Xbox One allows users to pop in backwards compatible Xbox 360 discs and start downloading an emulated version of the game at no extra cost. That makes it nice and easy to bring over your catalog of physical Xbox 360 games, but it also meant some extra work was required to make it function properly with multi-disc titles like Human Revolution.

One Reddit user noted that the entire download began after inserting the first disc of the game, so it seems like Microsoft has emulated the disc-switching process as well – you’ll just need to keep the first disc inserted while playing the whole game. Hopefully this means we can look forward to other multi-disc Xbox 360 games such as Blue Dragon and Mass Effect 2 and 3 hitting the backwards compatible library soon.

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Part man. Part machine. All ninja

Once upon a time, the term cyborg called to mind man-machine combinations like Robocop. Those augmented humans boasted the firepower of tanks, but had the limited mobility to match. Flash forward to today, where the current craze in the fictional cyborg community that makes Robocop look like an Apple II. These killers have robotic implants, but that doesnt stop them from learning the art of ninjutsu, or at least the part where you sneak up on someone and stab them in the back.

Currently cyborg ninjas rule the roost in gaming, combining two concepts players love into one silent, deadly, cybernetic package. To prepare yourself for the launch of Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z–2014’s leading cyborg ninja zombie killer–I’ve rounded up the best examples of robo-eyed assassins gaming has ever known. So charge up your sword as we pay tribute to enhanced ninjas like

Yoshimitsu (Tekken)

A member of the Tekken roster since the original entry, Yoshimitsu has retained an air of mystery fitting for a ninja. Weve never really seen his face, his motives and age are hard to discern, and we cant even nail down exactly how many cyborg attachments he has. Based on how he can spin his right arm with unnatural speed (he often uses it like a helicopter), at least that appendage is mechanized, which is enough for a spot on this list.

Though his looks might scare some, at heart Yoshimitsu is less a stealthy murderer than a giving goofball, and thats true no matter the timeline. Whether in Tekken or guest starring in Soucalibur, Yoshimitsu enjoys a good laugh, and is often seen sharing his tournament winnings with the common folk. Its also admirable that hes somehow still a cyborg in Soulcalibur. As implausible as it might seem, his wooden right arm in SC functions almost exactly the same as its modern day equivalent. But weve learned to not question a series with lizard men and swords that can blink.

Cyrax, Sektor, and Smoke (Mortal Kombat)

These guys were some of the earliest gaming combinations of ninjas and robotics, though their look owes more to Predator than Robocop. All three of these Lin Kuei warriors were skilled in the deadly arts, but that wasnt going to cut it in a world where Shao Khan can tear the fabric of reality with his bare hands. The clan elders decided to step up their game with robotic enhancements, including dreadlocks that must have some useful function (that we can’t possibly fathom).

Sektor and Cyrax took the upgrade willingly, while Smoke unsuccessfully tried to reject the procedure due to one of the side effects: it destroys your soul. What did these ninjas get for paying that price? Energy nets, teleportation, and chests with a storage capacity akin to Futuramas Bender. These guys werent the stealthiest of killers, but well give them extra credit for having tech powerful enough to blow up the Earth.

Cyborg Ninja (Metal Gear Solid)

There were cyborg ninjas before Metal Gear Solid came to the PlayStation in 1998, but this robotic ninjutsu practitioner was arguably the first to make the trend famous. At the start of MGS, it seemed hard to believe anyone could be more intimidating than Solid Snake–but Cyborg Ninja surpassed the Foxhound agent immediately with the trail of bloody corpses he left in his wake. Snake was barely able to hold his own against the assassin, and all computer expert Otakon could do was wet his pants in fear.

Beneath his striking white mask and blazing red eye, Cyborg Ninja had the pathos and secret pain youd expect from a Metal Gear character. He was once Foxhound agent Gray Fox, but had been transformed against his will into the cyber monstrosity/badass we all know and love. Eventually he worked against his programming and was committed to stopping instruments of destruction like Metal Gear Rex. In the end, helping Snake defeat the Metal Gear would cost Cyborg Ninja his life, but his sacrifice is fondly remembered by Snake and gamers everywhere.

