Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Contest: Thrillist & Gamefly Want To Give You A Holiday Surprise

More chances to win FREE stuff (a LCD TV, game console, big ol' game chair and a year's worth of rentals - nice)... but not through me (heck, I don't have a box big enough to send all that stuff in anyway!). This cool gear giveaway is sponsored by Thrillist and Gamefly. Check out the info below, read that fine print and enter to win!

Thank You, Good Morning America (Not Really, Though)!

Thank you, Good Morning America... for my day off work!

Having some of your staff walk off with multiple Disney Epic Mickey press gift bags earlier this morning means that I don't have a copy of the game to review today nor the assorted goodies I'd planned to give away as a means to drive much-needed traffic to my blog.

However, being the sole games journalist at the event, I didn't walk away completely empty-handed thanks to a Disney Interactive staffer that handed me a shirt and poster upstairs and made mention about not forgetting to pick up the aforementioned gift bag waiting for me when I left. Meeting Warren Spector, Peter David and a few other folks who worked on the game was pretty special as well.

Monday, November 29, 2010

NYT November Brings Bit. Trip. Fate. To The Masses


November's NYT Game Night (NYTGN) will feature Bit.Trip.Fate, a cool side-scrolling shoot-'em-up game with chip tune music developed by Gaijin Games. Join us on Nov. 30th (Tue) 7-11PM at: Fat Buddha, NYC (13th St. and Ave. A)

We'll have an exciting special music guest! Chip Music virtuoso and contributor to the sound track of Bit. Trip. Fate, MINUSBABY live at 8:45PM!

As always, FREE Asahi Beer early on in the evening, plenty of games to play and music by NYT resident DJs. There will be BIT.TRIP T-shirts, stickers, and other giveaways!



RSVP
here! www.newyork-tokyo.com/wp/nytgn

Review: Goldeneye 007 (DS)

Platform: Nintendo DS/DSi
 

Developer: n-Space

Publisher: Activision


# of Players: 1 (2 - 6 via Wi-Fi)


ESRB Rating: T (Teen)



Official Site

Score: B+


While GoldenEye 007 for the DS isn't quite as spectacular as the Wii version, it's an extremely solid, well-crafted FPS that's great for some on the go action. Veteran developer n-Space is back on the case with another fun bit of portable FPS campaign (and multiplayer) that features fine visuals and gameplay plus some great music and voice work. Like the developer's other shooters on Nintendo's handheld, you're getting a scaled back yet faithful recreation here, so don't expect to see all sorts of new standards set. Of course, on its own merits, this one's a total winner from beginning to end and a pocketful of great Bond thrills at a decent price point.


Fate of the World Is In YOUR Hands (provided you pre-order, that is...)


Red Redemption Games wants you to help save the world... or destroy it (I guess it's nice to have a choice sometimes, isn't it?). Fate of the World, The developer's follow-up to BBC Climate Challenge is an intriguing looking global strategy game, is now available for pre-order on PC or Mac (which also nets you an option to beta test the game). The full press release lies below the jump. You have to love (or at least want to check out) a game with a logo that looks just like a tattoo design, that's for sure...

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Quickie TV Review: The Walking Dead: "Wildfire"


This week's episode had the survivors literally pick up the pieces as they buried their dead, burned the undead and left the formerly safe quarry camp for the supposed safety of CDC headquarters. A pick-axe through a head multiple times and a gunshot were the "big" gore moments, the former intentionally shocking, the latter, a tense yet touching re-death. As for poor Jim, whose premonition last week predicted the aftermath of the zombie assault... well, he found himself in a rather unfortunate pickle that ended with him abandoned by the side of the road. This fate was his choice, by the way. Meanwhile Rick's leadership skills came under question a few times during the episode, but it seems that the mental stress of the attack has left everyone either on edge or not quite thinking rationally...


