Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir (3DS) Fatally Frame-tastic (Finally).

Posted on February 29, 2012 by geelw

Some internet nitpickers with too much time on their hands are going nuts about the name change (which is untrue, as Spirit Camera is a spin-off from the Zero/Fatal Frame series) the fact that we never got that Wii FF game localized (OK, they do get a “boo!” from moi on that flub) and a few other things, but whatever. I’m just happy to see the 3DS get another quality game (and another horror-themed game, at that), Of course, I’d LOVE to be on a bus or subway watching someone playing this and screaming out loud when they get freaked out by some ghost popping up in their faces. Hey, Nintendo: there’s your TV spot right there. Have a bunch of people on a train playing the game on a subway in different parts of a car and have them all freak out at the same time (or at different time – your choice). Then have the lights go out on the train and… you can fill in the rest.

No charge for the idea – I’ve got a million of them…

A Few More SSX Trailers To Twist Your Arm A Little (Ouch)…

Posted on February 29, 2012 by geelw

Well, not like a nasty arm twist you’d get from a bad board crash, but more of a gentle reminder that the game is pretty darn awesome and definitely worth snapping up. OK, all this twisting and snapping talk is making me queasy. Just buy the game before I barf…

Two more “hey, I need to get this game” trailers below the jump! Continue reading →

Gravity Rush Live-Action Trailer: Another Reason To Get a Vita…

Posted on February 29, 2012 by geelw

Don’t try to read too much into this as far as any “messages” go, folks. It’s just a cool ad designed to get you interested in another awesome Vita launch window game. Created by some of the team behind the Siren games (for my money, one of the most frightening series to date), this one’s a completely different and yes, gravity defying experience that’s a must-buy killer app. It’s also proof that the handheld is a LOT more than “just a hopped up PSP” as I heard some 3DS owner claim a few days ago. Of course, I just had to ask him if he’s actually had the chance to try the Vita out and yup, he admitted that he didn’t. Sorry, but that sort of ignorance gets you a BUSTED rating here at DAF.

Sure, everyone is entitled to their opinions, but as soon as they creep over into the fact section and you start brewing up that pitcher of hateorade (in new bile flavor, Oh Yeeeeeaaaah!), a little gentle smackdown must be applied. Respect gets respect, I say, and broadening one’s horizons only makes you a better person in any subject at the end of the day. I like the 3DS as well as the Vita for different reasons and there are great titles for BOTH systems that make for some fine entertainment.

OK, that’s a solid 100 posts for this month – whee. Act-ually, it’s a solid 120 posts when you include the stuff on the other DAF blog (feel free to sign up if you like – I can always use the extra traffic). I should celebrate a little, but I’m actually focusing on being even MORE productive with so much going on that I need to cover. That said, here’s a live-action WipEout 2048 trailer – another great reason to be a Vita owner, I say.

Holy Kraken! More Wrath of the TItans Commercials Than You Can Shake A Stick At…

Posted on February 28, 2012 by geelw

Hmmm. Warner Brothers is REALLY pushing this mega-million buck sequel harder than Sisyphus rolling that big rock up some hellish hill. Here’s to hoping they succeed in their efforts. I’m gathering they’re trying to NOT be putting themselves or their film in the same boat as John Carter, which has been getting batted around like a catnip toy by a LOT of cranky fanboys who are judging it based on the Disney name and some odd music choices in the trailer alone. Oh, and too much CG, which seems to be something you can’t get away from even if you tried. Granted, the best indie sci-fi/horror flick from last year, Attack The Block, absolutely nailed it with some excellently scary CG aliens (go check it out if you haven’t yet – it’s quite an awesome little movie), but I guess it’s all about moderation over overkill at the end of the day.

Anyway, onward to more Wrath (but hopefully, not for ruin, ha ha…)

Want more? Well, prepare your eyeballs and release the Kra… oh, never mind. Three more commercials below the jump – collect ’em all!

Continue reading →

Review: Asura’s Wrath

Posted on February 28, 2012 by geelw

Platform: Xbox 360 (also on PS3)

Developer: CyberConnect2

Publisher: Capcom

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: A

If the world actually happens to end this year (according to those damned doom-saying Mayans who had the gall to die off themselves before seeing if their predictions were correct), it’ll have gone out with CyberConnect2 having done their best game ever. Asura’s Wrath is a near-seamless dynamic blend of storytelling and gameplay that while not the lengthiest game (nor one for every taste), absolutely demands playing, especially if you’re a huge fan or serialized storytelling. The game is presented in a grand episodic format that mimics a TV series or anime series and there are a number of wild aesthetic and artistic influences throughout that range from assorted Eastern religions to Jack Kirby’s more bombastic comics work for Marvel and DC. Paradoxically, it’s also nearly impossible to explain in detail without losing one’s marbles (and those of anyone nearby) in the process.