Hayate (Shadow of the Ninja)

Natsumes 1990 NES predicts a future that might still come true by 2029, but doesnt seem all that likely. America has been conquered by Lord Garudo, and can only be freed by the combined ninja might of Hayate and is non-enhanced colleague Kaede. The awesomely non-sensical story makes sense for the era it was created, and the same goes for how Hayates cybernetic powers feel like an afterthought.

The US cover art clearly shows Hayate is equipped with a robotic left arm, but it isnt all that clear in the games simple graphics, nor with his shuriken and sword skills that seem pretty average by ninja standards. Even more confusing is the fact that the UK box art also has Hayate with a cyborg arm, only this time its his right appendage. It makes you hope for an HD remake, if for no other reason than to clear up this discrepancy.

Yuki (The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai)

Originally a 360 Indie game, this XBLA success story reveled in the hardcore fun of hacking up cyborg ninjas–along with boring, regular cyborgs. The protagonist, a dishwasher turned samurai for the dystopia, wanted to free the world from cyborg oppression, as well as avenge the death of his sister, Yuki. Unfortunately for the dishwasher, one of his most challenging cyborg foes turned out to be his reanimated sister, and he had to de-animate her (so to speak) in his quest to save the world.

Sequels have a way of fixing tragedies like killing your brainwashed sister, and Yuki returned as a co-star in The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile. Now that she was back from the grave, players got to control her devastating combination of sword and chainsaw attacks. Old-school horror fans no doubt appreciated her Evil Dead-like appendage, and Yuki turned that unwanted enhancement back on her enemies with finesse matching her brothers. Perhaps she misses her right hand, but its hard to argue with the results.

Strider Hiryu (Strider)

Strider might be relegated to cameos and fighting game rosters these days, but there was a time when his futuristic adventures ruled both the Genesis and arcades. The Genesis version was one of the most expensive of its time–clocking in at a cool $80–but it was worth it for the privilege of cutting down robots left and right with Striders electrified blade. Like a ninjariffic Blade Runner, Strider hunted whoever he was told to hunt, and dispatched them down with unmatched skill.

Some sticklers might object and say Strider does have any implants, but merely uses futuristic equipment. We dont buy it. Not only is his grip strength suspect for an unaugmented human, theres the fact that he can call upon robotic animals at a moments notice during a fight. We dont see him holding a remote, so the only logical explanation is that he has some sort of receiver built into his body somewhere. Its just like a ninja to hide his tech upgrades in plain sight.

Yaiba (Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z)

Yaiba has quite the pedigree for this list. Cyborgs and ninjas are pretty high on the list of disposable game enemies, but these days zombies are the hot trend when it comes to filler bad guys. Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z has the creative fearlessness to combine all those clichs into one pissed off assassin. Hes a reanimated, cybernetically altered ninja, and hes cutting through waves of other zombies to get revenge.

You see, Yaiba got his start as one of the faceless ninjas that Ninja Gaidens Ryu Hayabusa kills by the dozens. The newly modified Yaiba is stronger than ever and is ready to hunt down Ryu, but his vengeful quest seems to conflict with an ill-timed zombie outbreak. Can Yaiba cut through enough zombies to finally take another shot at Ryu Hayabusa?

Adam Jensen (Deus Ex: Human Revolution)

If youre a fan of the brainless fun inherent in chopping down dudes as a cyborg ninja, Deus Exs introspective analysis of the price one pays for the benefits of cybernetic technology is a bit of a buzz kill. Adam Jensen was given a new lease on life after becoming a cyborg, but hes continually questioning the moral rightness of his upgrades, which really gets in the way of having mechanical arms. And its even more of a waste when Adam could be realizing his full potential as a cyborg ninja.

