss some drunken gaming with The Married Gamers. And make sure to check out their site at www.themarriedgamers.net.

While researching story ideas to write about on the site, I came upon this video. And I must say that it made me think about Allen (Bumblb19) and his wife Heather. But it really makes you stop and think about how you might look if you Kinect. Enjoy.

On September 14th, 2010 Halo Reach hit store shelves and sold $200 million dollars…. on it’s first day.  Sales remained impressive throughout the week as it passed Halo 3 for the highest total sales of an exclusive game title. It seems like Halo Reach is set to reach new heights  as it passes many of the records set by Halo 3. But is it worth the hype? I guess it depends on the player. But for a majority of gamers, and myself, the answer seems to be yes.

Lets get down to the basics. While the graphics of Reach are good and a slight step up from those of Halo 3, they aren’t going to make your jaw hit the floor. In others words, Maverick won’t be stopping to watch the grass sway in the breeze. With that being said, the only major complaint I have with the graphics is the frame rate. While many of the cut scenes have a nice sharp look to them, they also have a slight strobing effect to them, which was some what distracting at times. For those fans that love the previous soundtracks of the Halo series, Bungie did not disappoint in Reach. They continue to use the music throughout the game to enrich your experience as you take on everything from grunts and elites to brutes and hunters.

Now onto game play. Some may argue that Reach is just the same old Halo, but I beg to differ. While a few of the maps in Reach are inspired by previous maps in the Halo series, and many of the weapons are the same, Bungie has added many new features to raise game play to a new level. For example, by adding ‘Armor Abilities’ they have not only create a choice of different ‘classes’ of solider to be, it also eliminated the race to active camo, etc. The new voting system they implemented into multiplayer gives players more choices and a better variety of game play. New multiplayer game types like ‘Head Hunter’ and ‘Invasion’, along with all of the Halo fan favorites, means there is sure to be something in this game for everyone.

If you have even heard of Halo before, you know the replay value of the game. But just in case you haven’t, let me explain. Halo Reach not only has multiplayer replay value, but single player too. With 4 player coop you can battle through the world with 3 of your friends on Legendary and never have to restart at the begin of a level or a check point (as long as one person stays safe for respawns) and collect an achievement and then try and master it yourself for another hefty achievement. Then jump on over to the multiplayer side of the game where you can throw a party and play with as many as 15 of your friends on Xbox LIVE or play with the millions of other Halo fans. Microsoft has already been collecting data from the game votes and updated the multiplayer on October 6th, adding new game types like ‘King of the Hill’ and making SWAT a game play mode all of its own. Who knows what other game modes may come available as the game continues to grow.

Final Thoughts: If you are looking for a great multiplayer experience or just longing for those good old days of staying up late playing Halo, get Reach and enjoy.

I know it has been said many times, but get ready and download all the DLC (free ones) for G.R.A.W. 2. Because starting Monday May 4th, I will be hosting G.R.A.W. 2. I will be on at about 9 pm eastern time. So make sure to join me.

Yes! after a whole year of doing the pod cast. I have fiinally posted my bio. I don’t feel too bad, I at least came in second on this one.

I am 30 years old. WOW…. 30! I am always busy with something. Between Family, work, the pod cast and a house renovation project that will take years to complete I’ve always got something that I could be doing. But when I am not busy, or when it is too dark outside to do anything, I can normally be found on my Xbox 360. I currently own a 360, PS3 and PSP. I also still have a lot of the older systems like the NES, Dreamcast, Gamecube and N64. But rarely have time to hook them up and play them. My wife and I have been married since December 13th 2003. I was born in Columbus, Ohio and still have family that live there. And then my family moved to Lake Mary, FL (Orlando Area) when I was 5 years old, and I lived there until I went to college at Lee University in Cleveland, TN where I met my wife Sarah. She graduated in 2001, and I decided to take a break from schooling. Yes, I am still on that break, but hope to finish my education in the very near future (as soon as I am debt free, which should be at the end of this year). Sarah lived in Virginia, so I moved up there until we got married, and in 2004 we moved back to Tennessee. On June 28th 2007 we were bless with our daughter Elizabeth. She is a trip to say the least. She is so smart, I sometimes wonder where she got that from. Things have kind of gone on overdrive since starting the pod cast in 2008. One night out of every week is spent recording, then the following night is spent editing and posting the show. It takes a lot of work, but in the end it is worth it. Feel free to send me any Friend Request on live and PSN (Gamer tag: GHR Superman and my PSN name is GHRSuperman)

The long awaited sequel in the ‘Ninja Gaiden’ series has finally arrived. And it is action packed. Team Ninja does a great job of bring this title into ‘Next Gen’ with mind blowing landscapes and amazing graphics. So if you are ready for a mission with a lot of action packed combo moves, that will take you from Japan to New York City and beyond, then you have to pick up a copy of Ninja Gaiden 2.

Overall: 8.9

Presentation: 9

I based my purchase of this game off of my enjoyment of Ninja Gaiden on the original Xbox. I did see a few commercials, but I had already made up my mind that I was going to get it as soon as I hear that it was coming out. So if you have liked the Ninja Gaiden series in the past, you will not be let down by Ninja Gaiden 2.

