What else can be said about what's truly going to be one of the biggest games (in terms of scope and hype) to hit consoles and PC's to date? TES V: Skyrim will no doubt be generously rewarded with huge sales and critical accolades from press and gamers alike, so I'm just pouring more gasoline on the bonfire of praise with these words. Seeing that E3 presentation on TV and the internet is one thing. Seeing it in person id like discovering sunlight for the first time. Bethsoft's proprietary Creation Engine brings the game world to stunning life without any need for 3D glasses or tacked on motion control schemes. The team behind the game has crafted one of the best-looking games to date and you'll see this in many, many fine details such as items that can be rotated in your inventory (helpful when solving some puzzles) and the way the weather changes as you ascend a mountain from the sunny plains below to the freezing summit. Everyone at the presentation was silent, most likely from being in sheer awe at what was on screen…
Tag Archives: 2011
RAGE: Hands-On In The Wasteland
Thanks to the fine folks at Bethesda Softworks and id Software, last Wednesday, I got to spend a good two and a half or so hours with a complete Xbox 360 version of id's latest shooter (and one of 2011's most anticipated games) AND got to see a stunning live presentation of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim afterwards. No, I'm not going to compare them in this preview, silly rabbits. However, I will point out that both are completely different experiences that no gamer worth his or her salt should miss out on. Unlike many other events I've attended, RAGE was set up to play from the beginning from a new profile. While there were a few PR reps and a Bethsoft (or was it id?) employees floating by on occasion to see if things were going OK, I got to play a small chunk of the single player game the very same way you'll dive into it come this October 4. Note: Spoilers below the jump, but given that my progress was limited to what I could do in a few hours, I'm sure none of them are MAJOR reveals.Read more »
Review: Catherine

Platform: PlayStation 3/Xbox 360
Developer: Atlus
Publisher: Atlus
# of Players: 1 (Online 1 – 2)
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Score: A
Catherine is one of the best original games of 2011, hands-down and of this writing, Atlus' fastest and biggest selling title to date. The hype surrounding the Japanese release along with initial worries that it wouldn't be localized due to its subject matter were followed by quick disappointment from Atlus fans when they found out it was staying overseas. Surprisingly, not too long afterward, word started leaking out that an English localization was underway and shortly after that, Atlus USA announced that Catherine was indeed coming to North America not only uncensored, but with PS3 and Xbox 360 cover variants, a great art book/soundtrack CD pre-order bonus and even a fantastic Limited Edition package. Definitely not for kids, anime haters, hopeless romantics or those easily frustrated by trial and error gameplay, what's here is a remarkable, visually brilliant work that bridges the gap between uncomfortable arty project and instant conversation starter.Read more »
Cool Stuff For The Masses: Grow Your Own Mushrooms!
Hey, everyone needs a hobby, right? I have a bit of a green thumb (sometimes), but one thing I’ve never tried was growing my own mushrooms. Of course, living in a NYC apartment, I’m not exactly sure how to get started, but my experiments with a few pepper plants are doing well so far. Granted, I’ve been too busy and yes, lazy to look up the hows and whys and mushroom varieties, but thanks to the fine folks at Back to the Roots, it looks as if I can knock one more thing off my bucket list.
The Oakland-based company has whipped up a really cool Urban Mushroom kit that will let you grow up to 1.5 pounds of tasty oyster mushrooms in a short amount of time. All you need is a sunny window, a spritz of water a day (and a mushroom kit, of course) and soon, you’ll be harvesting and saving money on store bought mushroom of indeterminate age. The cool and weird thing here… the growing medium in recycled coffee grounds! For a mere $19.95 (plus shipping, but buy TWO kits and shipping is FREE), you can either grow these yourself or give someone quite a unique gift. Guess I’ll go order a kit and keep you posted on what happens. Hmmmm… I wonder if these guys have Enoki or a few other varieties?