Deus Ex: Human Revolutions impressive openness means you can approach a stage in many different ways, but we dont understand why youd choose anything but the path of the ninja. If you play the level right, Adam can sneak into a building, grab what he needs, and sneak back out, silently cutting the throats of his enemies all the while. Sure, Adam hasnt really earned his diploma from ninja school, but his talent for stealth proves that some of the best cyborg ninjas are self-taught.

Raiden (Metal Gear Solid)

Raiden demonstrates that cybernetic upgrades dont just make you a better ninja–they make you more likable too. Raiden was one of the most hated characters in gaming, mostly because he abruptly replaced Snake as the lead in Metal Gear Solid 2, though it didnt help that he was prone to fits of whining. Even though he showed flashes of swordsmanship akin to the beloved Cyborg Ninja, fans rejected him with a passion. Perhaps thats why MGS creator Hideo Kojima decided to try and reform Raiden in the fans eyes, by going all the way with his Cyborg Ninja tribute.

When Raiden burst back onto the stage in Metal Gear Solid 4, he had transitioned into an unbeatable cyborg ninja. You can read the gory details of his transformation here, but the important part is that, from the neck down, Raiden was now an robotic killing machine. His unplayable appearances in MGS4 won him so many new fans, he earned his rightful place as the star of his own game, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.

Zero (Anarchy Reigns)

Believe it or not, Raiden isnt the only cyborg ninja that appeared in a 2013 title developed by Platinum Games. Januarys Anarchy Reigns has a virtually all cyborg cast, from chainsaw lover Jack to the brute force Big Bull, so theres obviously room for a man of Zeros ninja skills. Like everyone else in the game, Zero is an unrepentant killer, but he does his job with a certain delicacy.

Zero pops in and out of the campaign hunting down AR hero Jack, holding his own for some time until Zero ultimately met the same fate as most people that challenge Jack (grisly death). Zero is also playable in the multiplayer, where people can wield his twin katanas Onimaru and Juzumaru. You know a guy has cut a lot of people in half for money when his swords have names.

Zer0 (Borderlands 2)

Yes, you read that right, there is more than one cyborg ninja named Zero, though this Borderlands character mixes things up by replacing the o with the number. Zer0 joined a team of Vault Hunters searching for loot after growing bored with killing people who wont even fight back. While Zer0 isnt against using a gun, hes more inclined to stab enemies in the back with a laser sword after distracting them with a hologram version of himself.

Zer0 takes the silence of his role somewhat seriously, but he finds clever, internet age workarounds. He never talks, instead replacing speech with pre-recorded haikus and emoticons that pop up on his faceplate. Seeing him text FML when downed fits with the dark comedy of the Borderlands world, as does the fact Zer0 only has four fingers per hand a la Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny. At least youll have a nice chuckle before he disembowels you.

Kai Leng (Mass Effect)

Cybernetic implants are a dime a dozen in the world of Mass Effect, used by soldiers and politicians alike. Many became more efficient killers thanks to the wonders of technology, but Kai Leng took cyber assassinations to a new level. He was so talented that, after a decorated stint as an N7 marine, the Earth-born soldier eventually became the most trusted killer in the employ of the Illusive Man. It seems the two bonded over a shared distaste for aliens.

Kai pops up in some Mass Effect side fiction, but he makes his greatest impact battling Commander Shepard on and off through much of Mass Effect 3. Kai chafes at Illusive Mans decree that he not murder Shepard, but Leng battles Shepards team regardless, ultimately leading to one of the tougher boss fights in the game. Leng ends up losing to Shepard, but youve got to give him credit for dying with a sword in his hand.

The future of ninjutsu

Did we miss any cybernetic assassins of note? Tell us in the comments, but before you do, be sure youre suggesting a cyborg ninja and not a robot ninja. Itll take too long to explain intrinsic differences between the two, so do your research first, ok?

And if you’re looking for more on assassinations, check out the top 7 assassins and top 7 lamest ninjas.

The post Silicon meets shinobi with gamings greatest cyborg ninjas appeared first on Game News.

