A new promotional video has appeared on the official site for forthcoming World War 2 title The Saboteur. Where previous trailers have focused the game’s Milleresque aesthetic and Burlesque tone, the latest clip is all about the action. It’s also quite educational. Until now, I hadn’t understood the important role of competitive motorsports in the liberation of Nazi occupied France. Or, say, the role of melodramatic voiceovers delivered in unconvincing accents. Oh, well.

The Saboteur looks set to deliver a curious blend of open world stealth, over-the-top violence and stylish visuals. As racing mechanic Sean Devlin, you’ll be doing everything from dashing across rooftops, to silencing guards to shooting down zeppelins. Can a single man really bring the Reich to its knees? Forget the history books. EA and Pandemic say yes!

The distinctive art design actually ties into the gameplay. Paris is initially depicted as virtually colourless, with only the scarlet of the occupying forces breaking up the blacks, whites and grays. Each of your victories, however, will restore life and colour to the liberated district.

The Saboteur will be Pandemic’s first wholly original title since 2005’s Destroy All Humans. It will be available on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on 3 December 2009.

The Saboteur makes his annual pilgrimage to Bathurst.

"You've kept me waiting for the last time, Mr. Bus Driver."

Namco Bandai has announced Inversion, a third person shooter from TimeShift developer Saber Interactive. Set in the aftermath of a surprise attack from a mysterious enemy, Inversion challenges you to topple opponents and solve puzzles using a gravity manipulation device known as The Grappler. Destructible environments, including degradable cover, is also being promoted as a key element of the gameplay.

Two player co-op is being fully integrated into the story mode. You’ll be playing as Davis Russell (a cop) or Leo Delgado (a distraught father). Either way, you’ll be heading deep into occupied territory in search Leo’s child. Your enemies are also armed with gravity distortion devices, with several areas of the city resembling M.C. Escher paintings. I think it’s safe to assume that you’ll be ‘acquiring’ the Grappler from a helpful enemy.

Look for Inversion on  Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2010.

Before we sign off, Namco Bandai’s director of marketing and public relations, Todd Thorson, deserves a special mention. According to Thorson, “Inversion will turn the shooter genre upside down, literally.” That’s a top shelf pun, right there. It certainly puts my hastily conceived headline to shame. In recognition of Thorson’s achievement, we’ve decided to release a perpetual trophy in his honour.

The uncensored version of Left 4 Dead 2 has again been refused classification. A media release from the Classification Review Board identified “insufficient delineation” between humans and zombies as a key reason for the decision. Australian gamers will now be forced to make do with an edited version of the game.

THQ has announced Metro 2033, an eerie first person action title from Ukrainian developer 4A Games. As gun wielding protagonist Artyom, you’ll stalk the subways of a post apocalyptic Moscow. A small band of survivors have gathered underground and, without your help, they’re certain to perish. In the darkness of the tunnels, you’ll face horrors both scientific and supernatural. Worse still, you’ll be forced to brave the toxic atmosphere of the surface world.

The mood in Kiev is obviously at an all time low. Just weeks after fellow Ukrainian developer Black Wing Foundation offered us a glimpse at our dystopian future, 4A Games seem convinced that we’ll be forced underground to live like rats. In the Ukraine, even match-three puzzle games are played out against a backdrop of post nuclear desolation.

Despite the clichéd subject matter, the promotional clip for Metro 2033 hints at a degree of artistry unseen in many first person shooters. Here’s hoping it doesn’t amount to a handful of atmospheric cut-scenes followed by a dozen hours of standard corridor shooting.

Metro 2033 is due for release on PC and Xbox 360 in 2010.

The apocalypse was particularly hard on hay fever sufferers.