I wasn't expecting any packages today, so Paradox Interactive's holiday greeting took me by surprise. In fact, at first I didn't even see the card, it having fallen to the floor while I struggled to unbox thing accompanying dragon statue. Struggling for 20 minutes to unbox a statue that comes with its own jeweled-sword letter opener is somewhat ironic, so not only did Paradox send a giant thing to me for the holidays, they also got an inaccurate Alanis song stuck in my head.

Happy holidays and happy new year to the folks at Paradox. My old D&D friends are sure to appreciate this addition to my apartment's decor.

I'm not sure what it is about "life-like" Anime mascots. Maybe it's the blank stare or the irregular combination of human and cartoon anatomy, but I can't help but feel weirded out all the time.

I actually challenge the Shu-wannabe to a game (which I knew nothing about), but it turns out the person inside the constume doesn't know how to play either. Shame.

The first thing I noticed was the graphical upgrade. For a cartoony style game, the backgrounds and character models looked really nice. The water rushing by in a nearby river was particularly well done. Once I stopped gazing a the backgrounds, it was time to take a look at Spyro himself. His character model has matured with the franchise and he looks a bit more like a teenager than a baby dragon. This game also marks a new power for Spyro: flight. In previous games, Spyro could only sort of hover and glide a short distance, but now he has the full power of flying at his fingertips. Joining Spyro in his adventures is Cynder, a rather goth like female dragon who was formerly an enemy in the last game. You can play as both characters by switching back and forth with a button press or bring a friend along to play in co-op mode.

Spyro isn't the only thing that has grown up in this game however. The battle system has matured greatly as well, adding in God of War and Devil May Cry type fighting elements. Despite the violence of these two games particular style, Spyro manages to pull the best elements while still remaining kid friendly. For instance, Spyro's ability to harness the elements features a Kratos-like electrical area attack that will take out multiple ememies at the same time. The spouting fountains of blood and severed limbs however, are absent. Cynder has her own set of abilities as well that make use of her darker shadow powers, using things like poison and fear. Gems can be collected throughout the levels to help power up Spyro and Cynder's various powers. Sets of armor can be found throughout the game that can be mixed and matched or use one whole set to gain bonus abilities.

Spyro also boasts a pretty hefty voice acting cast with Elijah Wood returning as the voice of Spyro, goth girl supreme Christina Ricci as Cynder, Gary Oldman as Ignitus, Wayne Brady as Sparx, Mark Hamill as the evil Dark Master and Blair Underwood as Hunter. It is expected to hit in early October on the Wii, DS, PS2, PS3 and Xbox 360 with the PSP oddly absent from the lineup. The gameplay on the various systems will vary slightly as they always do, but the storyline will remain the same. The PS3 version will even take advantage of the Sixxaxis controls although this control scheme will be optional. Apparently they have learned a lesson that the creator of a certain other dragon flying game didn't.

All in all I really enjoyed what I saw of this latest Spyro title and the new battle system seems like it might cross that line from pure kids game into attracting some more open minded adult gamers who enjoy a cartoony romp. As a fan of the first Spyro game, I will certainly be interested in checking it out once it is released to see more of how the the little purple dragon has come into his own.

Microsoft just confirmed that Double Dragon is indeed coming to the Xbox Live Arcade tomorrow and talked up six other titles heading to the download service.

Double Dragon will hit at 2 a.m. PDT tomorrow for 400 points. The game will include two player co-op, local or live, as well as the option to play with the original graphics or high-def graphics. There's new music, three leaderboards and the ability to earn a dozen achievements and 200 gamescore points.

