Dark Souls Collector’s Edition Makes Me Do A Double Take


…along with a half-assed backflip (I’m SO out of shape). In case you didn’t hear the news, both the standard and “limited” editions of the game are the SAME price. Interesting, considering the trend of charging MORE for that extra stuff by most other publishers. I hope this is the beginning of a new deal for gamers, particularly in an economy that’s still quite lousy for many.

Here’s a quick clip from the press release:

The Dark Souls Collector’s Edition can be pre-ordered for $59.99, the same price as the standard edition while supplies last, and will include a limited edition art book containing premium illustrations of characters and environments from the game, a mini-strategy guidebook, behind-the-scenes videos from the development studio detailing various stages of game concept, design and building, and the game’s soundtrack for digital download. All of this will come packaged with the standard edition game in a custom-designed metal case.

In the words of the great philosophers: They got my money already. Of course, you might want to stock up on foam bricks to throw at the TV, a few boxes of Kleenex for those crying jags and a pillow to bite down on hard when the game kicks your butt all over the room, but that’s all optional.

E3 2011: El Shaddai Gets July 26 Release Date, More Lovely Screens

Looking at UTV/Ignition’s upcoming El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron in screenshots, concept art and wallpapers these past months has been like walking through a museum made of dreams (and a few wicked nightmares), but seeing the game in motion makes things click a bit more into reality. Of course, I’m one of those cranky, crusty old-schoolers that doesn’t believe EVERY game needs to be 110% innovative in EVERY area to be pure fun. Therefore, even if it turns out to be a straightforward third-person experience, the outstandingly bizarre visuals go a long way in carrying the rest of the game. Granted, the overall narrative is certainly groundbreaking in terms of subject matter and how it’s been translated from a “That might not be a good game idea” chunk of religious text to “Holy Hell on a stick, I really NEED to play this just to see how the story turns out!” slice of current-gen awesomeness. July 26, 2011 is the release date – let’s just call this an instant classic in the making for now and leave it at that.