Speaking of not thinking rationally, at CDC, things aren't as safe as Rick wants to believe. The lone scientist living there and slowly going mad thanks to weeks of isolation underground and pure stress, botches an experiment (some sort of treatment for undead bites, perhaps?) and after his work is destroyed thanks to a too-precise security system, he's at the end of his rope. That is, until he sees a few potential guinea pigs show up in the form of Rick and the camp survivors. Things are really going to get interesting next week, especially given that it's the season finale. I'm still tempted to FINALLY pick up a few back issues or one of the graphic novels, but I probably won't until the show runs its course (or at least until Season Two is over and done).

Hell, I absolutely WANT to read the comic, but I also don't want to spoil knowing what will happen down the road. Based on the animated version of the first issue I caught on AMC (gotta love that Free On Demand and its special features), the show doesn't follow every single panel in the comic to a T and in fact, adds some elements and changes others entirely. It's all good, though (and definitely some of the best dramatic TV to date).

Score: A

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Review: SnakeByte Wii Premium Fitness Board



If you're looking to add some more active gaming to your lifestyle and don't feel comfortable working out at a public gym, You've probably heard about a little console called the Nintendo Wii and the rather impressive number of activity-based games and peripherals that have been released. Wii Fit and its sequel (plus other exercise games from different publishers) have become worldwide phenomenons thanks to Nintendo's targeting of every person as a potential gamer has really caught on since the console's launch. Here's a peek at a pretty slick peripheral you'll want to check out if you're interested in a gift for yourself or someone else starting up (or extending) their gaming workout.


Friday, November 26, 2010

Review: Blood Stone 007 (DS)


Platform: Nintendo DS

Developer: n-Space

Publisher: Activision

# of Players: 1 (2 - 6 via Wi-Fi)

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site


Score: B-

Where the PS3 and 360 versions of the game focus on blending cinema-worthy storytelling elements, solid, familiar gameplay and high quality HD visuals into a solid Bond experience, the portable version of Blood Stone 007 proves you don't need stellar graphics to make a solid third-person shooter. The DS action shooter might look like a mid-range PSOne game and not have the best animation out there, but it's a surprisingly cool shooter that manages to capture the feel of the other games almost to a T. You're getting the same plot and most of the same locations with a few nicely done touches added for good measure. While it may not win any DS Game of the Year awards, it's definitely well-done enough to be a worthy addition to any Bond fan's game collection.

Crytek Looks To Shoot Up Asian Markets With Warface

This news actually popped up in my inbox on Thanksgving, but I just peeked at it now. In what's possibly some of the worst timing ever that might turn out to be profitable (if there's no REAL war and things cool down between the regions), It looks as it Crytek is tapping into the HUGE free-to-play online games market in Asian and (maybe not so amusingly enough) Korean markets with a great-looking online only shooter, Warface. Press release below the jump, two screens below.

Now, I'd imagine no one here is planning to move that far east anytime soon, but if you do, you'll have one more game to choose from in an Asian games market that's ridiculously competitive. Hell, I'd rather have all those real-life soldiers around the globe spend time shooting up each other virtually than on any real battlefield...






Thursday, November 25, 2010

Conduit 2 Update: Six New Screens


Sega's not even taking Thanksgiving off, releasing these six nice shots as well as a new game trailer for the Wii-exclusive first-person shooter set to blast into stores on February 15, 2011. High Voltage is really doing wonders with the Wii here. I'll run the trailer later, as I've got some stuff cooking I don't want to burn up - enjoy!






Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Nippon Ichi's Having a Little Holiday Sale...

HEY! Want some very, very cool Nippon Ichi, Gust, and other sweet NISA stuff from games to anime DVD's, soundtracks and more? Well, just bust out that credit card or PayPal account and click that pic above. Plushies, Prinnies, Glicees and more wallet exploding goodness galore!

Some of the prices are flat out BARGAINS (Disgaea DS or My Lord, What Have I Done to Deserve This 2 PSP for $10? BOOM, I'm there!), which means you'll go crazy with the deals here, dood!
They've got my money already (What, you thought I get ALL my games for free?)!