Microsoft also unveiled six new games for Live Arcade, which already has a library of 58 games:
"Mad Tracks." This 3-D racing party game from Load Inc. and D3Publisher recalls all the fun of playing with toy cars from childhood. Up to four players can race micro cars in a variety of gameplay modes in familiar settings such as a living room, a restaurant and a toy store.
"Rush'n Attack." Also known as "Green Beret," from Konami Digital Entertainment Inc., this is a faithful next-generation update of this classic coin-op arcade title where the player assumes the role of a special forces agent sent behind enemy lines to infiltrate an enemy military complex and free captured prisoners of war.
"Soltrio Solitaire." From Silver Creek Entertainment, this is a collection of 18 different solitaire games, offering co-op and competitive two-player solitaire game modes.
"Spyglass Board Games." From Strange Flavour Ltd. and Freeverse, this offers classic versions of the world's most beloved board games, including chess, checkers, mancala and reversi, as well as the ability to enjoy video chat with friends via the Xbox LIVE Vision camera.
"Street Trace:NYC." This is a hover board racing and arena battle game from Gaia Industries Inc. set against the urban wasteland of future New York City. Make your mark on the leaderboards in intense eight-player action over Xbox LIVE, or battle at home through split-screen or single-player tournaments.
"Undertow." This is a fast-paced action shooter from Chair Entertainment Group that thrusts players underwater as they battle for control of the oceans, and features a robust single player/co-op campaign and up to 16-player multiplayer action over Xbox LIVE.

None of the games have yet been priced or dated. Brian Crecente

SOE is offering players over level 15 a special scroll a special scroll that allows for a second reset of path abilities as well as other special items and events to commemorate the milestone achievement of the game they refuse to let die.

I played the game in beta and was not particularly impressed, and I was pretty sure the game died out a couple years ago. Anyone out there still playing this, and if so, why? Michael Fahey

EVERQUEST ONLINE ADVENTURESTM CELEBRATES ITS FOURTH ANNIVERSARY WITH PRESENTS AND THE PROSPECT OF PEACE

WHAT: Sony Online Entertainment celebrates the fourth anniversary of EQOA with treasured gifts and special in game quests for all adventurers! Rejoice in the fourth year of the EQOA adventure by claiming your anniversary present today. Characters, level 15 and over, can claim an Anniversary Certificate, which will allow a second reset of their path abilities. Satisfied with your current path? Find a seller for this rare and unique item on auction or give it as a gift because it's tradable. For those that haven't quite made it to level 15, other unique and exciting gifts will be granted during the celebration to aide you along the adventure!

This anniversary also presents the prospect of peace in the land of Norrath...almost!
Assistance is needed to fight against invading forces storming the gates of Freeport, Halas, Forkwatch, Klick`Anon, Hazinak, and Misty Thicket. Quest in the name of Norrath and help these cities! Join the battle and you will be handsomely rewarded!

Commemorate the anniversary, collect exciting new rewards and embark on the new fast-action questing adventures that you have come to love, waiting for you in EQOA!

WHEN: February 12, 2007

WHERE: EverQuestOnlineAdventures.station.sony.com

WHO: EverQuest Online Adventures is a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG), which allows PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system owners to experience an open-ended, persistent virtual world, filled with thousands of other players. It is the first of its kind available on the PlayStation 2 in North America and utilizes the Network Adaptor to connect seamlessly to the Internet. The game carries a monthly subscription fee of $12.99 per person for continuing access and updates to the game world. Players can subscribe either by using a credit card, or by purchasing SOE Game Cards from various retail outlets. For more information, please visit www.everquestonlineadventures.com.

Computer and Video Games is so stoked about the new Spyro.

This is a new beginning for Spyro in every way. It's darker, it's combat-based, Spyro actually acts like a dragon now and gone are the cutesy flopsy bunnies and gems. In its place, we've got an Elijah Wood and Gary Oldman-led cast, a barrage of super moves incorporating the four elements and a re-booted plot that sees Spyro attain something he never got in the previous five titles - respect.

I'm a little offended by the derogatory references to flopsy bunnies, which form the basis of my home-delivery helium distribution service, but otherwise I'm willing to agree that new Spyro looks nifty-fun. And very fuschia. Eliza Gauger

More Here [Computer and Video Games]

Although this poor girl's arms are likely to be severed by radial paper cuts by the end of the day, she sure does make a geek sexy Adventure dragon. Or duck. Or chicken. Or housekey. Whatever the hell that thing's supposed to be. FLORIAN ECKHARDT

1-Bit Cosplay Adventure for the Atari [Destructoid]