Graphics: 9.5

I do have to say that the pre-release footage of this game did not do it justice. A lot of comments were made that the graphics did not look any better than the original installment for the Xbox, based off of that footage. Well, now the game has been released, I can say that the graphics are breathtaking. There are many different environments that Ryu travels through on his quest, and all of them have very different textures. From a rainy night in New York City, a bright clear day on the waters of Canal City, to underground caverns there is an amazing world to discover.

Sound: 9

As expected, the in-game music is very cinematic, when enemies are attacking it increases in tempo and volume and it adds to the excitement level. With in-game Dolby Digital it is easy to tell from which direction enemies are running to attack you from. But so far nothing out of the ordinary.

Gameplay: 9

Overall, this is just a great challenging game that can be played for enjoyment. There are skulls and chests filled with useful items that are hidden throughout the levels that add to the action-packed combat. There are sometimes that the camera angles get a little tough to deal with, but once you get use to controlling the camera it’s not as bad. The game is rated ‘M’ for mature, and for good reason, there is lots of violence and blood as well as some scantily clad women throughout the game.

Replay Value: 8

For most people the replay value isn’t going to be there. There isn’t a multi-player option in this game, so for those who play through a campaign and then put the game aside, you might want to rent it. But it will take most people a while to complete. Some of us enjoy the challenge of taking on the various levels of difficulty, of which this game starts out with 2 levels and increases to 4 levels as the game is finished. There are several different achievements that will require playing through the game several times to get, such as beat the game only using the ‘insert weapon’. So have fun with those all of you ‘achievement whores’ (Scott ‘Teetocks’). I purchased the game because I wanted to be able to play and enjoy it at my own pace, not feel rushed because of a due date.

EA does it again! If you haven’t already heard, EA is planing to sell gamers Battlefield: Bad Company with the option to buy more guns through DLC. So help us, and our friends @ Sarcasticgamer, and join the boycott. Please go to all the major gaming blog sites (N4G.com, Kotaku, etc.) and make your voice heard.

It was rumored that EA was going to have additional weapons available in a gold addition of Battlefield: Bad Company. And for those that choose not to purchase the Gold edition, the weapons would be available on Xbox Live through DLC at a price for each individual item. Here is the response from EA that Kotaku released…

“…Battlefield: Bad Company features numerous weapons in the core game. In addition to the core set of weapons, Battlefield: Bad Company will release five unique weapons free of charge through five different promotional programs prior to launch. EA will again make these weapons available to players free of charge after launch, in case anyone missed the pre-launch promotions.

At launch, EA will release a Gold Edition of Battlefield: Bad Company which will feature an additional five new weapons. For players who do not purchase the Gold Edition of the game, they can still buy the five weapons at a small individualized price per item. All weapons are balanced for gameplay. More weapons offer players more choices but do not create an advantage/disadvantage for players who do not opt to buy new items.

Currently, the menu in the Battlefield: Bad Company beta notes all ten weapons; the five available free of charge pre-launch as well as the additional five available in the Gold Edition.

We will have more details on the pre-launch campaign and Gold Edition of Battlefield: Bad Company in the next few weeks.”

Our friends at Sarcasticgamer have decide to start a boycott of the game. We have decided to join them. Yes this is some what of a small issue, for now. But where does it end. 10 to 15 years ago paying $59.99 or more for a video game would have sounded crazy, today it is a reality and very few people even blink at it. Now we are going into an era where if nothing is done, gamers will be paying that much for starter game and then have the option (if they can afford it) to ‘add’ to the game. This is not a customizing feature like themes and pics, this is a expansion pack that will be coming out the same day as the game (complete with 5 weapons). What is the point EA? Why not included the weapons in the game? How far are we as gamers willing to allowed to be pushed? I say enough is enough. Leave my nickels and dimes alone.

Capcom goes out of their way to drop in another great addition to the Devil May Cry series. If you are looking for a great game that isn’t a shooter, this is it. It reminded me of Ninja Gaiden on the Xbox, but with next generation graphics. While parts of the game are a little slow, most of it is full of non stop action and combo moves.

Overall: 8.7
Presentation: 8.5

Graphics: 9.5

This game has some of the best opening scene graphics that I have seen yet. But the graphics don’t stop there. Capcom continues to put down great graphics throughout the game, both in the cut scenes and in the gameplay.

Sound: 9

The opening scene has an excellent sound track. It really helps set the mode for the game. The music continues through the game.

Gameplay: 9

While the game is full of hard hitting combo moves, it doesn’t require learning a lot of multi button sequences. Most of the combo moves depend on the rhythm of when you press the attack buttons, making it easier to jump right into the action. Some of the camera angles can get weird at times, but the developers used this to hide some of the goodies that you have to find throughout the game.

Replay Value: 7.5

If it wasn’t for the time that it takes to fully enjoy the game, I would classify this as a rental for most people. There are two levels of difficulty, Human and Devil Hunter, Human being really too easy, but a great way to learn upgrading you character, and Devil Hunter being very difficult later in the game. But once the game is beat, their really isn’t much else to do but go through it again.