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Shippin' Out Jan. 30-Feb. 5: Earthrise, Black Ops DLC

Light release schedule led by Masthead's MMORPG, first map pack for Treyarch's latest Call of Duty entry; Rock Band Country Pack 2 also out.

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Last week, Issac Clarke and his plasma cutter frightened retail with the release of Dead Space 2. This week's focus, however, is on postapocalyptic settings and first-person shooter action.

Leading the week is Masthead Studios' massively multiplayer online role-playing game Earthrise. The first project from Sofia, Bulgaria-based Masthead, Earthrise is set in a world in the wake of civilization-leveling World War III, which nearly eradicated Earth's human population.

The earth rises this week on PC.
The earth rises this week on PC.

Now, a tyrannical corporate government has assumed control of the remainder of humanity, pumping out human clones in an effort to create the perfect society. Players can choose to align themselves as an agent of the totalitarian regime or join the resistance movement known as the Noir.

Also out this week is the first map pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops. The $15 First Strike add-on content lands exclusively on Xbox Live on February 1. The content sports five new environments ranging from war-torn Germany to an American hockey rink. The content also bundles a new environment for the fan-favorite zombie game mode called Ascension. None of the maps are remakes of legacy environments, as was the case with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's controversial Stimulus Package downloadable content.

Hockey is a violent sport, but now it's lethal.
Hockey is a violent sport, but now it's lethal.

Gamers with an ear for country music and a proclivity for the Rock Band franchise this week can pick up the Rock Band: Country Pack 2 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii. The $30 title includes 21 songs from artists like Darius Rucker, Lady Antebellum, Johnny Cash, Sugarland, and Keith Urban. The track pack is compatible with the original Rock Band, Rock Band 2, and Rock Band 3. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation iterations of the track pack allows gamers to export the tunes to their existing Rock Band libraries.

For further details on the week's games, visit GameSpot's New Releases page. The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later this week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 30
Gabrielle's Ghastly Groove--DS--Natsume

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Reverie--X360, PS3--Konami
Call of Duty: Black Ops - First Strike--X360--Activision
The Sims 3: Outdoor Living--PC--Electronic Arts
Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2--PS3--Capcom
Kevin Van Dam Fishing--PS3--Zoo Games
Junior Brain Trainer 2--DS--Avanquest Software
Alien Breed 3: Descent--PS3--Team 17
Rock Band: Country Track Pack 2--Wii, X360, PS3--Electronic Arts

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Bionic Commando Rearmed 2--X360--Capcom
Shadow Harvest: Phantom Ops--PC--Viva Media

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4
Earthrise--PC--Masthead Studios

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Avatar image for BladeVampero
BladeVampero

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The only accurate PS3 listing on here is Bionic Commando Rearmed 2. What's going on with all this inaccuracy? Oh, right, its Gamespot... (X.X)

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Avatar image for Bladescorpion
Bladescorpion

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where's the castlevania dlc?

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Avatar image for BladeVampero
BladeVampero

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Okay, PSN store updated and there's no Castlevania: LoS DLC? Why? Was this information wrong? Or will it pop later?

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kissfan4life73

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Looking forward to Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Reverie

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franzito

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COOL

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deactivated-57cf9022f01ee

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What!? castlevania lords of shadow reverie out tomorrow??? i mean i heard it was coming out in feb but i didnt hear anything about a specific day,well im glad i checked this out

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Avatar image for Darth_Nater307
Darth_Nater307

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The first time I read the headline, I thought it said "Earthbound", not "Earthrise".

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Skargamer

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I thought it was Kevin Van Ord Fishing the First time I read that. :P

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Avatar image for oneligas
oneligas

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i think map packs should have a trial option for like 3 days to a week because it would help to tell if maps are good and worth the money, also everyone could at least try them before making judgements. and if you wait maps typically go on sale at the release of the next pack of maps.

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Avatar image for BladeVampero
BladeVampero

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Bionic Commando ReArmed 2! Sweet! I completely forgot they were making another one. And the first Castlevania expansion? I need to go buy me some PSN cards.

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Avatar image for ElevenHandMan
ElevenHandMan

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I hate these weeks. No not because I don't like the DLC, but the internet is PLAGUED with tears from people complaining one side or the other. Honestly, WHO is going to listen to someone who tells them not to buy the DLC if they want it, and vice versa. Time to lay dormant until my PS3 gets some 1st party lovin'.

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shakensparco

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Hmmmm, Dead Space 2 did came out at a very uncontested time didn't it?

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Avatar image for Rasputin2011
Rasputin2011

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I enjoy playing COD when not in a lobby full of foul mouth racists OR annoying little kids... I would love to have these maps BUT $15 is too steep for my tastes so I'll be passing on them.

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Avatar image for warhawk-geeby
warhawk-geeby

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Not much to look forward to then this week.. I suppose this gives my wallet some time to recover at least. Going to be one hell of an expensive year!

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Avatar image for Neogenic
Neogenic

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I'm not impressed with Earthrise to be honest. I really hope this game plays better then what was shown so far, otherwise they might as well just call this game Earthfail...

