Driver‘s Tanner is back, this time zooming around the greater Bay Area in classic cars in Ubisoft’s upcomingDriver: San Francisco. “In many ways, it’s the return to the roots of the originalDriver,” Martin Edmondson, the title’s creative director, tells me. “It was always about the most realistic Hollywood-style car chases seen in videogames; we’ve tried to bring some of that feeling back withDriver: San Francisco.” Edmondson knows a thing or two about the roots of the series — he was the lead designer on the originalDriver, and the founder of the studio responsible for it, Ubisoft Reflections (formerly Reflections Interactive)....

There are places in this world where one cannot enjoy the simple pleasures delivered unto us by Xbox Live. How will they be able to fully enjoy Kinect without the ability to chat over webcam? Now, nine more countries can join in the party, asMicrosoft has announcedthat Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Russia and South Africa will be getting their console’s online service. I assume that most of those countries will be very happy come this holiday season when Live hits their shores....

I’m an old school gamer, but I like to think I have an open mind. I like it when series reinvent themselves and I rarely object when a developer attempts a new aesthetic or visual style. I was there to applaud Konami’s Guillermo del Toro-inspiredCastlevaniareboot,Lords of Shadow, and was happy to seeSilent Hillattempt something new inShattered Memories. In this day and age, publishers are always going to drag out established franchises, so I’d much rather see them stitching new dresses for them to wear instead of beating a dead horse....

Plus, UMvC 3, MK 9, KoF, SF and more EVO 2K13 will be taking place from July 12-14 this year at the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. As for the games players will be competing in? It will consist ofUltimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition v2012, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Mortal Kombat 9, Street Fighter X Tekken v2013, King of Fighters 13, andPersona 4 Arena....

Almost endless possibilities Back in May, I wrote ahandy previewabout how Turtle Rock Studios is striving for infinite replayability withEvolve. This interview with the developers has them going into detail in their own words about how tweaking almost anything can completely change the dynamic of the game. It won’t be long until you can stop listening to other people talk aboutEvolveand form your own opinions. The game’s Big Alpha event is set to launch on Xbox One on Thursday, and PS4 and PC on Friday....

It’ll probably get the pocket edition TheFinal Fantasy XVteam has been busy. Gone are the days where you ship a AAA game and be done with it — now you have to optimize patches, free/paid content, and spinoffs.Final Fantasy XVis busting out nearly every facet of that playbook, including ports and aPocket Editiondemakeof sorts. Speaking to DualShockers, director Hajime Tabata gave us an indirect hint that the very samePocketversion may indeed hit Switch....

Single-player DLC brings the alien menace to China A pair of add-ons are on the way forXCOM: Enemy Unknownand the first, theSlingshot Content Pack, has been detailed by 2K Games and Firaxis. It’s centered around three new maps which are tied to the game’s Council missions, offering further customization options for your characters and another playable squad member. In addition to a handful of screenshots for the pack, we have word that specifics on the pricing and release date will be revealed soon....

Yes, it probably took me longer to upload these 48Ninja Gaiden IIscreenshots (and two pieces of artwork!) than it did for me to write this post. But really, what more needs to be said aboutNinja Gaiden II? Ninjas? Check. Blood and dismemberment? Check. Boobs? Check. Werewolves? Yeah, that’s right — werewolves. But you already knew about all of this stuff, because you readmyNinja Gaiden IIpreview article, right? Right. So sit back and feast your eyes on these ninja-filled, blood-soaked, boob-tastic screenshots featuring werewolves....

Cheap bundle this week If you need an Xbox One (nope) and a new TV (well…), Best Buy has you covered through August 15. Note, capital BB Best Buy, not Fry’s wherein your best buys are always at, guaranteed. You get this specific40-inch 1080p Samsung LED TV, which regularly runs $430 (and is currently separately on sale for $400) along with one of two Ones. Hah. The deal applies to two black 500gb Xbox One bundles,Halo: Master Chief Collectionand the one that comes withAssassin’s Creeds UnityandBlack Flag....

If you’re holding out on starting theMass Effectseries until everybody can be happy with the conclusion and haven’t picked up the first two titles yet, Amazon is your Shepard. They’re offering digital downloads ofMass EffectandMass Effect 2on PC for$6 eachthis week. If you’d rather have the Digital Deluxe version, that’s just another two smackers. I played the series on Xbox 360 but I’ve been doing a lot more PC gaming lately and I just can’t resist a cheap game, so I’ll probably wind up grabbing these....

Grab your Awesome Mix Tape Seven titles in all were revealed today, all of which will be rolling out on Xbox Game Pass over the month of March. Today sees the addition of immersive adventure on land, sea, and air, as Okomotive’sFar: Changing Tidessets sail whileMicrosoft Flight Simulatortakes to the skies. These are not the only additions to the library this week, as Square Enix’s dramatic adventureLightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIIIarrives on console and PC on Thursday, March 3....

Ah! Ah! Gimme my life. Gimme my energy. Sega and Sony have teamed up to bring Japan an exclusive PS4 console emblazoned with artwork from the upcomingFist of the North Starbrawler,Hokuto ga Gotoku. The console, which is available for pre-order on Japan’s Sony Store, comes in 500GB and 1TB models, and also includes and exclusiveHokuto ga Gotokutheme and packaging. The 500GB model costs ¥33,480, while the 1TB model will set you back ¥38,480....

The Marvel Cinematic Universe was born 16 years ago withIron Manin 2008. Ever since then, the MCU has expanded exponentially, with more movies and shows than one can naturally keep track of. It can actually be quite a task to figure out where to start watching the MCU from, and how to follow the right sequence. With Disney and Marvel throwing shows into the mix, it adds another challenge. We have arranged all MCU movies and shows in chronological order, to help you watch the MCU in the right order and understand its overarching timeline....