South Park Pinball Wii U Bound. Whee, You Need to Get This!

Posted on December 2, 2014 by geelw

I’m surprised that Zen Studios isn’t getting more attention as pinball pioneers of the digital age, what with pinball making a big resurgence in a few places around the U.S. of A. that cater to all comers. Anyway, their latest smash table set, South Park Pinball is coming to the Wii U on December 11, 2014 via the eShop for $4.99 (€4,99 and £3.99 in Europe and the UK respectively). Two VERY fun tables are here to tackle, fans of the show should be pleased with all the references from the series’ long history and even better, the game is rated E10+, so parents can buy this for their kids and not worry about any content issues. Of course, if you let your kids watch South Park and watch it yourself, you know what you’re all in for. I actually did a review for another site, but need to shake the busy brain-tree here and write up one for this site. I’ll get on that this week, as I’ve a draft sitting on my laptop that just needs tightening up.

Okay, let me get back to work here – it’s going to be a loooooong day (thanks, packed inbox and other fun and non-fun stuff happening here)…

Batman: Arkham Knight Trailer Update – More Fun @ Ace Chemicals!

Posted on December 1, 2014 by geelw

In this second of three parts, Batman more or less says “tanks for the memories!” as he and the new Batmobile blow a bunch of enemy vehicles into scrap metal and we get left hanging at the end. Well, at least he doesn’t say “Batteries to power! Turbines to speed!” when he kicks that tricked out weapon he’s driving into gear. Granted, this teaser is half as long as the first one, so yes indeed, it’s a cheap trick on WB Games’ part. Still, I do love those independently operating wheels on that new Batmobile. It sure must be really easy to park that thing, although I’d bet Batman would just drive over some empty parked cars in an emergency and maybe have Bruce Wayne pay a few bills after the fact. Then again, why bother doing that if all it will do is confuse some poor Gothamite who suddenly gets a small windfall from a multimillionaire not connected to their ride’s demise. Allegedly.

Batman: Arkham Night is coming in 2015 (June 2, 2015 to be exact) for PC, PS4 and Xbox One. WB Games and Rocksteady will drop the third trailer on December 6, 2014. I’d imagine it’ll be an explosive finale with a “to be continued” tacked onto the last bit.

Avernum II: Crystal Souls – Spiderweb’s Tiles & Treasures Classic Gets a Reboot!

Posted on December 1, 2014 by geelw

It’s same old story, brand new engine time for Jeff Vogel and his small team over at Spiderweb Software, but this is a really good thing for fans of the developer’s work. This time, their classic RPG Avernum II is getting a complete makeover as Avernum II: Crystal Souls, set for release soon on PC, Mac and assorted devices. Spiderweb’s complex and engaging role-playing games have always been unique because of their sticking to what Vogel likes and not what the game marketplace “demands”. This means no flashy 3D engines or “uncanny valley” visuals, dense stories filled with loads of text and some intriguing characters and a simple to learn yet tough to master combat system.

Fully exploring every nook and cranny in a Spiderweb game takes a good deal of time, that’s for sure. But playing through each of their games reveals what happens when people who love what they do get to stick to their guns and make what they want to make with little to no compromise. I can’t wait to take this one for a spin and I’m betting like the company’s recent games, it’ll run on almost any machine that uses Windows XP and up without taxing the hardware. That’s excellent for dinosaur PC users like me who don’t play online or waste too much time being “social” babbling about how Spiderweb needs to finally make a polygon-heavy title that requires the latest 3D card (or two) just to get running. There’s still no school like the old school because you don’t need to blow a hole in your wallet to simply enjoy a damn good game, folks…

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Have a SUPER Monday With These Heroic Gift Ideas…

