Those anxiously awaiting the opportunity to Monkey around with Ninja Theory’s latest action/adventure would probably like to know that Namco Bandai has announced that an exclusive European Collector’s Edition of Enslaved: Odyssey to the West will be available at launch – although no price point was specified.

The custom Collector’s Edition retail box of Enslaved contains a hard-backed high quality artbook featuring concept art and exclusive images documenting the development process of the game at the studios of Ninja Theory in Cambridge, UK. Music fans will be treated to a separate CD containing the original soundtrack from the game, written and produced by internationally renowned composer and musician Nitin Sawhney. Responsible for the music on more than 40 films, 8 studio albums, and with countless other projects and awards to his name, Nitin Sawhney is one of the busiest and most sought after talents working in music today, so I guess Enslaved fans should feel super special.

Inspired by the classic Chinese novel “Journey to the West,” Enslaved features Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings, King Kong) as dramatic co-director and lead character Monkey, a story co-written from the pen of Alex Garland (The Beach, 28 Days Later), and music by acclaimed composer Nitin Sawhney.

Both the standard and Collector’s Editions of the game will be available across Europe on October 8, 2010 for PS3 and 360. The game launches in the US on October 5, 2010.

If the mighty stylus is your instrument of choice for melting the faces of many with your hammer-ons and tweedly-dees, you’ll be happy to hear that the Nintendo DS version of Rock Band 3 finally has a complete setlist. While not in the same league as it’s console brethren number wise, these tracks are one’s that should have you playing for hours and hours.

• Ida Maria, “Oh My God”
• Metric, “Combat Baby”
• Paramore, “Misery Business”
• Phoenix, “Lasso”
• Rilo Kiley, “Portions for Foxes”
• Tokio Hotel, “Humanoid”
• The Vines, “Get Free”
• The White Stripes, “The Hardest Button to Button”
• Faith No More, “Midlife Crisis”
• Jane’s Addiction, “Been Caught Stealing”
• Smash Mouth, “Walkin’ On The Sun”
• The Cure, “Just Like Heaven”
• INXS, “Need You Tonight”
• Joan Jett, “I Love Rock N’ Roll”
• Night Ranger, “Sister Christian”
• Ozzy Osbourne, “Crazy Train”
• Roxette, “The Look”
• Whitesnake, “Here I Go Again”
• The B-52’s, “Rock Lobster”
• Doobie Brothers, “China Grove”
• Foreigner, “Cold As Ice”
• Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
• Yes, “Roundabout”
• The Doors, “Break on Through (To the Other Side)
• James Brown, “I Got You” (I Feel Good) – Alternate Studio Version
• The Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Crosstown Traffic”

After first reveal, it was noted that James Brown will not be included in the DS setlist. However, does this pint-sized roster intrigue you enough to pick up Rock Band 3 for the DS? Head to the mosh pit, er, comments section below and give us your feedback!

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BioWare has announced the upcoming “Witch Hunt” DLC for Dragon Age, which will offer fans a dramatic conclusion to the Origins storyline. The content will be made available on September 7 on PC, 360, and PS3 for 560 MS Points or $6.99.

Here’s an official description:

The dreaded Archdemon has been slain and the advance of the darkspawn halted by a lone, heroic Grey Warden. The kingdom rejoices, but at least one question remains: what happened to Morrigan? The sorceress joined the Wardens cause, but it is said her true purpose was not revealed until the eve of the last battle. She vanished into the shadows, and while rumors claimed she crossed over the mountains into Orlais no trace of her path could be found. She was never heard from again… until now. Nearly a year has passed since the Archdemon’s death, and word has reached the Wardens that Morrigan has returned to Ferelden. She has been sighted in the southern wilderness where she was first encountered. Is it truly her? If it is, then why has is she here and what secret does she carry with her? The Warden heads into the forest to find out and tie up this last loose end once and for all.

In addition to closing out the storyline of Origins, the content will allow players to earn “powerful rewards” that transfer into their DA: Origins/Awakening campaign while also offering up the ability to import your character or create a new, high-level hero.

For more on the content, head over to this page on the game’s official website, but be sure to let us know if you plan on picking this up before you go.

Now that Irrational Games has finally revealed the first trailer for BioShock: Infinite, it seems they can’t shut up about it.

In the most recent episode of the internal podcast Irrational Behavior, the crew revealed the name and evolution process of the mysterious, Big Daddy-esque man with the hands causing all the problems in the trailer – The Handyman.

Clever.

The Handyman was originally spawned with giant crab claws, but according to concept artist Rob Waters, that didn’t translate to the screen as amazingly as it sounds.

