It’s been a while since there’s been any Magicka news. I bet you figured Paradox Interactive and Arrowhead Studios were about done with this action RPG and ready to maybe move onto a sequel. Well, you were wrong! Instead, it’s time for another DLC expansion. This one’s darker and perhaps even scarier than past expansions, as Magicka: The Stars are Left is inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos. It kind of makes you wish it’d be out in time for Halloween instead of getting a general Winter release window..

Magicka: The Stars are Left actually sounds like it’s going to be pretty awesome…

The Cold War was always an interesting time. There were the tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States. The never-ending battle to stop the spread of Communism was going on abroad as well as at home in America. The civil rights movement came, succeeded and continued to succeed. It was a time of general strife and fear. Then again, with the people who fought for the right things like civil rights, it was also a time that had some hope for a better day streaming through it.

Just in terms of the fight of the spread of communism, it is a ripe time period for a strategy or diplomacy game of some kind. I’m not talking about any number of police actions, wars or clandestine operations. I’m talking about the specific time period. Unfortunately, we got Supreme Ruler: Cold War.

Pirates of Black Cove seems like an interesting game. It’s an adventure role-playing game mixed with a strategy game. Even better, it’s got exactly what it advertises: Pirates from the 16th Century.

At first glance, Magicka really doesn’t seem like much. Then again, there is quite a bit that goes into the game that makes it worth playing and a bit that occasionally makes it a chore to play.The story isn’t groundbreaking by any means. It’s your basic story of an evil sorcerer that builds a force to throw the world into chaos. You have to fight your way through the hordes to defeat the sorcerer who is out to take over and/or destroy the world. So take your typical fantasy tale and throw in more Norse mythology. That’s what you have with Magicka in terms of the story.

However, the story isn’t the thing that sets the game apart.

Paradox Interactive is known for its PC simulations, and one of it’s latest goes in a whole new direction. For the first time, Paradox Interactive is taking players to the Warring States period in Japan in the aptly named Sengoku. Players will have to strategically unify the country. I recently got the opportunity to spend some hands-on time with a preview build of the forthcoming game.

The overall goal in Sengoku is a noble one. You are a clan leader, daimyo or kokujin with lofty ambitions. Where ever you are, you want to be someplace better. The only position that will do is shogun of Japan…

With Fire and Sword is a standalone expansion to the Mount & Blade series. You choose either a man or woman, customize them however you want and then build up your army. Along with getting army members you will need to make some much needed thalar (money) by doing side quests and winning battles all while trying to get on the good side of various kingdoms so they will be willing to help you out.

Paradox is attending E3 2011 this year and it has a big announcement for one of its existing games. Brace yourself Windows gamers, as soon you’ll be able to beat up your friends in Magicka! It’s no longer just a happy and bright cooperative experience. On June 21, 2011 a free patch will be released and Player vs. Player matches for up to four players at once will be available.

The free Magicka patch will provide three PvP play options, two free maps and one new Reservoir robe…

It’s that time of year again! E3 2011 is happening June 7-9, 2011, and all the companies are starting to let us know what they have planned for the event. Today, we have a treat. It’s our first game lineup! Paradox Interactive has beat all the other publishers out to announce the five games it will be showing off at booth 4032 in the West Hall. If you’re there, you can go see all these first hand, maybe even try them out. If you’re not, you’ll just have to dream about them.

So here’s Paradox Interactive’s lineup this year…

Saddle up! It’s time for more Mount & Blade. Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword is on the way, which means three more storylines to follow and many more battles to wage. (Look at all those ampersands!) Thankfully, you do have some time to prepare, since it won’t be released on Windows PCs until Spring, 2011.

If you played Mount & Blade: Warband, then Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword is going to feel very familiar..

People who enjoy the Majesty series of games are used to managing lavish kingdoms and helping them prosper. Defenders of Ardania, the Majesty spin-off from Most Wanted Entertainment and Paradox Interactive, isn’t like that. Yes, it may feature a number of the same races, similar locations and a familiar atmosphere, but being a Majesty master won’t help you here. That’s because this iPad, PS3, Xbox 360 and Windows game is a tower defense game with some real time strategy elements mixed in…