RAGE TV Ad

It's almost here and if you've been watching this season of Breaking Bad, you've been getting peeks at the game here and there. By the way, for the still confused, over-thinking types wondering just HOW Jesse Pinkman can be playing a game that's not out yet, stretch your imaginations for a moment. As the show never states exactly what year this season takes place in, perhaps it's set just after the game has shipped, thus justifying his owning and playing it. Granted, that light gun attachment and no sight of a console are harder to explain away to any gamer worth his or her salt. However, I'm gathering you're not supposed to obsess over that detail and just tie it in to Jesse shooting that would be meth cooking replacement for Walt and his mental state as a result of the crime. Anyway, nice TV spot, right?

Happy Birthday, Daggerfall!

It's hard to believe how quickly time flies, but 15 years ago today, Bethesda Softworks released the second installment of its RPG series. While the end result of all that hard work was a more stellar experience than TES: Arena, it was still a bit buggy in spots. That said, Daggerfall was still impressive for its amazing visuals, scope and gameplay. Ah, memories. I still have my copy of the original game minus the interior box and the cool letter opener thanks to a really stupid roommate years back when I was living in NYC. At the time, I was recycling some cardboard boxes for mailing and I kept a small stack of folded boxes near my games collection, as I was using the boxes to ship out games I sold or traded. One day as I was going out to work, my roommate asked if he could use a box to ship a gift out for his mother's birthday and I recall saying something like "Sure, take anything near the stack of games" before heading out the door. Little did I know that my invitation was a call for some major stupidity and minor theft...

Breaking Bad Brings A Little RAGE Home Early...

Note: This video features flashes of graphic violence from the game and the TV show. However, if you're watching Breaking Bad, well - you know what to expect.

Bethesda and id sure know how to plan ahead and pull off major surprises, that's for sure. In case you didn't know, there are some major Breaking Bad fans at id and their upcoming shooter RAGE will feature some references to the show that should be well worth tracking down. However, last night's episode of the show (which was shot some time last year if I'm not mistaken) featured Aaron Paul's meth dealer/addict/lab partner/killer character Jesse Pinkman playing the game with a light gun in a nicely done sequence.

Gallery: TES V: Skyrim Character Portraits

Want to see which races you can play as in Bethesda's upcoming time-eating epic RPG? Here are a few possible combinations (out of millions or variations) thanks to the excellent character editor. As longtime Elder Scrolls fans know, a good chunk of the fun at the beginning of a new adventure is choosing just who you want to play as. I'm thinking about ditching my usual first play-through choice of an Argonian battlemage who dips into archery from time to time, especially given the more flexible skills system Skyrim offers. Decisions, decisions...

QuakeCon 2011: John Carmack Keynote

All the secrets of the world are absolutely NOT revealed here, but as usual, JC has some really interesting things to say about games, particularly some of the cool things id is working on. That, and he's looking more and more like Food Network culinary brainiac Alton Brown with a bit more hair - enjoy!

TES V: Skyrim Collector's Edition Announced At QuakeCon

Yeah, yeah - if you know me, you also know I have a love/hate thing about these big Limited Editions. However, as I'm supremely excited for Skyrim, that automatically translates to a few smooches directed toward this nifty CE, now available for pre-order at selected retailers. Details and pricing below the jump. Sure, It's not cheap and I'll probably just end up with a copy of the standard edition (if you saw my games library, you'd understand why), but if I get hit on the head with a bag o' cash, I'll be buying one of these right away and making space for it.

Gallery/Impressions: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

What else can be said about what's truly going to be one of the biggest games (in terms of scope and hype) to hit consoles and PC's to date? TES V: Skyrim will no doubt be generously rewarded with huge sales and critical accolades from press and gamers alike, so I'm just pouring more gasoline on the bonfire of praise with these words. Seeing that E3 presentation on TV and the internet is one thing. Seeing it in person id like discovering sunlight for the first time. Bethsoft's proprietary Creation Engine brings the game world to stunning life without any need for 3D glasses or tacked on motion control schemes. The team behind the game has crafted one of the best-looking games to date and you'll see this in many, many fine details such as items that can be rotated in your inventory (helpful when solving some puzzles) and the way the weather changes as you ascend a mountain from the sunny plains below to the freezing summit. Everyone at the presentation was silent, most likely from being in sheer awe at what was on screen...

RAGE: Hands-On In The Wasteland

Thanks to the fine folks at Bethesda Softworks and id Software, last Wednesday, I got to spend a good two and a half or so hours with a complete Xbox 360 version of id's latest shooter (and one of 2011's most anticipated games) AND got to see a stunning live presentation of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim afterwards. No, I'm not going to compare them in this preview, silly rabbits. However, I will point out that both are completely different experiences that no gamer worth his or her salt should miss out on. Unlike many other events I've attended, RAGE was set up to play from the beginning from a new profile. While there were a few PR reps and a Bethsoft (or was it id?) employees floating by on occasion to see if things were going OK, I got to play a small chunk of the single player game the very same way you'll dive into it come this October 4. Note: Spoilers below the jump, but given that my progress was limited to what I could do in a few hours, I'm sure none of them are MAJOR reveals.

