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)…

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...

Game of the Month: Dragon's Crown

As in just shut up and buy it already if you own a PS3 or Vita. There are big differences in both versions (so yeah, you want both), that art book is PHENOMENAL (and even more so if you happen to have imported either expensive deluxe Japanese version of the game) and the game itself is an instant classic that's both a throwback to arcade beat 'em ups as well as its own bird.

Take a peek at the video below if you're not convinced yet. If that stunning artwork and outrageously stylized characters don't get your eyes popping and your wallet flying out of your pocket or purse, well... I can't help you in your art appreciation much. Anyway, grab this for home and/or the road and tell a friend if they own a PS3 or Vita to buy this as well. You'll be able to play together... but the game WILL make both of you work like hell for that privilege, as co-op is locked out until you play through the main game once. This won't take too long, mind you and hell, you'll NEED the bonuses earned in order to survive the harder difficulties and alternate paths.

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...

Sony Teases Gamers With A Little Mystery Project...

Hmmmm... My head is too full of other stuff to even venture a guess, so it looks as if I'll be holding out until October 5 to get the answer. Of course, it'll probably leak before then, but that's how it goes. It's probably something Home-related, but I'm just throwing out the first thing off the top of my head. Which means I'm probably wrong. Still, it WOULD be nice if we all found out The Agency was being revived from the dead, right?

Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection Launch Trailer

Yes, it's here. And Yes, it's a absolute must buy at a measly $39.99. Hell, if you happen to know someone with a 3DTV and no PS3, do them a favor and lug yours over to their house with a copy of this game and they'll probably BUY their own PS3 afterward. Seriously, it's THAT good.

Review: Resistance 3

Platform: PlayStation 3

Developer: Insomniac Games

Publisher: SCEA

# of Players: 1 - 2 (Online: 1 - 16)

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Official Site

Score: A-

It's absolutely been the best year to be a PS3 owner and Resistance 3 continues Sony's streak of solid first-party titles with an exhilarating, action-packed shooter that's an absolute must-buy. Packing in a lengthy single-player campaign (with solid offline or online co-op), satisfying multiplayer and a ridiculous amount of over the top battles, this is one of those games FPS fans will get a ton of mileage out of. Key to the gameplay experience are the incredibly fluid controls whether you're using a Dual Shock 3, PS Move/Navigation controller combo or Sharpshooter peripheral and yes, the game looks fantastic. There area few quirks here and there with the AI on the easier settings and if you want to get the most out of the co-op and multiplayer, the game requires some mandatory patching that fixes a few release bugs. Nevertheless, once that's taken care of, you're in for quite a wild ride.

ICO/Shadow of the Colossus Classics Trailer Update

Sony keeps rolling out the gems with this set of two of the best PS2 games ever made. Even if you still own both of them, the updated HD graphics, superb use of 3D and bonus features should make this a must-buy disc. I'm probably the only person NOT whining about The Last Guardian as I KNOW it's going to be completed and released at some point in 2012. I'm more than willing to wait as well as cut Sony (and Team ICO) some slack for not bombarding us with non-stop info and updates on a weekly basis. The game WILL be worth the long wait whether or not we see any sort of bonus content about it on the collection disc.

Sony's TGS 2011 Lineup Brings The Games (Now About That Affording Them Part)...

Sony is definitely showing up for this year's Tokyo Game Show more than prepared, that's for sure. As the list below the jump notes, the company is leaving none of its consoles out of the lineup (although PSP pickings are slim this year, I expect a few third party publishers to show off a few more titles). According to siliconera, some 32 PS3 titles will be shown, so the 13 on the list is only the beginning of what's looking to be a solid lineup. While The Last Guardian is nowhere to be seen on this list, I'd bet my entire games collection that there will be at least a trailer or some new info dropped at the show. Hell, there's always at least ONE surprise at TGS and and TGL news would be just that for the more rabid fans who crave every drop on information about the Team ICO developed game.

Resistance 3 Doomsday Bundle & "Radio" TV Spots

Two great commercials for Insomniac's upcoming FPS - As usual, Sony can really put together some memorable ads for the same game and approach each one from a different angle. That and yes, the Sharpshooter works like a dream for yet another PS3 shooter. No doubt R3 will be the biggest game yet in the franchise and if it's the last, it also looks as if it's the best.

Twisted Metal To Arrive On 2/14/2012, Love, David Jaffe

Thanks to an exclusive video on the PlayStation Blog, we now know when Twisted Metal will arrive on the PlayStation 3. I figured Jaffe was up to something cool based on a few tweets last night/early this morning, so this looks like what his presentation was after all. Having played a tiny bit of the insane multiplayer and seen the amazing Iron Maiden boss battle presentation a few times, I can safely say that the wait will indeed be worth it and TM fans will be in complete bliss (hand cramps and all from gripping those PS2 controllers so tightly). All I'll say to the dejected significant others reading this is you;d better learn to play some TM, because you're not seeing your partner for a while once the game ships...

