PC Gaming Roundup - February 20, 2009

Today's tidbit of gaming glory includes the Empire: Total War demo, voice-over talent for Terminator Salvation and a few other nuggets.

World War One - La Grande Guerre Patch Released
Yesterday Matrix Games said that it released a "comprehensive" update for World War One - La Grand Guerre, updating the retail version to v1.0.6a. According to the company, the patch brings over 50 tweaks and fixes including major stability and scenario improvements. Matrix Games also said that the full high-resolution manual is now available, and will accompany the patch. Apparently, the digital manual is larger and more comprehensive.

Mabinogi Gets Expansion Pack
Nexon America revealed the Pioneers of Iria, the latest and "largest" expansion pack for the MMORPG Mabinogi. The pack will incorporate a new continent called Iria, with three new maps (Rano, Connus, Physis) all connected through the Mana tunnels. The expansion also introduces two new character races, Elves and Giants, as well as new free content (rebirth system, Mainstream Storyline Quest is now free), new skills, monsters, items, player actions and a new user interface. Players can download this expansion for free beginning Feb. 26.

Empire: Total War Demo on Steam
Valve sent over a little blurb letting us know that the Empire: Total War demo is available exclusively on Steam. The demo offers players the opportunity to take on the American Army and the French Navy from The Creative Assembly's own "home" side, playing as the British Empire in the "Battle of Brandywine Creek" and the "Battle of Lagos." Additionally, those who pre-purchase Empire: Total War on Steam receives The Creative Assembly's game "Rome Total War Gold Edition" for immediate download.

Terminator Salvation VO Talent
Warner Bros. revealed the voice-over talent for the upcoming game based on Terminator Salvation, the latest Terminator flick to hit theaters on May 22. According to the company, hip-hop artist and actor Common (Barnes), film and TV actress Moon Bloodgood (Williams), and actress Rose McGowan (game exclusive character Angie Salter) will lend their voices and likenesses to the game. Terminator Salvation the videogame offers players the chance to assume the role of John Connor, a soldier in the resistance, battling for survival against the far superior forces of Skynet. The game is set for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC in May.

Grand Ages: Rome "Improved" Demo Released
Kalypso Media released an enhanced demo for the upcoming city building game, Grand Ages: Rome, sequel to Imperium Romanum. The updated demo offers a few difficulty adjustments and UI improvements, stability and compatibility improvements, and a reduction of bad weather duration and intensity. Gamers can download the new demo here, or download a patch to update the previous demo here. Grand Ages: Rome will hit store shelves in the UK on March 6.

Ceville Demo Released
Kalypso Media also released a demo of its upcoming point-n-click adventure game for the PC, Ceville. In the retail version, players assume the role of tiny tyrant Ceville with additional characters becoming available later in the game. To check out the demo, download the file here. Ceville is expected to hit retail outlets later this month.
PC Version of The Last Remnant Goes PAL

Square Enix is bringing the upcoming Games for Windows version of The Last Remnant to Europe on March 20. The Games for Windows version will offer new features including a choice to select Japanese or English voice-overs, improved character animations, the ability to allow multiple leader units to form unions and faster gameplay during battles. “We hope to reach a new audience with the Games for Windows version of The Last Remnant," said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. "The work that has been put into this version of the game is truly stunning and I hope that fans enjoy this exciting new adventure.”

Darkfall Online Dated
While this may already be old news, apparently the upcoming MMORPG Darkfall Online will finally go live on February 25, with a pre-order program made available shortly. Until then, players can participate in the ongoing beta upon registration, however the first wave of invites already took place on January 22. As stated by the website, Darkfall Online is the "next generation" of MMORPGs that combines real time action and strategy in a fantasy setting. Thanks goes out to whoever sent in the feedback (leave your names in the body people!).

Latest Steam Updates
The Steam website reports that both Orange Box and Audiosurf received updates. For the Orange Box Engine, Valve fixed the stats and achievements previously not working in Half-Life: Episode Two and Portal as well as fixed incompatibilities with MODs. As for Audiosurf, a login issue was resolved, performance improvements applied, a couple of intersecting objects was moved away from the track, and the pre-scoreboard text was resized. Both applications will be applied automatically when the Steam client restarts.

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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.