Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Trailer: Shouldn’t There Be a SEGA In There Somewhere?

Posted on April 30, 2012 by geelw

I really like the idea of transforming vehicles (even though it’s been done before in games since the Spy Hunter days), the brief gameplay shown here looks great and the first game was a ton of fun. But what’s up the the total lack of Sega in the title this time out? Hopefully it’s a misprint, or perhaps we’ll be seeing some non-Sega All-Stars in this follow up? Whatever happens, I’m hoping to see Sega be a bit prouder of itself despite a bumpy year so far. Go, Sega!

Raven’s Cry Gameplay Trailer: More Pirates Setting Sail For Retail!

Posted on April 30, 2012 by geelw

Sooooo… it looks as if pirates are the new zombies this year, huh? Between this game, Risen 2, the new One Piece game and a few other pirates appearing in games lately, it’s looking like “Yo, Ho, Ho” and “Arrrrrr” will be popping up on review sites as well as too many lame pirate jokes that even I won’t be able to stand with my pun-laded ways. That aside, Raven’s Cry does look quite good so far. Octane Games and publisher TopWare just may have a nice niche RPG hit on their hands that won’t get the hook (arrrr!) when the finally game hits PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 at some point.

The Avengers Hits Big Overseas, Making for Some New-ish Movie Math…

Posted on April 30, 2012 by geelw

Personally, I really miss the days when a film made here was released here first, THEN in overseas markets. Nevertheless, it seems the strategy here is Marvel wanting to juggernaut the hype machine with a boffo box office take everywhere else so it’s a total no-brainer that the film kills at the ticket counter when if officially launches here on Friday. Of course, by that time, the bootleggers who shot and shipped DVD’s from some of those foreign markets will take away some of that gross, but not enough to put a dent in the wallets of Marvel, who’s going to be smiling for a while, it seems…

God of War: Ascension Has At Least One Multiplayer Mode. It’s Worth A Look, I Say…

Posted on April 30, 2012 by geelw

For me and many other gamers, adding multiplayer modes to a game that’s best known for its solo play and cinematic storytelling is the sign of the beast, a franchise running on fumes begging for cash from a crowd focused on massing up kill counts with no regard to narrative structure or hell, enjoyment of all the hard work it takes to make a story driven game flow from start to finish. Sony Santa Monica Studios obviously realizes this as well as a few other negatives and positives about MP and is forging ahead with an intriguing multiplayer mode in Kratos’ next adventure.

From what I’m reading elsewhere, you won’t have twenty Kratos’ running around the screen at all. One aspect of the mode will feature players representing warriors selected by the gods to do battle over territory, so at least my first fear has been quelled. As for the rest, well, I’ll need to see the game up close and personal to judge more fully what’s coming. All I’ll say is I’m looking forward to the single player story FIRST and foremost over any multplayer modes, no matter how good they are. Color me cautiously optimistic…

Review: Deadliest Warrior: Ancient Combat

Posted on April 30, 2012 by geelw

Platform: Xbox 360 (also on PS3)

Developer: Pipeworks

Publisher: 345 Games/Spike Games

# of Players: 1 – 2

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Official Site

Score: C (70%)

I’m feeling a bit psychic today, so I’ll read your mind for a minute. Ready? OK, You’re NOT buying Deadliest Warrior: Ancient Combat because you’re a massive fighting game fan looking for the next big combo-crazy arcade classic to wear out that $150 arcade stick you got last Xmas. You’re going to buy this game because you’re a big fan of (or new to and enjoy) the popular Spike TV series and always wanted to know who’d win in a virtual fight, Richard the Lionheart or Joan of Arc. While I won’t reveal the results of that particular battle from the show to those who don’t know, I will say that you probably might have guessed this isn’t your typical fighting game at all. Despite the practice mode, mild customization elements and copious amounts of blood spilled, it’s no Mortal Kombat by a long shot. In fact, the gameplay owes more to the Bushido Blade games in that matches can realistically be over in seconds if you or your opponent get in one or two critical hits, and even a suit of armor is worthless if you try to button bash your way to an easy victory.

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