In case you have not logged on to your favorite console yet to see, Battlefield: Bad Company 2’s 5^th (yes, 5^th) VIP Map Pack is now available for download.

If you were hoping that this, the 5^th (again, the 5^th) VIP Map Pack would finally be the one with new maps, consider your hopes mostly destroyed.  VIP Map Pack 5 (5) follows the same formula as VIP Map Pack 1, VIP Map Pack 2, VIP Map Pack 3 and VIP Map Pack 4 where old maps are combined with old game modes to create a… new-ish experience.

Also, as with the first four VIP Map Packs, this one is 100% free—as long as you have the VIP code that came with all new copies of the game.  If you bought the game second-hand, you’ll need to download the VIP code for $15, which will give you access to all of the VIP content.

The yummy bits this time consist of being able to play White Pass in Rush Mode and Nelson Bay in Conquest Mode.

Hey, at least EA and DiCE continue to release free content on a pretty regular basis!

Just in case you haven’t heard enough hype over Gran Turismo 5, Polyphony Digital is once again pumping the loooong overdue game saying that the level of detail and precision is way too good to be considered current-gen.  Kazunori Yamauchi (Polyphony Digital Boss) claims that GT5 will be so awesome it would “… actually [be] more suited to the next generation of machines.”

Mr. Yamauchi’s statement means nothing, of course, because GT5 will be released with the PS3’s current-gen limitations—but it’s good to hear that he’s excited about the game he’s been working on for the last 5-years.  Hell, with GT5’s alleged 1000 realistically rendered car models, true-to-life damage, weather effects and a track editor; we should all probably be that excited!

So, are you?  Let me know.

Maybe it’s just my git ‘r done philosophy, but I’m really eager to get my hands on the NASCAR portion of the game.  That November 2^nd release date has me reaching for my SpeedFreeks already!

MAG was [is] one of those games that you either loved in spite of its shortcomings or hated because, shortcomings or not, it was pure trash.  I’m still not 100% sure which side I’m on.  I love the massive amounts of action taking place on-screen but loathe most of the rest.  Well, no matter.  Enough people out there on PSN still play enough MAG to warrant its first batch of paid DLC.

On June 22, you (apparently) thousands of really quiet MAG fans will be able to download the “Interdiction” expansion pack from the PlayStation Network for $9.99.

From Zipper Interactive:

“But what’s in it,” you say? Well, for starters, we’re introducing a brand new gametype that we’re calling (what else?) “Interdiction.” Built for up to 128 simultaneous players, Interdiction challenges two rival factions to be attackers and seize control of three command posts with the aid of several heavily-armed convoys on three brand new maps (Lake Bayano Spur, Sovot Motorway, and Iron Cree Quarry). To make it even more interesting, we’ve made all three maps completely faction neutral – allowing all sides to play any map whenever they want – in addition to supplying every squad with their own APC vehicle (that’s 16 APCs on the map at once!). To win, players must capture and hold as many objectives as possible to increase their score while concurrently depleting their enemy’s. In short, Interdiction mode = crazy battlefield mayhem.”

Zipper is also including in the Interdiction pack a new “Heavy Improved” armor set and some new medals, ribbons and trophies.

Since I mostly play Conquest and Rush, I’m only a little excited about this.  But BF: BC2’s VIP Map Pack 3 will be available tomorrow.  VIP Map Pack 3 will unlock Squad Deathmatch for Nelson Bay and Squad Rush for Laguna Alta.

Although this is the 3^rd round of “Map Packs” without any new maps, it’s still pretty cool that EA continues to make new content available for a game that’s already so good out of the box.

Really, though, a true map pack would be greatly appreciated some day soon.  Some new unlocks would be nice, too—you know, for all of us that unlocked everything a week after release.

Oh well, at least all three of the map packs have been free for those of us who bought new copies of the game.

For those of you who saved $5 by buying a used copy at GameStop, you will need to purchase a VIP code for $15 from EA’s in-game store in order to access the new modes.  It’s a bummer, but at least at this point you are getting some worthy content.

Good morning, Freeks!  We’re guessing that by now you have checked your email to find our announcement of our sweet, new colors.  If you haven’t, go check it now.  We’ll wait.

Pretty cool, huh?  You totally want some of those Stealth FPS Freeks, don’t you?

At KontrolFreek we listen to our customers—if you say “jump,” we say “we’re too lazy for that; how about we make different colored FPS Freeks instead?”  And that’s exactly what we did!

Allow us to give you a rundown of what we’ve done.

First of all, the Classic White FPS Freeks and Speed Freeks are still available.  They’re the time-tested original.  They won’t be going away any time soon.  You’ll want these if the standard white Xbox 360 controller is your weapon of choice.

People who prefer PS3’s DualShock 3 or the black Xbox 360 controller will likely want to accessorize them with one of our new black combinations.