“In the end, Crabman didn’t end up working out because he couldn’t grab a guy and shove him in a fish tank very gracefully, and he ended up looking a little goofy in-game,” Waters said, hence the hands, which are apparently made out of porcelain. Talk about an upgrade.

For more behind-the-scenes info about the creation of the BioShock: Infinite trailer, check out episode seven of Irrational Behavior and discuss your thoughts right here in the comments!

Microsoft has permanently banned all the idiots people who downloaded and played the leaked copy of Halo: Reach online, less than a month before its official release September 14.

The guilty morons online pirates received an email from Microsoft stating their “Xbox LIVE account privileges have been permanently suspended due to illegitimate pre-release title play,” and not only had their boxes banned, but their online tags as well, MaxConsole reported.

Xbox LIVE director of policy tweeted about the permabans, writing, “as with all unauthorized play on Xbox LIVE, anyone playing any unauthorized title runs the risk of account permaban and console.”

Basically, if you are dumb enough to play a pirated game online before it is released, especially one as high-profile as Halo: Reach, you’ll never play another game online through that console again.

Duh.

This may not be what most MAG players wanted when they asked to have multiple character slots, but nonetheless, Zipper is giving everyone the opportunity to gain two extra character slots…For a price. An optional upgrade offering two additional slots (for a total of three) can be yours with a payment of .99 cents, for each slot and per month.

Zipper states that if you don’t feel the need to use a new character month after month, that’s okay, because you can renew your subscription at any time. It seems you need to make every 30 days of service count.

This new feature will become available August 31st, but, we’re wondering how many of you will take advantage of it…Let us (and Zipper) know below!

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While you still have to wait until next week in order to demo Sega’s upcoming shooter Vanquish, you can start going crazy over the game’s pre-order bonus now. By pre-ordering your copy of Vanquish at GameStop, you will be rewarded the Tri-Weapon Pack, complete with all the trimmings to kick some tail. Check the description of each weapon (including a Laser Cannon) below.

• Boost Machine Gun: This gun is capable of shooting machine gun bullets at the speed of an assault rifle and has proven itself effective against the machine infantry.
• Laser Cannon: A miniaturized space-warship cannon. It out-powers any other weapon available for foot soldiers.
• Anti-Armor Pistol: This prototype of the anti-armor gun was manufactured to tackle stronger armor which hostile forces were likely to create in the future.

Again, you get a freakin’ Laser Cannon!

Will this make you pre-order Vanquish ASAP, or is the demo still lined up for you to make the decision? Let us know below!

Empowering the EBA Community with a voice to collaboratively review the industry’s hottest titles, the EpicBattleAxe.com uREVIEW (about) delivers real insight from real gamers about The GOOD, The BAD, and The UGLY pertaining to the biggest games in the world. This is the EpicBattleAxe.com uREVIEW for Monday Night Combat. The game has been out for a little while now, giving players plenty of time to cultivate their opinion. So, let’s get started:
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Prepare your frontal lobe for a frontal assault, its Force Feedback! This is the show where we give you the spotlight so you can Cry Havoc and Let Your Voice Be Heard! This week, the Axehead army sounds off on the playing-as-a-terrorist debate, Red Dead Cheaters, subscription-based multiplayer, Botox as a nuclear deterrent, and mucho more.

Hold on to your socks, its time for Force Feedback!
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Gears of War fans probably know that the popular franchise busted onto the book scene in 2008 with Aspho Fields and then with Jacinto’s Remnant following one year later, both penned by #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Traviss and both instant bestsellers. Now the third book of the series, Gears of War: Anvil Gate highlights the human race’s struggles to move on after the tragic events on Jacinto. The latest Gears novel will go on sale August 31, 2010 for $16.00.

Here’s a description:

With the Locust Horde seemingly destroyed, Jacinto’s survivors have begun to rebuild human society on their island stronghold. Raiding pirate gangs take a toll — but it’s nothing that Marcus Fenix and the Gears can’t handle. Then the terrifying life-forms they thought they’d left behind – the Lambent, creatures even the Locust feared – begin to advance across the planet. Gears and gangs must fight side by side to stop their deadliest enemy yet, falling back on the savage tactics of another bloody siege: Anvil Gate. 

 ”Anvil Gate is part of the fast-moving storyline between the second and third Gears games, so it’s essential reading for any fan who wants to fully understand the events of Gears of War 3 – the final game of the trilogy, also written by Karen,” said Epic Games Executive Producer Rod Fergusson.

You can find out more about the newest novel right here.

So, do the Gears fans amongst you plan on picking this up? Give us something to read in the comments why don’t ya?