Naughty Dog's reliability is a TOTAL pain in the neck, isn't it? Just when you think they've done their best work... well, here they come again, very quietly promising to blow the doors off their last effort while making us all get the drool cups out. This supremely tease-y peek at Nathan Drake's new adventure shows nothing at all in terms of high action, yet quietly makes it look like one for the ages if you pick apart all the little details on that table. Hell, I may need to buy a new PS3 just in case my old launch model finally keels over as I'm installing the new game. Crap... I just jinxed myself... then again, I don't believe in curses, so there!
Heh. Got an email from UPS that says D3Publisher has sent me an Earth Defense Force Calendar... This should be really interesting (I need to take a pic of the huge fold-out Onechanbara calendar they sent back when those games were released and post it one day). Expect an update with pics around the 15th (the expected delivery date)... I do love the holidays! In unrelated news, I'll be giving away some spectacular stuff this month, so watch this space for a big ol' announcement...
Platform: PC
Developer: RuneCraft
Publisher: DreamCatcher
# of Players: 1 (2 - 4 online)
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)Official SiteScore: B-
As deep as the ocean and surprisingly addictive once you get into the intentionally slow pacing, The Guild 2: Renaissance is an intriguing mix of RTS, RPG and simulation gaming that's definitely not for the casual gamer. In fact, heavy experience with The Guild 2 is highly recommended, as this latest expansion lacks a tutorial mode (despite the manual stating there's one available, D'oh!). Once you get past that mind-boggling hurdle (the JoWood forums and YouTube are great helps, by the way), the game becomes a bit hard to stop playing as you guide your character's destiny in any way you choose. The amount of content and things to do here are staggering and despite the occasional bug, the game can really grow on you.
Well, heeeeeeeere we go again! I'm in the holiday spirit, it is indeed the holidays and that means YOU want FREE stuff, right? From now until the end of the month, I'll be running Friday giveaways of game-related gear, mostly featuring items you won't find in stores. First up, a twofer: I've ONE Disney Epic Mickey Jacket (size XL) and ONE Disney Epic Mickey Oswald the Rabbit T-shirt (size XL, with a Epic Mickey Ears Cloisonne Pin) in need of two good homes!
Well, now we know it's next fall as far as the release date goes. WBIE may be stingy with revealing assets, but heck, that's not going to stop the game from being as good as (or even better than) the original...
Supergiant Games' upcoming Bastion is the sort of game I'd pay good money for if it came in a boxed retail version. Sadly, like far too many indie games this generation, this gorgeous, innovative RPG looks as if it'll only see the light of day as a digital download. Sure, that's absolutely peachy for folks who can go that easy, breezy DLC route on PC and console formats, but some games (and particularly great-looking games such as this) should be available for the masses in as many (legal) forms as possible (grrrr, end of non-rant). Anyway, ogle the trailer above and keep a eye peeled for what's looking to be one of 2011's indie games. My radar is pointed in your general direction, Bastion... don't let me down!
(Great, now I'm talking to as yet unreleased indie games...where's my medicine?!)
As promised, here's a look at some screens from Koei Tecmo's upcoming fantasy Action/RPG, set to hit the PS3 on February 8, 2011. There's a decidedly rustic look to these images that I like - not over-polished at all, but still intriguing enough to get me interested in playing the final product. Check them out for yourself below the jump.
There was a lot of stuff to cover at the event, but some of the nicer surprises are embargoed for a few days. Nope, there wasn't a PSP2 or PSPhone to be seen (or heard about) at the event, but throw a stone and you'd hit a great game surprise or someone playing something pretty damn cool. Media Molecule, Guerrilla Games and Evolution Studios folks are great to chat with and make me think of setting up forums on the site just to get their input. For now, my creatively constructive to creatively cranky comments on the industry show up on a few industry news sites where other developers and journalists post so as not to have too many rabid debates here.Like the sweet Killzone 3 book? Sony was laser-burning whatever text attendees wanted into nice leather journals featuring some key 2011 titles and I chose Guerrilla's upcoming shooter as my pick for the DAF branding. Wish I had a dozen of each to give away on the site, but you'll have to do with ogling that photo for now.
