Jason Dobson

With the British Open taking center stage this week, Wolverine Studios has taken the opportunity to remind the world at large that its “realistic career golf simulation”, Total Pro Golf 2, is available for purchase and download.

The game, which is the latest sports simulation from Wolverine, has already been lauded at the “PC Sports Game of the Year” by respected game reviewer Bill Harris. Now, I’m not ready to call it that just yet, but after doing a good deal of research on the title (Gamasutra has a nifty Postmortem on the game going up soon), I can say that it looks very impressive, especially for an indie release. Plus, the game features both hardnosed simulation gameplay and more arcade sensibilities, so even I can get wrapped up hitting the little white ball.

Specifically, the game features two modes of play, each designed to appeal to different play styles. The first is a more hardcore simulation mode, while the second is referred to as a “tri-click” mode, which is said to suit more arcade style tastes.

Other features included in Total Pro Golf 2 are the ability to create a custom golfer as you progress through the professional and senior tours while working towards becoming a sports icon. The game tracks your career, and offers the ability to hire coaches, caddies, earn sponsorships and move between six tours both on American and European circuits.

So, for video game golfers looking for something new to scratch their itch, this may be just what you’ve been looking for.

Eidos has partnered with Strawdog Studios to release GEON: emotions, a wholly original new game over Xbox Live Arcade later this Summer.

As the latest title from Eidos New Media, a division of Eidos devoted to emerging platforms and technologies, GEON: emotions will feature “psychedelic, pick-up-and-play game of rapidly changing tactics.”

In the game, players will play as one of eight different emotions – Rage, Passion, Fear, Envy, Rapture, Courage, Bliss or Melancholy – as they complete to “collect pellets and score goals, using power-ups and their A

Capcom has confirmed that it will bring a host of upcoming games to next week’s San Diego Comicon, including Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, a game that swallowed far too much of my time during the final day of E3.

In fact, the game is just one of several that Capcom will bring to show, as part of a presence that Capcom proudly boasts as being “far bigger than what we did at E3.” If that doesn’t speak volumes as to the current irrelevance of last week’s show, I don’t know what does.

Capcom will showcase from a 30×60 booth at Comicon, complete with gaming stations for players to try out the aforementioned puzzler, as well as titles such as Zack & Wiki, Harvey Birdman, Mega Man Star Force and Mega Man ZX Advent, Ace Attorney, Rocketmen and Moto GP. Devil May Cry 4 and Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles will also be available for hands on play in a “private pod” for those over 17 years old.

Capcom will also be hocking wares from its store at the show, including games, a new Street Fighter shirt produced exclusively for Comicon, licensed merchandise such as Udon’s rare hardcover Art of Capcom book, and some exclusive Japanese merchandise imported specifically for the show. Additionally, each purchase will also freebies, such as animation cells, strategy guides, bobble-heads or t-shirts.

The company notes that the highlight of the event will be a 20×20 boxing ring arena, which will play host to 16 player Lost Planet tournaments, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix tournaments, the EVO finals and performances from several Nerdcore rappers. Capcom will host cosplay contests, autograph sessions with Minae Matsukawa-san (the producer of the Ace Attorney series) and Marv Wolfman, as well as photo ops with Mega Man and Harvey Birdman.

San Diego Comicon takes place at the San Diego Convention Center from July 25-29.

Ubisoft today announced that it will release Far Cry 2, the first official follow up to 2004’s Crytek developed first-person shooter, in Spring 2008 for the PC. However, given that the major publisher/developer now owns the rights to the property, and that Crytek is off making a little thing called Crysis, the game is instead being helmed by Ubisoft Montreal.

Since acquiring the Far Cry IP in March 2006, Ubisoft has released several console ports and spin offs, including the impressive Far Cry Instincts Predator for the Xbox 360 and the abysmal Far Cry Vengeance for the Wii, though this latest game marks the first return to the series’ PC roots.

Little is known about Far Cry 2 thus far, though it will apparently be featured prominently in the October issue of PC Gamer, which should be on newsstands on August 21 in North America.

With Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s set to debut next week, Activision has sent over the final track list for the game, representing a much more logical arrangement than what we earlier reported from the preview build. We’re currently shredding through the game’s review build right now, so you can expect a final report on the game in short order.

Until then, take a look at the song list below:

1) Opening Licks
(Bang Your Head) Metal Health – Quiet Riot
We Got The Beat – The Go Go’s
I Ran (So Far Away) – Flock Of Seagulls (original artist)
Balls To The Wall – Accept
18 And Life – Skid Row

2) Amp Warmers
No One Like You – Scorpions
Shakin’ – Eddie Money
Heat Of The Moment – Asia
Radar Love – White Lion
Because, It’s Midnite – Limozeen (original artist)

3) String Snappers
Holy Diver – Dio
Turning Japanese – The Vapors
Hold On Loosely – .38 Special
The Warrior – Scandal (original artist)
I Wanna Rock – Twisted Sister (original artist)

4) Return Of The Shred
What I Like About You – The Romantics
Synchronicity II – The Police
Ballroom Blitz – Krokus
Only A Lad – Oingo Boingo
Round And Round – Ratt

5) Relentless Riffs
Ain’t Nothin But A Good Time – Poison
Lonely Is The Night – Billy Squier
Bathroom Wall – Faster Pussycat
Los Angeles – X
Wrathchild – Iron Maiden

6) Furious Fretwork
Electric Eye – Judas Priest (original artist)
Police Truck – Dead Kennedys
Seventeen – Winger
Caught In A Mosh – Anthrax
Play With Me – Extreme