Posted on December 1, 2014 by geelw

Like it or not, you just can’t get away from superhero-themed gifts anymore. Most of us creaky adults who grew up with a TV in the house can probably recall those holidays and other special occasions where we got our favorite caped or non-caped hero (or villain!) in a box as an action figure or printed on some sort of common object that was now even more special.
This has pretty much always been a successful business for companies jumping on the licensing bandwagon, but the sheer amount of retailers stocking these goods today is staggering. This of course is good for you as a consumer because loads of choice means plenty of retailers socking it out for your hard earned shekels. Anyway, here are another bunch of cool items to spend your loot on and sure, you can get me something if you feel like it!
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Blackhat Trailer: Time For Paranoid Mann to Make An Appearance…

Posted on December 1, 2014 by geelw

Just what we needed, yet another reason to hate computers, the internet and hell, anything tech-like that you push a button on that does something useful. Well, it’s Michael Mann behind the camera, so that means the film will be dense and interesting for sure. My problem is Hollywood blows the hacking thing badly every time they try, no matter who makes a movie or TV show. Hell, if computers all made those funky noises like they do in these films and shows when something weird is going on, we’d all know when someone was poking around in our private stuff. Anyway, Blackhat is out in February, provided the world doesn’t end thanks to evil hackers in some unnamed country taking down the internet and stealing all your money so you can’t afford the cost of a movie ticket. Yaaaaah! Stupid internet.

Kitchen Nightmares III: Holding Patterns (and Who Can I Sue If I Drop Dead of Starvation?)…

Posted on November 30, 2014 by geelw

So, the kitchen here still hasn’t been returned to its normal state, but the work is set to begin on December 5th. The stove can still be used, but once the sun goes down, you’re taking your life in your hands if you try to chop anything in the kitchen. Sure, I can sit in the living room and get all rustic with a cutting board in my lap or on the coffee table, but there’s something so odd about doing this (and yeah, one slip means I’ll be adding a body part to whatever I’m cooking). I’ll have to bug the management here about some sort of cooking/meal solution once the repair/rebuilding work gets underway. Once it starts, the kitchen will be off limits for at least four days straight and then a few days more after a weekend break. Bleh. I hope to hell they don’t think I’ll be ordering out or eating fast food for all that time, as that’s not a good idea for me for a few reasons.

(Thanks, SeriouslyDead!)

Feh, at this point I just want this long national nightmare to be over so I can go back to living like a normal person. Maybe I’ll slap on some zombie makeup and start groaning at the workmen when they show up to spur them to get the job done faster. Then again, the lack of craftsmanship and care here is pretty shocking. The team that removed the asbestos from the kitchen had a fat guy who busted the burners on the stove AND chipped the paint on the stove because he stood on them when he was doing the ceiling. Gyahhh. I despise that sort of idiocy. Okay, let me go lie down before I bust something.

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Impulse Power!

Posted on November 29, 2014 by geelw

Can you believe it’s that time of year AGAIN? Well, I’ll be running a few of these guides over the next month that cover a few things from tech to games to food and anything else I can think of that won’t get me arrested. Read on and enjoy your consuming of mass quantities!

While big-ticket items are big business for plenty of manufacturers and retailers, it’s the small stuff you don’t usually think about that’s equally important. At least to my eyes. Sure, stuff like batteries, extra controllers and other no-brainer items are what most people think about (or don’t think about) when gifting a tech-related item. But some of the best products you may not have thought about at all are out there and sell themselves once seen and taken for a spin. Here’s a list of stuff I saw this year that’s practically guaranteed to get you reaching for your wallet whether you’re in line at a retailer or online in the comfort of your own home. Or office, as I know a lot of you shop when you’re supposed to be working (naughty, naughty!)…

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Hikari Black Friday! Free Spidey and Frankie For Two Lucky Winners!

Posted on November 28, 2014 by geelw

While some of you are out there shopping away and getting sore all over, smarty-smarts out there are doing it all online and hoping the also score big in the process. Funko wants to help you today by giving away two more awesome Hikari Sofubi figures, one standard and the other premium.

