April's Game of the Month: Child of Light

Yeah, yeah, it's NOT April for another five or so hours, but Ubisoft's upcoming RPG, Child of Light is so gorgeous and innovative on the artistic front that it's an automatic BUY for me as well and April's Game of the Month. Thankfully, it's coming to PC, Mac and a a few consoles on April 30th, so you can play it as well. Just look at those trailers above and below and you'll be on board. Or at the very least you'll be bugging someone you know who plays games to grab this and let you watch them play... 

March's Game of the Month: Dark Souls II

But of course: Yes, I’m a little early, but based on some demo time and the fact that veteran developer FromSoftware didn’t water the experience down one bit (in fact, in a few ways the games is more challenging than previous Souls titles), Dark Souls II is my Game of the Month for March. Offline play is key for me and many others and while the game does have that wonderful and extremely annoying element of other live players being able to pop into your online game to stalk or assist you (or both), it’s in the solo mode where many new and veteran players will first poke around just to see if the game is as intense as ever (it is and then some). Add in the new game engine (which makes for some even lovelier character models, creepy as all get out enemies and lush, deadly environments – see the site banner and background), improved gameplay, a much bigger world to explore and a massive amount of replay value for an instant classic. No matter which version you get your hot little hands on, you’re guaranteed a VERY well crafted and rather intense and gloomy singular experience that’s also pretty interesting to watch someone play if you’re not into the gaming thing. March 11 is the date for the North American launch and I’m expecting some people to contract a strange flu-like non-flu for a few days around that time (myself included)…

February's Game of the Month: Earth Defense Force 2025

  

Yeah, it's not even out until the 18th of the month, but I've owned the Japanese version of the game since it came out last July and it's pretty amazing and VERY replayable, a great thing in this age of games you can blow through in less time that it takes to make a crock pot dish. EDF 2025's four distinct classes, 780 weapons, over 90 levels (with more coming through three DLC expansions) and both couch co-op and multiplayer modes means this one will be in some play stacks for a good long while.

Sure, it's not the "best" looking game and yes, developer Sandlot isn't whipping out visuals that are going to compete with the greatest-looking games of last generation. That said, the scale of the maps plus the level of destruction here is remarkable, and combined with the seemingly simple gameplay that grows deeper as the game gets more challenging, makes this one a keeper even after you've beaten it. Which will take weeks if you're going for every bit of content.

So yeah, BUY THIS GAME. PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 only (Sandlot doesn't make PC Games, sorry!).

Your Pretty Obvious Game of the Month: Grand Theft Auto V

September 17, folks. Yeah, yeah, it's not even out yet, but between all the content descriptions, teasers, trailers and screens it's more than clear that this is Rockstar's biggest game to date and it will be a major distraction for those fans who buy in and tune out the even crazier goings on in the real world. Provided the planet doesn't blow itself up, melt or get invaded by aliens (and variations of two of those three things could happen), it should be a great holiday season for anyone employed at the company when those bonus checks go flying around...

Random Game of the (Upcoming) Week: Remember Me

Despite the heavy focus on multiplayer and "socializing" game experiences to the point of insanity (every game really doesn't need a co-op or online mode!), single player story-based games aren't quite a dying breed, but neither are whiny gamers who demand every game be some sort of open world experiece. Capcom's Remember Me, (out June 4, 2013) is looking like one of those cool new IP that will please fans of games where atmosphere and intriguing characterizations are more important than back of the pack bullet points. I'll have a full review on the NEW DAF site in a few days, so pop on over and check it out...

FREE STUFF TIME: Win a copy of Fusion: Genesis!

 Have you got an Xbox 360 in the house, an Xbox LIVE account and live in the U.S. of A.? Want a FREE copy of Fusion: Genesis, the awesome new multiplayer space combat/RPG from Starfire Studios (made up of four ex-Rare staffers)? Well, OK, but you need to do a little bit of work to get it... Click on over HERE to the new blog and see what's what. HURRY, as I only have TWO codes to give away!

E3 Day 1 - Microsoft: Surprises and No Surprises Balance It Out...

So far, so good, I suppose. Microsoft kicked off the day with a pretty cool conference that revealed a much stronger focus on Kinect that in this writer's opinion, should have been last year's approach. Sure, 10 million plus units were shifted at retail since the launch, but many "core" gamers have ignored the peripheral for a few reasons (most of them based on misconceptions). Microsoft set out to change that big time and seems to have succeeded thanks to integrating Kinect functionality into nearly everything they showed off. More precise Kinect functionality (for the most part).

PrE3: Paramount Digital Announces Star Trek For 2012 Launch

"Deflectors full intensity!" A single screenshot launches a thousand plus internet posts on whether or not this one will be a proper reboot. Without looking at any of them (man, those flames are hot) I predict most of the Trek purists will hate it, the gamer-first crowd will be intrigued and William Shatner will probably tweet and bleat about wanting in on a cut of the profits. All kidding aside, if the game manages to capture half the excitement of the J.J. Abrams reboot, it'll probably be a hit. Let's hope that developers Digital Extremes, Bad Robot and everyone else exceed all expectations low and high.

Atlus to Set Catherine Loose on Gamers This Summer!

EXCELLENT. Thank you, Atlus! After a ton of interest from gamers outside of Japan even as the game's developers said they had no plans to localize the PS3/360 game for Western audiences, the (no doubt going to be) Mature-rated horror/puzzle/strategy game hybrid is headed for a US release this summer. There was a HUGE teaser e-mail sent out last week that used the same pink background as well as a line from the game, so it was easy to figure out what was what. I ran a few movies on the other blog a few weeks back, but I'll be updating.both sites with image galleries once I get shots of the US version in action. Awesome - I guess I'll be getting both versions since they're doing the dual cover thing (yeah, I'm THAT crazy).