But remember, I myself was once that handlebar moustached hunter of bespoke electronic tunery. So just imagine that I’m giving you all of this information with a curmudgeonly “You don’t know you’re born” look on my face. Oh, and don’t forget to argue over my choices in the comments. That’s always the most important part, after all.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Composer: Michael McCann Buy it here (opens in new tab)

Alternately frenzied, soaring and soothing, the original score to Deus Ex: Human Revolution is perhaps the best new game soundtrack of the last couple of years. With insistent electronic percussion blending with cool ambient synth and subtly-powerful abstracted human vocals, it’s an accessibly complex soundtrack with sound and a mood both unmistakable and untouchable.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Composer: Anamanaguchi Buy it here (opens in new tab)

The retro-gamey soundtrack to the game based on the film based on the retro-gamey comic book. Arriving as the result of so many resonant stacked levels of brilliant, the Scott Pilgrim OST is an absolute stunner. Basically, it’s the most potent and fast acting cheer-up music money can buy.

Silent Hill 2

Composer: Akira Yamaoaka (soundtrack credited to Konami Kukeiha Club) Buy it here (opens in new tab)

This one shouldn’t need any introduction, but in case it does, know this. Akira Yamoaka’s soundtrack to Silent Hill 2 is one of the most revered in gaming for a reason. It’s one of the most touching, chilling, and deeply beautiful soundtracks ever to grace any piece of media. Combining soaring rock, ethereal synth and abstract soundscapes, it’s powerfully affecting on a level you just will not be able to imagine if you haven’t already heard it. So hear it. By buying it.

Heavy Rain

Composer: Normand Coubeil Buy it here (opens in new tab)

Repetitive and one-note as it may be in the game, Heavy Rain’s melacholic, ominously fatalistic score works a lot better in separation. Free from over-use, the various character-specific themes shine as pieces in their own right. The overall tone might rarely stray from ‘sad and a bit doomy’ across the selection of tracks, but it’s a strong and unique set of tunes with a personality all of its own.

Batman: Arkham City

Composer: Nick Arundel and Ron Fish Buy it here (opens in new tab)

Forget that dodgy “Music inspired by…” album that’s knocking around, attempting to purvey its array of unrelated licensed tunes off the back of the game’s high profile. This is the real thing. The orchestral score. The pounding, sweeping, at times damnably emotional stuff that actually appears in the game. It’s bloody brilliant, and up there with the very best Batman scores ever to grace the cinematic adaptations. In fact it’s a good blend of the best bits of all of them.

Bionic Commando Rearmed

Composer: Simon Viklund Buy it here (opens in new tab)

Halfway between the exhilarating abrasiveness of 8 and 16-bit chiptunes and the layered finesse of modern electronica, the soundtrack to Capcom’s pitch-perfect NES remake is as fun and imaginative as it is pulse-poundingly exciting. One of the most vital game soundtracks around right now, in both senses of the word. It’s that simple.

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2011 was indeed a great year to be a gamer. Heres our buyers guide of the top must-own games from the calendar year. Have you played them all?

Portal 2

Portal 2 review (opens in new tab)
Portal 2 screens (opens in new tab)
Portal 2 videos (opens in new tab)

Batman: Arkham City

Batman: Arkham City review (opens in new tab)
Batman: Arkham City screens (opens in new tab)
Batman: Arkham City videos (opens in new tab)

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim review (opens in new tab)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim screens (opens in new tab)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim videos (opens in new tab)

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword review (opens in new tab)
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword screens (opens in new tab)
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword videos (opens in new tab)

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings review (opens in new tab)
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings screens (opens in new tab)
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings videos (opens in new tab)

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Deus Ex: Human Revolution review (opens in new tab)
Deus Ex: Human Revolution screens (opens in new tab)
Deus Ex: Human Revolution videos (opens in new tab)

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception review (opens in new tab)
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception screens (opens in new tab)
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception videos (opens in new tab)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 review (opens in new tab)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 screens (opens in new tab)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 videos (opens in new tab)

Super Mario 3D Land

Super Mario 3D Land review (opens in new tab)
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Dark Souls

Dark Souls review (opens in new tab)
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Jul 28, 2011

Jul 28, 2011

Jul 28, 2011

Jul 28, 2011

The post Deus Ex: Human Revolution – How conversation and hacking can work to your advantage appeared first on Game News.

