Online/Multiplayer

Game Description: Monday Night Combat is a class-based, third-person shooter … and the most popular lethal sport of the future! It blends intense combat, finishing moves, and gameshow-like challenges and rewards to produce an action experience unlike any other. Why fight for "honor" or "duty" when you can fight for the real American dream—cash, fame and endorsements?

We're Gonna Hack into the Turret Now!

HIGH: Hacking an enemy turret and watching it wreak havoc.

LOW: Hearing the same announcer line for the third time in two hours.

WTF: The Support's healing gun heals people and machines?

With great passion comes great verbosity. We're splitting this week's jumbo show in half, which means our long awaited Too Human / Dynasty Warriors showdown won't occur until next week. This week, though, we step WAY outside our comfort zone and delve into some multiplayer-only experiences, like Monday Night Combat, Castlevania: Destiny of Harmonicas, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, and more. We think we have a pretty good grasp on where multiplayer needs to go from here. Plus! Our Quote of the Week! Tim Sings! Richard Calculates! Oh. the party doesn't stop! Featuring Chi Kong Lui, Brad Gallaway, Mike Bracken, Richard Naik, and Tim "Yes, I Said He Sings" Spaeth.

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Topics discussed:

• Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
• Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
• Monday Night Combat
• Lineage II

Please send feedback and mailbag questions to podcast (at) gamecritics (dot) com.

On the Wings of Love

HIGH: Swarming marines with carriers and watching them go crazy trying to shoot all the interceptors.

LOW: The cringe-inducing "happily ever after" ending.

WTF: Zeratul: "I don't have time to explain.....so stare at this crystal for like four hours...."

Game Description: Continue the epic saga of the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg. These three distinct and powerful races will clash once again in the fast-paced real-time strategy sequel to the original, StarCraft. Legions of veteran, upgraded, and new unit types will do battle across the galaxy, as each faction struggles for survival. Featuring a single-player campaign that picks up where StarCraft: Brood War left off, StarCraft II presents a cast of new heroes and familiar faces in a sci-fi story filled with adventure and intrigue. In addition, Blizzard offers online play through Battle.net with several enhancements and features to make StarCraft II even better.

Raiding Tombs in an All-new Way

HIGH Some of the best cooperative action I've ever experienced.

LOW Not being able to instantly retry failed challenges.

WTF Why was online co-op not ready to go at launch?

Game Description: Experience the first ever co-op action-adventure game featuring Lara Croft. Team up with a friend or go at it alone as you traverse and solve deadly traps, fight hordes of undead enemies, and collect over 60 artifacts and relics. Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light offers fast-paced action and breathtaking visuals shown through an isometric view.

Microsoft's August 11th Summer of Arcade game is going to be Monday Night Combat from fledgling studio Uber Entertainment. A team-based shooter with some snazzy graphics and interesting ideas, I have a feeling it's going to do pretty well. While we're all still waiting to get our hands on full versions, the good people of Uber were gracious enough to invite me over to their studio for a sneak peek.

Ok, but just for a Little While

HIGH As with any mini-game collection, having a great time with my loved ones.

LOW Well that got boring quick.

WTF Does Sega really think us Americans are such trashy slobs that we have empty tissue boxes just piled up around the house?