Gallery: Conduit 2



High Voltage Software's upcoming sequel to last year's ridiculously under-appreciated (critically, at least) high-quality Wii FPS is on the way and looking mighty amazing. At a recent Sega's press event here in NYC, Chief Creative Officer Eric Nofsinger and Art Director Matt Corso were on hand to show off the latest build of the game which was packed with all sorts of changes, many based on plenty of user feedback from the original. If you've ever thought that your favorite developers don't keep an ear to the ground when cooking up sequels, you'd definitely be proven wrong.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The Music of TRON Evolution - featuring Daft Punk



DAFT PUNK headlines TRON: Evolution - The Video Game with two key tracks from the upcoming TRON: Legacy film score: "Derezzed" and "The Grid." It's alllmost here, folks. December 7th is just around the corner...

Review: Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom


Platform: Xbox 360 (also on PS3)

Developer: Game Republic


Publisher: Namco Bandai


# of Players: 1


ESRB Rating: T (Teen)


Official Site


Score: B+


Proof that decent single player game experiences aren't quite dead just yet, Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom is a nice surprise in this insanely busy holiday games avalanche. In this console cycle of endless AAA shooters, non-stop action games packed with multiplayer modes or games where some sort of mandatory online presence have become mainstays, Game Republic's lengthy and quietly beautiful little fantasy wants you to put down the caffeine, turn off the testosterone, pull up a comfortable chair and set a spell with the well-worn tale it wants to tell. Like Namco Bandai's other excellent single-player focused sleeper, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West (and Game Republic's PS3 launch window title, Folklore), there's a lot of love that went into putting this one together and you can see it as you play. While the overall experience isn't flawless, the game is a guaranteed near-total joy for those who fully surrender to its charms.

Atlus Announces Radiant Historia For Nintendo DS in 2011


We absolutely love Atlus and Atlus loves us right back. Maybe not absolutely, but hey... Sure, it's a long distance relationship and we don't talk all that much, but the gifts keep coming and they're always good ones, so we're hooked. Anyway, yes, it's another DS RPG extravaganza and yup, you'll get a free soundtrack with the game. Details below the jump. Go reserve a copy and make Atlus very happy...

By the way, the game's official website isn't quite up yet, despite the link in the press release. Fear not, dear reader... Atlus is on the case!


Monday, November 22, 2010

Quickie TV Review: The Walking Dead: "Vatos"

Let's just call this the "King's Field Episode" for starters. As in From Software's great RPG series, if you've formed a particular attachment to certain characters major or minor, well... you were probably picking your jaw up off of the floor at the rather shocking events in the last few minutes. Jim digging those holes at the beginning sort of clued me in, but I was thinking they'd stretch out his justifiably out of his mind bit for the last few episodes at least. I'm guessing that huge pack of camp-raiding zombies were royally pissed that they missed the fish fry. The overall intensity of the attack coupled with copious amounts of non-stop gore made this the toughest to watch of the series to date, but a second viewing had me riveted even though I knew what was coming.

As for the title and first half of the episode, initially, the critical eyebrow went up when the stereotypical gang-bangers (that seemed very out of place in a zombie-packed Atlanta - where the hell would they live?) rolled onto the scene, kidnapped Glen and sped off. Surprisingly, the gang thing actually worked excellently thanks to some excellent writing and a few amusing, tense and eventually emotional moments. Just be nice to your real-life grandparents, is all I'll say. The family aspect was touching indeed, but a grandly designed Yin/Yang set-up job by Hickman, as viewers would be hit a few minutes later by the above mentioned camp scene. As for next week, things don't seem to be getting any better for the survivors... but I'll be back at 10PM sharp, glued to the tube to find out what's next.

Score: A

Saturday, November 20, 2010

LBP2 Giveaway Over, Loser Still Makes Off WIth Something Fun...

