Review: Venetica

Posted on January 13, 2011 by geelw

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

Posted on January 12, 2011 by geelw

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

Posted on January 12, 2011 by geelw

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

Posted on January 12, 2011 by geelw

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

Posted on January 12, 2011 by geelw

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?

Spare Parts Triple Play Video Feature: Developer Walkthrough, Gameplay, Announcement Trailers

Posted on January 12, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/QnMd95ZtvMU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0

Three new trailers for bright light Studios' fun, family friendly co-op centric action platformer show off the game's colorful visuals and snappy, fast-paced gameplay. Grab the kids, plop them in front of the monitor and check them all out. If you don't have kids but love robots in your games, heck – there's TON of fun to be had here. Enjoy!

Commentary: Is 3DTV THAT Urgent Of An "Innovation"?

Posted on January 11, 2011 by geelw

According to a friend I just got off the phone with, at CES 2011, you “couldn't take ten steps” without someone either handing you a pair of now cool (but still expensive as you have to buy that new TV) 3D glasses, or gently nudging you or using booth babes to lure your toward a glasses-free (and wallet busting) 3D experience. Yeah, yeah, I get it – it works and it works really damn well. The problem is… not everything that's going to be ON those new super sets will be worth watching in three di-mensions, dammit.

Ys I & II Chronicles Gets Extra GameStop Pre-Order Extras (Thanks, Xseed!)

Posted on January 11, 2011 by geelw

Xseed Games wants YOU to jump feet first onto the Ys I & II Chronicles bandwagon, so they've gone and done a great bit of pre-order coolness with GamrStop locations across the US. Slap down a deposit on the upcoming PSP game, follow the instructions below the jump and BOOM! Your choice of one of three excellent items will wing itself your way courtesy of Xseed! And yup, I get to post that hilarious Hair Metal trailer again, to boot!

Get that wallet out NOW and support Xseed!

Review: Lost in Shadow

Posted on January 9, 2011 by geelw

Platform: Nintendo Wii

Developer: Hudson

Publisher: Hudson

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E 10+ (Everyone 10 +)

Official Site

Score: B+

Ethereal, innovative, methodically paced yet wholly rewarding, Hudson's Wii exclusive Lost In Shadow is one of those artistic gems that should appeal to gamers across a few different genres. The dreamlike visuals and puzzles that revolve around light and shadow play will draw in fans of games such as ICO or echochrome or the original Price of Persia, the platforming elements are fun and challenging for young to older players and the overall innovation and intriguing story will please fans of games with more than flashy graphics going for them. While it isn't quite perfect, it's amazingly well designed and has a way of keeping you hooked in as you traverse back and forth through some pretty trippy stages that play with your perceptions.

Little Big Planet 2 "Adventure" & "Storyline" Trailers

Posted on January 9, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/wVVpvndUYHo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0

The Handmade Arcade is alllllmost here – take a look at these two videos from Media Molecule's instant classic and start setting aside some quality time, as you're not coming up for air for a loooong time.