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

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)…

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?

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…

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

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…

SSX Update: Real Life WInter Still Stinks, But The Game Absolutely Does Not…

Welcome to Siberia and Alaska (and no, you can’t see one location from the other in the game if you stare at the screen long enough) Outside here, it’s just miserable and non-wintry, but in SSX, you’ll find nothing but white stuff all around. From what I’ve played of it. everything is rock solid and FUN, except those rocks and other solid objects you’ll collide with when you get cocky and careless. Those are not fun. Still, for total sports cowards like me, it beats actually getting on a REAL snowboard and getting a an adrenaline fix right before I crash into a tree or land on the spinning blades of the helicopter that just dropped me off on that run (ouch). Anyway, go buy this one, I say – you get to do stuff you can’t on a real board without those pesky, expensive medical bills and long periods of recuperation and rehab…

A Day Late & A Dollar Short, But I Work Cheap Anyway…

Thanks to too much on the plate here (hey, it was an all you can type buffet and I got greedy. They had double chocolate alphabet brownies and I kind of went overboard, oof), my Asura’s Wrath review is going to be a day late (boo!).  In the meantime, you can stare at this Ghost Rider sketch I did yesterday while I was taking a break from writing. Er, he’s a big Johnny Cash fan, which is why he’s giving you the finger there.  What, you want to get into a fight with a guy whose head bursts into flame (for starters)?  Go on ahead – I’ll get the marshmallows, fire extinguisher and first aid kit. Back in a bit with that review and some other stuff I’m working on..