You two lucky winners know who you are, so get to it already. As for the guy that didn't win a beta code, well he's either smiling or about to throw a rock at me through his monitor thanks to the prize I sent him just for entering. We. Shall. See. Anyway, enjoy the games, guys! MORE free stuff to some in a bit!

Split/Second Skids Onto PSP




I didn't even realize this was coming out until I got the trailer in my inbox, so here you go - now you're as surprised as I am! I'll see about snagging a review copy and get back to you with some impressions. It certainly looks amazing, though!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Snakebyte PS Move Accessories Coming In 2011


I was waiting to see who'd be first on the third-party Move controller bandwagon, and it looks like the winner is Sunflex USA! The distributor has today announced a lineup consisting of of a rather nice-looking Snakebyte PS Move Controller, Navigation Controller and SnakeEye USB camera, all set for a Q1 2011 release.

Speaking of releases... the press release in below the jump, if you're in the mood for more reading (and a few more stylish product images. Hmmmm - that SnakeEye looks like an Interociter!).



Disney Epic Mickey To Get Disney Epic Times Square Launch



All the game needs now is Mayor Mike Bloomberg proclaiming November 30th 2010 Disney Epic Mickey Day or something like that. This party's going to be huge, no doubt - hope the weather's nice and bright on launch day and there's some Disney Epic Coffee for those Disney Epic Tired Parental Units who've gotten their Disney Epic Kids out of bed and into the Disney Epic Spirit of things that early in the AM. Info below the jump.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Portal 2 Suffers Time Warp Delay, But This Is Actually Good News...

According to Valve and this nicely hilarious press release that pokes fun at the company's track record for its games slipping into the infamous release date triangle, Portal 2 is special for yet another reason:

VALVE ANNOUNCES SHORTEST DELAY IN VALVE HISTORY

Valve today announced that Portal 2 -- the sequel to the ground-breaking title that won over 30 game of the year awards, despite missing its original ship date -- will now be available the week of April 18th, 2011. This two month slip not only marks the shortest delay in Valve's proud tradition of delays, it represents the approaching convergence of Valve Time and Real Time. Though this convergence spells doom for humanity, it will not affect the new Portal 2 release date.

WIN FREE STUFF!!! Little Big Planet 2 Beta Code Giveaway!




Media Molecule's followup to the smash PLAY. CREATE. SHARE. mega-hit is on the way and looking to be an even more spectacularly creative game for users to take apart and do what they wish with. If you want in on this one, you'd better be quick - I have TWO Little Big Planet 2 beta codes to give away. To enter: all you need to do is become a DAF follower by clicking on the Google Friend Connect Tab to the left (where it says FOLLOWERS) and that's it!

I'll pick two random winners on Saturday and email you your codes within 24 hours! The taste of The Handmade Arcade can be YOURS, but only if you act NOW!
Fine print below the jump - read it before you enter!

Majin & The Forsaken Kingdom Shipping Early (Well, Now - That's Cool!)




You usually don't hear a whole lot about games shipping on time, so it's awesome to find out there's at least ONE game that's had it's release date pushed UP a bit. Namco Bandai has announced that Majin & The Forsaken Kingdom for the PS3 and Xbox 360 will be hitting retail on November 23, 2010. The Game Republic-developed action/stealth/puzzle game features a single player story driven experience in which players will team up with a hulking forest spirit-totem in order to save a mythical kingdom. A bit of press release below the jump.
I absolutely loved this when I saw it in action a few months back and it definitely has "sleeper hit" written all over it, that's for sure...


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Gettin' Ready For Gran Turismo 5: VisionRacer VR3+ Logitech G25/G27 Video



I've seen and used some interesting racing peripherals in my day, but the spectacular looking VisionRacer VR3 racing rig above makes me REALLY wish I had a bigger living room and bigger TV (and while we're at it, a bigger paycheck so I could actually afford that larger living space and gigantic HD setup). Hell, any product that gets its own music video is worth a look. If you've got a Logitech G25 or G27 Steering Wheel, well, here's your true racing setup.