If faster lap times in racing games are what you’re after, you’ll need the Midnight Black Speek Freeks.

If shooters are more your thing, you can choose either Stealth (black) on Stealth or Gunmetal (gray) on Stealth for your FPS Freeks—your call—either way, you’ll be fragging in style!

In addition to these exciting new color options, we’ve also thrown together some money-saving Gamer’s Packs for you hardcore players.  You can now get your choice of three killer combinations.  You can order the Classic Speed Freeks and Classic FPS Freeks bundle, the Midnight Speed Freeks and Gunmetal on Stealth FPS Freeks bundle, or the Midnight Speed Freeks with Stealth on Stealth FPS Freeks bundle.  These Gamer’s Packs are for the gamer who needs precision no matter what they’re playing and want to look good doing it.

Oh yeah, and if you’re the kind of person who likes sweet deals, we’ve set-up a coupon code for you that will give you 10% off any purchase through the end of May.  So, don’t wait!  Go buy some already!  And stop by our forums to discuss our new colors and drop us some suggestions in our “New Product Ideas” forum.  We’re obviously listening.

Coupon Code:  KFMAYROCKS10

Since there is so much interest in Battlefield: Bad Company 2, we figured we'd inform you of a little tournament being put together by GameStop, MLG/Gamebattles and Xbox 360.  Maybe you’ve heard of it already; maybe you haven't.  Either way, the deadline for entry is 3/14 (that’s Sunday, people!) and if you haven't registered yet you should probably get on it.  The tournament is for teams of 4 and you can play from your house.  So you can essentially team-up with anyone from anywhere.  And since we have such a great community of like-minded gamers here, we figured we'd create a space for you all to meet and maybe team up to play together in this tournament.

Head on over to our forums at KontrolFreek.com now!  You can discuss BC2, recruit, form squads or just yell at each other.  Just hurry, the deadline is near.

For more info on the tournament visit: gamestop.com/battlefieldbadcompany2.

See you on the Battlefield!

A little over a week has passed since I first played Heavy Rain.  And I really wasn’t planning on doing any kind of review for it. Because, you see, it’s not really a game—in the traditional sense, anyway—and I was afraid many of you pubescent Modern Warfare gamers here wouldn’t really care.  But a few days after finishing the story, I just can’t seem to get it out of my head.  So, I’ve decided to do a small review.  If not only for closure for myself, to spread the word to you “hardcore” gamers about an amazing interactive experience that you really should play.

Spending a whole lot of time talking about the story would be a disservice to you, so I’m not going to talk too much about that here.  But as to not leave you completely in the dark, Heavy Rain’s story is about a father whose son gets kidnapped and the trials and pain he goes through to try to save him.  Think somewhere between the movies “Saw” and “The Fan.”  Just know that Heavy Rain’s narrative is really great, and not just great for a game, great for a movie.  And that’s really what Heavy Rain is—an interactive movie.

Though the main story revolves around the aforementioned father, you also get to play as a great cast of supporting characters like an FBI agent, a Private Investigator and a pretty lady who shows her boobies a few times.  As the mystery unfolds, the characters’ stories eventually intertwine to reveal the kidnapper/serial killer dubbed the Origami Killer.

The gameplay aspects of Heavy Rain are pretty simple.  As you explore your surroundings you will be prompted to press certain buttons to make your character interact with people or items in the environment.  It may be as simple as hitting a face button or it could be a timed series of acrobatic stick movements and button presses that test your fingers’ dexterity.  If you’ve played video games in the past five-years you are probably familiar with the QTE—well, it’s a lot of that.

Now, that may not sound very awesome, but somehow the quick time events feel strangely fresh here.  The tension-inducing exercises take a symbiotic coordination of eye and hand that really add to the suspense of the game.

Further adding to the suspense is the fact that your actions in the game effect the overall story in a much greater way than you’re used to.  If you make the wrong decision at crucial moments during the game or miss certain quick time events, things can go south quickly.  Maybe you won’t find your son alive or maybe you won’t find him at all.  Make a big enough mistake and you’ll just die—for good.

Quantic Dream and Sony have built a high budget action game with Heavy Rain.  The art direction rivals anything Hollywood has to offer.  Your mood is stirred by a great soundtrack and the above average voice acting carries the story for the duration.  And did I mention boobies?

Overall, Heavy Rain is an amazing interactive experience that you owe it to yourself to play.  It is a rare game; one that can be enjoyed by both the person who holds the controller and couch-lurkers like girlfriends and roommates.  If you have a PlayStation, go out and buy the game immediately.  If you don’t have a PlayStation, get one!  Show your support for fresh game ideas like Heavy Rain and we’ll all be rewarded with more great games like it in the future.  Believe me, Microsoft and the creators of Natal are playing Heavy Rain right now just dreaming about the possibilities.