Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor WIll REALLY Make You Want A Kinect

As this very cool Gamescom 2011 interview with the game’s producers (decked out in their Army gear) shows, FromSoftware is on track to wow Kinect owners (and skeptics alike) with their upcoming game. Between the retro visual style and influences (the Omaha Beach sequence from Saving Private Ryan springs to mind) plus the fact that yes, you’re controlling a huge walking mech in real time (and without that massive 40 button controller the original SB had back on the Xbox), this one looks like a keeper. It also looks like Kinect is getting a few games hardcore gamers will really want to get their hands on (provided they also manage to wrap their heads around the whole no controller aspect*).

*Well, the game actually DOES require a 360 controller, but you’ll still do the majority of playing without it.

Sony @GamesCom 2011 (Parts 1 & 2)

Yes, I know PAX is right around the corner (I’m not there this year) and I’m STILL writing stuff about Gamescom? Hey, I’m buried in Deus Ex: HR at the moment, so you get to watch a couple of really nice videos from Sony’s press conference last week until I post my review and free up some time. By the way, so far, it’s a spectacular game…

Sega Announces Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown Playable at PAX

Yes, this is truly awesome news, but we NEED this on a disc, Sega!!! Check out the Sega Blog for huge details and a chance to play the game at PAX. Since it’s not officially coming out until 2012, that gives you hardcore VF fans plenty of time to practice (and new players plenty of time to practice losing to them online). Sure, a Virtua Fighter 6 would be a far better announcement, but this is one of those great games that still has legs five years after its release thanks to the incredible depth and fantastically precise controls. Of course, I’m still terrible at VF, having moved on to other games that require less mastering, but I’ll definitely give it a go as soon as it drops into NYC at a Sega press event.

Gamescom 2011: Dragon’s Dogma Gameplay

Capcom’s biggest in-house game to date seems to be dividing certain fans who want and/or expect them to do a Monster Hunter game for this generation’s HD consoles, but I say give this new IP a chance and see how it turns out. Granted, what I’m reading about it elsewhere makes it seem not so spectacular, but I’m more than willing to give the final version a whirl just because I love seeing what any developer can do with an original IP. Action/RPGs like this always seem to find a loyal audience among those who like diamonds in the rough, so we’ll see what happens once a demo goes public and more get some hands-on time. Of course, I’m sure constructive feedback from those who’ve played it will help the dev team tweak things a bit before the game launches. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best…

Gamescom 2011: Resident Evil Revelations Trailers

Definitely looking like a step up from the last RE 3DS game, Revelations brings improved gameplay and a new storyline to the mix that focuses on events from the original classic rather than a rehashed game mode from another game. As you can see from the two gameplay trailers below the jump, RER has some of that classic feel fans crave, but the presentation is definitely a lot more impressive than it was back on the PlayStation. Here's hoping the overall experience is much better than expected and there's a better save system in play.Read more »

Ken Levine On Bioshock Infinite & PS Vita

Super cool and informative video from the Playstation Blog that reveals Irrational has some major plans for Sony’s upcoming handheld. Right now, there’s not much to worry about in terms of Vita getting sunk by not having enough good games, that’s for sure. 2012 is certainly going to be a deciding year for “dedicated” handheld platforms. I think too much emphasis is being placed on pure casual experiences on devices over more well-rounded gaming experiences that might cost more, but deliver MORE for that money. Let’s hope that the core gamer base can prove me right while allowing Vita to also cater to those who want less “serious” games.

Gamescom 2011: Soulcalibur V Trailer

If the super-early demo I saw a few weeks ago was any indication, fans of the series will be in for a real treat. Combat is faster, more fluid and feels more like an action game than a traditional fighter. Sure, there’s no blood spilled here, but there’s a definite God Of War influence to the new combat, as even slower characters are getting a speed boost. This, of course, will probably lead some longtime fans who love beating the stuffing out of opponents using Sigfried or Nightmare wanting these characters to be their old selves. However, it seems that the dev team is merely following the trend of making a game more accessible to all sorts of players rather than simply rehashing what’s come before. As with any game, we shall see what happens once a public demo is available and Nsmco Bandai hears what the fan base says…

Gamescom 2011: Borderlands 2 Screens Tease More Greatness…


2K Games and Gearbox Software are set to deliver an even bigger blasting bonanza with this upcoming sequel to everyone's favorite post-apocalyptic shooter that already had too many billions of possible weapons combinations. Nice new environments, new characters and as mentioned, way too many weapons to count. Full press release below the jump and yes, you can now dual wield anything you like, which should make online play SUPREMELY cheap when everyone's packing twin sniper rifles or some sort of crazy homing weapons that means they can camp and prey on unsuspecting newbies. Good thing I'm only in for the single player campaign. Still, this one will be a major smash for 2K and Gearbox (which is having a pretty darn good year so far)…Read more »

Gamescom 2011: Asura’s Wrath (A One-Two Trailer Punch)

Cyber Connect 2’s latest is still hilariously mind-blowing even after seeing it in action a few times. It’s got that God Hand meets Dragon Ball Z vibe going on big time, yet there’s a great cinematic thing going on that should make the game pretty fun to play. Capcom should have a fun time marketing this one, that’s for sure.

Gamescom 2011: Black Knight Sword (Yamaoka & Grasshopper Manufacture) Coming To PSN/XBLA In 2012

Yes, I’m swiping someone’s YouTube video, but here’s a case where I’m sure my living vicariously through their video eyeball is worth it as long as I share and give credit where credit is due. I absolutely love the art style and it looks as if the gameplay will be classic side-scrolling bliss. As usual, the NeoGAF crowd is all over this one (which is usually a good thing). While it would be nice to see this on a disc with a few other similarly themed PSN games, don’t hold your breath…