BioShock Infinite’s Delay Of Game Is Actually GREAT News…

Posted on May 10, 2012 by geelw

…Especially IF you’re Arkane Studios and Bethesda Softworks, that is. Dishonored, the absolutely gorgeous and innovative upcoming first-person stealth action game (which some are unfairly over-comparing to Irrational’s game), is coming later this year, and as it’s equally well-crafted and also shares a few MINOR similarities with BI (both games take place in fictional worlds based loosely on 19th Century America or a Victorian-themed pseudo London setting, both have a steampunk aesthetic to them, and both look amazing), it SHOULD be on your old-timey radarscope thingamajig too, I say.

The big deals about Dishonored are its stellar art direction and is its more flexible gameplay that allows players to possess people or certain animals or play the entire story without killing a single person, plus a lot more that has to be seen to be believed. Yeah, yeah – my preview is late, but that’s because I’ve been occupied with some other stuff. Still, stick around, as I’m going through my notes now and should have something up soon….

Wolfenstein 3D Is Older Than Too Many People Who SHOULD Pay It More Respect…

Posted on May 10, 2012 by geelw

Sure, it looks hideous compared to whatever modern FPS you drool over and line up for year after year, but if not for John Carmack and this formerly controversial Nazi-killing corridor shooter, you wouldn’t all be standing outside in the rain at midnight for Master Chief, any Modern Warfare game or hell, pretty much every other FPS on the market. That said, Bethesda has made this classic shooter playable for free as a browser game on Bethsoft’s Wolfenstein page or the game’s official Facebook page, so go check it out. Also, click away HERE for a great YouTube video commentary with Carmack about the game – you just might learn something in the process (like some respect!)

Sorcery Developer Diary: Our Hero Gets Moving And Motivation – Silence The Skeptics!

Posted on May 9, 2012 by geelw

For me, Sorcery represents an important game for the Move, even though it’s not packing the most original of plots. The selling point will be how well the game controls, particularly given the skeptics out there who still think motion control doesn’t equal good gameplay. I’d gather most if not all of those folks haven’t even given these types of games a try, as I can rattle off a bunch that work extremely well on the Wii and PS3 including some key hardcore games (Resident Evil 4 on the Wii being a stellar example of taking an older game a really showing how great the addition of motion controls actually make for an even better game experience). It’s clear to me that developer The Workshop is doing some good things with the Move. However, convincing those who keep their biases going through their lack of willingness to try something new will always be a bane to even the best of intentions…

Dragon’s Dogma Developer Diary #2: Pawn Stars (Wait, Did I Use That Pun Already?)

Posted on May 9, 2012 by geelw

OK, I’ve been a bit scattered lately, so forgive me if there’s a sense of deja vu going on here. Anyway, here’s the latest DD dev diary, this time tackling the interesting Pawn system and how it works in the game. Capcom is definitely generating a great deal of interest in this game as it heads for gold status and eventually retail release, so pay attention and get your money (and a decent controller) ready, I say.

Goodbye, Maurice…

Posted on May 9, 2012 by geelw

It’s been a pretty awful year for creative folks I like passing away, that’s for sure. Celebrities I don’t follow aside, it’s been Ralph McQuarrie, Jean “Moebius” Giraud, Adam Yauch (MCA) and now Maurice Sendak, who died yesterday. I did this quick piece shortly after I heard the news, then I remembered that Sendak’s works were pretty cool reads because they all dealt with life’s realities in one way or another, very much unlike those shiny, happy fairytale stories where nothing bad happens, evil gets the boot and there’s a charming price coming to save the day. Bah! That said, this is turning out to be a really depressing year, even without the stupid doom-sayers and their busted Mayan calendars…

Papo & Yo Developer Diary #1: Fantastic Realities, Favelas And Happy Monsters…

Posted on May 8, 2012 by geelw

Minority Media’s PS3 exclusive is coming soon and it’s absolutely one of those games that needs to be played (despite only being available over PSN, grrr!). Here’s a look at the first dev diary as well as a brief post over at the PlayStation Blog from one of the nicest people in this industry you’ll ever meet, Minority’s Creative Director, Vander Cabellero. Hey, Sony! Here’s a suggestion (again): Slap this game and Journey onto a disc with Outland and maybe some demos (Starhawk, GOW: Ascension, et cetera), get it out at a decent price point and make a small mint from those who don’t yet have/want/use PSN accounts!

Sniper Elite V2 Arrives: So Far, It’s Fire and Not Forget…

Posted on May 8, 2012 by geelw

My review copy of Sniper Elite V2 popped up yesterday and I was hooked in from the tutorial, which I set to On even though I’m a huge fan of the first game. I love what Rebellion has done so far and have no major complaints. YES, for veteran players the game does skew a tiny bit too easy, but only if you turn all the aids on and play on the simplest difficulty level. To get rid of that issue, go at it using the Custom Game setting or just choose one of the two higher difficulties (Sniper Elite mode needs to be unlocked) and yup, you’re in for a more hefty challenge. Back later in the week with a full review.

Review: Dungeon Hunter: Alliance

Posted on May 7, 2012 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation Vita

Developer: Gameloft

Publisher: Ubisoft

# of Players: 1 – 4

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: C+

With Dungeon Hunter: Alliance on the Vita, developer Gameloft had a rather interesting challenge in making a version of their popular (but “old” by other device standards) hack and slash RPG that could be seen as a solid (and full priced) showpiece the Sony’s new handheld. While they didn’t quite succeed in every area, the end result presents enough creature chopping challenge for those who like to go solo while also being a ton of fun in multiplayer. Visually, the game is solid, if not spectacular overall, the gameplay is what you’d expect with some interesting use of the Vita’s touch screens that range from handy to not really necessary. Unfortunately, despite the glossed-up visuals, the game misses the chance to do more with the basics, meaning if you’ve played this already on a device, computer or even the PS3, you’re not going to be too surprised at what’s here. Addicted? yes. Shocked at the stellar amount of originality on display? Nope.

Continue reading →

Starhawk Launch Trailer: Sooo, That’s What Everyone Will Be Doing This Week…

Posted on May 6, 2012 by geelw

LightBox Interactive’s Action/RTS lands this week on the PS3 and it’s looking like another must-buy in a crazy year for must-buy games. Hmmm. My birthday is tomorrow (Happy Birthday to me!!!), but I’m not expecting this to fly into my mailbox at all. Of course, I don’t mind supporting these guys with a purchase, as it’s one of those games that’s worth every penny whether you like solo play or online madness with your PSN friends. I actually want this to make an appearance on the Vita, as Sony’s new handheld really needs MORE in the way of first-party hits that bring the console experience on the road, and Starhawk would be a more than perfect fit, I say…

Dragon’s Dogma Story Trailer: Hey (Ouch!), Watch Where You Stick That Thing!

Posted on May 6, 2012 by geelw

Capcom’s not so quiet not so sleeper is almost here and waiting to take over a chunk of your free time. Here’s a look at some fine work in this story trailer that features a poky dragon giving the finger to some poor guy (and how!) and more questions left unanswered that should make this game worth a few playthroughs amongst those it successfully casts its spell on. This one should be tons of fun, i say…