Step into the world of Too Human

As the cybernetic god Baldur, you are thrust into the midst of an ongoing battle that threatens the existence of mankind. An ancient machine presence has forced the god’s hand. In the first part of a trilogy, Baldur is charged with defending humanity from an onslaught of monstrous war machines bent on the eradication of human life.

In Too Human, players experience a nonstop barrage of action powered by the integration of melee and ranged firearms combat and fueled by breathtaking visuals enabled by the Xbox 360. Battles unfold in awesome scale as players engage with vast numbers of enemies.

Key Features The birth of an icon-Fight as the powerful cybernetic god Baldur battling his way through enemy armies to become one of gaming’s renowned iconic heroes. From weaponry and armor to combat techniques and combos, you can fully customize Baldur to become the best possible hero. Epic beginning to a captivating trilogy-Begin the saga of Baldur in the first chapter of an exciting three-part narrative in the tradition of classic trilogies such as Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. Explosive melee and firearms combat-It will take more than brawn and raw strength to supplant the machine hordes. Utilize a sophisticated blend of seamless melee and firearms combat to vanquish foes near and far. Witness the fluid grace of heroes and enemies in battle as enacted by the motion-capture group F.A.S.T. Feel each punishing blow through advanced visual effects made possible through the horsepower of Xbox 360. Advanced cinematic presentation-Characters and environments come to life with unparalleled visual fidelity. Experience the full excitement of combat through a dynamically driven presentation system that portrays the combat with cinematic quality. Survive pulse-pounding battles against hundreds of on-screen enemies set against the vast landscape of the Too Human world. A sweeping orchestral score sets the mood for heartbreak, anger and bloodlust as each tune encapsulates you within the immersive gaming environment. New level of accessibility through intuitive combat-Perform Baldur’s elaborate and complex combat maneuvers through the press of a button and chain together hundreds of rapid-fire attacks and combos with ease. Through the use of an intuitive combat system, Too Human delivers gameplay that is easy to learn and rewarding to master. Too Human introduces combinations of weapons combat on a level that leaves players in awe. Shared experience-Conquer the world of Too Human alone or with friends through advanced, two-player online co-op gameplay through the Xbox Live service. Modern take on a classic story-Too Human chronicles the ongoing struggle between cybernetic gods, giant machines and mortal men on a massive scale never before seen. Play the role of a cybernetic god charged with protecting the human race against a relentless onslaught of machines.

Baldur’s dash View larger image Experience large, epic battles View larger image Multiple ways to attack View larger image

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Most underrated game of 2008
Addicting, fun gameplay with an interesting story - what is there not to like?

i have been playing this game for 3 days straight, and i gotta say, for 18 bucks this game is a steal. if you like hack’n slash games, or RPGs of any kind, buy this now. the controls can sometimes be a bit of a hassle, but in the end the few flaws can be easily overlooked as you enjoy pounding thousands of future-goblin things into dust.

5 Stars Sweet Game
This is one of the best games of the year for 2008 i have over 400hrs logged on it and its just awesome graphics and game play are great only bad thing i can say is WE HAVE NO DLC that was promised and its too short.

4 Stars too human
I don’t know much about this game. My son doesn’t talk about it at all. He usually lets me know if he likes the games.

4 Stars Great RPG
Very tactical, interesting game at sight and convinces in history, does not have many types of enemies, but it is another great game of RPG

4 Stars Too human
Its a fun and original game the only thing i found annoing was that the levels are big and long and there tends to be a lot of enemies in one place.

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10 Classic Williams pinball tables from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s for the Playstation 2. Gorgar, Pinbot, Funhouse, Black Knight, Space Shuttle, Whirlwind, Firepower, Taxi, Jive Time & Sorcerer.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Pinball Hall of Fame
Very interesting and realistic game, with incredible accuracy. Ten classic pinball games and you only pay for one.

5 Stars Just lke old times
This pinball game is really fun. You can play it for hours and never get tired. Graphics are great and a great selection of games.

4 Stars pinball
came in very good condition. This was better than KiZZ Pinball. If you love pinball you need to give this a try.

4 Stars Loads of fun.
I have been looking for a pinball game for my computer that was compatible with Windows Vista for about two years. I’m extremely satisfied with Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection.

5 Stars fun for older people too
I’m in my 50’s and I wanted to get a game for entertainment. No grandkids around either. Growing up we didn’t have the video games. Real pinball was one of the things we had for entertainment. I got this and it is just as much fun as the real pinball machines and I don’t have to pay to play. It works pretty much like the real pinball. I bought this from Amazon not from the people selling for cheaper.

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The Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Game of the Year Edition delivers the most thrilling combat action experience available. Take on the world as both a U.S. Marine and a British S.A.S. Soldier. Travel across the globe, relying on your wits and weapons to launch all-out assaults and accomplish stealth missions. It’s the most up-to-date collection of firepower, machinery and military vehicles in the Call of Duty series. Prepare to experience the sophisticated technology and unbelievable graphics of an incredibly realistic warfare experience.

Experience tomorrow’s war today in an immersive series of land and air strikes. Get the job done using 70 new advanced weapons. Make it to the next skirmish via choppers, jets and gunships. Conceal yourself and lie in wait with night-vision goggles and ghillie suits, then bust through enemy strongholds in a display of powerful weaponry.

Features:

• Authentic weapons include assault rifles with laser sites, claymore mines, .50 caliber sniper rifles, M-249 SAW machine guns and more
• Engage hostiles from above in a thoroughly modern aerial gunship
• Rim lighting, character self-shadowing, texture streaming and physics-enabled effects add incredible realism
• Rack up experience points to unlock new items and gain perks
• Create-a-class options allow you to customize gear for the best chance of success
• Ride as part of an armada of attack choppers delivering manpower to the battlefield
• Take down enemies from the sky in well-equipped jets
• Matchmaking and leader boards provide the latest developments in tracking

Since its release in 2007, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has garnered critical acclaim, securing more than 15 perfect score reviews and more than 50 combined Editor’s Choice and Game of the Year awards.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Unbelievable!1
This game is totally awesome and you absolutely must play this online. It completely changes the entire dynamic of the game when you play online because every single player you play online is a real person somewhere and you progress upward from a private all the way to who knows what! Also this game is barely an M rating and I think it should have gotten a T rating. There is a very small amount of red splatter when you take someone out. Don’t let the M scare you off, it’s really an awesome soldier game.