Continue reading →

Toy Fair 2012 Update (Of Sorts): A Bit Of Ephemera…

Posted on February 27, 2012 by geelw

For me, this sign was probably the funniest thing about this year’s Toy Fair for a few reasons. One of which is as soon as I saw it, I knew I was in a super-huge and important trade show and not some thrown together fan-made convention where this sort of thing isn’t though of until the last minute.

I’m guessing most other shows have people changing into their smelly costumes in the nearest bathroom. At Toy Fair, you get an OFFICIAL changing area (with smelly bathrooms, most likely to balance the scales). As for other fun (and a heck of a lot less signage-related) stuff about the show… well, I’m still writing, so stay tuned…

Game Of Thrones Season 2 “Power & Grace” Trailer: This Means War (And How)…

Posted on February 27, 2012 by geelw

After watching all of Season One over the course of three nights last month, then watching it again a few weeks later, I’m totally hooked in and can’t wait until April when things get rolling again. Actually, the first viewing did it – I re-watched everything just to catch the little things I may have missed. I’m pretty good at spotting stuff, so I didn’t miss much. Nevertheless, it looks as if Season Two will be one I’ll be sitting through multiple times, if this trailer is any indication.

Yeah, I’m slow catching up on a lot of shows, mostly because I’m playing too many games or writing or doing art. Hell, I just discovered how amazing The Wire is about three months ago…

Mass Effect 3 “Fight” Trailer: OK, When’s The Movie Coming Out?

Posted on February 27, 2012 by geelw

Or even better, the live-action/CG mix TV series. Seriously. I can see at least three seasons of this as a show with the potential to be the next Galactica (provided the writing and casting is solid). Even if it’s not totally focused on Shepard’s story, it would be interesting to see how the show handled the different races and planets, as there’s a wealth of info on them in the games. Now, I need to decide which to buy, PS3 or 360. My PC is old as the hills, so that’s not an option. That, and I like my epics played from at LEAST six to eight feet away, as it makes soaking in the scale of the game even more impressive…

Game Appreciation 101 (IV): Those Zen-like Reflexes…

Posted on February 27, 2012 by geelw

Briefly, some random things to contemplate, as you would the moon on a clear night. All of these will be discussed in detail at some later date (and yes, there may even be a test):

Being bad at any games doesn’t mean the game is bad. Hit > To Continue (repeat as necessary).

A game isn’t truly considered “bad” until you actually finish it and can dissect what worked and what didn’t. Hey, you may even like the ending.

Applications of arbitrary rules of reality to any game will only make you enjoy it less. A bit of respect for a developer’s intentions adds perspective.

Bunny hopping, circle strafing and stopping to teabag a dead enemy soldier in a real war zone will get you shot up faster than in any FPS.

Sometimes, skipping Easy mode in a game you’ve never played only to wind up complaining the game is too difficult only means your ego is bigger than your brain.

AI Snipers should always kill you in one shot. This is why they’re snipers. If you think about it, no army wants a soldier with such a position who can’t shoot straight.

Mastering a “bullet hell” shooter actually makes you less likely to fly a real plane out of danger (unless you’re an actual pilot who happens to love those Cave games)…

I’ll stop here, as I have a review to finish and dinner to cook. Class dismissed.

Blades of Time: Gaijin Entertainment Gets A Second Chance To Make Good

Posted on February 27, 2012 by geelw

X-Blades was a great looking game for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC that probably would have been even better if the gameplay, story and level structure were a lot better. I’m guessing that it sold well enough for Russian developer Gaijin Entertainment to get to work on a spiritual successor set to be released in March for the PS3 and Xbox 360. That, or all those military games they’ve been churning ut like clockwork have helped fund this one. Based on the lovely trailer above, I’m a lot happier with the visual style, especially Ayumi’s new look and the supremely lush-looking levels. Hopefully, the plot and gameplay will be as great as the graphics, but I’m gathering that you won’t see Gaijin making the same mistakes twice. Of course, Konami is not doubt hoping the exact same thing, so keep an eye peeled for this one in the next few weeks…