Nice. Now this is what I love to see: an indie project that wins an award and then gets snapped up for release to the masses.THQ is publishing The Hunted: Hells Reach (the winner of this year’s million dollar Make Something Unreal contest) as a budget release through its ValuSoft line. For a mere $19.99, you’ll get a pretty solid package that includes a 330 level single player plus a number of online co-op and multiplayer modes for up to four players. The PC version will hit retail and download services first (October 20, 2011) while the PSN and Xbox Live Arcade versions will launch sometime in 2012. I think i have a few screenshots here somewhere, but I’m working on the September banner at the moment, so maybe I’ll post them after I’m done…
Monthly Archives: August 2011
PAX 2011: Hawken Desert Gameplay (Yes, The Game is Still Amazing)
What? TWO updates from Adhesive Games in less than a week? This must mean their baby is closer to completion. I love how they announce their videos with text notes referencing the team size or how long the project has been in development. That’s focused ego in action and it quite admirable. Anyway, while the approaching completion of Hawken is indeed great for gamers, I’m still hoping for a console release at some point in the future. A game this amazing looking should be played by as many people as possible.
XCOM Gameplay Video: Why 2K Games Deserves More Respect…
There's SO much hate for this game from people who haven't even played it yet or worse, have such a death grip on their beloved (and indeed, absolutely classic) PC game that they're unwilling to let the dev team make the game they're trying to make. I say let 2K Marin and 2K China do their job and enjoy their take on XCOM on its own merits. The team has already bowed to an incredible amount of pressure from some of the more vocal “fans” out there, making tweaks to the gameplay to add more 'tactical' elements. But I think that's all that needs to be done to appease some that still don't seem to understand that every story needs a beginning. Hell, something as huge as the X-Com organization you know and love didn't come from a vacuum. I see the new game as laying the groundwork for a more complex future that includes all the other turn and action-based games in the series. Bending over backward and taking do or die orders from a mostly mean-spirited bunch that's not even interested in touching the new game will only strip away what the developers are trying to create.Read more »
Breaking Bad Brings A Little RAGE Home Early…
Note: This video features flashes of graphic violence from the game and the TV show. However, if you're watching Breaking Bad, well – you know what to expect.
Bethesda and id sure know how to plan ahead and pull off major surprises, that's for sure. In case you didn't know, there are some major Breaking Bad fans at id and their upcoming shooter RAGE will feature some references to the show that should be well worth tracking down. However, last night's episode of the show (which was shot some time last year if I'm not mistaken) featured Aaron Paul's meth dealer/addict/lab partner/killer character Jesse Pinkman playing the game with a light gun in a nicely done sequence.Read more »
Review: Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Platform: PS3 (also on Xbox 360, PC)
Developer: Eidos Montreal
Publisher: Square Enix
# of Players: 1
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Score: A
Eidos Montreal had a lot to prove with Deus Ex: Human Revolution and thankfully, the long development cycle has paid off with an exceptional single player story driven role-playing game that’s an instant classic. Fans of the original will find this prequel sets up events to come flawlessly while those new to the franchise will absolutely want to play this one and seek out the two other titles just so they can see how well the game fits into the trilogy. For those who crave non-stop action, you have the choice to go in guns blazing all the time if that’s your thing, but you’ll definitely want to see how the entire story unfolds because it so well done. As in previous Deus Ex games, you’re also able to play through the entire game without killing anyone (except a handful of mandatory bosses). No matter how you play, every action or conversation has a consequence that reverberates through the story in one way or another. Some minor presentation hiccups and a bit of age-old boss battle issues aside, what’s here is a brilliant game no true gamer should miss.
CS:GO Trailer Brings Back Memories, Brings In Consoles
Valve’s upcoming online shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive will not only finally bring the supremely popular game up to speed for today’s gamers, the game will also be playable on consoles with the PS3 version getting PlayStation Move as well as USB keyboard/mouse support. Not only will this allow for cross-platform gaming between PC and PS3 owners, it just may put to rest the notion that consoles get the shorter end of the stick when it comes to control. Sadly, Xbox 360 owners are out of the cross-platform loop not because of Valve wanting to piss off that user base, but due to certain Microsoft’s policies that probably aren’t sitting to well with those who want to see the game playable across anything it can be played on. Continue reading
Final Fantasy XIII- 2 Japanese/English PAX Prime 2011 Trailers
Of course, Square Enix’s hallmark franchise is tops on the list for plenty of longtime fans and this new trailer really shows that the game is going to deliver where it counts and then some. Take a look at the official PAX Prime trailer for the game, presented here in both English and Japanese. No doubt there are going to be those who prefer the original language, but the dub sounds great to my ears. The game is set to hit PS3 and Xbox 360 in January 2012, so clear out your calendars – this one’s going to be huge.
Goodnight, Irene (And Good Riddance)…
Other then a ton of rain, wind, Irene was (in the words of a friend) “like a cheap hooker – too loud, too expensive and gone like the wind in the morning.” According to the mayor just now, no deaths in NYC were due to the storm, we lost about 650 or so trees around the area (how did they know THAT so quickly?) there were only 24 arrests (Saturday nights average around 300) and while the overall damage has yet to be calculated, it seems that the city won’t sink into the sea like some thought.
Of course, others areas were much harder hit, so condolences to those who lost loved ones and property – here’s to getting back on your feet, picking up the pieces and moving on. Speaking of moving on… I have a Deus Ex: HR review to finish – back with that later. Spoiler: it’s a definite BUY.
Hawken Story Trailer: Adhesive Games Has Mega Talent
The small but supremely talented team at Adhesive Games (nine people, right?) continues to amaze with this latest Hawken footage. If these guys aren’t snapped up by a bigger studio and given free reign to create whatever they want, there’s no justice in the world. Of course, I’d also love to see them take on something like a Mechwarrior game or some other familiar game franchise just to see their spin on things. In the right hands, the ever mighty Unreal 3 engine is indeed a monster. Now, all we need is a release date (in addition to seeing the game hit consoles at some point down the road)…
Elevator Action Deluxe: Taito & Square Enix Hit The Right Notes With A Retro Reboot