PrE3: Bethesda: RAGE & Prey 2 Trailers

Yes, they both look amazing so far and yes, they're both quite different in terms of what they bring to the VERY crowded FPS market. And yes, I'm planning on sinking a lot of time into both at some point. Someone STILL needs to make a damn time machine so we can actually play EVERYTHING that's coming out...

Hunted: The Demon's Forge "Around Dark Corners" Trailer

A bit of behind the scenes with an emphasis on Hunted's sound design. Pretty cool and I can safely say that with a pair of good headphones, the game's effects, voices and music are really fantastic.

RAGE: Now With NBA Star Blake Griffin (Who?)

Excellent and hilarious video, but I'll admit my initial response was something along the lines of the following: What the...? "Oh... er... oh well? Hmmm... (consults jury, which is still out)". Meh, I guess it's better than a Big Head Mode or putting Larry Bird in there, but geez... Why? Feh, I'll ignore this because the final product is going to knock my socks off (AND yours), but hell... As long as it doesn't affect the quality of the game, id could put Phil Silvers and Don Knotts in the damn thing and it'll still rock.

Hunted: The Demon's Forge "Call of The Forge" Trailer

Excellent behind the scenes video featuring InXile staff talking up their upcoming co-op centric action RPG (which is a ton of fun, by the way). May 31st can't some soon enough for me. PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, folks...

Brink Hands-ON: Splash Damage At The Top Of Their (& Your) Game

UK-based developer Splash Damage has every right to be chest-out, chin up proud of their upcoming shooter, Brink. The game is a total blast to play and everything from the deep character and weapons customization to the smartly paced addictiveness of the team-centered FPS gameplay is stellar stuff. I got to check the game out recently when Betheseda dropped into NYC with it (and InXile's fun RPG action/romp Hunted: The Demon's Forge) and yes, it's not only ridiculously impressive, it's designed so brilliantly that even non-FPS fans will want to pick up a controller and have a go. With its destroyed futuristic "Ark" setting and two groups pitted against each other in a race against time for what each sees as humanity's future, there's a solid sense of urgency under the trappings of what would be just another shooter du jour in less capable hands.

Hunted: The Demon's Forge Hands-On

Fans of tightly focused "old-school" hack & slash RPG's as well as anyone looking for a hefty challenge should absolutely stick inXile's upcoming PS3/Xbox 360 game on their to-do lists. At a recent Bethesda press event, I got to sit down with a final build of the game and was very impressed at the level of challenge in the game (and the presentation's not bad either). While inXile has noted previously that Hunted's cover-based gameplay is inspired by Epic's Gears of War series, the fantasy trappings and two tough yet likable leads should appeal to both male and female gamers alike. I got a taste of both the single player and co-op story modes (with a fellow editor) and yes, you should click on down to read the real deal on what's going to be a bit of a sleeper hit this June.

Hunted: The Demon's Forge "It Was Found" Trailer

Hunted is looking to be an excellent co-op focused action/RPG and another winner for Bethesda. InXile is cooking up a gorgeous mix of visuals and gameplay that should satisfy fans of multiple genres. I'm in, for sure - what about you?

Gallery Update: RAGE

OK, it's only a mere three new screens, but yikes. That idTech 5 engine is sure pumping out some glorious-looking images, huh? RAGE is slated for release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC in North America on September 13, 2011 and across Europe on September 16, 2011. More updates to follow, of course...

Hunted: The Demon's Forge "The World of Hunted" Trailer

InXile's upcoming co-op focused action/RPG is looking to be one of the more memorable releases of 2011 whether you're a fan of the genre or not. Here's a look at a few of the different environments you'll be adventuring in and around - text below courtesy of Bethesda. Keep this one on your radars, folks...

Welcome to the World of Hunted.

Tempted by riches, the warrior Caddoc and huntress E'lara will travel through a sprawling empire beset by evil. As their path twists through the once thriving town of Dyfed and towards the mighty capital city of Llyr, they will face a corruption that is spreading across the land. The kingdom's ancient ruins have become overrun with foul creatures, and innocent villagers are being driven underground into dungeons. As they draw closer to the ruins of Kala Moor a dark army gathers, threatening everything in its path.

Holy Cats, It'll Be Raining GAMES in 2011!

Geez, it's a Manic Monday in reverse! Roll out of bed late, check the inbox and BOOM! there's an absolute bonanza of games news stuffed in there. Rather than do individual posts (although I'll run galleries and/or videos this week), I'll just hit you gently with a quick rundown (links included where applicable) of stuff that made me nearly fall off my chair:

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (11.11.11!)
Resistance 3
Prototype 2
X-Men: Destiny
inSANE
Deus Ex: Human Revolution (new trailer)
SSX: Deadly Descents (in development)

M-Rated trailers will appear on the DAF: Trailer's Gate blog, by the way.

Fallout: New Vegas DLC In The Works

Well, you knew it was coming, didn't you? Bethsoft goes and makes one of the biggest games of the year even bigger. Too bad my 360 is dead (yet another one at that, grrrr!), but methinks what Obsidian has crafted will keep me quite occupied until the PS3 gets its own DLC pack...

Press release below.

Fallout: New Vegas Soundtrack List Revealed

Sooooo, what will YOU be listening to while you're playing Fallout New Vegas? Me, I'll stick to the game's soundtrack, especially since Bethsoft just dropped the track list in my inbox the other day. What's playing? The answers are a click away...