Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Trailer: Grimlock Gets A Mean Makeover

Posted on October 15, 2011 by geelw

Like it or not, nostalgia is very often a hard horse-kick to the head disguised as a wake up call. I liked the toy designs, but actually hated those corny-ass 80’s kiddie cartoons and the awful 1986 animated Transformers movie to no end (“Dare to be Stupid” indeed), but thankfully, there have been a few very cool licensed games for assorted consoles over the years. Melbourne House’s excellent PS2 game from a few years back was my personal favorite until War for Cybertron hit and it looks as if Fall of Cybertron is set to bump things up more than a few notches. I’m hoping they give this version of Grimlock a fitting voice, as that goofball dopey metal Bizarro sounding junk from the old shows definitely wouldn’t fit the darker tone the trailer exudes. We shall see…

Activision Has Me Doing Silly Stuff & Liking It…

Posted on October 15, 2011 by geelw

I kicked a helicopter yesterday. Twice. Once in that picture to the left and once while playing the fantastic Prototype 2 demo at NYCC. The game is coming along REALLY nicely, as Radical Entertainment is pulling out the stops to create a faster-paced, brilliantly bloody chunk of a game that’s bound to be a hit. Everything I played at the Activision booth was pure fun on a stick and yes, worth a purchase when it hits stores. Also: Eurocom just rocks. GoldenEye: Reloaded’s multiplayer is lighting fast and looks even more spectacular on the Xbox 360. I’m still looking forward to the PS3 version to review as I want to play with the Move controller and see how well it’s been implemented into the game. I also liked the bit of X-Men Destiny I tried and Spider-Man Edge of Time is Beenox’s nifty little effects-packed sleeper starring everyone’s favorite wall-crawler. The developer is also at work on a tie-in game for the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man film (nice!). Speaking of licensed games, the Transformers: Fall of Cybertron teaser was too short, but in a great, “Holy Cats, you can play as a big metal dinosaur!” kind of way. If it’s as good as War for Cybertron was, fans are in for a hell of a ride. Back in a bit…

One Of The Best Things About NYCC…

Posted on October 14, 2011 by geelw

…is this image from the convention program. It made a bunch of us in the press area laugh for a few obvious reasons those of you who go to conventions know all too well. Anyway, the con organizers need a few tips on how to treat us media folk a bit better. Herding us like sheep along with the regular attendees is a bit lousy. Other trade shows and events I’ve attended allow press onto the show floor earlier so we could make appointments and not need to deal with packs of swag-grabbing elbow throwers. Perhaps the organizers can look at those old DigitalLife shows where press and VIP’s were treated with a bit more respect (and hell, MUCH better computer access that wasn’t slower than dial-up. On a 28k modem.) Continue reading →

EA Just Keeps it Coming…

Posted on October 13, 2011 by geelw

A quickie post before I keel over, as I need to bounce out of bed bright and early for day one of New York Comic Con. EA has some really nice surprises coming up this year and next in pretty much every category. Battlefield 3 multiplayer on the PS3 was amazingly fluid and controls like a dream (seriously, Call of What?). There was a really nice Mass Effect 3 surprise I can’t share just yet (as it’s embargoed until10/27). Speaking of surprises, Syndicate is going to make even the most hardcore fans of the PC classic bow to Starbreeze’s skills. They nailed the dark feeling of the original but as a first-person experience (it’s not a Deus Ex: Human Revolution clone either, which is even better). SSX is another shocker – don’t let the more realistic visuals fool you at all – the game is SUPER fun to play (the tricks flow off the controller) and the mountains are massive. SWTOR is an instant addiction (I had to stop playing before I got hooked) that’s sure to be huge once it ships (look out WoW!). The Secret World brings a fresh, modern take to the MMO (and NEEDS to come to consoles with a single player offline mode, as there’s a lot of good under the hood that begs to be explored). There’s a LOT more to yak about, but that’s for later – i need my beauty rest…

The Avengers Trailer: 2012 Can’t Arrive Quickly Enough For Some…

Posted on October 12, 2011 by geelw

Here’s that Avengers trailer people are buzzing about. Expect some big news at NYCC this weekend and possibly a sneak peek at a few minutes of the upcoming film. Maybe I’ll drop by the packed to the gills panel, maybe not. I’m still deciding exactly what to attend thanks to so many other meetings/screenings/diversions happening around the same time. There’s SO much going on at this year’s show that the convention is competing with itself in many areas. Anyway, May 4, 2012 isn’t THAT far away if you think about it. Just don’t start waiting in line in front of some random multiplex… that would REALLY be crazy.

Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection Arrives On An Already Crazy Week

Posted on October 11, 2011 by geelw

Oops. Like the Avengers trailer post, I typed this post out yesterday and clicked “Publish”, but something went goofy with my PC. Anyway, I’m adding it back at the time it initially was supposed to go in, grrr.

Well, alright – Now, I just need to find time to get a review in. I’ll probably skip the last day of NYCC and play through both games so I can have a review up by next Monday or Tuesday at the latest. I know Ico is the overseas version and has some areas that are different than the US version and I’ve played SotC enough to know how to take down those Colossi pretty quickly (although it’s been a few years since I’ve played both games). Still, I’m planning to go back to both games in the collection more than once as soon as I have a lot more free time on my hands… Which at this point won’t be until 2012…

Ratchet & Clank All 4 One Team Up Trailer

Posted on October 10, 2011 by geelw

Yes, it’s almost too darn cute and funny for words, but then this would be a really short blog post. Insomniac’s latest is on the way (October 18th), so here’s a look at the short version of the latest trailer. Hmmm… wait, that WAS a short post, wasn’t it? OK, initially I wasn’t sure I’d be a fan of the multiplayer-centric gameplay, being an antisocial cuss and all, but it looks as if playing solo will be just as fun. Insomniac DOES know what they’re doing, folks. So that’s that, I guess… We’ll see next week how it all turns out…

Capcom’s NYCC Plans: Frights, Fights and… Football?

Posted on October 10, 2011 by geelw

Since I’m a bit busy today (actually I’m working on a ton of stuff before the convention crush), I’ll be too lazy and just run the entire release below the jump. Dragon’s Dogma, Asura’s Wrath and the Resident Evil titles are all on my list of things to play, but I’ll also try out the fighters even though I’m terrible at them. And yes, if you’re bad at fighters at the Capcom booth, you’re pretty much getting beat up on screen and off. Maybe my press barge will get me some slack cut. I’m definitely staying away from that football event, but it should be amusing to watch (I hope no one gets hurt making an ass out of themselves for a prize, but hey – you can’t stop a raging fan from doing his or her thing for swag!)

Continue reading →

Breaking Bad Season 4 Finale: “Boom” Time For Walter White

Posted on October 10, 2011 by geelw

Well, THAT was definitely a shock, but the episode title (“Face Off”) should have been a dead giveaway (ha ha) in addition to having a dual meaning. Amusingly enough, despite the disturbing imagery, I got a big laugh thanks to watching too many Warner Bros. cartoons as a kid. Walter White (Bryan Cranston, probably set for another Emmy) finally takes care of his Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito, who might be his competition for that Emmy) problem once and for all with explosive and fairly gory results. Continue reading →

Uncharted 3 Cargo Plane/Chateau Gameplay: Naughty Dog Shows How It’s Done

Posted on October 9, 2011 by geelw

Nathan Drake (above), meet Nathan Drake (below). As you can see from these videos (thanks, CVG!) clearly, we’re watching a developer at the top of its form getting the most out of the PS3 hardware. Sure, they’re definitely showing off here, but when the results look this good, it’s hard to find fault with that at all. Sony’s first-party lineup has been solid for a while, but between last year’s hits and this year’s follow-ups, there’s little doubt that the console still has a lot of life left in it. That November 1 release date for Uncharted 3 is rolling up really quickly and there’s little doubt that this one will be a huge hit in a rather crazy year of major releases.