Uncharted 3 Collector's Edtion Unboxing Video

The game isn't even out yet, but as unboxing videos are all the rage for these more expensive limited editions, here's what the Collector's Edition of Drake's Deception looks as it's stripped down to its assorted parts. Very nice indeed (and thanks for Sony for posting it on the PlayStation Blog). I'm more of a standard edition guy myself, but I'd not turn down one of these if it happened to drop on my doorstep.

Sony @GamesCom 2011 (Parts 1 & 2)

Yes, I know PAX is right around the corner (I'm not there this year) and I'm STILL writing stuff about Gamescom? Hey, I'm buried in Deus Ex: HR at the moment, so you get to watch a couple of really nice videos from Sony's press conference last week until I post my review and free up some time. By the way, so far, it's a spectacular game...

Ken Levine On Bioshock Infinite & PS Vita

Super cool and informative video from the Playstation Blog that reveals Irrational has some major plans for Sony's upcoming handheld. Right now, there's not much to worry about in terms of Vita getting sunk by not having enough good games, that's for sure. 2012 is certainly going to be a deciding year for "dedicated" handheld platforms. I think too much emphasis is being placed on pure casual experiences on devices over more well-rounded gaming experiences that might cost more, but deliver MORE for that money. Let's hope that the core gamer base can prove me right while allowing Vita to also cater to those who want less "serious" games.

Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time Trailer

For the first PS3 Sly adventure, Sucker Punch hands off the development chores to the more than capable team at Sanzaru and based on this sneak peek, die-hard Sly fans have nothing to fret about. Go pick up that cool Sly Collection if you haven't, by the way. I'm gathering we'll be getting a longer adventure this time out and perhaps some sort of multiplayer or perhaps other online content, but I personally prefer a straight up single-player focused story-driven game. Oh, and some sort of Vita functionality (or a standalone portable version). We'll see how it goes...

E3 Day 1 - Sony: Apologia et Vita (or Something Like That)

Sony's press conference was exactly how I thought it would be in terms of tone, but that's a good thing. No Kevin Butler this year to joke it up with the crowd. a lot of announcements, a lot of exclusives, a re-naming of the NGP and even more solid-looking games for the new handheld. Jack Tretton was almost sheepish in laying out Sony's apology to gamers and publishers who've been suffering with all this hacking nonsense since April. But after the frowny times for a minute or two, things got rolling with plenty of first-party power.

Some Quick Thoughts on "Transfarring"

OK, so we all know Hideo Kojima is a genius. My question is: why the heck didn't Sony think of this idea when the PSP was initially launched? As soon as I heard they were doing a portable unit, one of my top wishlist items was the ability to either link PS2/PS3 content to the unit for on the go action or have new games where portable versions had data that could be transferred back and forth between consoles. Anyway, now that "Transfarring" is not only a reality, but a new "word" gamers worldwide will be speaking whenever they hit the road with a Sony handheld, let's hope it's adopted by as many developers as possible as soon as possible.

Oh, and ANY sort of data transfer system NEEDS to be offline enabled as well just in case the PSN hacks never stop rolling out on a regular basis. Just a thought...

Win Free Stuff! Anyone Want a Killzone 3 Moleskine Lined Journal?

I have ONE of these to give away, US residents ONLY (sorry you folks from up north and across the pond!). All you need to to is post a comment below and you're in the drawing. feel free to get someone to sign up and post here if you're not a Killzone fan. As long as they live in the U.S. of A., I'm not picky!

Of course, the winner needs to cough up an actual mailing address so they can get their prize. DON'T put your personal info in your post, of course! This is a pretty slick leather-bound journal with lined pages and a band to keep it shut. I think it's 100 pages, but I didn't crack it open to count them. Quite a cool item you won't find in stores, so good luck!

Official-sounding rules below.

CONTEST RULES: OPEN TO US RESIDENTS ONLY! To enter: post ONE random comment here - that's it. Winner will be chosen at random on Monday, March 7, 2011. Winner will be contacted via email or through the DAF site in order to get your correct US mailing address. Item will be shipped out within 48 hours after winner has been chosen. Cash value of cool prize: zero (unless you decide to sell it on ebay and make a profit).

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Killzone 3 "Dear PlayStation" TV Spots

Awesome and hilarious stuff - the game is in stores next week, so go grab it. The SharpShooter Move peripheral rocks, by the way (Go get one and a Move controller set if you don't have one yet)