Apocalypse No… Oh Wait, We’re Still Here (Er, Carry On, Then!)…

Posted on December 21, 2012 by geelw

Hmmm. So, the world did NOT end (well, for most of you) and I’ve heard that it seems to have ruined a few otherwise well-made doomsday plans. Hopefully you’re not one of those folks who was thinking of ending it all or that we’d go up in flames due to nuclear, planetary collision, zombie or some other sort of holocaust. Because my snarky side (which has just activated – you’ve been warned) would kindly point you to the nearest window (even if you’re in a basement), then the clock on the wall and tell you to get to it already so we don’t have to hear you wailing about how that Mayan calendar was upside down and it’s NEXT year or when the Cubs win the Super Cup or when the next season of GIRLS begins because it’s a show made by the Devil himself. Whatever.

One of those MAY be true, by the way…

Continue reading →

A Friendly Reminder From Black Pants Game Studios…

Posted on December 21, 2012 by geelw

No, not that the world is ending in a few hours (well, for some people out there)… there’s a NEW demo for Tiny & Big: Grandpa’s Leftovers available on Steam! Go get it, play it and laugh yourself silly while things go to heck in a handbasket or something. Look at it this way, if you love the demo enough and the earth doesn’t blow up, you can actually go BUY the game and play the whole thing. Even better, the game is 50% off until doomsday (I’d gather that’s later today), so get while it’s hot. Or before you burn up when Melancholia hits. Or something like that. The talented gentlemen at Black Pants will thank you kindly, and I’ll have done my good deed for the day because I’ve turned you on to a really cool (and really funny) game experience. OK, I’m off to watch some cartoons now… Good Night!

Earth Defense Force 4 (EDF 2025) Gameplay: Now, That’s What I Call A Bug Bomb!

Posted on December 21, 2012 by geelw

Finally, we get to see Sandlot’s super efforts on EDF 4 (which will be known as EDF 2025 here) in action and I’m quite happy with the more polished look to the game as well as the new character class system (which seems inspired by Vicious Cycle’s work on Earth Defense Force Insect Armageddon) that shows off the new Air Raider, Wing Diver and others in action. Between this and yesterday’s announcement of Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable getting released over a month earlier than initially announced as a digital-only PSN title (I think that’s some sort of first), things are looking up for fans of the series. That said, the game NEEDS both a physical as well as digital release in North America so more people can play it.

Memo to Sony and D3Publisher: Think about it – while anyone can take a Vita to any wi-fi hotspot to get games for that handheld, those people who can’t get broadband at home or use a friend’s connection CANT BUY PS3 GAMES OR CONTENT ON PSN AT ALL. Stop NOT taking the money we want to spend on games and listen for a change. That said, how about a low print run disc version which will indeed sell out if you simply let the fans know it’s coming (or even better, Ask us HOW we like to buy our games in the future). That is all.

Christopher Lee. Heavy Metal. Christmas Songs. Yeah, They All Go Together.

Posted on December 20, 2012 by geelw

“There was a time when Saruman walked through my woods, but now he has a mind of metal…”

You know how people say “Now I’ve seen everything!” all the time? No, no… they haven’t. THIS, on the other hand, helps cross a huge bunch of stuff off that long list list of “everything” in one gift-wrapped shot. According to Loudwire, 90-year old Christopher Lee, who’s played everything from Count Dracula, Lord Summerisle in the original (and still outstanding) The Wicker Man, and more recently, Saruman in The Lord of the Rings films has released an EP of two Christmas songs that’s now available for download on iTunes, Amazon and other music sites. I’d normally be clutching my chest and cracking up, but I’ll just tip my cap to the man for still doing what he does at that age. It’s not even the first time he’s done recorded work, as you’ll find out by simply Googling the man up and seeing what the results are.

Hell, the next time you can’t get out of bed because of a “serious” case of the sniffles, you might want to watch your back, you lazy git. Christopher Lee might have your job when you finally get back to work… and he’ll be doing it better than you ever did…

EDF 2017 Portable Release Date Pushed Up to January 7, 2013 As A PSN Release

Posted on December 20, 2012 by geelw

D3Publisher is giving EDF fans some good reasons to cheer (as long as they prefer their content digitally released). That February 12 date for EDF 2017 Portable? Gone like a cool breeze in the desert. A press release just issued reveals that the game is hitting PSH hard on January 8, 2013 for $39.99. Yes, this is ten bucks more than the price originally announced, but as someone who owns the import (which cost me a lot more), I can VERY safely say the game is WELL worth the money. New stages, new weapons and Pale Wing shake the remastered game up significantly, the added Trophies will keep you returning to the game many times and that new 4-player co-op makes for an even more frantic experience when the going gets tough.

