A few new (and used) titles for the collection, mostly thanks to some trades and a few others snapped up at really cheap prices. of course, I haven’t even finished all of these (my time machine is still busted), but have played enough of each to offer buy or bust recommendations. Then again, something I don’t like might be something you may fall over backwards over – that’s one of the more interesting things about gaming for you, right? Continue reading →
Most of the popular RPG Maker games out there are the usual Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest clones of assorted quality (terrible to truly inspired masterworks), but Cavern of Doom manages to take retro to an even more nostalgic level. Imagine an actual turn-based RPG made for the Atari 260- and you get the idea. If you love the blocky graphics old Atari home games had, CoD will get you smiling as soon as you see it in motion. the guy who made this gem, bobthebobish, clearly has a great sense of humor as you’ll see when you’re playing the game. I love how his chunky sprite monsters, simple use of color and even more straightforward dungeon mazes all tickled the proper nerves while the more modern turn-based combat appealed to my JRPG loving side. There’s also a cool upgrade system where you buy new skills with gained experience, a necessary thing as the game can be quite tough if you move too quickly through the dungeons. A sequel of sorts was in the works, but real life has halted progress on it for the time being. Anyway, CoD is ONLY about a 3 MB download, it’s FREE and if you happen to like the art style, you’ll get a kick out of what’s here even if you’re not big into the genre.
NISA’s Online Store does it again with yet another nice set of dual pre-order Premium Box sets for an upcoming PS3 exclusive. This time, it’s Mugen Souls, coming your way on September 18 in not one, not two, but THREE editions. Pick one, unless you have that much cash to spare (and maybe want to surprise me with a gift, ha ha). You can pre-order NOW or snap the standard edition later at any game retailer or at NISA’s online shop for $49.99 or grab one of the SUPER limited single print run boxed versions via pre-order (ASAP, as they’ll go FAST) for $64.99 or $99.99 depending on how much swag you want to fill up your shelf space. Both box sets come complete with an art book, soundtrack CD, bath sponge and hand towel, with the more pricey set netting buyers three exclusive figurines you won’t see anywhere else. Gamers who only go for the standard edition have to provide their own fancy washing goodies, or just rub the shrink wrap all over them to get that new game smell. Anyway, the game looks like a ton of fun, promising “overwhelming visuals, massively customizable characters, and never ending gameplay” according to the press release.
United Front Games isn’t skimping on the voice casting in their upcoming (and eagerly awaited) action game. Take a look at a veritable who’s who of familiar faces (and voices). Even the people you haven’t heard of are doing a fine job from my perspective. It doesn’t hurt at all that the game is looking quite good as well. That August 7 release date is rolling up fast, isn’t it?
I need to do this on a more regular basis like some of my other fellow game bloggers (you know who you are, but I need to list you guys on my sidebar at some point today), so here you go, six new DS games added, all picked up quite cheap.
Aliens: Infestation is a pretty challenging side-scrolling shooter/adventure from WayForward Technologies (makers of some of the best “retro” style games out there) and Gearbox Software. Hop aboard an alien packed Sulaco as a squad of Marines as you search for survivors in this sort-of sequel/side-story to Aliens. With a limited number of squad members available (one they’re dead, they’re gone for good), some mean bosses that take a bit of work to put down and a decent amount of replay value, it’s not a bad game at all if you’re a fan of this sort of game.
Well, this is cool. Yes, it’s only a teaser site for now, but Sandlot has been very, very busy this year (and that’s very, very good). I’m betting we’ll see more about this one come this year’s TGS, but even if it’s a total no-show and that show, I can wait.
That and hey – D3Publisher of America should be making sure 2013 is a big, bug-packed (in a good way) EDF year for gamers. With enough time to generate the proper hype, I’d bet we’ll be seeing a sleeper steamroll some of the games that cost more to promote than what EDF 4 is costing to make…
Boy, try and make a new game in a hugely popular series without dragging along EVERY element from previous entries and watch the more stick in the rear fans fearful of change scream and struggle as if they’ve been tossed into a burlap sack, then the back of a moving black van. Maybe Michael Ironside was unavailable, wanted too much money or hell, wanted to move on from the character he originally voiced for a bunch of games. Maybe Ubisoft wanted someone “younger” sounding for this installment. Eh, whatever. all this reminds me of is how things often work out in Hollywood in terms of sequels. Keeping in a Tom Clancy vein, how about that Jack Ryan? Anyone?