Instead, the demo level at the show was something that does a better job at living up to the series’ legacy, and as we waited for a developer-guided presentation to begin, we picked up the controller and gave it a go… and it didn’t really go all that well. As we soon learned, it really wasn’t the game’s fault that we sucked. In a world of mindless shooters, this is a thinking man’s game…

Our goal was simple: get the protagonist, Adam Jensen, to the top of the Tai Young Medical Facility to access the company’s servers. Jensen was wounded in an attack on his employer, and now, rebuilt with the miracles of futuristic cybernetics, he’s on a quest to find the people responsible.

Not really knowing what we were doing, we started handling it like we would any other FPS. When we saw enemies, we shot them. When we came across locked doors, we hacked them. When we were spotted by security cameras, we blew them the hell up. We played through some minor platforming segments, fought in a few gun battles, and eventually made the mistake of pulling our weapon out in a room with one too many guards in it. It ended poorly. It was fun, but we weren’t seeing what made it different from the dozen other shooters within 100 feet of the Square-Enix booth.

Conveniently, just as we were killed, the developer-guided demo was beginning. When we sat down and saw that they would actually be playing through the same area we’d just seen, we weren’t all too excited. Within seconds, however, it was clear that while we had technically played through the same segment, we hadn’t even scratched the surface of what Deus Ex: Human Revolution had to offer.

“Everything can be approached in different ways” is a promise that developers often make, but it usually means you’re given two options: stealth or commando. In Deus Ex, the options are much more robust than that. When we played, we started shooting as soon as we saw the first guard. When they played, they initiated a conversation, and bribed him to turn a blind eye to his infiltration. This let Jensen wander the facility freely, as long as he didn’t pass into any restricted areas.

When he did wander into a restricted area, he was able to quietly take down guards with melee attacks (he can be quiet?), and drag them into rooms (he can do that?) as to not attract unwanted attention. By upgrading and equipping different augmentations (there were upgrades?!), Adam gained abilities to let him walk quietly and survive long falls (WHAT?!). It’s not all about stealth, either. Augmentations can be equipped to help in combat situations, be it by steadying Adam’s aim or letting him left heavy objects. Our sniper attack did little but attract the attention of more guards—theirs, executed with an augmentation that steadied Jensen’s aim, cleared the room.

Other abilities can be used out of combat altogether, helping Jensen access otherwise inaccessible areas. When we played, we assumed the room filled with electric water was a dead end, but they found a way to turn off the power. They could have purchased an augmentation that would have allowed Adam to walk through such hazards unscathed, too. His abilities are limited by his battery cells, which are upgraded throughout the game, but that didn’t stop him from taking full advantage of his cybernetics to make our work look somewhere between “executed by an amateur” and “carried out by a drunken caveman.”

While augmentations are important, they’re by no means all that Human Revolution has to offer. There are other elements of the game that are more organic, and if we hadn’t been running through the hallways of Tai Young Medical like a maniac firing machine guns into the air, we might heard the scientist talking about losing his security card, which would have made the aforementioned room full of guards a much more pleasant experience.

So we’ll chalk up our poor performance to a lack of knowledge. You win some, you lose some. When Human Revolution comes out on August 23rd, we expect to have time to take it slower; handling situations in whatever way feels best, and taking advantage of all of the tools at Jensen’s disposal. Worst-case scenario, we can always go back into rampage mode, right?

Jun 15, 2011

The post E3 2011: Deus Ex: Human Revolution hands-on preview – theres more than one way to skin a robot appeared first on Game News.