Attention Fellow EDF Troopers (and any potential new Vita-owning recruits): adjust your calendars accordingly and get ready to make the planet a bug-free zone.

Random Film of the Week: Soldier in the Rain

Posted on December 20, 2012 by geelw

(thanks, Mind Hunger!)

Steve McQueen may have been the “King of Cool” in his prime, but if his performance in 1963’s Soldier in the Rain is any indication, he was also a pretty lousy comedian. On the other hand, the film is all Jackie Gleason’s, and he makes it well worth viewing. The film is one of those interesting comedy/drama hybrids that tends to lean too far into either direction when a more subtle middle ground would have worked better. Despite the flaws, this Blake Edwards-produced film has enough laughs and some fine performances throughout. McQueen plays Eustis Clay as a goofball caricature who’s great at whipping up scams that never net him the fortunes he dreams about. Gleason’s Master Sargent Slaughter (no relation to the 90’s TV wrestler) is a career man, heavyset and aging who humors Clay and his crazy schemes partially because they brighten his usually dull days. Continue reading →

Larian Studios Brings Some Holiday Cheer to The Year of the Dragon…

Posted on December 19, 2012 by geelw

I got a few holiday-themed digital cards and videos in my packed inbox, but I like this one the best because it’s amusing, has real people in it along with a bit of game stuff and yes, you can sing along (as long as you keep it down and don’t wake the neighbors). Oh, yeah – you should probably buy one or two of Larian’s find RPGs for yourself or as a gift for a gamer you know. I’m just saying… it IS the holiday season and all. That and you don’t want some huffy dragon hanging out on your porch or windowsill glaring at you until you do so…

A Few Minutes of BioShock Infinite: Starting Off on the Right Foot (and Way Up In the Sky)…

Posted on December 19, 2012 by geelw

Just in case you were wondering how the heck Booker gets all the way up to that fancy, falling apart steampunk sky city called Columbia, Irrational Games presents about five and a half minutes of gameplay from the beginning of their upcoming game. If you’ve played the first BioShock, you’ll note a few parallels to how things get rolling, but this new game certainly takes things in its own direction, that’s for sure. I’ll stop writing right about now, as that trip up to the clouds has made me a bit queasy. I do hate flying, especially when it’s more or less straight up with a few too many twists. More in a bit. 2013 is going to be quite interesting to say the least…

And Now, Today’s Unintentional Hilarity Comes to You Courtesy of David Lynch…

Posted on December 19, 2012 by geelw

Well, David Lynch and the tasty, popular and expensive celebratory adult beverage, Dom Perignon. YES, that David Lynch and yes, this is an actual ad from Morrell Wine Company that popped up in my inbox. No, I won’t provide the exact link just in case WordPress thinks I’m spamming or something. That said, if Mr. Lynch wants to give me a kickback (or put me in one of his films, provided he’s still making them, not drinking too much champagne), I guess we can work something out. At $2039.40 a case, this isn’t cheap at all, but hey – pool up with a few friends and you get a dozen bottles you can swig while you’re watching Mulholland Dr. and trying to make sense of it. No, wait… that’s Inland Empire. I “got” Mulhollhand the first time I saw it, but it still freaks me out each time I see it.

Oh yeah, the product description only adds to the chuckle factor – click below the jump and make sure you’re sitting down. Continue reading →

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch – Behind the Scenes With Studio Ghibli

Posted on December 19, 2012 by geelw

If that first Ni no Kuni developer diary from a few weeks back made you want to make games, this one will make you want to pick up a paintbrush and get to making some art and/or go watch a bunch of Studio Ghibli’s wonderful animated films. The PS3 exclusive game hits retail on January 22, 2013 (hey, that’s after the world is supposed to end!) and it’s practically guaranteed to be one of the best JRPGs on the console to date. Go give that PSN demo a shot if you haven’t yet and see what’s what.