Below the jump is a quick rundown* on what I can talk about images to come in a gallery update this weekend (*well, part one of a quick rundown, as I'm dead tired from a long day and am about to keel the hell over):
Platform: Xbox 360Developer: Eyehook GamesPublisher: Microsoft# of Players: 1ESRB Rating: NoneOfficial SiteScore: A+In this year of huge-budgeted "Triple-A" releases that get massively hyped midnight launches, expensively overblown limited edition bundles and millions of juiced-up fans blowing each other away in online matches while ignoring the single-player aspect, Eyehook's brilliant (and brilliantly simple) Epic Dungeon crushes them all with its no-nonsense approach to challenge and pure fun. For a measly 80 Microsoft Points (one whole dollar!), you're getting a tough game with infinite replay value, a great "retro" look and overall, an absolute must-play for anyone who considers him or herself a true gamer. Easily worth twenty times its cost or more, don't let the cheap-ass price point fool you into thinking this is some play once and dump forever bit of fluff. A minor bug or two aside, nothing should stop you from finding out just how awesome and addictive this gem of a game is.
Xona Games wants to blow you away with their XBLA shooter, Decimation X3. This absolutely insane 2D shooter mixes a great retro visual vibe with an excellent soundtrack that's guaranteed to get you off the couch (provided you can dance and shoot simultaneously). Thankfully, the action is so frantic and exhilarating that actual dancing isn't remotely involved. What's even better is the game ONLY costs a measly 80 Microsoft Points, or a whole dollar if you're into that new math. BUY it, is my recommendation. Too bad Microsoft doesn't have a portable system, as DX3 and some of the other awesome games from the Indie Games Uprising would make PERFECT traveling companions (and no, I don't want a Windows Phone to play games on, grrrrr).
press release below the jump.
Some of you might be a tiny bit depressed that this year is rushing to a close too darn quickly, but for me, that just means that it's closer to seeing the final version of Hudson's Lost In Shadow hit retail on January 4, 2011. Here's the final developer diary, featuring a peek at some of the cool secrets to be found in this Wii exclusive - enjoy!
Koei Tecmo has announced that its PS3 exclusive fantasy Action/RPG Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll will be hitting retail on February 8, 2011. Teaser trailer above, a second trailer below and screens to come shortly (as soon as I have time to sit down and grab 'em all). So far, I'm liking the nice Crimson Sea meets Dynasty Warriors vibe in the trailers and screens and it looks as if developer Omega Force is going all out in terms of the presentation and decent amount of enemies onscreen. We'll be keeping an eye peeled for updates as they wing this way, that's for sure...
I was wondering when D3Publisher was going to answer the call of the wild ones who either sold off or traded their copies, missed out on Sandlot's superior sleeper or just want to play what all the fuss is about. Having played and beat the disc version to death and beyond a few years back, I'll re-review the downloadable version shortly and see if it's still as addictive as ever. in addition to the Xbox Live Games On Demand relaunch, D3 is looking to draw in fans old and new by reviving the EDF 2017 website.
Sadly, there's no news of a PS3 port of 2017 any time soon, but I'm hoping D3 has plans to introduce western gamers to the two previous games in the series in the form of the PAL versions of the game (Monster Attack and Global Defence Force). While PSN would be the best format for some EDF fans, I'm also hoping (memo to D3: DO this for the fans!) the games are added to the Earth Defense Force Insect Armageddon Blu-Ray disc for those who don't yet have PSN accounts. Hell, there's more than enough space on that format to fit the localized versions, that's for sure... In case you haven't played EDF before, it's a fantastic chunk of run 'n gun arcade action that's surprisingly deep and incredibly long in terms of netting the game's small amount of achievements. 53 levels, completely destructible structures in the outdoor maps, split-screen co-op (no online play, sorry!) Over 150 weapons to collect and some of the toughest difficulty spikes (in solo play particularly) you'll ever see await those daring with twenty bucks in hand. Trust me, the experience is worth twice the price, folks...
Talk about an explosive finale - the first season, short as it was, went out with a bang as CDC headquarters was obliterated in a nice fireball of non-nuclear but still blazing proportions (along with two more characters). There were a couple of tense moments inside the bunker including an interesting look at the virus cycle that causes otherwise dead folks to pop up and start chomping on the living and Shane's confrontation with Lori (the man needs a new fixation, pronto). While this one was superb from start to finish, the episode somehow felt too short for my tastes, as some old ground was retread (we get it - showers rock when you haven't had one in weeks) and it would have been interesting to see more of the doomed scientist as a character.
Nevertheless, AMC clearly has a major smash with the series and the long, long wait until October 2011 is going to be hugely unbearable yet highly exciting for those of us looking forward to more Dead. Brilliant stuff (and thank goodness for AMC Free On Demand, as I'll be haunting that channel for as long as they rerun episodes). Still... I'm wondering about the first season on DVD or Blu-Ray (whenever it hits), as a mere six episodes really isn't enough to justify shelling out for a box set unless it's packed to the rafters with bonus features... We shall see, I guess...