4 Stars amazing
I loved this game. it is so real and I felt that I was inside the war.

5 Stars Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare - Game of the Year - You Betcha!
Call of Duty 4 ( COD4 Modern Warfare ) is one of the best First-Person shooter games ever developed for any platform.

The Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) engine in this game is stunning.

The first thing you realize when beginning this game is the game developers knew what they were doing. And they wanted you to succeed! They provide an elite training center for you to hone your targeting, stealth, fast-roping, and quick-entry skills, for engaging Tangos, and then they make you part of a frosty team of Elite special forces from the West, and the far east.

And this game is cinematically intense: With amazing special effects, realistic depth of field, rim-lighting, character self-shadowing, texture streaming as well as physics-enabled effects that will enlist players in the most photo-realistic gaming experience of their lives.

I had to sit down and really think what made this game so good. And the density of armaments, and skilled manpower you have to overcome!

If you like to fire your weapon, this game will quickly turn your finger into jelly.

They provide you with some intimidating firepower, like the M-249 SAW .50 Cal gas cooled light machine gun. Capable of firing 750-1,000 rounds/minute, with an escape muzzle velocity of 915 meters/second ( 3,002 ft/s ) - These rounds are man-stoppers. Weapon handling and report feel life-like.

And there are over 70 tactical weapons employed in the game. They provide assault rifles with laser sites, and grenade launchers, claymore mines, as well as accessories like night-vision goggles and ghillie camoflauge suits, for maximum concealment.

You are more than adequately equipped for each campaign.

My favorite mission is the breached entry raid into the television station. The building is overwhelmed with well-armed grenade wielding hostiles, and there is almost no cover from them! Fire sure and do your best. You have to be assertive to quickly cover ground.

5 Stars Great game.
A great single player, as well as an awesome online community. The ranking system will really draw you in.

5 Stars AWESOME First Person Shooter!!!
If you like first person shooters, this is the game for you! The graphics are amazing and the gameplay is very realistic. I love the on-line portion of the game. The campaign mode is a bit short, but the online portion will keep you playing this game for a long time.

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In a city where information is heavily monitored, agile couriers called Runners transport sensitive data away from prying eyes. In this seemingly utopian paradise, a crime has been committed and now you are being hunted. You are a Runner called Faith - and this innovative first-person action-adventure is your story. Mirror’s Edge delivers you straight into the shoes of this unique heroine as she traverses the vertigo-inducing cityscape, engaging in intense combat and fast paced chases. With a never before seen sense of movement and perspective, you will be drawn into Faith’s world. A world that is visceral, immediate, and very dangerous. Live or die? Soar or plummet? One thing is certain, in this city, you will learn how to run.

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars Best game ever…but it will make you throw your controller at your TV.
Mirror’s Edge had the potential to be a great game, but it is flawed and I highly doubt there will be enough support behind the idea of a possible sequel. The presentation, the artwork, the ambient soundrack…almost everything about the game is beautiful until you actually start to play through it. It really is sad when productions are rushed and level designers and animators cut corners on projects like Mirror’s Edge. The concept was incredible, but the reality is kind of a joke, and this game is truly testament to the fact that some software houses need to spend as much time developing the playability and the engine as they do on the presentation and the cut scenes. This is the kind of game that makes even HDTV owners want to impulsively throw their PS3 controllers at the screen, due to several situations that demand 30+ attempts at making the same jump over and over again. Save your money for other games, or just buy a William Gibson or Neal Stephenson book instead–it would be a much better value!

3 Stars Visually fantastic….game play eh
Visually, graphically, and auditorially, the game is awesome BUT…the game play itself disproves the definition of insanity. So many times you do the same thing over and over and over and finally it works?!? I love a challenging game but this one is unnecessarily just plain hard. I bought it for my gf because it was different than the same old first person shoot everything in your way type game but she gave up on it before she even finished the tutorial. Her deal not the game’s. Any way, if the controls were eased up just a tad bit I think this would be a run-away hit. I have read very similar reviews since buying it so I know I am not the only one who feels this way. Still for a game in the $30 range it is well worth it.

4 Stars Fun Game
My husband and I both take turns playing this game. It’s a lot of fun but frustrating at times when you can’t figure out where to go next. The game looks great, it looks so real a times. Great buy.

5 Stars Mirrors Edge Review
The game is awsome. Basically you defy gravity by jumping from building to building and running from the cops while trying to solve a murder your sister has been framed for. The interface is easy to learn and you get into the game play within a few minutes. The game is part action adventure and part puzzle solver although the puzzle solver part is maybe only 10% of the game. The puzzles are more of where and how to go to reach you objective rather than actual puzzles. I would recommend the game to anyone looking for a crazy twist on a first person shooter, minus the gun. Wild!

4 Stars Cool but tedious
The game is really cool looking and really fun to play, but it gets somewhat tedious by about… the 4th chapter. Honestly, you do the same thing you did in the earlier chapters but the jumps and leaps get progressively more difficult. I like the pace of the game and the stylistic approach. Definitely worth buying if you want nice visuals.

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Brothers In Arms Hell’s Highway brings the critically acclaimed squad-based WWII shooter into the next generation of gaming with amazing graphics and sound, new cutting-edge gameplay features, and a totally redesigned online component. Delivering on the franchise’s compelling story, unrivaled authenticity and intense squad-based action, Brothers In Arms Hell’s Highway drops you into Operation Market Garden, the largest paratrooper operation in World War II. Lead Matt Baker, Joe Hartsock and the rest of the 101st Airborne Division as they fight to open “Hell’s Highway” in a daring bid for a quick end to the war in Europe.

The Next-Gen of WWII action

Take command as Sgt. Matt Baker. View larger.

Engage in large scale battles. View larger.

Or house-to-house combat. View larger.

Experience the life of a soldier. View larger.

Utilze fully-destructable cover. View larger.

Precision shots yield ‘quick kill’ points. View larger.

