Okay, so I didn’t get much sleep Monday night (as in none) and I wasn’t feeling so hot, but I decided to get some work done. Kind of a bad idea, as I ended up deleting a long article I’d been working on before it auto-saved (gyaaah!) and did it AGAIN with another one not too long afterward. Boo. Anyway, after some actual rest and a decent cup of coffee, I’m back in action (instead of back inaction, HAW!). I need to get back outside and down to the library in a bit, as I got up a few hours back to tackle laundry (Part One) and get a package out.
Dean Forge’s unsettling little Unity game, Lumber Island just got an update with a new chapter that worth picking up if you like scary game experiences that have you off kilter from the start. In the first chapter, your character wakes up on a rowboat that’s headed for a dark and not so deserted island and has to deal with a frightening… thing out in the night that seems to want him very dead. The fact that you had no clue as to why you woke up in that boat in the first place coupled with the darkness and disorientation that comes from arriving in a new place in such an abrupt manner made the game a sleeper for me, and this sequel looks even more chilling.
That and those eerie notes that you find that spell out bits of the back story make this a fine little read as well as a game best played in the dark (headphones on at your peril, as you’ll probably keel over dead if someone walks into the room behind you and taps you on the shoulder). At only $1.99 (but you know you NEED the first chapter for an extra $1.99, right?), this one will keep your spine shaking so much for about four to six hours that you won’t even be able to move around using that mouse and keyboard. Yeah, you KNOW you want it… so go get it already!
Yeah, yeah… it’s JUST a CG trailer and not gameplay, but this year’s E3 will probably feature a bigger reveal of that which everyone wants to see. Only two things bugged me about this otherwise drool-worthy teaser. One: A voice mail message from Thomas Wayne? Hmmm… TOO convenient and somewhat corny in a way, but I’ll forgive the team if they twist that up into a villain being behind that ruse or something like that. Two: Catwoman. Where is she? I think she NEEDS her own game to play around in just to wash the residue of that gawdawful Halle Berry flick and even worse video game from about a decade ago or so. I still cringe when I think of how lousy both were (sorry, Halle!).
Anyway, I do hope we see Cats in her own game at some point, as she could be a more empowering character (and not a cara-cat-ure, ha!) than even Lara Croft is if done right. Other than that, a Batmobile we can drive in this one is fantastic and makes me thing Knight will have a more GTA-like open map to get around in, something the series has been needing since Arkham City. Given that Lego Batman 2 did the open world thing quite well (albeit in a campier manner), Rocksteady is on the right track with what’s looking like a game with even more replay value. Back with more on this biggie soon…
I normally avoid reading other reviews until after I write my own, but the two I’ve seen for this game are pretty favorable and only knock the game for some bugs and technical issues that need patching up and some repetition in attack animations (a common complaint for RPGs for ages). This bodes well for developer Obsidian and publisher Ubisoft, who rescued the game from oblivion after original publisher THQ folded a few years back. Now, if only Obsidian could get a few more RPGs made using a similar combat engine (but a different visual style), I’d be even happier. Well, this goes on the buy list and in the “Play It!” queue (which has grown by a few too many titles as of late).
I recall being at a trade show back around 2006 or 2007 and overheard some people talking about the prescription 3D glasses or lenses for moviegoers. I laughed at that because 3D has always been a few year fad that fades away as interest wanes and money goes down the drain, but it seems I was off a bit. Yes, Virginia, you CAN get a pair of actual prescription glasses like these Oakleys from a few places for your movie and TV watching pleasure. Wow. Granted, like actual modern 3D glasses, they’re one hundred percent useless for walking down the street, so if you spring for the super cool Hobbit or Transformers frames, no one will see them in a dark theater unless you buy your ticket beforehand, whip out your shades, make a clever joke and put them on like you’re on an episode of CSI. (Yeaaaaaaaaahhhh!).
Of course, the oh, so painful downside of looking so cool at a price is the other price of falling down that long escalator up to the theater as you’re trying to impress people with your specs but can’t see a few steps in front of you. Just remember, when you DO fall, try to tuck and roll – being curled up in the fetal position at the bottom of that escalator makes it easier for the paramedics to do their thing. And if you DO fall, and don’t get a scratch on you?
Well, I guess you can just call it a case of… blind luck!(Yeaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!)
Ooooooh. Okay, I want one of these. Well, to more precise, I’d WEAR an actual suit of armor like that it if were in my size. I wonder how much that would cost and how I’d live with one less kidney and lung if I had to pay for the thing. I’d store it right by the door near the coat closet here and ONLY wear it on special days. Like when I’m writing or going shopping. No one messes with a fully armored knight…. well, other than some mean-ass bunny rabbit, King Arthur and his Round Table buddies. “It’s only a flesh wound!” indeed. In the case of this game, there ARE no flesh wounds – your character lives or dies by the sword or any other weapons you’d better get quite good at if you intend to survive. The game’s tagline, PREPARE TO DIE isn’t a joke at all, that’s for sure.
Nope, I’m still not watching these teasers, folks. I just embed and write up lines for you to read because I want not a thing ruined for me. I’ve already gotten a few people hooked on this show (whee!), so I’ll take my cut of the profits anytime, Beeb. Anyway, enjoy what’s here and if you run into me on the street, don’t spill any beans or else…
Ah, if only actual politics were as simple as letting loose your dragons on some fool who thought he’d get the better of you or getting all stabby-stabby with enemies you lure into a formerly blissful wedding celebration. Nope, I don’t think we’re headed for World War III anytime soon, but the dicey situation between a few countries these past few months have a nasty parallel to the years 1936-39 if you poke through the history books. Of course, it’s hard to gauge the future based on current actions, but if the past is any indication, a lot of us will be turning to shows like GoT for some time off from real world issues. Let’s also hope that someone shows Mr. Putin some of those history books so he sees that working your way to the top over the bodies of others means the bottom rushes up faster at some point to meet you.
Don’t be afraid of the dark! It’s always fun to prowl the floor at Toy Fair and see people with great ideas turning them into toys with a purpose and sometimes it’s indeed true that great minds think alike. I got to see a pair of excellent dream-related items at the show worth closer examination and thanks to the two happy ladies with fine tales to tell proudly showing off their products, I’m here to give you the rundown so you can go spend some money in the near future.
Einar, The Monster Eater comes to you from Wendy Lasater of Dandy Innovations. Wendy’s a housewife with a young daughter who tends to (as many kids do) have nightmares and used to come rushing into her parents’ room to sleep with them for comfort. While many parents find this behavior acceptable, Wendy wanted to set her daughter free of whatever monsters under, in and around her room were plaguing her. Enter Einar, and a new plush hero was born…. Continue reading →
Yeah, I’m still working on some actual posts, but they’re in assorted stages of completion. I’ve had a few ideas change shape as I go over notes, which is both good and bad. Anyway, here’s another tree to ogle. I did this while waiting for a small download to finish and with a game playing in the background. Multitasking is a sort of specialty, I guess. Then again, I know folks who do it better and faster. And better.
Eh, I’m working on it people, I’m working on it. That’s the problem with having a working brain and far too many ideas pumping out of it. I need some clones with more focus. At least I’m not watching the Oscars this year. I’m much to preoccupied to pay attention to much other than what I’m trying to get done with this site. Think world domination without the craziness of a dictator and on a much smaller scale.
Heck, If I can get my laundry done more regularly, that’s a huge start. Off to sort some underwear and socks – back in a bit…
"DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!" 