Score: A-
First Season Score: A
Platform: PS3 (also on Xbox 360, Wii, PC)
Developer: Criterion Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
# of Players: 1 (online 2 - 8)
ESRB Rating: E 10+ (Everyone 10 +)
Official SiteScore: A-In Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, Criterion Games' new Autolog feature is very much like a way too loyal robotic dog that lives on a diet of Red Bull-laced motor oil and rechargeable batteries, and that's a both a good and bad thing, boys and girls. If you absolutely THRIVE on competition, It's a good dog (Good dog! Goooood doggieeeeee!) because it keeps you on your toes, notifying you constantly that your formerly best times have been beaten, who beat you and yes, that you should drop everything and go get your record times back. Paradoxically, if you're a casual gamer who happens to plug into PSN or Xbox Live for some friendly competition (or a mere system update before playing the game) Autolog is a bad dog (bad dog! BAD! NO!), constantly interrupting your set racing schedule to let you know someone's peed or pooped all over your best times and how much of a LOSER you are for not going on ahead and racing every fool that's ready to take you down and leave the smell of virtual burnt rubber in your nostrils. Damn you, Autolog! Now go sit in your box... GO!
Platform: PS3 (also on Xbox 360)
Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: Codemasters
# of Players 1 (online 2 - 12)
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Official Site
Score: B-
With Codemasters at the helm and its aptly named EGO Engine powering the game, F1 2010 is a solid racer for fans of the sport or anyone interested in the F1 experience. While it's not quite the perfect blend of simulation and everyman entry-level introduction, it's a decent enough start that bodes well for the future, provided the dev team takes input from the hard core F1 fan in terms of what they want to see and play. Although the game has a novice setting, this definitely isn't one for the more impatient casual crowd nor anyone looking for a step-by-step driving simulator. Screaming sense of speed and mostly fine handling model aside, you're not going to be winning races left and right until you master the tracks, AI craftiness and nearly everything in between.
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Developer: Namco Bandai
Publisher: Namco Bandai
# of Players: 1 - 4
ESRB Rating: E 10+ (Everyone 10+)
Official Site
Score: B+30 years and counting on the video game scene still shows that Pac-Man's got legs (pun intended) and can stand up to pretty much whatever genre he's added to. Namco Bandai's latest Wii game featuring the character and his cohorts is a fun party game that's part Mario Party, part Dokapon Kingdom and all Pac-Man, offering up over 50 mini-games and a few arcade classics in a well-rounded package. Granted, this is a game that's very strictly geared toward the casual family market, so hardcore gamers "expecting" something resembling an actual challenge can slap their cranky sourpuss caps on as they bypass this in favor of the latest arcade shooter or ultra-violent action game. If you're in the mood for a consistently and intentionally silly game where actual gameplay is secondary and a pure sense of fun soaks the atmosphere, read on.
Hey, I'm no star-chasing paparazzi, folks - just an creaky old gamer with a crappy digital camera. I just point and shoot that crappy camera in the general direction of smiling people and try to get good enough shots to post. Submitted for your approval, perusal or whatever - here are a bunch of pics taken at the Times Square Disney Store during the Epic Mickey launch. I'll also note that Kyle Massey is pretty funny in person and both Warren Spector and Peter David are two of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, period.
P.S. Jennifer Grey is cute as a button and can probably fit into your coat pocket, but let's not tell her I said that!
Sega's upcoming sci-fi themed squad-based shooter may be early, but it's looking pretty cool to me in these screens (there's a nice Terminator vibe going on). Click on that nice logo above to hit the official site - the press release is below the jump.
Platform: PS3 (also on Xbox 360)
Developer: Omega Force
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
# of Players: 1 - 2
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Official Site
Score: B
If there's ever been a game franchise more targeted to a very specific fan base, I'd say Koei Tecmo's long-running Sengoku Mousou (Dynasty Warriors) series is somewhere at the top of that list. The Dynasty Warriors... well, dynasty has spawned a legion of sequels and spin-offs across multiple platforms as well as a few very cool Gundam games fans of that anime snap up like hotcakes. In addition, the series has given many other developers and publishers inspiration for their own takes on the Mousou mold. KT's latest manga/anime/game mash-up, Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage is a deliberately paced, brutally beefy beat 'em up that packs in an incredible amount of content, solid 3D visuals and a great recreation of the series based around that familiar Mousou gameplay.