OK, time for me to get into trouble for telling the truth. One of the worst things about gaming these days: publishers that keep going out of their way to whip developers into making games specifically to generate high professional review scores on the hugely flawed aggregate site, Metacritic. Of course, this plan is annoying for a few too many obvious reasons, but let’s add in the monkey wrench of high-profile reviewers who don’t bother to get to or even through some of the games they’re sent and that ticks me off even more. Especially when I put in a request for a game and get turned down because the PR folks handling it ran out of copies or don’t think I’m “big” enough to warrant a reviewable. Gee, thanks, but at least it will get played, I say. It may take me a while to post a review, as I prefer to finish a game before writing about it, but it”l get done.
OK, I’d be a LOT less annoyed if I was getting paid for what I do on a regular basis. But still, this stuff gets my brain boiling in my skull a bit more than it used to. Hell, I respect the medium and the people who work in it too much to be that jaded, so it would be nice to be able to contribute my two cents like any other site. OK, rant-less rant over. Back to reality for a bit…
Well, now… color me intrigued. I happen to still like my Nintendo DS quite a lot, so yes, I’ll absolutely be bugging Namco Bandai for a reviewable of this game. Hey, for me, it’ll be the 16-bit game I never got to play back on the SNES and Genesis and as you’ll see from the gallery I’ll post later tonight, the game actually looks pretty impressive. Which of course means that I need to practice my Lion-O yell to get even more psyched for the game’s September 25, 2012 release. Er, you may want to stand back a few feet, kids (and get the family pet into a closet nearby – you’ve been warned): *Ahem* Thundercats, HOO*cough!*ooooo….*ack*oooo!!!!…
Hmmmm. Clearly, practice is needed there, as I just broke my throat and a window here. Back with more later. Er, more screen shots, that is (and a lot of them)…
“We want people to experience the same terror of the walker-filled reality our characters faced in seasons one and two – and will continue to face in our third season,” said Greg Nicotero, Co-Executive Producer and Special Effects Make-up Artist for the series. “Our collaboration with Universal Studios’ creative teams is exciting as we work to truly capture the essence of the show.”
Well, now… this is getting really interesting. Hmmm… I’m betting this is a secret weight-loss plan for some of the flabbier citizens of this country where deep-fried butter and bacon-wrapped everything are a normal way of life for too many out there. Hey, you! Want to lose 20 pounds FAST? Just go to Universal Studios Hollywood or Universal Studios Orlando during Halloween Horror Nights and hit both The Walking Dead and Silent Hill attractions. Make sure you don’t eat beforehand, as the zombies at the former love the smell of digesting beef patties, artificially colored cheese and soda pop PLUS those nurses at the latter can aid in taking care of those bite marks on your flesh… by sticking a few knives and needles into them (ouch!). Stock up on adult diapers and a portable defibrillator at the souvenir shop (conveniently located smack dab in between the two attractions) and you’re good to go.
“With ‘The Walking Dead,’ we want to make fans of the series feel like they are literally walking in the footsteps of the show’s characters, experiencing all of the horrific events from the series just as they experienced them,” said John Murdy, Creative Director at Universal Studios Hollywood. “The goal is to make guests of Halloween Horror Nights feel like they are trapped in the world of ‘The Walking Dead,’ using all of the attention to detail and movie-quality production values that Halloween Horror Nights has become famous for. You’re no longer sitting on a couch, watching a show…you’re living it!”
In other words, be prepared to do a lot of running. And screaming, too. Wear comfortable shoes and maybe some football gear if you tend to knock people over on your way to the exit sign…
A few new (and used) titles for the collection, mostly thanks to some trades and a few others snapped up at really cheap prices. of course, I haven’t even finished all of these (my time machine is still busted), but have played enough of each to offer buy or bust recommendations. Then again, something I don’t like might be something you may fall over backwards over – that’s one of the more interesting things about gaming for you, right?
"DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!" 