Operation Market Garden: The Story of Hell’s Highway
Operation Market Garden was a real-life Allied offensive designed to destroy Nazi Germany before Christmas, 1944. The plan was ambitious - it was largest airborne invasion in the history of the world. The plan was to capture a corridor through Holland to punch through the German lines. Paratroopers of the 101st Airborne and other divisions dropped from the sky in mid-September to seize and hold the corridor by surprise. The surprise attack was a bust. Hitler’s best units were in the area and immediately counter-attacked and crushed the corridor.

Meet the Squad
Although players see the chaos of Operation Market Garden exclusively through the eyes of Sgt. Matt Baker, Hell’s Highway is squad-based and as such players will direct, interact with, and get to know all the members of the 101st Airborne in intimate detail. Some of the characters return from earlier games in the series, while others are brand new. Regardless, each has his own personality, history and attitudes towards the plight the squad finds themselves in as they seek to survive a bold, but doomed plan. Some of the dog faces players will encounter are include:

	Name & Rank: Sgt. Matt Baker Preferred Weapon: M1 Rifle Bio: With his experience from the battles of Normandy, Baker enters Holland fully accepting the mantle and responsibilities of squad leader. However, the loss of half his original squad still weighs heavily on him and he will not let any more of his men die.
	Name & Rank: Sgt. Joe “Red” Hartsock Preferred Weapon: M1A1 Thompson Bio: A corporal under Baker’s command, he was promoted to Sergeant after the battle in Carentan. Unlike Baker, Red understands the realities of war and is prepared to make the tough decisions required of a squad leader. All he can do is minimize the casualties.
	Name & Rank: Pfc. Mike Dawson Preferred Weapon: M1A1 Thompson Bio: Though a newcomer to the squad, Mike served with the 502nd PIR in Normandy. He believes in fate and is interested in the story of Baker’s “cursed pistol.” His inquiries have made him a pariah, as the other members would rather not re-live those events.
	Name & Rank: Cpl. Tom Zanovich Preferred Weapon: M1918A2 B.A.R. Bio: The “old man” and veteran of the squad, Zanozich served in the French Foreign Legion before enlisting in the U.S. Army. Despite all the combat he’s seen, Tom has a strong sense of humor - even when the situation doesn’t exactly call for it.
	Name & Rank: Cpl. Sam Corrion Preferred Weapon: M1A1 Thompson Bio: Corrion was a corporal with Baker and Hartsock before Normandy, and much to his dismay, is still a corporal. Sam excelled as a foreman in the saw mill back home, and believes that he could perform better than either of his compatriots, if only given a chance.

Key Features:

• Brothers In Arms Hell’s Highway - Next Generation: The classic authentic, squad-based combat series explodes on next-generation hardware, offering unprecedented graphics and features.
• New Story, New Setting: Follow Matt Baker, Joe Hartsock and the rest of the 101st Airborne Division in “Operation Market-Garden” as they fight to open famous “Hell’s Highway” in a daring bid for a quick end to the war.
• Live the life of an Enlisted Man: Get orders from HQ, go on patrol, spot the enemy and set up a devastating ambush. For the first time, finding the enemy before they find you is part of the challenge.
• Unprecedented Character Design: Lifelike characters look, talk, move and think with incredible realism. Game characters interact with the player and each other like true brothers in arms, trading ammunition, helping wounded allies and civilians, working together to man team-operated weapons, and more.
• Rich Cinematic Experience: As the squad leader, you interact with and get to know your brothers. Each character has his own personality, unique story and background, and grows through the game.
• Powerful New Units Under Your Command: Players can use or command combined arms teams - machine gun crews create intense fire, bazooka crews destroy buildings and tanks, and mortar crews pound the enemy from a distance.
• Step Into the Boots of a Soldier: Hit the dirt and get prone, rip grenades from your chest and hurl them at your enemies. See and feel the blast of nearby explosions.
• Completely New Multiplayer Experience: Fight major multiplayer battles with dozens of players on each side; all the intensity and accessibility of Deathmatch meshed with the squad-based gameplay that helped make Brothers In Arms famous.
• Destroyable Cover: Keep your men moving and choose your cover wisely - simulated with real physics, weapons will damage, dent, scorch and destroy the world around you.

There’s only one way out of hell, and that’s through it. To the Allied paratroopers who fought to capture and hold the bridges and roads of Holland targeted in Operation Market Garden the price was the lives of their brothers in arms. To them the corridor became known as Hell’s Highway. It was the the last great Nazi victory. It was simply hell for Sgt. Matt Baker and his squad. Relive their courage and heroism in Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway.

Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway: The Colonel Antal Interview

Since 1985, when it dropped into the WWII division of the popular tactical/strategy shooter genre with Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30, the Brothers in Arms series has consistently met with critical acclaim and gamer praise. This was a tough mission to accomplish, but it did so by focusing compelling squad-based tactical gameplay against the backstory of a fictional squad within the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division as they battle through a historically correct re-creation of the events of the Allied invasion of Europe during WWII. This type of realism is more or less unheard of in the video game world and can only be provided by someone who really knows their stuff. Enter Colonel John Antal, US Army (Ret.).

Vice President of Knowledge Operations and Military and Historical Director at Gearbox Software, developers of the Brothers in Arms series, Colonel Antal is an Airborne-Ranger officer, and a published author of scores of magazine articles, as well as several fiction and nonfiction books on military topics. Most importantly for the subject at hand though, he is also a major force behind the development of the Brothers in Arms series. Recently I was able to catch up with him and ask some questions regarding the newest title in that line, Brothers in Arms Hell’s Highway.

Colonel John Antal, US Army (Ret.) in Kandahar, Afghanistan in September, 2008 during a visit with the paratroopers of the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division

Amazon.com/games: The modern military is full of cutting edge technology, but I’m sure that some readers will be surprised to hear that a career military man, such as yourself, plays such a pivotal role in the development and marketing of a video game. How did this come about? And did you have any video game experience prior to the Brothers in Arms franchise?

Colonel Antal: I just returned from a ten day visit with US and NATO troops in Afghanistan, and I can report to you that when Soldiers are not fighting, they are training for the next fight. The more time Soldiers spend training in realistic simulated battles, the less blood spilled in battle. During my thirty years in the US Army, I trained thousands of Soldiers using constructive, virtual and live military simulations. Once I retired, it was an easy leap for me to switch my experience with military simulations into value-added content for video games.

