Portal 2 On The PS3: Valve Makes More Than Good On That Promise...

Well, Portal 2 on the PS3 has moved on up from last year's intriguing "Is it EVEN possible?" E3 announcement to a "Holy Cats... they actually went and did it!" must-buy experience. PS3, PC and Mac cross-platform gameplay as well as Steam functionality over PSN and a REALLY (really) cool freebie for truly dedicated players? Looks as if Sony's console gets the best version after all.

Er, now about Left 4 Dead & L4D2 on the console... (just nod if they're coming - I won't tell a soul)...

Press release below the jump (and no, there's no cake at the end for reading the entire post... well, not for YOU at least).

Arkane Studies Releases Final Arx Fatalis Patch, Source Code

One of the best PC role-playing games of the last decade, was Arx Fatalis, Arkane Studios' homage to the classic PC games Ultima Underworld and Ultima Underworld II. In case you've never played it, it's time you finally did. It's still around today as a downloadable game over at Steam, gog.com and Direct2Drive or you can probably track down a physical copy on ebay for either PC or original Xbox (but I don't think it's backward compatible on the 360, so you may want to check that out first).

Arkane has just released the final patch as well as the complete source code for the game (it's now Vista and Windows 7 compatible), which means the mod community now has another game to take apart and improve into an even better experience. I hadn't played the game in about a year or so, but after downloading the new patch and firing up an old save and playing for an hour or so, it's still a solid chunk of gaming. I'm not a fan of the window mode that's been patched in, but I'm sure there's a quick fix for that. Anyway, yes - another great game to try if you haven't yet - enjoy!

Little Big Planet 2 "World Record" Videos = Lots of Big Laughs

Here are three hilarious videos of LBP2 in action and three quick intros to the gamers behind the madness on display. Figure I'd run all five in one post rather than five separate posts, as I'm still playing a few games plus working on some other stuff. Enjoy the overkill!

Review: Fighters Uncaged

Platform: Xbox 360 (Kinect)

Developer: Ubisoft

Publisher: Ubisoft

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: D

As a launch title for Microsoft's otherwise interesting (and multimillion selling) Kinect, Fighters Uncaged suffers from a case of "good idea, poor implementation" but sadly, this didn't have to be the case. If you're feeling the need to compare, unlike Sony's PlayStation Move brawler The Fight: Lights Out, this is a supremely below average game that's quite undercooked and shows its flaws as soon as you start playing. The Fight does indeed have its own flaws, but it's at least actual fun once you get the hang of it, supports two players and can be played online. Fighters Uncaged is strictly a solo affair, which makes little sense for a game in the genre these days. The generic, poorly told "story", stereotypical enemies straight out of a bad Final Fight clone and wonky Kinect controls all beat up on you as you're slogging through, making it a total chore to complete. It's not all bad news, however. It's certainly a game that's not getting a sequel (unless too many Kinect owners new to motion control gaming snap it up and make it a mega-hit).

Gallery Update: Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll

New screens (as well as a few I missed from last month) from Koei Tecmo's upcoming Action/RPG. Ever-busy developer Omega Force is going for an "artistic" look to the game with a filter that gives the visuals a rather interesting painterly quality. Personally, I like this stylistic touch a lot - we'll see how it all plays next month when the game hits retail on February 8, 2011

Sega to Release Dreamcast Collection on Xbox 360, Windows PC

Well, alright (with a minor gripe) - Sega is tapping back into its Dreamcast library and will release a collection of four classics for the system as both a retail packaged disc for the Xbox 360 and a digital download for Windows PC. The simply titled Dreamcast Collection will be available on February 25, 2011, in Europe and February 22 in North America and feature Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi, Sega Bass Fishing and Space Channel 5. According to the press release, both versions will have enhanced graphics while only the 360 version will have Achievements as well as online leader board support.

“The Dreamcast console is still remembered as a pioneering console for online gaming,” commented Gary Knight, VP of Marketing at SEGA of America and SEGA Europe “We are delighted to be able to offer to our large community of dedicated fans a collection such as Dreamcast Collection for them to enjoy old favorites on this Xbox 360 and Windows PC."