DiRT 3 Developer Diary #1



Looking spectacular, Codemasters' upcoming rally game set for a Q2 2011 release gets this awesome Q & A video. Check it out and get ready for yet another driving experience that's going to rattle a few bones loose. I'm hoping the portable versions get as much love...

Review: Goldeneye 007 (Wii)


Platform: Nintendo Wii

Developer: Eurocom


Publisher: Activision


# of Players: 1 (2 - 8 online)


ESRB Rating: T (Teen)


Official Site

Score: A-In my opinion, Eurocom's stellar reboot of the classic N64 game Goldeneye not only surpasses the original in terms of overall presentation, it's one of the best Wii shooters to date. As I'm NOT one of those folks nostalgically joined at the hip to Rare's original (and brilliant) game, I can tell it to you straight as a gamer who understands the difference between a a mere rip-off and a true relaunch. As the back of the box says: "Goldeneye is Back - Grab Your Friends" - that's all some of you need to know. This revival of the classic FPS brings both the story as well as James Bond into the current era and it's important to look at the game in this manner, NOT as an attempt to remake the original exactly as it was back in 1996. You're getting not only one of the best-looking games on the Wii, but one with an extremely customizable control layout, fantastic online play and a solid, lengthy campaign that can be played a few different ways depending on the difficulty level selected.

Review: Sonic Colors (DS)


Platform: Nintendo DS

Developer: Dimps/Sonic Team


Publisher: Sega

# of Players: 1-2

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Official Site

Score: A-

The stellar Sonic revival continues with Sonic Colors on the DS, which, like it's big brother on the Wii just so happens to be one of the best games on the platform this year. While it takes a few of its its visual and gameplay cues from the great Sonic Rush series, the blend of classic fast-paced 2D side-scrolling (with some nifty 3D boss battles and other sections) and super-colorful visuals makes for an exciting chunk of portable goodness. Like any platformer worth its salt, there area few really pesky spots where a careless jump or accidental nudge on that D-pad will send you falling to a Sonic doom. On the other hand, the game is so much fun that you'll go back again and again until you nail every level and find every secret.


Monday, November 15, 2010

Review: Sonic Colors (Wii)


Platform: Nintendo Wii

Developer: Sonic Team


Publisher: Sega


# of Players: 1-2


ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Official Site


Score: A


Despite its higher powered (and priced) HD competition, The Wii has had some of the more interesting (and fun) 3D Sonic the Hedgehog games over the past few years. Sonic Colors blows away all of these other games combined and in my opinion, even gives Mario a run for his money in terms of accessibility, challenge and replay value. From the amazing, super colorful visuals and excellent sense of speed to the ridiculous amount of well-hidden secrets, this one's a Sonic fan's dream come true as well as one of the best Wii games of 2010. There's a ton of game here thanks to a lengthy single player mode as well as some very tricky co-op action that requires pinpoint accuracy and timing for success.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Quickie TV Review: AMC's The Walking Dead "Tell It To The Frogs"

The third episode picked up where the last left off and had some fine dramatic moments thanks to Rick's reunion with his family, some surprising revelations and a bit of shocking violence (primarily among the survivors, although a lone zombie gets dispatched in a nicely gruesome scene). My question about the dropped bag of guns was indeed answered, but as the teaser for next week's show revealed, getting those guns isn't exactly going to go as planned. Hmmm... I wonder if that tank Rick camped out in all too briefly still has a working cannon (and if Rick STILL has that grenade he swiped from the dead soldier)?

Oh, Michael Rooker's rooftop racist does am off-screen Scream and Scream Again number on himself (look it up, or think of the first SAW movie) but I'm betting real money that he's not a total goner. His controversial character deserves a bit more than the extended cameo he's gotten thus far, that's for sure. Then again, how far can one go in a zombie-packed Atlanta with sunstroke, one working hand and a bloody stump? We shall see, i guess...