Amazon.com/games: I know you’ve probably been asked this question a thousand times, but let’s make it a thousand and one. Operation Market Garden, the WWII allied offensive that Hell’s Highway is based on culminated in a German victory. Why make a video game based on a defeat?

Colonel Antal: Market Garden was not a complete success, but war is fought at many levels. At the squad level, war is about fighting for the next hill, hamlet or road junction. Victory and defeat is very clear in a squad - when the battle is over you either have won and lived, or have lost and most of your comrades are dead or wounded. In Brothers in Arms, Hell’s Highway, we created a historical fiction that is true to the real history of the battle in ways no other game has approached. The true story of the battle for Hells Highway is dramatic and a worthy story. If we told only stories of victories, we wouldn’t be telling true historical fiction. War is about victory AND defeat, gain and loss. Telling both is part of being true to the actual history.

Amazon.com/games: As a follow-up to this, because this game is based on a very real and in many senses, tragic event for the forces involved and the civilian population, was there more pressure to stick to the facts in this game in order to get things right? And if so how did your team ensure this?

Colonel Antal: Yes. We have done our best to make the game the most authentic WWII experience ever. Our goal is to put you in the boots of a true-to-life squad leader in the 101st Airborne during the fight for Hell’s Highway. This game addresses the true history of the Battle for Hell’s Highway, uses realistic tactics and requires you to lead a rifle squad in ways that no other game has ever done.

Amazon.com/games: The game’s story is centered around the events of an American squad, but since Operation Market Garden was an allied offensive, will players get to control, or even better, play as other allied forces? And will there be any playable German characters?

Colonel Antal: The player will play as an American, Staff Sergeant Matt Baker. If you want to learn more about the British, the Dutch Resistance and the Germans, read my companion novel to the game, “Brothers in Arms, Hell’s Highway”, published by Ballantine Books, Random House. There will also be a history book out in January 2009 that explains the battle for Hell’s Highway in day-to-day detail with maps, historical photos, screenshots from the game and much more. Shop for the Colonel’s companion novel, “Brothers in Arms, Hell’s Highway.”

Amazon.com/games: I’ve read that Hell’s Highway will contain a whole new multiplayer experience. Can you shed some light on how this experience is different from what previous games in the series offered?

Colonel Antal: Multiplayer is really exciting. Our multiplayer design is different from other games because it brings squad game play on-line. We created a team based game, where the team-based aspect is about squad organization. The game will select (or players will vote on) a commander on each team. There can be up to 20 people in the game, 10 per team. The teams will go after objectives in each map that will be resolved in rounds.

Amazon.com/games: A common criticism in squad-based games is that AI enemies engaged in singleplayer modes are too easily outwitted, which is obviously something that should not happen on a real battlefield. Was dealing with this a consideration in the development of Hell’s Highway?

Colonel Antal: Yes, the team did a good job at creating a robust enemy AI that is clearly a tough opponent. Players will be excited about this feature.

Amazon.com/games: Hell’s Highway will feature a wide variety of weapons, not only used by US forces, but also those of allied troops and the Germans. Are all of these usable by any character and if so does each have specific ammo?

Colonel Antal: All the small arms — pistols and rifles — will be useable, as well as most of the crew served weapons (like machine guns). Players can choose from semi-automatic rifles such as the M1-Carbine and M1-Garand, to machine guns such as the M1A1, bazookas such as the M9A1 and pistols. To check out all the weapons you can use and see them in action, check out the website (www.brothersinarmsgame.com in ‘the game’ section).

Amazon.com/games: Hell’s Highway is the first Brother in Arms title to come to Next-Gen platforms. How much has the visual clarity made possible on these platforms helped in the series’ ongoing quest for authenticity?

Colonel Antal: The visual clarity is stunning in this game. It makes use of the Unreal 3 Engine technology to deliver incredibly realistic, authentic and cutting-edge 3D environments. The game also has unprecedented character design - with lifelike characters who look, talk, move and think with incredible realism.

Amazon.com/games: Hell’s Highway is the third game in the series featuring Sgt. Matt Baker, and now Sgt. Joe Hartsock. These two have differing views on the acceptable costs of war and have traded off command duties in the last two games. In Hell’s Highway both lead separate squads, but Sgt. Baker appears to be front and center. Will the game feature the ability to play as either sergeant? And regardless, is this dichotomy of outlook regarding command as much an attempt at realism in the field as anything else in the game?

Colonel Antal: The player will play the role of Baker. The story of Baker and Hartsock, and their different approaches to leadership is a vital part of the story that I many of our fans will find intriguing.

Amazon.com/games: I don’t recall tanks playing too much of a role in earlier Brothers in Arms games, but one of the nicer videos I’ve seen indicated that they might be prominent in Hell’s Highway. This seems a nice touch considering that Operation Market Garden’s objective was to secure a path for armored units crossing into Germany. What exactly will players be able to do with tanks and what other new units and/or changes to the control scheme can players expect to see?

Colonel Antal: The player will be able to fight as part of a Sherman Firefly crew and will be able to battle German Panzers head to head.

Amazon.com/games: When last I saw Hell’s Highway demoed, one of the things that stood out in my mind was the destructibility of environments and cover. Considering that the game in filled with weapons of varying destructive power, I thought this was a fantastic and natural addition. Can you give a few details on this for our readers?

Colonel Antal: Destructible cover allows the player greater tactical flexibility. Now you can create a flank by blowing away flimsy cover that would normally block your maneuver. The destructible cover system was modeled using real physical properties and behaviors, so weapons will actually damage, dent, scorch and destroy the world around you. It’s a great addition to the game that gives players a truly authentic experience.

Amazon.com/games: Having grown up myself watching movies like A Bridge Too Far, The Guns of Navarone/Force 10 From Navarone, Where Eagles Dare, The Dirty Dozen, Kelly’s Heroes, The Longest Day, etc. I’ve often wondered why the events of WWII have not been more heavily mined for game subject matter. With the continued success of the Brothers in Arms franchise and others, as well as the power of Next-Gen technology, do you see this changing?