True... but none of those games in this collection were online enabled in terms of gameplay as far as I remember (he said, looking at his DC collection). That and, for the love of Knuckles... why no PS3 version?

Ys I & II Chronicles Gameplay Footage Kicks It Old School

Here's a peek at gameplay from Xseed Games' upcoming PSP title, set for a February release. According to the latest info, players will be able to choose between three different soundtracks during gameplay - the newly arranged version (by Falcom's in-house band done on actual instruments), the synth version from the 2001 Japan-only PC version of the game or the original chiptune versions of each track as recorded in 1987 and 1988. Excellent!

PlayStation Move Heroes Pre-Order Bonuses Revealed.

March 22, 2011 is the release date for PMH and if you pre-order the game through GameStop or Amazon, you get these three cool custom skins:

Jak Freedom League skin
Ratchet Trillium Armor skin
Sly Cooper Pirate skin
(What, he lost that leg chewing it off in a trap? Somebody call PETA!)

Anyway, the game is coming along quite nicely (check out both of my two-fisted hands-on previews) and well, go buy a Move already!

Commentary: Why We ALL Need Wizardry Back!

Sometimes, I just hate Japan, but in a decidedly more "grrrr... how come they get THAT game?" manner (and not anything more overly dramatic than that, mind you). While the Wizardry franchise hasn't seen a new Western-developed PC game in the states since the ill-fated, (but mostly well-rated) Wizardry 8 (back in 2001!), since the late 80's, Japanese gamers have had nearly 40 ports or completely original Wizardry games and side-stories created by an assortment of developers for a number of consoles, portables and even cellphones. More recently, three Nintendo DS games in Japan have been getting their own original entries (*grrrr!*). You can keep your Angry Birds, and other "casual" games, folks - I'd rather play something with real meat on its bones.

The Cursed Crusade Trailer #2: "Ambitions"

Atlus and developer Kylotonn Emtertainment have what's looking to be a guaranteed hit with this upcoming PS3 and Xbox 360-bound Action/RPG. Given that nearly everyone seems to be comparing it to Demon's Souls, there's going to be an immediate audience for the game that should propel sales no matter what the reviews say. Based on available info, the game is quite a bit different (and it should be) in terms of story, gameplay and a few other major elements, none of which should stop any fan of From Software's hit from checking this one out. Hell, here's nothing like being pleasantly surprised by a game you thought was going to be something entirely different (or all too familiar), right? More on The Cursed Crusade shortly...

Radiant Historia Time-Traveling Walkthrough Trailer Radiates Historically...

Yes, this walkthrough was released a few days back, but I'm just now getting to it (Hey! I've a LOT of stuff on my plate!). Atlus USA just keeps it coming with yet ANOTHER fine Nintendo DS/DSi RPG, Radiant Historia, set for release on February 22, 2011. I'm still playing Shin Megami Tensei Strange Journey and SMT: Devil Survivor, but as I'm winding down the many, many hours spent on those, it looks as if I'll be getting a bit busy with this one. As usual, expect a nice deluxe package complete with a CD soundtrack and more gameplay than you can shake a stylus at... back with more in a bit.

Resistance 3 VGA Trailer (Director's Cut)

I already posted the VGA trailer a while back on the other blog - for comparison's sake, here's a look at both that one (below the jump) the extended version (above) of the live-action trailer which should get you even more excited about Insomniac's upcoming shooter in what's looking to be a key year for Sony's console.

Spare Parts: Concept Review Trailer

Ever wonder where game ideas come from? Well, take a gander at this latest Spare Parts trailer and see for yourself as members of the dev team lets their brains do the talking - enjoy!

Tiny & Big in: Up That Mountain - Black Pants' Instant (Even As A Work In Progress) Classic

I absolutely love independent games and this year's crop of IGF 2011 entrants and finalists just may be the most creative to date. From the super-popular and amazingly successful Minecraft or Super Meat Boy, innovative gems such as Desktop Dungeons, Amnesia: The Dark Descent and more, there's something for every taste (as well as plenty of games a non-gamer would try). A few of the nicer surprises have been the as yet unfinished projects that show off some amazing innovation in visuals as well as gameplay.