Score: B+

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Disney Epic Mickey Intro (Complete Version)



If this doesn't get you completely psyched for the game, you're clearly in need of a pop culture injection, a glass of nostalgia juice and a brand new funny bone. I'd say this one's even worth buying a Wii for if you still haven't made the plunge...

Review: Blood Stone 007


Platform: PS3 (also on Xbox 360, PC)

Developer: Bizarre Creations


Publisher: Activision


# of Players 1 (online 2 - 16)


ESRB Rating: T (Teen)


Official Site


Score: B


With former movie powerhouse studio MGM now pushing up daisies (they'll be sorely missed), the future of the James Bond series on film seems bleak at best. On the other hand, what could be the final product to bear that familiar Leo the Lion logo is a pretty solid licensed game that looks and feels like one of the recent Bond films in the series. Blood Stone 007 isn't supposed to be some sort of amazingly groundbreaking game that will send you over the moon from the moment you touch the controller (and shame on you if you look at EVERY game you play in this manner). Nevertheless, what the game does right it nails near perfectly. It's exactly what an interactive movie experience should be in terms of making you feel as if you're watching a film while letting you control the action as the story elements push you forward.

Friday, November 12, 2010

(Later Than Usual) Earth Defense Force Insect Armageddon Update: Split Screen Is In, But The Whining STILL Continues...


Proof positive that you can never, ever, EVER please ALL pf the people all of the time, D3Publisher of America recently updated the official Earth Defense Force Insect Armageddon page as well as the game's Facebook page last week with the absolutely grand news that split-screen cooperative gameplay (or couch co-op) is now a part of the upcoming release. While a good deal of cheers and back-slapping has lightened the mood of assorted message boards, there are STILL some die-hard hard-heads griping about aspects of the game that would ONLY be truly justified complaints if these posters actually got their hands on an up-to-date (and still in-progress build).




Yeesh. Cue any sort of facepalm theme music or related animated GIF at this point

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Lost in the Shadow Video Dev Diary 3



BUSY WEEK, what with A few Bonds, COD and a bunch of other titles eating my free time. Nevertheless, something new so you know I'm not dead. This latest LOD video diary touches a little more into the innovative gameplay in the upcoming Wii title. This one is definitely looking to be one of the more memorable game experiences coming your way in 2011...

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Spaltterhouse: It's All About Jennifer (Oh Yeah, And A Few Monsters, Too)


Well, heeeeeeere's Jenny! Now slap on that Terror Mask, grab the nearest baseball bat and go save her before she's turned into a monster's meat pie midnight snack. Two action shots of Rick plus Dr. Westa few of the ugly beasties from Namco Bandai's upcoming horror action game (also in nice 3D render form - not as cute as Jenny, though) are below the jump. The game ships out next week (and I can't wait to play it).





Monday, November 8, 2010

Quickie TV Review: AMC's The Walking Dead "Guts"

Well, despite a few bumps in the road, it just gets better and better. Great writing featuring some nicely fleshed out scenes (no pun intended), Michael Rooker was almost priceless (and a bit over the top, as usual) as the rooftop racist rifleman and some nicely tense moments make this a nice follow up to "Days Gone Bye." There were a few issues I had with one character handling a gun with her bare hands around tainted undead intestines and just hwy Rooker's character would lose it and draw attention to the "shoppers", but hell, I can see someone snapping up there with a gun and a few hundred undead down below. I'll have to also wonder why the hell Rick didn't try to nab the bag of guns he dropped in the first episode, but hey - that's TV for you. Even the girlfriend who absolutely freaks out over gore made it through most of the episode intact and she even watched the first episode (thank you AMC Free On Demand!) the next day and is I believe, hooked (although she won't admit it quite yet).