Colonel Antal: I strongly believe that powerful, dramatic human stories provide an exciting medium for video games. WWII was a vast WORLD WAR with countless powerful, dramatic, human stories. Anyone who is bored with WWII hasn’t studied the war in depth. The stories from WWII have importance relevance to us today and are archetypical examples of the moral dilemma of war. No sane person wants war, but if you value life and liberty, sometimes you are forced to fight. I expect that we will be telling these stories and incorporating them into our games for many years to come.

Amazon.com/games: Since the framework of the Brothers in Arms series is the allied invasion of German-occupied Europe and the battles that would eventually make up the march towards Berlin/the race to beat the Red Army there, can players expect to see more from Sgt. Baker and his squad in the future, perhaps at the Battle of the Bulge and beyond?

Colonel Antal: As long as I have anything to do with it, the answer is YES.

Amazon.com/games: Finally, because it’s interesting to pick the brains of people behind the games, do you mind telling our readers what games you are playing and/or what you are reading these days? Also, I know that you have authored several fiction and nonfiction books as well as articles. Are you working on anything new that you might want to tell us about?

Colonel Antal: I’m an Airborne-Ranger and have been a combat officer all my adult life. I pretty much like to play anything with WAR in the title!

–Tom Milnes, Freelance Contributor

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Good story, Not-so-good gameplay
This is a good example of a solid cinematic video game, recommended for those who place more value on a compelling, well-told story than on gameplay. The game follows the US 101st Airborne Division through Operation Market Garden, the largest paratrooper operation - and the last German victory - in the War. You’ll lead a squad through occupied Holland in an attempt to secure a series of vital roads and bridges that came to be known as “Hell’s Highway” as a result of the relatively flat, indefensible terrain and the ferocity of German offensive operations.

The gameplay is primarily squad-based, much like the Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon series, which is not my cup of tea. I would prefer to just focus on controlling one soldier well, as in the Call of Duty series, rather than divide my attention between squads. When given orders, the squads in Brothers in Arms tend to not behave as intelligently as in similar games, resulting (perhaps with un-intended realism) in many frustrating and un-nessessary friendly casualties.

That said, the story is top-notch. The narrative unfolds through lovingly-crafted in-game cinematics which explore the close relationship between members of a single squad as the campaign progresses. I found myself growing attached to my squad members and surprised and saddened by losses from their ranks. Once again the message was pounded home: while these men may have enlisted for lofty concepts such as Freedom or Revenge what ultimately kept most of them going was each other. Each man fought so that a comrade would not have to face the enemy alone, a rationale both admirable and tragic.

5 Stars Best BIA Ever
WOW. One word to explain this game, this is by far the best BIA game I have ever played out of the series. The story mode is 1000X better then the first two, it has more of a dark story to it including the cursed gun that Baker has. The graphics are freakin’ awesome, also the destructible cover is a great new feature, makes you think more about when you should set your guys up and where you should position yourself on an assault. If I had just one guy die in my squad, I would restart because I didn’t want to get through the level with even one casualty. Although the campaign might seem to be short, the levels itself are pretty long, having about six or seven parts to complete in each chapter. Also, the new dig-in cover system is a nice feature too, if you don’t know what it is, it’s like the feature in Ghost Recon where you are dug in under cover or behind walls and you can lean over and shoot the enemy.

The only thing that bothered me was it’s more easy to run up on enemies and shoot them, it only takes one shot to kill you, but the danger system makes it easy, it just means if your screen is getting too red from the gunfire then you need to take cover otherwise you’ll die, so your not actually being shot by enemy fire. So once you complete the game and you get the authentic mode, I recommend completing the game on that mode for a challenge.

**SPOILER***

You also get to finally find out what exactly happened to Allen and Garnett back in Normandy and how Leggett caused their death, and why he decided to basically get himself killed on Hill 30 because he felt guilty for what happened to them, his ghost also haunts Baker throughout the game because Baker refused Leggett to tell people how Garnett and Allen died. Also in a few levels you see some visions of Leggett, in one level on a cemetery you see a white ghost ahead of you shooting a pistol yelling “Take me!”, well it’s Leggett then you see the Ghost fly back from the tank shell, also on one level when you’re looking for Franky in the hospital, a green sighing appears and a green lit soldier, that’s Leggett too, he just looks at you then walks away.

This made more of a suspense story mode which I enjoyed alot. I thought I was playing a horror game for a couple of seconds lol, if you’re a fan of the first two, this is a must get.

5 Stars WOW WOW WOW!
Brothers in Arms HH is one of the best shooter/strategy games I’ve ever played. I think I even liked it more than Rainbow Six: Vegas. The graphics are amazing (although sometimes the frame rate kind of goes crazy) but that’s fine. The story is also very captivating and it really makes you feel like you’re part of your platoon. I don’t care what other people say about this game. I love it, and I hope there’s more of it in the future. If you like a good story, good graphics, and a game that makes you think… at least in terms of where to put your men to shoot some nazis, then this is your game.

2 Stars Something’s been lost here…
The more I play this game, the more I want to play the original Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30. I don’t know why Ubisoft and Gearbox had to change a winning formula, but they did.

The first thing missing from this sequel (if you notice these types of things) are the tremendous sound effects of the weapons. Gone are the snap and pop of the weapons as they fire, and unfortunately along with that is the visceral sense that you have a powerful weapon in your hands. Whereas the original game featured sounds that were stark and crisp, it seems that this time around the soundscape has been altered to have a more synthetic, “video gamey” feel about it (especially with regard to the M1A1 Garand and the MP40).

Secondly I’ve come to notice as I play thru that hardly any of the command decisions I make on the battlefield affect either my team or my ability to achieve my mission objectives. All too often it seems the play to make is to simply have your fire teams hang back and lay cover fire while you dance about from cover to cover, picking off troops methodically with your newfound ability to place shots exactly where you want them to go. I’ve been in the middle of many a firefights where it’s all too easy to take cover, let your crosshairs zero into a pinpoint and then put a bullet right between the eyes of a guy that’s a hundred yards away. And while saying “your aim is too good” might sound a bit ungrateful, it makes the game not only monotonous but also completely detracts from the realism that made the original so fun and lifelike in the first place. You no longer have to work for your kills, either by finding a good position or positioning your team to cover or flank. Now all it takes is a bit of patience and some cover, and like that you’ll be taking down entire platoons almost singlehandedly.