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Avatar image for GabrielOnuris
GabrielOnuris

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@Link1515 I was wondering the same. I think there is a lot of people outside GameSpot that actually buy it. It's the same with resident evil 5; there is a lot of people who dislike it, but for each disliked gamer there is hundreds of "casual" gamers with full wallets willing to spend the money.

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Avatar image for GeneralShowzer
GeneralShowzer

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Oh my god! Bring that DLC goodness, i need my COD fix!

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TheArcade

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Stop calling me with your Duty, Activision.

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Avatar image for shirish_yindia
shirish_yindia

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02/22/11 and 03/22/11, two of the best games to be released. Killzone 3 and Crysis 2

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coldsauce09

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milking process on the way... stupid map packs its like every time they make a a COD game there has to be a map pack DLC. activision is such a greedy company

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tyskenfan

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Someone knows when First Strike is coming to the PS3?

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Dark_Infinite

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cant wait to download fight night champion and killzone 3 demos :D

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inaka_rob

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@Sparticus1013 killzone 3? bulletstorm? dead space2? I have more games for 2011 pre-ordred already than I did for the ENTIRE last year. you are going to miss about 10 AAA titles if you are only waiting for dragon age 2.

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mustang3889

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I don't know why people freak out about the price of the maps. 5 for $15 so $3 a piece. And how many times will you play each of them? Well if you like the game enough to buy them, probably a lot. People seriously need to put these things into perspective. That's cheaper than going to the movies for HOURS more of entertainment.

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Sparticus1013

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I'm unlikely to buy any games till Dragon Age 2.

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dasboy1

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@agamepro2U its actually the same amount of maps the only problem is i want more weapons as well.

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tidus55

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Wonder how many people will actually but the map pack....I honestly feel bad for them....its just not worth it.

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howie1926

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Wow I did not know that Castlevania DLC was coming out so soon!! CRAP!!

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Link1515

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It's amusing to me just how much critical acclaim Call of Duty games receive--yet people who actually own one are so quick to dis it. If you don't like Call of Duty games, why buy them?

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93BlackHawk93

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Cool, more annual overpriced DLC!

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amaan4ever

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Dont buy these rehashed trash maps!!!

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metalkid9

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@Rocker6, agreed man, can't wait till KZ3 :D

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kbempoleon

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if i were to buy the dlc for black ops it would just be for the zombie maps. the multiplayer is just the same as MW2. MW2 was amazing for me until about 6 months past. Now that there are no real new additions to black ops its as if i paid $60 for 2 zombie maps (dead ops sucks) and a 4 hour campaign.

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agamepro2U

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Hmmm 15 bucks for BC2 Vietnam or 15 bucks for a few maps that are basically the same....ill stick with Battlefield.

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pjordan0404

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cod was cool back in the day when cod 4 was around but now nobody really likes it anymore cuz it is the same thing every year but somehow worse

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Germandude2

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i like cod black ops but, so many way better games are coming out

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TheUndisputed9

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I got my copy in early January, and im already starting to get tired of it.

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Stressthesky

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Have fun with Black Ops. I just sold my copy, good riddance.

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mosamania

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@juan99692k6 dont worry friend the black ops DLC is only coming for 360. its like they know PS3 gamers rather put money towards a real game like killzone3 and didnt release a DLC for CoD for it lol

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daabulls23

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Say "NO" to overpriced map packs.

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Avatar image for MERGATROYDER
MERGATROYDER

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People are going to buy the Black Ops DLC. It doesn't matter if it's selling for fifteen dollars. Millions of people purchased the MW2 map packs and thus, started this price hike. DLC is nice, and I like expansions.

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StJimmy15

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Sweet, 15 bucks I can put towards Bulletstorm.

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megakick

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its sci-fi which is good but ill wait 4 rift and gw2 even swor is better then this game imo.

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Avatar image for BAD-C0MPANY
BAD-C0MPANY

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@ TO3 Good sir, unless you haven't noticed we are the consumers. We review the stuff that's out on the market so that we can get better products. When something obviously terrible sells big we aren't suppose to like that. Yet you simple try to ignore it? Activision could easily destroy the gaming industry because of people like you.

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Avatar image for BAD-C0MPANY
BAD-C0MPANY

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All the trash that buys that Black Ops DLC is destroying the gaming industry.

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Goyoshi12

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Oh lovely, our first low brow week in gaming. With a cliched MMO trying to steal WoW's thunder, a Tactical Shooter that looks not very intersting, COD map pack, Rock Band songs, and extra content for other games like the Sims 3 and Castlevania. The only game that looks better than the rest would have to be Bionic Commando Rearmed 2. I would wish Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 in luck but I think that it will pretty much beat all the other games without sweat.

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juan99692k6

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meh, Black Ops is ok is not like wow! what a game! same recycled stuff! , I would rather put those $15 bucks towards my Killzone 3 reserve!.

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dipsetboy17

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feburary 5th is my 20th birthday lol.

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TrapMuzik92

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Not buying that BOGUS map pack for $15 any god damn more...love black ops but not shelling $15 for a map pack when I can get 2 good arcade games. Waiting for MVC3!!!

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FlashCharge

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I agree with ROCKER6 that is just a few weeks there are some awesome games coming out that should rock. Saving my hard earn cash until then.

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