Portal 2 Suffers Time Warp Delay, But This Is Actually Good News…

Posted on November 18, 2010 by geelw

According to Valve and this nicely hilarious press release that pokes fun at the company’s track record for its games slipping into the infamous release date triangle, Portal 2 is special for yet another reason:

VALVE ANNOUNCES SHORTEST DELAY IN VALVE HISTORY

Valve today announced that Portal 2 — the sequel to the ground-breaking title that won over 30 game of the year awards, despite missing its original ship date — will now be available the week of April 18th, 2011. This two month slip not only marks the shortest delay in Valve’s proud tradition of delays, it represents the approaching convergence of Valve Time and Real Time. Though this convergence spells doom for humanity, it will not affect the new Portal 2 release date.

WIN FREE STUFF!!! Little Big Planet 2 Beta Code Giveaway!

Posted on November 18, 2010 by geelw

Media Molecule's followup to the smash PLAY. CREATE. SHARE. mega-hit is on the way and looking to be an even more spectacularly creative game for users to take apart and do what they wish with. If you want in on this one, you'd better be quick – I have TWO Little Big Planet 2 beta codes to give away. To enter: all you need to do is become a DAF follower by clicking on the Google Friend Connect Tab to the left (where it says FOLLOWERS) and that's it!

I'll pick two random winners on Saturday and email you your codes within 24 hours! The taste of The Handmade Arcade can be YOURS, but only if you act NOW! Fine print below the jump – read it before you enter!

Majin & The Forsaken Kingdom Shipping Early (Well, Now – That’s Cool!)

Posted on November 18, 2010 by geelw

You usually don't hear a whole lot about games shipping on time, so it's awesome to find out there's at least ONE game that's had it's release date pushed UP a bit. Namco Bandai has announced that Majin & The Forsaken Kingdom for the PS3 and Xbox 360 will be hitting retail on November 23, 2010. The Game Republic-developed action/stealth/puzzle game features a single player story driven experience in which players will team up with a hulking forest spirit-totem in order to save a mythical kingdom. A bit of press release below the jump. I absolutely loved this when I saw it in action a few months back and it definitely has “sleeper hit” written all over it, that's for sure…

Gettin’ Ready For Gran Turismo 5: VisionRacer VR3+ Logitech G25/G27 Video

Posted on November 16, 2010 by geelw

I’ve seen and used some interesting racing peripherals in my day, but the spectacular looking VisionRacer VR3 racing rig above makes me REALLY wish I had a bigger living room and bigger TV (and while we’re at it, a bigger paycheck so I could actually afford that larger living space and gigantic HD setup). Hell, any product that gets its own music video is worth a look. If you’ve got a Logitech G25 or G27 Steering Wheel, well, here’s your true racing setup.

DiRT 3 Developer Diary #1

Posted on November 16, 2010 by geelw

Looking spectacular, Codemasters’ upcoming rally game set for a Q2 2011 release gets this awesome Q & A video. Check it out and get ready for yet another driving experience that’s going to rattle a few bones loose. I’m hoping the portable versions get as much love…

Review: Sonic Colors (DS)

Posted on November 16, 2010 by geelw

Platform: Nintendo DS

Developer: Dimps/Sonic Team

Publisher: Sega

# of Players: 1-2

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Official Site

Score: A-

The stellar Sonic revival continues with Sonic Colors on the DS which, like it’s big brother on the Wii just so happens to be one of the best games on the platform this year. While it takes a few of its its visual and gameplay cues from the great Sonic Rush series, the blend of classic fast-paced 2D side-scrolling (with some nifty 3D boss battles and other sections) and super-colorful visuals makes for an exciting chunk of portable goodness. Like any platformer worth its salt, there area few really pesky spots where a careless jump or accidental nudge on that D-pad will send you falling to a Sonic doom. On the other hand, the game is so much fun that you’ll go back again and again until you nail every level and find every secret. Continue reading →

Review: GoldenEye 007 (Wii)

Posted on November 16, 2010 by geelw

Platform: Nintendo Wii

Developer: Eurocom

Publisher: Activision

# of Players: 1 (2 – 8 online)

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: A-

In my opinion, Eurocom’s stellar reboot of the classic N64 game GoldenEye not only surpasses the original in terms of overall presentation, it’s one of the best Wii shooters to date. As I’m NOT one of those folks nostalgically joined at the hip to Rare’s original (and brilliant) game, I can tell it to you straight as a gamer who understands the difference between a a mere rip-off and a true relaunch. As the back of the box says: “GoldenEye is Back – Grab Your Friends” – that’s all some of you need to know. This revival of the classic FPS brings both the story as well as James Bond into the current era and it’s important to look at the game in this manner, NOT as an attempt to remake the original exactly as it was back in 1996. You’re getting not only one of the best-looking games on the Wii, but one with an extremely customizable control layout, fantastic online play and a solid, lengthy campaign that can be played a few different ways depending on the difficulty level selected. Continue reading →

Review: Sonic Colors (Wii)

Posted on November 16, 2010 by geelw

Platform: Nintendo Wii

Developer: Sonic Team

Publisher: Sega

# of Players: 1-2

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Official Site

Score: A

Despite its higher powered (and priced) HD competition, The Wii has had some of the more interesting (and fun) 3D Sonic the Hedgehog games over the past few years. Sonic Colors blows away all of these other games combined and in my opinion, even gives Mario a run for his money in terms of accessibility, challenge and replay value. From the amazing, super colorful visuals and excellent sense of speed to the ridiculous amount of well-hidden secrets, this one’s a Sonic fan’s dream come true as well as one of the best Wii games of 2010. There’s a ton of game here thanks to a lengthy single player mode as well as some very tricky co-op action that requires pinpoint accuracy and timing for success. Continue reading →

Quickie TV Review: AMC’s The Walking Dead "Tell It To The Frogs"

Posted on November 15, 2010 by geelw

The third episode picked up where the last left off and had some fine dramatic moments thanks to Rick’s reunion with his family, some surprising revelations and a bit of shocking violence (primarily among the survivors, although a lone zombie gets dispatched in a nicely gruesome scene). My question about the dropped bag of guns was indeed answered, but as the teaser for next week’s show revealed, getting those guns isn’t exactly going to go as planned. Hmmm… I wonder if that tank Rick camped out in all too briefly still has a working cannon (and if Rick STILL has that grenade he swiped from the dead soldier)?

Oh, Michael Rooker’s rooftop racist does am off-screen Scream and Scream Again number on himself (look it up, or think of the first SAW movie) but I’m betting real money that he’s not a total goner. His controversial character deserves a bit more than the extended cameo he’s gotten thus far, that’s for sure. Then again, how far can one go in a zombie-packed Atlanta with sunstroke, one working hand and a bloody stump? We shall see, i guess…

Score: B+

Disney Epic Mickey Intro (Complete Version)

Posted on November 13, 2010 by geelw

If this doesn’t get you completely psyched for the game, you’re clearly in need of a pop culture injection, a glass of nostalgia juice and a brand new funny bone. I’d say this one’s even worth buying a Wii for if you still haven’t made the plunge…