Which brings me to the most disappointing part of this game and that is that it feels less like a tactical FPS and more like an arcade, Call of Duty type shooter. Your character doesn’t even take damage like in the old game; the screen just ends up flashing red when you’re in danger and if you take cover for a short amount of time it goes back to normal and you’re back at it like nothing happened. This has been extremely detrimental, because now you no longer feel like you’re in any real danger. It’s as if you were simply the Master Chief and you had to let your shields recharge before diving back into battle headfirst (I’m getting REALLY dorky here I know). And that’s the problem. You don’t have to use your head that much, which was the reason for buying a Brothers in Arms game in the first place.

In short (too late), the graphics and the environments are absolutely gorgeous, as are the character models and animation, but with that you get this increasing sense that the game has been hollowed out to resemble something pretty with no real substance. If you’re looking for a visceral warlike experience, you’ll unfortunately not find it here.

5 Stars Great game
Played previous versions of Brothers in Arms and this one improves a bit on the earlier versions. I was not disappointed at all and would recommend to anyone who likes war or shooter games.

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In a city where information is heavily monitored, agile couriers called Runners transport sensitive data away from prying eyes. In this seemingly utopian paradise, a crime has been committed and now you are being hunted. You are a Runner called Faith - and this innovative first-person action-adventure is your story. Mirror’s Edge delivers you straight into the shoes of this unique heroine as she traverses the vertigo-inducing cityscape, engaging in intense combat and fast paced chases. With a never before seen sense of movement and perspective, you will be drawn into Faith’s world. A world that is visceral, immediate, and very dangerous. Live or die? Soar or plummet? One thing is certain, in this city, you will learn how to run.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Mirror’s Edge — not so sharp
For a short time, the game was fun, but much of the same thing over and over grew quite boring. May just be a game that does not suit me, but will be great for others. Instead, I think this was a miss, versus hit game for EA. The trailers were more interesting than the game. Three stars because the mechanics are good, they just can’t help what I see as a fatally flawed concept. I don’t have any rants about DRM, it is what it is and doesn’t affect my view of the game. Didn’t have problems others wrote about with respect to crashes. All in all, as stated, the mechanics are fine.

2 Stars Never has game angered me so much…
I almost smashed my keyboard and mouse in frustration from trying to play this crap heap.You never get a moment of rest, you play the same part over and over because you keep dying. It’s the most frustrating game in the world. I was considering chopping my nuts off to be more fun than playing this game. Seriously, strawberry red face throughout the time I played. I got out of the sewers, kept getting killed by shotgun guys, and am in the middle of uninstalling the game right now. F*** MIRROR’S EDGE!

1 Star Where’s the game?
I installed a legitimate copy on a machine running WinXP (100% legitimate software - I never steal) but the software refused to run. I give the software a Big ZERO. For anyone with even a tiny bit of dignity, I say refuse to buy software like this which treats you as a de facto criminal. Bye-bye EA, I hope you go bankrupt for treating your customers so shabbily.

1 Star Say NO to SecurRom
I intially looked at this game because i was considering buying it, after however reading the “Install Limit” of the game, i am defiently not buying this. Although i havn’t had any issues with the rest of SecureRom, i will not be subjected to only being able to install a game I PURCHASED for a limited number of uses.

I hope EA continues down this path only to lose more and more money.

5 Stars Blood-pumping action, Violence Optional
This is a fantastic game. Never heard of DICE before, but they get tons of kudos for this. It’s tricky to be successful making games that are unlike anything you’ve played before, but they pulled it off. This is not just another FPS with new skins. Challenging for gamers of all skill levels, with plenty of replayability in the challenge modes, or replaying levels to find secrets that reveal extra plot secrets. Good story, good characters, wonderful soundtrack, and most of all exciting, innovative gameplay. Bonus feature: you don’t have to kill anything. The game is essentially about racing (on foot) through an urban landscape and performing acrobatic feats at high speed - NOT the usual hack-and-slash or shoot-em-up that we are all used to.

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In the highly anticipated sequel to the best-selling Sony PlayStation 3 game, Resistance 2 is an alternate-history, first-person shooter that puts you in the heroic role of Sgt. Nathan Hale as he struggles against overwhelming odds to defend humankind from an insurmountable Chimera.

Players: Offline: 1-8 Online: 2-60 game play Modes: Single player offline, multiplayer offline cooperative, multiplayer online cooperative.

Resistance 2 puts you in the heroic role of Sgt. Nathan Hale. View larger.

This sequel introduces several new Chimeran enemies with a host of new powers. View larger.

Resistance 2 takes up right where Resistance: Fall of Man left off. Hale is kidnapped by a black ops group in London and forced to Iceland for research testing. The full scope of what happens in Iceland is a mystery, but the game reveals that as Hale wrestles with the insidious Chimera war machine, he must also battle the virus raging inside his body that threatens to transform him into the very creature he fights against.

The Return of the Chimera
The Chimera are the main enemies of the Resistance franchise. For those new to the story, it is believed that the Chimera are of extraterrestrial origin. Yet, it is known that their army expands by infecting humans with a virus that transforms humans into Chimera while inside a cocoon. These creatures are much stronger than humans, and they usually have multiple yellow eyes. They have remarkable healing abilities and thrive in very cold temperatures, which has led them to alter the Earth’s climate to a much lower temperature that better suits their habitat requirements.

Resistance 2 introduces several new Chimeran enemies with a host of new powers. A few new characters include the Chameleon, a creature that can cloak itself completely and kill a player in one, destructive blow, and the Grim, which are a terrifying species that attack in hordes.

The Battle Moves to the United States
After the brief opening scenes in London and then Iceland, game play jumps ahead two years and across the globe to San Francisco. Giant, mile-long motherships slowly cruise through the skies, demolishing the city with fiery beams. The city is burned and mangled, and it appears that there will be little to no survivors. As the battle continues across the United States, you’re sure to encounter many new, deranged, and much more powerful enemies.

