When Samoza met Harry, again. Will LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 fix the over complex gameplay that dogged the first game in the series, or is it another case of Maximus Confusionius?

This week in Indie-Ana Co-Op, we ring in the New Year by looking at an action RPG that has its roots firmly in the mid-90s console era, yet found its way onto the PC, of all platforms. We also have a special treat for all you long-time readers!

I think we can all agree, Saints Row: The Third is a damn fun game.  I think we can also agree that the real gangsters are working at THQ.  Two bucks for some outfits?  What the hell, guys?  I understand that everyone likes to make money, but SR3 feels like it's been parted out and sold to us through a chop shop.  Oh well, if you don't like it, don't buy it.  I, however, need a samurai mask and warrior princess underoos for my character, so it looks like the joke is on me.

Get your light-guns ready!  Or wands, or glowing stick-balls, or whatever the heck those PlayStation Move things are called.  The House of the Dead 3 and The House of the Dead 4 are coming to a PlayStation 3 near you.  The gory on-rails light-gun shooters have been upgraded with HD graphics, trophies, and Move support.  You can use a normal controller if you prefer, but that's kind of like taking a shower in a rain coat, if you know what I mean. 

Third-person shooter NeverDead isn't out yet, but folks looking forward to the game's release may be interested to learn about some recently announced DLC. The DLC will add some small, but silly, optional changes to the game. The first of these is the "Desperate" ability which can be equipped by protagonist Bryce Boltzman. This ability makes it so Bryce deals more damage as he loses more and more limbs. So look forward to shooting for additional damage as just a torso and an arm, or rolling Bryce's head around on the floor. The second ability, "Cowardly Word" will simply make Bryce utter more voice over jokes during gameplay. The DLC will come free to players who pre-order the game at select retailers.

Today we can confirm what was once just a rumor - LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is in development and expands the cast of characters significantly.  The game will feature Batman, Robin and other DC Heroes characters like Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Green Lantern.  Maybe hey should just call it LEGO Justice League?

Pre-order incentives are the bane of my life; which shop should I purchase my game from if I want the special pink t-shirt?   Most of the time I don't care what I get, just give me the game.  However, a souped-up assault rifle and some power armor may just interest me.  A new video highlighting these extras, plus some new screens, have been released from the Bioware Mass Effect 3 vault 'o' bits.

Are you sick of killing Orcs?  Ready to turn the tables on those weak, pathetic humans?  Developer Casual Brothers feels your pain.  Their new game, Orc Attack, lets you play as one of four gastrointestinally-challenged monsters as you seek revenge against the humans who poisoned your food and water supplies. Your corrupted, noxious bodily functions will become tools of mankind's destruction. 

One gamer bursts forth from the primordial goo of the console wars and evolves into a higher being - a PC gamer. Nah, I'm kidding. It's all the same. Or is it?!

Last week we brought you copious amounts of videos from BattleBlock Theater, The Behemoth's follow up to the fantastic Castle Crashers.  This week we have four more prisoner profiles.  These dastardly villains have been convicted of heinous crimes including, but not limited to: "Necromancy," "Attempted planet wide takeover," "Too much sadness," "Plastybolsaphobia," and "Existence."  Terrifying, I know.

I bought and read all the Tintin books back in the day. Surely a company such as the Europe formed Ubisoft would be the ideal publisher to bring a co-op Tintin adventure that would impress me with its gameplay, whilst still remaining true to the characters?

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, the long-awaited return to 2D gameplay for the Sonic series, met with a mixed reception when it debuted on consoles in 2010. Part of its back to basics approach included ditching longtime partner Miles 'Tails' Prower, the flying fox with a voice that makes you just want to smack him. And of course, this guaranteed that Episode I was a single-player affair. But SEGA has recently released a teaser trailer for Sonic 4: Episode II that promises the return of Tails, along with classic nemesis Metal Sonic. Dare we hope that Tails' presence means that Sonic 2-style co-op will return as well?