New Trailer: El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron
UTV Ignition’s phenomenally gorgeous, sure-fire winner of a sleeper hit may have been pushed back a little to an August release (from July 26), but don’t be disappointed at all. Just go play the demo if you haven’t (and play it again a few more times if you have) and absolutely pre-order this one so the fine folks at UTV Ignition can sleep better at night knowing you’re all a bunch of hardcore gamers who’ll support these guys and their awesome game. Or awesome GAMES, actually. Vanillaware’s spectacular Dragon’s Crown is also one of their future projects, so they need as many of your gaming dollars to show that you guys want this one as well when it’s finally done and ready to ship.
Catherine Is Coming!
Well, alright. Atlus came through and is indeed shooting over a copy of Catherine, which makes me happy beyond words. Well, I have words, but you’ll need to wait and see what they are. Granted, I’m still buying the retail version (both of them) at some point because I’m crazy like that, but I’ll be diving into the review copy as soon as it arrives and getting it done up as quickly as possible. Thanks much, guys!
Become Part Of Gaming History – Support the Videogame History Museum!
Now I wish I REALLY had a million dollars to spend. Some friends of mine who are supremely serious about game history (well, because they’re part of it) have a wonderful Kickstarter.com project going to fund an actual museum devoted to preserving all sorts of games and game goods from the beginnings of the hobby up to today’s games. Check out the project link and video HERE and absolutely DONATE (there are some awesome options that can get you some cool swag if that’s your thing). The team needs $30,000 by September 1, 2011 in order to make this happen and they’re currently at $9,475. Again, check out the link and let’s make this happen!
Instead Of An Evil Dead 4, Why Not A…
…remake of the 1970 horror flick Equinox, which can indeed be seen as a prequel of sorts to the Evil Dead films? Hell, it definitely inspired Sam Raimi and I’m crazy enough to see an influence or two in a few other horror films such as Phantasm and The Gate (but I could be wrong). Not to second guess anyone involved in the project, but I’d personally prefer Bruce Campbell to play something er, closer to his age range and not attempt to prance around like Harrison Ford in that last Indiana Jones flick (aided by stuntmen and CG work where necessary). OK, maybe I was a wee bit too influenced by Bubba Ho-Tep (see it if you haven’t – it’s weird and insanely funny) in judging Mr. Campbell’s current state (that Old Spice ad campaign from a few years back shows he still has it going on). Nevertheless, I just don’t want any of the crazier fans to get their hopes up and think there’s going to be a NEW trilogy of Evil Dead films with the new one kicking things off. After all, the movies DID inspire quite a few Duke Nukem quotes and we all know what happened when HE came back recently (and a few too many years late for some folks)…
Gallery: GoldenEye: Reloaded
While previewing the revamped GoldenEye 007 on the Wii last year at an Activision event here in NYC, I asked one of the Eurocom guys if PS3 and 360 owners would ever get to see how great the game was on an HD console. While I forget the EXACT answer I'd gotten, it certainly wasn't “No”, which was indeed a good sign. Flash forward less than a year later and *boom!*, here it is: GoldenEye: Reloaded, a beefed up new version (NO, it's not a straight port) that features even better visuals and a few new game modes. Check out more screens below the jump.Read more »
Aliens: Infestation Headed to Nintendo DS This Fall (Way To Go,WayForward!)
Just when you thought the Nintendo DS was going to roll over and die an unceremoniously dull and quiet death thanks to Nintendo pushing the 3DS hard as the next big thing, there's a ray of light that pokes through (well, BLASTS through) and shows everything is just peachy (for the moment). Sega has announced that Aliens: Infestation is headed to the portable this September. WayForward Technologies with a little help from Aliens: Colonial Marines developer Gearbox Software are taking the hugely popular film franchise on what's looking to be a wild retro ride that could be the best portable Aliens game to date.
Given that there haven't been too many good Alien or Aliens games on a handheld, that's really not saying much to some of you out there. On the other hand, if you know WayForward's stunning 2D work on the Game Boy Advance and DS (Their Contra reboot was phenomenal) as well as the upcoming BloodRayne: Betrayal, you know you're in for a superior firepower-packed instant classic. Hell if the DS IS going to go out soon, it's absolutely going to go out with a nuclear bang. I can't wait to see how this one's turned out.
Official game Info below the jump – I'm off to warm up my DS from its too long hypersleep…Read more »