In Chicago, you’ll be joined by a squad of soldiers, all carrying different weapons. To survive and move through the level, you’ll need to work together, moving from cover to cover, setting up your squad in a smart and defensive manner. These are just a few examples of the challenging levels you’ll encounter as you battle your way across the country to save humankind. And if you’re hoping for new weapons, Resistance 2 won’t leave you disappointed. The US-based campaign is loaded with tons of new weapons to enhance the overall game play and first-person shooter experience.

Online game play Goes BIG
Powered by Insomniac Games’ third-generation PlayStation 3 technology, Resistance 2 delivers several console gaming breakthroughs. Most impressive are the stand-alone, class-based, online co-operative campaign mode that can accommodate up to eight players, and the mind-blowing, 60-player, squad-based online competitive multiplayer battle fest. This unprecedented 60-player option could revolutionize online multiplayer game play and is sure to provide countless hours of action-packed fun.

Resistance 2, set in the United States, is loaded with new weapons, enemies, and an unprecedented online gaming experience.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars not great
I loved Resistance, I played it on all difficulty levels, got all the bonus awards. I can’t wait to start the resistance 2, but it is not as good as the first one. So, if you are fan of the first one, may just rent the 2nd one, I can’t imagine I will play it again.

1. graphic is not good as the first one. I have to turn the LCD all the way up on brightness and contrast to see, my normal setting, the other soliders looks like a glob of color, I can’t really tell.

2. the story line is not as good as the first one.

3. 2 guns? running out the bullets all the time, no fun.

4 Stars fall of man was better
I would have liked more if cooperative mode was like the resistance fall of man.

2 Stars Resistance 2 - kid stuff
Playable - but not great by a longshot.

Very simplistic controls, Energy Weapons imo are boring here and in Fallout 3, seems like a game for younger gamers, not adults, green goo, no gore and little memorable animation of weapon strikes.

Rented this game for 5 dollars for five days, played through the whole game in 3, little replay value. Boring, repetitive. And you are supposed to be fighting ‘frightening alien invaders’. Never was I surprised, or frightened even once. They look like goofy cartoon aliens a teenager would draw. Again - Deadspace would be the obvious recommendation IMO if you want to shoot at something that is a frightening alien.

There is no comparison in complexity of controls / replayability /graphics quality (1080p not 720p- which is a huge difference - actually 1080p is DOUBLE the clarity / information of 720p if you didn’t know, but you won’t see it unless you have a real 1080p monitor).

Very much overhyped, visuals were ok, not amazing like a killzone 2, DeadSpace, Fallout 3. So generally would be very disappointed if I had purchased.

5 Stars Love it !!!
Best game ever played. The actual game was ok, but online is where the fun begins. First real online game I’ve played and can’t get enough.

5 Stars better than the original
Resistance: Fall of Man was excellent but Resistance 2 is a definite improvement over the original. It’s much more colorful, the terrain is more varied, there are new and interesting enemies, and the story is better and more fleshed out. I did not have a problem with the two weapons at a time limitation because the game presents plenty of chances to change weapons. Overall, this is a fun, easy shooter that’s worth paying full price.

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This next-generation follow-up to the terrifying series introduces the theme of escape as its core survival instinct. As Chris Redfield, your life is in danger as you strive to complete your most dangerous mission yet in a sweltering desert colony where a new breed of evil has been unleashed. Swarms of marauding evil beings will charge at you when your pulse is racing at a heart-shattering pace. Environments will play a bigger factor than ever here, using the power of next-gen systems to create a world where terror might lurk in any alcove or shadow. Powerful lighting effects overwhelm the player with mirage movement and blinding brilliance, and even in the light of day, there is no safe haven in this Resident Evil. Powerful New Weapons - The number of weapon variations has been greatly increased providing new ways to keep enemies at bay. Fear Light as much as Shadow - Lighting effects provide a new level of suspense as players attempt to survive in both harsh sunlight and extreme darkness.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Amazing!
I was looking forward to this game since RE 4 and I when the release date kept getting delayed I was heartbroken. I picked it up on the release date and sadly beat it the same day which was not what I expected at all. But even though it’s very short and somewhat to easy I loved it. It fills in the Chris story and something you’ll be happy to see happens. If you’re a fan of the series I highly recommend this game!

4 Stars Great game
RE5 is a great game but does not last long because of the lack of a good multiplayer game mode. But does have significant replay ability due to wanting to beat it on professional.

5 Stars Sweet game.
Awesome game. I just took it for what it was and enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed every Resident Evil game, at least in the main series.

5 Stars none
Though Resident Evil 5 lacks that terror caused by the licker you once expected from a R.E. game the change in the gameplay makes it a totally different game and can’t be compared to its predecessors. The only exception to this is R.E. 4 and 5 surpasses it emensely (sp?) anyway. I love it!

4 Stars Non your typical Zombie Action game
FOR XBOX 360 VERSION:

So let me begin by stating that this is MUCH different than other Resident Evil games, while still delivering the same quality story. Now I loved the original Resident Evil games, but this is my favorite. Especially after 4 which was in my opinion drawn out. Now while this game may lack dark creepy and cheap scares where things jump out, they changed pace by having FAST and strong enemies. The suspense is conveyed over a more action paced story and gameplay as opposed to fighting some slow dredging zombies and then spending hours searching for keys or solving puzzles. This game is good and very fun. Playing online with a friend is even more fun, as it allows players to use their own inventory items/profile associated content for gameplay as opposed to limiting their equipment to the host’s content. Split screen is a slight downfall because of the weird offset split screen set up, but this is likely done to maintain aspect ratio. The game encourages you to replay it over and over, and its actually rewarding to do so. Typically right after completing the game most players will immediately start a new game with their upgraded weapons to wreak havoc on some zombies. This game is certainly worth buying and replaying. You won’t regret it.

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For 200 years, Vault 101, a fallout shelter, has served the surviving residents of Washington DC and its environs, now known as the Capital Wasteland. Though the global atomic war of 2077 left the US all but destroyed, the residents of Vault 101 enjoy a life free from Giant Insects, Raiders, Slavers, and yes, even Super Mutants. Yet one morning, you awake to find that your father has left the comfort and security afforded by Vault 101 for reasons unknown. Leaving the only home you’ve ever known, you emerge from the Vault into the harsh Wasteland sun to search for your father. Fallout 3 is a singleplayer action role-playing game (RPG) that combines the horrific insanity of the Cold War era theory of mutually assured destruction gone terribly wrong with the kitschy naivety of American 1950s nuclear propaganda.