Metal Mix Spider-Man Premium Hikari Sofubi Figure is the first figure up for grabs. This one’s Premium and over eight inches tall (!) and #1 of 500. Remember, if you don’t win, still want one and don’t mind paying for it, you can hit up your favorite Funko retailer and bug them until they sell it to you. Trust me, it won’t take long for money to exchange hands.

The second figure is Gemini Collectibles Exclusive Metallic Frankenstein Hikari Sofubi Figure. Yeah, he’s a cutie, isn’t he? Okay, the gold eyes are creepy, but that metallic finish on his clothes make it look as if he’s wearing a sharkskin suit! Well, if you like Frankenstein’s Monster as depicted in the Universal Movies, that is. This one’s limited to 750 pieces (you’ll get #1 off the line) and if you miss out, you can grab your own over at the Gemini Collectibles website.

Those in the know know how to go about entering and potentially being the big winners. But once more with feeling for those new to all this stuff: Boogie on over to one of these social sites using your clicky-clicky hand skills:

Facebook!

Twitter!

Instagram @OriginalFunko

Enter and hope luck is on your side! You look as if you could use a little more luck today, I think.

Oh, It’s Black Friday? Go Buy Some Games!

Posted on November 28, 2014 by geelw

Yikes. My inbox is PACKED with deals and more deals and on top of that, guess what? MORE DEALS! Here’s a boring list to click on as I’m in a bit of a crunch today catching up on too much stuff:

Humble Bundle/Humble Store – Whaaaaat? a new Zen Pinball 2 Bundle? YOU NEED THIS! And whaaaaat? MORE fantastic deals in the store? BUY SOME GAMES!

IndieGala – Too much to list here, but you get a free game if you drop $30 or more in the shop. BUY SOME GAMES!

GOG.com – Big TopWare Blowout! BUY SOME GAMES!

Bundle Stars – BUY SOME GAMES (and get a crazy DOUBLE discount of 25% if you sign up for their newsletter!) BUY SOME GAMES!

Indie Royale Hmmm. Ten games in a MYSTERY BUNDLE! Only four are revealed, but it’s ONLY $1.24 for all ten! BUY SOME GAMES!

I know I’m forgetting a few, but I’ll pop back in later and maybe add a few more. For now, also check out Steam and 505 Games’ sparkly *NEW* e-store for some incredible deals you won’t find elsewhere. Okay, my work here is DONE. Have a productive time running up your credit limit supporting charities and adding to your backlogs with these purchases!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Teaser: Turning the Internet Into Hype-Our-Space…

Posted on November 28, 2014 by geelw

Well, color me interested, but not quite yet convinced. This teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakened is too short, but it looks as if the effects teams have been hard at work with over a year to go. Or at least they’ve just done up scenes for this trailer that show they’re on the case and not planning to blow it:

(Thanks, Star Wars UK!)

I have no questions as of yet other than wondering who’s flying the Millennium Falcon in that short clip and why that yet to be revealed dark Jedi has the second most impractical lightsaber I’ve ever seen. But I can wait for that reveal in some other trailer. I’m gathering this one movie will have the most teasers and trailers released for it of anything coming in 2015 just because Disney wants to show that the Star Wars license is in good hands. I didn’t think so when I heard the news and soon enough, saw Mickey ears on a Darth Vader helmet (wtf?) and I think Goofy dressed up as Darth as a plush doll (yikes!). But I’ll pay less attention to the licensing on this film because there will be THOUSANDS of new products coming to rake in the dough from the rubes and all I want to see is a decent new film in this series.

December 2015 will be here sooner than you think, given the way time has flown this year. I may be too ancient to fall for marketing and merchandising tactics, but I’ll see this if it’s as entertaining as the original was. I’m also holding out for the trailer where J.J. has people jumping off something high, as next to lens flare overuse it’s a trademark in all his films for some oddball reason. As usual, we shall see, right?