DiRT Showdown: Codemasters Takes Demolition Derby To Smashing New Heights…

Posted on December 13, 2011 by geelw

Lovely – there hasn’t been a REALLY good demolition derby game in years on a console, so I’m glad to see Codemasters take on the sport while adding the DiRT license and EGO engine-powered visuals to the mix. This one’s on my radar for sure and I’m hoping it also includes some regular rally stuff just for us fans of the Colin Mac Rae games. We shall see, but even if it doesn’t, it should be a hit amongst racing fans who want a bit more crashing in their driving games without feeling guilty about crunching up a ride or three…

Gallery: Mega-CD Library

Posted on December 6, 2011 by geelw

Not as large as the other libraries (and nope, nowhere near complete), here’s some Mega-CD titles to pore over. I have a bunch of Sega CD and UK Mega CD titles as well, but I’d sold off most of the core titles, so it’s a shadow of its former self. It’s too bad Sega or any other publishers didn’t have enough time to localize MORE of the RPG’s for the add-on, as games such as Shadowrun (an all-new version created for the platform), Record of Lodoss War, Shin Megami Tensei, Illusion City, Fhey Area, Cosmic Fantasy Stories, Death Bringer and others here would have made for a much more impressive lineup. But, hey – we DID get the fighting/RPG hybrid Battle Fantasy here as Revengers of Vengeance, so THAT makes up for a lot (he said, eyes rolling in his head)…

Dark Horse’s Comics For Christmas: A (Graphic) Novel Idea!

Posted on December 3, 2011 by geelw

Dark Horse Comics always has some awesome reads each month, but here’s a list of books they recommend for your holiday gift needs. Personally, I say grab them all, as some folks on you gift list probably don’t even know what actual PAGES feel like (and they haven’t yet invented a “new graphic novel” scent for the iPad, Kindle, nook or other readers and devices).

Gallery: Mega Drive/Genesis Library (Updated)

Posted on November 28, 2011 by geelw

By popular demand (from a few places), here you go, along with Master System games since they’re living on the same shelf as the MD/Genny stuff. For those who’ve seen the older pics elsewhere, yes, the collection used to be larger by about 40 or so games, but here’s where we’re at now minus a few loose carts I have stored in a bin nearby. I’ll try to get to the Super Famicom stuff within the next couple of months, as it’s more of a project getting them from the closet in the other room…

Review: Dark Souls

Posted on November 26, 2011 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation 3 (also on Xbox 360)

Developer: From Software

Publisher: Namco Bandai

# of Players: 1 (Online: 1 – 4)

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Official Site

Score: A (90%)

If Dark Souls doesn’t scare you silly at some point, you’re either fearless, slightly to moderately insane or so jaded that nothing can faze you. Like 2009’s PS3 smash sleeper, Demon Souls, what’s here is a purely terrifying blend of old school difficulty and current gen tech that’s beautiful yet brutal and definitely not for those looking for an easy ride. From Software has created one of the most compelling game experiences to date (and if you’ve been a fan of the developer as long as I have, you could see this coming) that’s an absolute essential for any gamer willing to take the plunge. While the lengthy solo campaign is superb, it’s in the innovative online mode where many will see the game’s full range. That said, the dev team has wisely made sure that folks who can’t play online can still complete the game. It’ll just be a bit harder at times thanks to the punishing difficulty and intentionally vague storytelling that requires a bit of thought (and a lot more exploration and combat) to fully comprehend. Continue reading →

Review: Star Odyssey

Posted on November 22, 2011 by geelw

Platform: Sega Genesis/Mega Drive

Developer: Hot-B/Starfish

Publisher: Super Fighter Team

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: N/A

Official Site

Score: B+ (80%)

After 20 long years one of a handful of “lost” Sega Genesis games finally surfaces thanks to Brandon Cobb and Super Fighter Team. While Star Odyssey may not be the best RPG on the platform, as a piece of gaming history, it’s something that’s truly great too see and play. Thanks to Cobb’s dedication to seeing the project through (and a solid localization job), a few hundred lucky gamers can now play this long lost gem and see what might have been had this one shipped when it was supposed to. Granted, I’m sure it wouldn’t have set the gaming world on fire back in 1991 or ’92, but the Genesis never really got as many great RPG’s as the SNES back in the day, so what’s here makes for a mostly solid game with a few quirks that keep it from perfection. Continue reading →

The MAIN Thing I’ve Learned From Skyrim (So Far) Is..

Posted on November 19, 2011 by geelw

Real life needs an auto-save function when you enter and leave a room. That is all (for now)… Back shortly with an update that’s longer and more fun to read…

Too. Many. Games (II)…

Status

Yup, I’m, still buried in Skyrim up to my nostrils and a few more games popped up this past weekend and yesterday to review. It’s weird to go from dungeon delving to lightning-paced arcade fighting and augmented reality ghost-hunting, but such is the life of the intrepid explorer-type. Back in a bit…

Jeff Spega’s Tron and Robotron Now Available. You Should Buy It Based On The Table Of Contents Alone.

Posted on November 12, 2011 by geelw

Jeff is a cool guy (creatively cranky like me), a fellow gamer, writer, editor and knows a hell of a lot more than I do about video games. Even better, he was smart enough to write all he knows down in a handy new book called Tron and Robotron: Thirty Years of Electronic Gaming (and Counting), which just so happens to be available for purchase by clicking on that link above. I need to buy a copy just so I can read more than the excellent teasers and excerpts he’s got as a quickie download on his page. Oh, and that table of contents is pretty spectacular. Seriously. Jeff also likes a lot of 3DO games I like, so he’s definitely someone to have around when you happen to have a copy of Burning Soldier and an extra controller lying around and need someone to blast Kaisertians with.

Not Quite A Slow Week, Just A Busy One…

Status

Hey! I don’t review every game as soon as it comes out (I don’t always get pre-release review copies) and I’m a bit backlogged, so some of those already known to be huge sellers that don’t need my thumbs up, down or sideways are on the back burner. Currently, I’m working on some recent stuff: Dark Souls, Sonic Generations, some indie PC stuff, a Wii game or two and few other things in the inbox. A PS3 copy of Skyrim will be here on Monday and I believe I have Uncharted 3 on the horizon as well.Too many previews are also in the works once I can get in a few hours to edit and add images. I think there’s sleep planned in my schedule as well, but with too many games coming out and no time machine, don’t bet on it…