Mind-Blowing Artificial Intelligence - Facial expressions, gestures, unique dialog, and lifelike behavior are brought together with stunning results Modern super-deluxe HD graphics

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars An Outstanding Game That’s Worth Every Penny Spent
There is no other game on the Xbox 360 like Fallout 3. The amount of content and the level of detail are unmatched. The gameplay is tight and fluid, and highly rewarding. The graphics are above average; the sound design is spectacular. You won’t find better value in a video game than Fallout 3.

I’m going to start this review by saying that I will NOT be comparing Fallout 3 to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. While similarities are definitely present, this game trumps Oblivion in every aspect. The only true similarities exist in game engine and developer.

While Fallout 3 may look like a shooter at first (given the perspective and gun wielding nature of the game), it is far from it. Fallout 3 is a 1st/3rd person Action RPG, which means everything you do in the game are based on your stats. Firing a gun and hitting a target is all based on number calculations based on the specific target and your own stats. Many times you will find yourself aiming directly at a target and missing even though your targeting ridicule is directly placed in an enemies face (at a lower level). This may not attract fans of FPSs, so if you play this game expecting an FPS like experience, you will be disappointed until you raise your shooting-based skills. If you play this game like an RPG, the combat is never a bother and actually feels refreshing with all of the turn-based RPGs in today’s market.

If you don’t know anything about the concept of the game, you may want to read the synopsis/product details on the top of the page, as it pretty much describes the premise of the game. The atmosphere the game provides is incredible, and can be very convincing. The attention to detail in terms of graphics, sound, level/environment design, and even individual object placement will really immerse you in the experience.

Here are the Pros and Cons I have found with this game:

Pros:

- Level of Detail is incredible

- Excellent and convincing voicework/writing

- Amount of content

- Replayability/Multiple Playthroughs Encouraged

- Satisfying combat

- Decisions made really effect the game

- Excellent story

- Highly addicting

- DLC available to extend an already huge experience

Cons

- Some graphical bugs

- Animations (mostly movement) can look strange

- 3rd person view is awful (only use to peek around corners/see what’s behind you)

- Highly addicting, can consume several hours of your life

If you haven’t gotten the gist of this review by now, I’m pretty much saying that you need to buy this game. If you are one who values your money, and can only afford to buy a few games a year, then this MUST be one of them. If you only buy 1 game this year, you can’t call yourself a gamer. Actually, what I meant was if you only buy 1 game this year, make it Fallout 3!

5 Stars Not necessarily Oblivion with guns…
Oblivion is my alltime fav game. This game has the feel of playing Oblivion yet improved or tweaked some of the minor issues on Oblivion (no need to double check if containers are empty cuz theyre marked as such if they are). The NPC dialogue in Oblivion waskinda retarded looking but this is much more lifelike. VATS is a fun concept tho wouldnt have worked in 1000’s of yrs ago time period that Oblivion seems like. Inventory is a bit more manageable with the pipboy.

I liked the maps in Oblivion much better than this game. This aint bad with the grids and all but I just personally preferred Oblivion’s mapping.

Oblivion was a gorgeous lookling game when it came out. This game is breath-taking one you first emerge from the vault. Gorgeous as a wasteland, post-apocolypic world can be. It is eerie to visit US national icon type buildings or see them such as JeffersonMemorial and Washington Monument, especially if you ever saw them in real-life.

This game is quite addictive. I’ve stayed up all-nite a number of times thinking I had only played a couple hrs.

The gameworld is large and fun to explore. The leveling system is different than Oblivion where the creatures and enemies do not level up with you–this helps make one feel they really are improving skills. Also weapons are stackable than Oblivion.

Quests are generally a challenge but not impossibly so. The Karma system adds to the depth of the game as well.

Overall, this is a fun game. It has some interesting twists in some quests. Also, each quest has several alternate paths to completion of quest and sometimes it depends on various skills your character possess.Or your characte’rs karma determines how various NPC’s will interface with yours.

I wouldn’t exactly say this is ‘Oblivion with guns.’ If you are fan of Oblivion you will be somewhat familiar with controls. It still seems a lot different in many ways to Oblivion.

Also, if you hate Oblivion, don’t rule out trying or renting this game. I like both games and put both in my top 5 list of games.

5 Stars Best RPG Ever!
This is the most amazing, most stunning game i have played since i got my 360. Endless Gameplay, awesome graphics, and just an amazing game over all. For those who say that this game is just oblivion with guns… that is only true to some extent. It is an RPG, like Oblivion, and it does have guns, so is that necessarily a bad thing? The only weak part of this game is the shooting, which is still some of the best. V.A.T.S., Pip boy and all other game features are much better than i first expected them to be.

4 Stars Don’t like FPS but LOVE this!
I normally hate FPS, and am starting to feel left out as most of the xbox 360 games are just that, however I have really embraced this game and love the story line. now there are some things about this game that can be annoying such as long ditance traveling to desitinations before they appear on your “fast travel” map. Lets say you are traveling to a destination far away that has to do with a side quest. If for any reason you die before you make it there you will have to start all over again so be sure to save frequently.

Second you actually have to deal with “karma” in this game, so if you like to kill “innocent” people for fun and steal their supply of ammo etc you are in trouble. I have found it much easier to get what I want and need to survive in the wasteland by being evil, the sad part is this will affect my choices late in the game.

Third… The VATS system is wonderful (in my opinion) it comes in handy when you are being attacked by several differetn enemies at once. It slows down time and allows you to taget different part of your enemies body (TIP: Shoot the gun out of their hand to reduce the ability for them to fire back on you quickly)

I would reccomend this game for anyone who enjoys adventure FPS.

5 Stars Almost a perfect gaming experience
Fallout 3 lives up to the hype. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy.. it’s well worth the price. It is a game you can play multiple times and not get bored, and new content is always coming out. I played through the first expansion, and I am looking forward to buying the next two.

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