Hmmm. I definitely needed a vacation after all this time without one, but Gearbox’s well-armed, enemy-packed planet of terror is a wee bit too “hot” for my tastes. Oh well – I think I’ll stay home and blow $#i! up from the comfort of my couch, thank you much. Anyway, start stocking up on provisions now, what with food prices jumping and all that noise. I predict it’s going to be a looooong fall of many gamers buried in this game for way too long (just like 2K Games and Gearbox want them to)…
I want a Wii U for plenty of other reasons, but Scribblenauts Unlimited is making me want one even more just to see how well the Object Editor works. Since you can create “anything” you like, I’ll be poking around in some old books just to see what sort of ancient devices i can bring to life and how the game responds to my brain thinking too much. Eh, if anyone can make it work, it’s the team at 5th Cell… I can’t wait to dive in. Even though this is coming to PC as well, I much prefer the longer distance a living room, TV and new controller provide, but I won’t stop you PC-only gamers from enjoying the game on whatever rig you’re planning to play it on…
OK, I don’t have an iPad and have no interest in buying or owning one, thank you much (where do I put the games again and where’s my controller?). But for those millions of you out there who can’t let go of that trendy tactile tablet thingamajig, you need to get Bastion now that it’s finally hit the App Store. It’s a great game that worked perfectly on the PC, so Supergiant Games is expanding their multiple award-winning game with some touchy-feely controls and other enhancements that make an already superb RPG even better. Android device owners, you’re still going to be waiting around for a bit if you haven’t played this gem yet… but hey, if you have a PC or laptop, just buy the darn game for your actual computer, I say…
My quest to uncover all the hidden RPG gems continues marching onward… and this time, it’s something really cool that while incomplete, was actually the springboard for an even better remake (which is still in progress as we speak). While Wilfred the Hero, Part 1 is almost eight years old, don’t let that stop you from giving it a try. It’s yet another excellent RPG made with RPG Maker 2003 that doesn’t use the familiar art assets found in the RTP. Creators Teo Mathlein (art) and Brandon Abley (music) managed to make a game that’s wholly unique in its art style while adding elements to the gameplay from a few sources. While it’s labeled as a “Japanese-style” console RPG experience, i think that’s selling the game short, as it’s set in a world that won’t be familiar to those expecting that typical Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest clone game.
Edward Kienholz was an artist you may or may not have heard of (depending on your level of education), so if you know his work and happen to be a gamer, you’re smiling right now. For those of you who are scratching your heads, I’ll let you Google him and more of his work up at your leisure. Before that, take a peek at that image to the left. Go on, it won’t bite (I think)…
OK, maybe this should be ART Appreciation 101, huh?. It’s from Roxy’s, an environmental installation piece from 1960-61 (and the artist’s first large scale work) based (loosely, I hope) on the artist’s memories of a visit to a Las Vegas bordello in the 1940’s. Long story short, I’d seen this image years ago in an art book and it bugged the hell out of me for weeks. As in seeing that figure hovering around in a nightmare or two and maybe wanting to dig my eyes out with a cold spoon after waking up bugged…
UPDATE: CONTEST CLOSED! WINNERS PICKED! CODES SENT! WHEE! Hey! You look like you could use a game break, so here’s a quick giveaway for two lucky readers. Tiny Troopers for PC is a fun action/real-time strategy hybrid from Kukouri Mobile Entertainment and Iceberg Interactive that’s been getting some pretty solid reviews for the iOS and Android versions.
Now, lucky PC and Mac gamers can give this enhanced version of the game a shot through Valve’s always rockin’ Steam download service, where the game is normally $9.99, but is on sale until September 7, 2012 through the Steam store for 20% off. That, by the way, is what they call a STEAL in this day and age.
Here’s a peek at the game (and of course, gameplay) for you:
Looks pretty cool, huh? I say go make yourself and the developer happy and buy this game. Or, you could luck out and be one of two winners here simply by being the first two folks to post a note below. Don’t get too giddy now and put your email address in that note, now – I know how to track you down without it. Anyway, RULES: you DO need a Steam account to enter, the game is PC and Mac compatible and there’s only ONE code per winner, so don’t get grabby, now! Winners will be emailed their codes, so yes, having an actual email address will help as well. Also, even if you don’t win, the game is a good enough deal at either the full or reduced price to make a great purchase for yourself or someone else.
Anyway, if you’ve read this far and haven’t replied, you might not be a winner, so get cracking!
I’m not at all sure just how many copies of Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch will sell when it finally slides into stores on January 22, 2013, but if there’s any JRPG that deserves to fly off the shelves, it’s this one. Namco Bandai is handling the publishing of this Level-5/Studio Ghibli gem that’s bound to be an instant classic and remembered for its stirring story, outstandingly gorgeous visuals and really interesting take on the active time battle system originated in the Final Fantasy games.
My hands-on with the English demo made me wish for a time machine so that I could finally dive right into the story and lovely game world that’s going to be one of the best-looking you’ll see on the PS3.
Namco Bandai and Koei Tecmo’s Omega Force team up once more for hard-hitting multiple enemy on screen massiveness, but this time, it’s the cult hit One Piece getting the full-on Sengoku Musou treatment. One Piece: Pirate Warriors takes the familiar Dynasty Warriors formula and kicks it up a few notches with the show’s trademark oddball humor, some excellent visuals and gameplay that’s actually a lot more dynamic and frantic than what’s usually found in the DW series. From the level I played as Luffy, everything clicks into place and PS3 owners who can download this game should absolutely put this one on their radars. Controls are solid, with specific combos needed to pull off certain moves and yes, there’s a killer special attack you can unleash once that meter is filled. Enemies aren’t shy about batting you around the map if you’re too slow, a good thing for players who like a bit of challenge.
One of 2010’s great guilty pleasures for me was 505 Games’ Naughty Bear, cooked up by the slightly twisted (like a pretzel dipped in slightly tainted chocolate sort of twisted) minds at Behaviour Interactive (formerly Artificial Mind and Movement). The lead character, a rather pissed off teddy bear out for revenge for all sorts of minor to moderate social snubs, made for quite an efficient killing machine and despite a few flaws, the game was uniquely amusing and challenging, albeit a bit on the short said for some players who may have been a wee bit too good at the serial killer thing. Hey, I’m just sayin’… everyone needs a hobby, so I judge no one. Just don’t tell me what’s in that duffel bag you always carry around, Mmmm-kay?
Anyway, that first installment seems to have done well enough with gamers who grooved on its combo of cute and psychotic elements (plus some memorable bloodless yet violent stealth kills) that a sequel was a no-brainer and yes, it’s merrily on the way (and like a good serial killer, sooner than you’d think). You’re getting an all-new Naughty Bear starring in a bigger, better and badder game as a PSN and Xbox Live download this October, so break out the digital duct tape and garbage bags – you’ve got some killing to do.
OK, OK, I’ve been a bit swamped under other stuff, so I’ve been bad and not posting all the Malevolence updates I need to. Well, part of that is for some reason, YouTube hasn’t been informing me when a new video is uploaded and I’m way too occupied in some projects to keep poking around. Anyway, here’s a gameplay update from the 13th (above) and some not quite in sync audio to go with more gameplay.
I wish I was one of the lucky ones testing this game, but I can’t do that with my crappy connection, that’s for sure. Still, I’ll keep my paws crossed that the team does well enough to find a small publisher who can get this out on a disc at some point, as this is a game I really want to play (and has been for a while).
"DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!" 