For me, the best example of this is the beta demo of Tiny and Big in: Up That Mountain, developer Black Pants Game Studio's wonderfully fresh and funny episodic 3D adventure/platformer (for PC, Mac and Linux) that features stunning comic-styled visuals and excellently implemented game mechanics that are simple to understand while allowing for a number of ways to tackle environment navigation. The current demo build is a bit raw and definitely needs more work, but what's here will make you crack a smile that lasts for as long as you're playing.

LBP2 Goes For Guinness World Records Next Week

Sony is certainly planning to launch Little Big Planet 2 in style. Next week down at the Sony Style Store's PlayStation Lounge here in NYC, a bunch of dedicated gamers are going to attempt to set and break a number of Guinness World Records. Hell, someone should have told yours truly this, as my own personal gaming record is 52 hours straight playing Shining Force 2 on the Sega Genesis back in the day. Granted, my old-timer butt would probably pass out after three hours and no Geritol supply, but hey - I'd go down fighting, dammit! Press release below the jump - I'll be at the event next week for a bit of coverage.

Review: Venetica

Platform: PS3 (also on Xbox 360, PC)

Developer: Deck 13

Publisher: Atari

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: C+

As a huge fan of role-playing games developed around the world for at least 20 years, one thing I've learned is how to appreciate the best parts of every game no matter the overall quality. Simply knocking a new title for what it doesn't have compared to similar entries within the genre is a wee bit too easy for some critics that fail to see that not every game needs to be "state of the art" nor "perfect" to be an enjoyable experience. US gamers never saw retail releases of imperfect Euro-made epics and non-epics such as Hard to Be a God, Vampire World, or Dragonfire: Well of Souls, but each of these (plus many others) have appeal as singular experiences thanks to levels of immersion distinct to each game. Deck 13's Venetica is another one of those really interesting games with similar rough spots that keep it from becoming an instant classic. However, once you overlook its quirks, it's an ambitious project that features an attractive and interesting lead character as well as a few nice twists to the standard RPG formula.

EL Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron Gets Japanese Launch Date, New Screens

One of the more intriguing games I've had my eye on, UTV Ignition's El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron, is finally getting a Japanese release for the PS3 and Xbox 360 this April with a US and European launch dates to be announced (he typed, with fingers crossed). Here's a look at some of the latest screens from the visually striking action/adventure game. I'll run a gallery later featuring a few of the beautiful (and nicely offbeat) wallpapers from the official site. I may as well stick the press release below the jump so you folks can find out what the game is all about (sorry for the cut 'n paste job - I'm tinkering away on some reviews and such, so I'm cutting back on my word count in today's posts)...

Warriors: Legends of Troy Cover Art

Nicely dynamic cover art for Koei Canada's upcoming M-rated hack & slash action game, set for a March 22, 2011 launch on the PS3 and Xbox 360. Check out the small gallery I ran a few days ago for screens art and a game trailer. I'll see about getting more online screens from Koei Tecmo and post whatever shows up.

Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll Cover Art

Well alright - here's the cover art for Koei Tecmo and Omega Force's upcoming action/RPG set for a February 8, 2011 launch as a PS3 exclusive. I'm pretty excited about this one based on the screenshots that show off some quirky fantasy art and unique color palette the developer has used throughout. While I'm hoping the gameplay leans more toward the Crimson Sea sort of action, as a longtime fan of hack & slash games, I won't be disappointed at all if it doesn't. I have the feeling that this might be one of those games where you'll get more than you'd expect, but if you go in with no expectations, you'll be even more pleasantly surprised.

Hyperdimension Neptunia Premium Package Art Revealed

And here you go: BOOM. Courtesy of NISA, one Hyperdimension Neptunia(aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!) Premium Package to go. Nice cover art AND that Premium inside the Package just so happens to be a rather cool art book packed with lots of art (dang, I'm good!). Anyway, hit your favorite retailer and go pre-order this gem.

In other Nippon Ichi news, Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood! is out NOW, so I need to go buy a copy sometime this week and let you folks know how it is, right?