Your Pretty Obvious Game of the Month: Grand Theft Auto V

September 17, folks. Yeah, yeah, it's not even out yet, but between all the content descriptions, teasers, trailers and screens it's more than clear that this is Rockstar's biggest game to date and it will be a major distraction for those fans who buy in and tune out the even crazier goings on in the real world. Provided the planet doesn't blow itself up, melt or get invaded by aliens (and variations of two of those three things could happen), it should be a great holiday season for anyone employed at the company when those bonus checks go flying around...

It's May, So That Must Mean It's Max Payne Month...

With Rockstar teaming up with Marvel Comics and rolling out a Max Payne 3 comic (digital and limited retail release), the game arriving soon afterward and a bunch of ads all over doing their thing, I'm predicting old Max will be feeling better about himself once he's back in the gamer eye for a bit. I'll be covering the game on the NEW DAF blog, so remember to boogie on over thataway to see what I think of Rockstar's wrap-up to the series (well, it's looking like some sort of finale, but I'm expecting to see Max pop up elsewhere at some point in some playable form)...

Max Payne 3: First Trailer

Rockstar's take on Remedy's modern noir character goes for a really intriguing mix of elements for its third installment, set for a March 2012 release on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. I'm liking the visuals, color palette and overall tone of the trailer. As usual, Rockstar KNOWS how to sell a story with a trailer that also shows off their latest tech in action. This definitely isn't the game some are "expecting" but it's sure as hell going to be washing the taste of that film out of the heads of anyone who paid to see it. I can't wait to get some hands-on time with this one and see how it plays. So far, I'm betting it'll be a hit (in part due to the pedigree). The trailer can be viewed by clicking on the image above. On a side note, someone needs to sue the ESRB (or at least make them see the light) so they can stop this nonsense about restrictive age gates and such.

Gallery: Max Payne 3 (Remedy Gets Even More Real)

After a long wait (and still ongoing development cycle), Rockstar is finally bringing Remedy's modern noir detective back, and this time he's looking both better and worse for the wear. Better as in the game is taking the stellar visuals and phenomenal attention to detail the developer is known for to new heights of realism. Worse in terms of the presentation of a down and out Max Payne as an alcoholic, pill-popping gun for hire living in Sao Paolo. Of course, the game is not just about his decline well off the grid and whatever rotgut and cheap drugs he can score to feed his bad habits. There's plenty of gunplay, bullet-time sequences and what's looking like the most spectacular use of the Euphoria Engine to date. Rockstar is set to reveal the game's first trailer next Wednesday, so expect that to get posted (most likely on the other blog, as I'm expecting it to be nice and violent).

Some in-progress screens are below and more are on the way (most likely next week with the trailer I'll bet)..

L.A. Noire "Orientation" Trailer (Yes, MORE Stunning Visuals)

Team Bondi's hard work is bringing a new level of cinematic and visual punch to the crime game scene. As noted earlier, I'm thinking a lot of folks will be surprised at this one in terms of overall plot and some of the gameplay. I'm thinking it's not going to be a mere GTA, 1940's version at all, but we'll see...

Rockstar Games Celebrates The Year of the Rabbit With A Little iOS Sale...

Pssst - hey, buddy. yeah, you... get over here. Keep it quiet, but it's the Year of the Rabbit according to the Chinese Calendar and like the header says, Rockstar Games is putting the iOS version of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on SALE. Got an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch? Well, Starting today, February 3rd until midnight on Sunday, February 6th, you can grab this amazing little gem for 50% off in the iTunes App Store. Got it? Good. Now go slink on over to that App Store... you know what to do when you get there...

L.A. Noire Website Now Live

Rockstar's game site designs are always great, and the newly-launched official site for Team Bondi's upcoming crime drama is no exception. Poke around the age-gated site for a look at the character file on Coroner Carruthers as well as a look at the Homicide Desk lead character Cole Phelps works in. Nice screens, game art trailers and even a few film noir recommendations for those gamers who want to expand their horizons a bit before the game ships in May. My own noir choices will be the subject of an upcoming article next month, so check back in for that...

Gallery: L.A. Noire

Oops. I'd forgotten to post these lovely screens of Team Bondi's crime drama a few days back, so here you go. I think a LOT of folks will be surprised when they play the game, as Rockstar is known for shaking things up. I hate speculation and "expectation" in most previews, but as a fan of classic noir films myself as well as updated takes on the genre such as Chinatown and L.A. Confidential, I have a feeling this one's going to be a great deal more about story than too much open-world rambling about. We'll see...

More screens below the jump.

L.A. Noire Trailer # 2 (Yup, It's All In-Game)

So good it's on both blogs, here's the second L.A. Noire Trailer for your approval - this time in long and short versions. Team Bondi's upcoming crime drama is certainly going to set a few new standards in terms of character animation and possibly game design. As usual, Rockstar is going above and beyond the call in ensuring their dev teams make games that try and do something different within their respective genres. And that, folks, deserves a lot of respect.

L.A. Noire "The Technology Behind Performance" Video

Rockstar shows you how it's done in this excellent clip. As you can see, new tech is indeed a blast when the right folks get their hands on it. Note: If you somehow can't see the video, click the post title and BOOM - there you go.

Review: Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare

Platform: PS3 (also on Xbox 360, PC)

Developer: Rockstar San Diego

Publisher: Rockstar Games

# of Players: 1 (online 2 - 4)

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Official Site

Score: A+

"Before we resume with a bang and boom...", let's just say that Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare is absolutely going to be the best ten bucks (or 800 Microsoft Points) you'll spend on any DLC this year. The zombie-packed expansion makes a great game even greater, packing in a decent amount of single-player content and some fun multiplayer action while transforming the familiar Old West setting into an undead filled wasteland that needs a bit of purification. If you've somehow managed to miss Red Dead Redemption, it's definitely a must-buy and this expansion makes it even more so.

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Now Available via DLC - Retail Version Hits Next Month

Awesome. Not only is Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare hitting PSN and Xbox Live to-day as DLC (for a measly ten bucks/800 Microsoft Points? That's an automatic BUY, hands-down, folks!), the M-rated zombie-packed single and multiplayer expansion is hitting retail next month as a standalone game disc with a ton of additional content non-broadband using gamers (or those who still haven't played the original game yet) will absolutely want.

Click below for the press release... unless of course, you're already playing the game.

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare To Be DLC AND Retail Release (YES!)

In a great (and very common sense) move, Rockstar Games has announced that gamers will be getting the upcoming Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare as not only a digital release, but a stand alone expansion that doesn't require the original Red Dead Redemption to play. Not only that, but the retail release will include the single and multiplayer expansions to the game, a move that will most likely get those who haven't yet played the western-themed action game yet to give it a try. Anyway, while I celebrate Rockstar's being smarter than some publishers and not abandoning users who still crave physical product, don't have the hard drive space on their consoles for the DLC or hell, don't yet have broadband access, go read the press release below the jump.

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Hands-On

Adding zombies to any game seems to be the one way to assure interest and indeed, reasonable sales once gamers get wind of the undead aspect creeping into their favorite games. Rockstar Games has something wicked this way coming for Red Dead Redemption fans this winter with the release of the Undead Nightmare expansion for the PS3 and Xbox 360. At this year's New York Comic Con, thousands of gamers got the chance to go hands-on with the upcoming DLC and walk away with a cool poster and a chance to score a pack of extremely limited edition playing cards. UN will feature a solid single player campaign plus yet to be announced multiplayer features, some amazingly creepy zombies of different speeds and a number of missions to tackle set in and around familiar locations from the main game.