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Review: Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare


Platform: PS3 (also on Xbox 360, PC)


Developer: Rockstar San Diego


Publisher: Rockstar Games


# of Players: 1 (online 2 - 4)


ESRB Rating: M (Mature)


Official Site


Score: A+


"Before we resume with a bang and boom...", let's just say that Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare is absolutely going to be the best ten bucks (or 800 Microsoft Points) you'll spend on any DLC this year. The zombie-packed expansion makes a great game even greater, packing in a decent amount of single-player content and some fun multiplayer action while transforming the familiar Old West setting into an undead filled wasteland that needs a bit of purification. If you've somehow managed to miss Red Dead Redemption, it's definitely a must-buy and this expansion makes it even more so.


Friday, November 5, 2010

Is Atlus' The Cursed Crusade Next Year's Demon's Souls?



I'm a tad late to the party on this, but that's thanks to my inbox eating a chunk of mail and me just getting around to retrieving it. By the way, the answer is no, but response to the recent announcement (and stunning gameplay trailer) by some of the usual message board denizens would lead one to think so. On the other hand, given that games where you actually play as a Templar Knight have been relatively scarce, developer Kylotonn could be sort of a pioneer if the game is better than the handful of other Templar games previously released.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

TRON Evolution TV Trailer



It's almost here and looking pretty darn cool, that's for sure. Propaganda's got the chops, the gameplay is tight and thrilling and all it needs are a ton of fans who can appreciate all the hard work that's gone into the project to hop on board and enjoy the ride they've created. Back with more video in a bit...

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Review: Rock Band 3


Platform: PS3 (also on Xbox 360, Wii)

Developer:
Harmonix

Publisher: Electronic Arts/MTV Games


# of Players: 1-7 (Online/Offline)


ESRB Rating: T (Teen)


Official Site


Score: A



Like a bottle of cosmic aspirin, Rock Band 3 is the wonder game that does it all. It's an instant party starter, getting fans of nearly any type of popular music up and grabbing whatever peripheral is available for their chance at virtual stardom. It's a virtual (and growing) encyclopedia of rock featuring 80+ bands and a whopping 1600+ tracks that can be downloaded (with more to come, no doubt). It's got a stellar edit function that allows you to tailor the songs, gameplay and overall experience to your liking through a bunch of game types from casual to pro. Speaking of, (and yes, it's about time), it's got Pro Mode, which beefs up the challenge immensely while allowing actual musicianship to be a bigger part of the game.

Sonic Colors Skates Into Bryant Park Tomorrow


So, what are you doing tomorrow evening? Well, SEGA wants you to go ice skating in New York's Bryant Park and play Sonic Colors before it hits stores November 16th. Er, no... you won't be skating and playing the game at the same time.

Press release below the jump.

Epic Mickey Behind the Scenes Video: Characters!



Whoops/ had this one queued up to post but it got lost in the shuffle duing a few updates. Ah well. Nice video anyway. Check it out!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Press Release of the Day: GameGasm Superstars V8 "Apology"

This fooled me for about half a sentence, but I got a few good laughs after reading the entire thing. Go BUY O-Games' Superstars V8 Racing, already. A mere twenty bucks over PSN and it's a pretty solid racer, to boot. Laughs and link (absolutely check it out, as it makes the joke funnier) below the jump.

Monday, November 1, 2010

It's Banner Day!

Yes, I actually KNOW it's November (geez, already?). There's a new DAF banner going up later today, as I've so many ideas and games to choose from in terms of screen grabs. Is it going to be COD:BO? GoldenEye? Splatterhouse? BloodStone? Some obscure import to throw you off? Actually, I dunno - come back later and see for yourself. Funny thing is, I prepared a bunch of them about a month ago but i accidentally deleted the darn folder (oops)!

Goldeneye 007 Launch Trailer



It's here. BUY it. PERIOD. Seriously. Single or multiplayer, this is the Bond game you're going to be playing for a long time. Blood Stone rocks as well on the PS3 and 360, but Wii-only owners now have a remake that to me, surpasses the original in every way.