Portal 2 VGA Co-op Trailer (+ a gentle reminder...)

Rumor had it that the PS3 version of Portal was to have Move support. Valve has officially gone on record to say nope, it does NOT. Heck, according to the company line, it's already the best version of the game, so packing anything else into it would probably make the game disc rupture and your PS3 very unhappy. HOWEVER, you can still attempt to balance that retail copy on your Move wand and take a photo or record the act in progress (feel free to send Valve a pic or post the video on YouTube), thus "supporting" the PS3 version with your Move controller.

Oh - That gentle reminder? Go pre-order the game already.

Update: Warriors: Legend of Troy "Blood" and "Conquest" Screens

Two folders called "Blood" and "Conquest" were in the latest file I got from Koei Tecmo's press site and yes, that's exactly what you're getting in these latest Warriors screens. I was wondering if there was going to be a playable female character in Koei Canada's upcoming hack & slasher and *bam!*, wish granted - here you go. Penthesilea is her name, smashing fools in the jewels is her game (and she does look good doing what she does best).

Achilles gets more screen shot time in this post with a set of brutal images including what looks like a pretty mean boss battle. Ladies first, below the jump.

Dynasty Warriors 7 English Trailer

Here you go - complete with an all-new graphics engine, stereoscopic 3D support and that always controversial English dub. Not to mention the dozens of hours of hack & slash gameplay, too many playable characters to keep track of and plenty of real estate to romp around in. An acquired taste for sure - but hell, sometimes that sort of consistency can be a good thing.

Namco Bandai To Publish Dark Souls, Armored Core V (The Plot Thickens...)

“FromSoftware has an excellent pedigree of producing remarkable fan-favorite games that have made a huge impact and invigorated their respective categories,” said Kenji Hisatsune president and CEO, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “The two upcoming games will exemplify this heritage while yet again introducing exciting new ways for gamers to experience these genres.”

“Combining the development power of FromSoftware with NAMCO BANDAI Games’ global publishing expertise will greatly benefit our upcoming projects,” said Eiichi Nakajima, studio head, FromSoftware, Inc. “We look forward to a successful partnership and delivering new revolutionary titles for gamers around the world.”

In the words of the great philosophers: Oh hell, yes.

Moto GP 10/11 Teaser Trailer

Capcom gets rolling with this brief taste of the upcoming motorcycle racer which looks to be a nice mixture of real-world tracks, bikes and riders with a mix of arcade and simulation gameplay. The release date for the Monumental Games-developed title is March 15, 2011 on the PS3 and Xbox 360. I'll see if I can dig up some cover art and post it shortly...

Evil Controllers Marks February As Girl Gaming Month With New Camo Mod, Contest

Evil Controllers, makers of some pretty awesome custom modded Xbox 360 controllers is kicking off this month as Girl Gaming Month with a new custom Pink Camo Xbox 360 controller imaging, a Girl Gamer Evil Bundle and a pretty cool contest for the gaming gals out there who want to show off their skills. Even better, a portion of sales from each controller purchased through the site will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in support of breast cancer research.

It's really great to see companies such as Evil adding a more socially aware vibe to what they do, so definitely support them with a purchase if you're a 360 owner looking for a top of the line controller mod.

Anarchy Reigns: PlatinumGames' Multiplayer Brawler Takes The Fight Online

PlatinumGames' newest Sega title set for a Fall 2011 release, is going to be a multiplayer-focused brawler that (based on this too short and non-gameplay packed teaser), looks as if it's going to have some wild characters and at least one double-bladed chainsaw (ouch). As long as it's not another Iron Phoenix (and let's hope we see some sort of offline play, puh-lease!), I'm sold.

Three screens and basic game info below the jump, more news on AR as it comes out...

L.A. Noire Website Now Live

Rockstar's game site designs are always great, and the newly-launched official site for Team Bondi's upcoming crime drama is no exception. Poke around the age-gated site for a look at the character file on Coroner Carruthers as well as a look at the Homicide Desk lead character Cole Phelps works in. Nice screens, game art trailers and even a few film noir recommendations for those gamers who want to expand their horizons a bit before the game ships in May. My own noir choices will be the subject of an upcoming article next month, so check back in for that...

Gallery: L.A. Noire

Oops. I'd forgotten to post these lovely screens of Team Bondi's crime drama a few days back, so here you go. I think a LOT of folks will be surprised when they play the game, as Rockstar is known for shaking things up. I hate speculation and "expectation" in most previews, but as a fan of classic noir films myself as well as updated takes on the genre such as Chinatown and L.A. Confidential, I have a feeling this one's going to be a great deal more about story than too much open-world rambling about. We'll see...

More screens below the jump.

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...

Gallery: Silent Hill: Downpour

Konami has released the first batch of six Silent Hill: Downpour screens as well as a single, short and nicely creepy music track from Dexter composer Daniel Licht. According to the press release, this newest installment developed by Vatra (the awesomely fun Rush 'N Attack - Ex-Patriot)...

starts as Murphy Pendleton, the game's main character, finds himself lost and alone in the woods after his prison transport bus crashes near the town of Silent Hill. What happens after is up to the player as they traverse an all-new Silent Hill environment that is expansive, yet claustrophobic. And though this sleepy town may feel desolate, the player is never truly alone.

OK, I'm in. hell, I've been a Silent Hill nut since the first game, so I'm ALWAYS in. The game ships this fall for the PS3 and Xbox 360. Back with updates as they come in.