NISA just can’t stop pumping out the sweet and tasty mixture of gorgeous hand-drawn 2D games on the PS3 (keep that flame alive!) and that’s how we like it. The latest installments in the ridiculously deep and often supremely hilarious strategy/RPG franchise is well on the way, as is the newest game in Gust Incorporated’s magic-making simulation/RPG series. Between the custom map feature in Disgaea 4 (yes!) and the fun crafting and Atelier Totori’s mix of adventure, alchemy and classic combat, fans of JRPG’s will no doubt be sinking many, many hours into each of these games. Now, where’s that time machine so we can find the few hundred hours to sink into these two?
Monthly Archives: August 2011
Gamescom 2011: Uncharted 3 Trailer Is Pure Thrilling Brilliance
Every new piece of footage or screenshot makes Nathan Drake’s latest adventure clearly one of the best, most polished game experiences to date on ANY platform. Naughty Dog is at the top of their game and you and gamers will be on the edge of their seats whether or not they play this on in HD or 3D (which I hear is outstanding ans some of the best in a game, ever). This one’s going to walk away with a TON of very well deserved awards in every category. I’d say they’re going to have to create a new category this year for a number of these upcoming releases simply due to the fact that so many great games are coming that some will get shut out of voting because there’s not enough room for every single one.
Gamescom 2011: Soulcalibur V Trailer
If the super-early demo I saw a few weeks ago was any indication, fans of the series will be in for a real treat. Combat is faster, more fluid and feels more like an action game than a traditional fighter. Sure, there’s no blood spilled here, but there’s a definite God Of War influence to the new combat, as even slower characters are getting a speed boost. This, of course, will probably lead some longtime fans who love beating the stuffing out of opponents using Sigfried or Nightmare wanting these characters to be their old selves. However, it seems that the dev team is merely following the trend of making a game more accessible to all sorts of players rather than simply rehashing what’s come before. As with any game, we shall see what happens once a public demo is available and Nsmco Bandai hears what the fan base says…
Gamescom 2011: Armored Core V Online MP Trailer
It’s simply amazing that FromSoftware has kept this long-running mech combat franchise going for longer than some systems have been in existence. I can still remember playing the first game on the original PlayStation and being floored by the game (which was made using a modified King’s Field engine from what I recall). ACV looks to be one of the best entries in the franchise with a much stronger focus on online play than in previous entries, improved visuals and as you can see, pretty fast action. I’m hoping there’s a solid single player campaign somewhere in the mix that’s better structured than in the last installment, but we’ll see what happens as the game moves closer to completion.
Why A Console Diablo Is A Really Great Idea (Again)

If you've been around for a few console cycles and managed to snag a copy of this game (which still fetches a premium price in some spots), you probably remember this shiny little gem from the “ancient” PlayStation days. It ate up nearly a whole memory card for saves, was brutal as hell and had endless replay value for those who loved it. Well, It looks like console owners may finally be getting another Diablo-like game after all… this time from the makers of Diablo, and I couldn't be happier.
According to a posting on the official Diablo III Community Forums:
“We're exploring a Diablo-related concept for consoles and are currently looking to fill a few senior console-related positions on the Diablo III team. As we've said in the past, with proper care the gameplay could suit the console platform, and we're interested in seeing what talent out there might be interested in such a project. If you're passionate about all things Diablo and have the requisite skill and experience, then head over to our jobs site to check out the positions and apply.
Please note that this is not an announcement of a console title. We are first and foremost developing Diablo III for Windows and Mac PCs and don't intend to allow any possibility of a console interpretation to delay or affect the release of the game.”
Reading that made me grin for a few minutes too long, but it's stellar news if it actually gets done at some point. Granted, the PC-only adherents are up in arms and whining as usual (in some over the top rants that make as much sense as a Rick Santorum supermarket speech). Nevertheless, I say it's one of the smartest moves Blizzard can make going forward and benefits everyone at the end of the day… Read more »
Gamescom 2011: Borderlands 2 Screens Tease More Greatness…
2K Games and Gearbox Software are set to deliver an even bigger blasting bonanza with this upcoming sequel to everyone's favorite post-apocalyptic shooter that already had too many billions of possible weapons combinations. Nice new environments, new characters and as mentioned, way too many weapons to count. Full press release below the jump and yes, you can now dual wield anything you like, which should make online play SUPREMELY cheap when everyone's packing twin sniper rifles or some sort of crazy homing weapons that means they can camp and prey on unsuspecting newbies. Good thing I'm only in for the single player campaign. Still, this one will be a major smash for 2K and Gearbox (which is having a pretty darn good year so far)…Read more »
The King of Fighters XIII Gameplay (Or: Oops, Make That TEN Trailers!)
Yeah, yeah, I forgot one video (Atlus posted it a while ago), but then again, it was pretty late here when I finally got around to posting the other clips. Anyway, here you go. Screenshots from the upcoming 2D fighter to come in a separate post. Don’t say I never gave you anything, grrrr.
Gamescom 2011: Asura’s Wrath (A One-Two Trailer Punch)
Cyber Connect 2’s latest is still hilariously mind-blowing even after seeing it in action a few times. It’s got that God Hand meets Dragon Ball Z vibe going on big time, yet there’s a great cinematic thing going on that should make the game pretty fun to play. Capcom should have a fun time marketing this one, that’s for sure.
Battlefield 3 Caspian Border Trailer WIll Make You Want To Upgrade Your PC
Even though I have zero interest in online shooters (no matter how good they are), it’s hard not to (actually, it’s IMPOSSIBLE) not to say anything against them when Dice is running the show. With up to 64 players on maps like this amazingly huge showcase they’ve whipped up (LOVE the jet action!) and that incredible Frostbite 2 engine doing everything it needs to do (and really darn well at that), this one’s going to be an instant hit. Yes, on consoles as well, even though the player cap is a “mere” 24 (which is nothing to sneeze at, mind you). All Dice needs to do is find a way to make some PC gamers less lame jerk-ass braggarts about building their own systems and showing off to the point of embarrassment and the would will be a happier place.

