We've got loads for you this week! Firstly the reviews: some 8-bit puzzling in the form of Columns (1990) for you retro fans, as well XBox and XBox 360 reviews respectively in the form of Conker: Live & Reloaded (2005) and Space Marine (2011) respectively. These are the first Microsoft-format games reviewed on the site, and we've got a whole load more for you to look forward to shortly.

Furthermore, if you visit our MotorStorm RC and BioShock reviews, they now features a second opinion to go with the main review. There will be a fair few of these coming over the next few months, adding to the depth of our coverage.

The Pixel Empire is assembling nicely. It currently consists of three game fanatics in the form of Tom, Alan and Shane. You can learn a tiny bit about the people who make the site tick on the Contributors page...

...Which in turn is situated under Pixel Vault site tab. This is essentially the part of the site bar that holds the non-review/features/news bits - the miscellany if you will. It's well worth visiting; as well as being able to understand TPE's general philosophy when it comes to writing courtesy of the About section, there's also the regularly-updated Pixel Archive, which grants easy, alphabetical access to all the reviews we've so far written, across all formats.

- Tom

This week we have two more reviews for you. Firstly, we cover war-time adventure The Saboteur which pits the player in an attractively-designed Parisian setting and spices up the usual sandbox fare with espionage elements. Secondly, there's the rather less-appetising PSP version of violent sport/strategy hybrid Blood Bowl. The Pixel Empire takes all kinds though, and whether a game succeeds or struggles, we offer an equally in-depth analysis on the state of play.

Elsewhere, there's lots of new bits and bobs on the site - chiefly The Pixel Archive which offers simple access to an A-Z list of all games so far reviewed on the site complete with links to the reviews, and a Contributors page, just so you can have a little insight into the people who make the wheels turn at The Pixel Empire.

- Tom

This week we've got no fewer than four reviews incoming. But we want to be a little cryptic about what they are. You know the saying 'something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue', right? Starting Tuesday and then one-a-day until Friday, TPE will be posting a review that fits under each.

Naturally, these terms of vague on their own, so a clue will be given to each. So here's where we're at:

SOMETHING OLD: "This racing game's distinctive crash animation was played out in an arcade in Donnie Darko as a parallel to the film's ending, but only featured in the deleted scenes."
OUTRUN (Mega-Drive)

SOMETHING NEW: "Another racer that has recently had to think miniature to become big again."
MOTORSTORM RC (PS3)

SOMETHING BORROWED: "A modern one where you play as a brawny guy protecting a brainy girl and her gizmos"
ENSLAVED: ODYSSEY TO THE WEST (PS3)

SOMETHING BLUE: "You barely need a clue, and should get this really quick"
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (Mega-Drive)

- Tom

So the site is finally up and running! I'll post here every now and again so as to outline new features and changes to the site, as well as the odd opinion piece. There's seven reviews for you to feast your eyes upon on launch day and many more - both contemporary and retro - on the way soon.

As it's early days, I'm eager for feedback. Do you like how the site looks, are the reviews too long, too short, or just right? If you'd like to like to request a specific game review then I would be more than willing to look into that, though with current constraints I can't make any guarantees, but will read and reply to all messages. New categories will be added in the coming weeks, and will seek some assistance with reviews as, unfortunately, there's several consoles and games I don't personally own own at the moment.

I welcome comments, particularly on the reviews. My aim, particularly with the older games, is to encourage people to share their memories (both positive and negative) and create debate, or even to get you all to try titles you may never have come across before. Otherwise, have a look around and enjoy The Pixel Empire!

- Tom Clare, Editor