October Already, Huh? Well, I’m Prepared (Sort Of)…

Status

Heh. I was all snug in bed about to log a few Z’s and had to hop out to make sure I got in a quick Monday post as I spent a good chunk of Sunday afternoon updating a laptop and downloading a bunch of indie games to review, so I didn’t add any newer posts then. Anyway, it’s getting chilly outside, but there’s a wealth of hot games coming this month. Dishonored (that’s where the costumed ladies above are from), XCOM Enemy Unknown, Assassin’s Creed III, Resident Evil 6, Ragnarok Odyssey, Earth Defense Forces 3 Portable (well, it came out a few days ago in Japan, but my import copy will arrive in a few days), Medal of Honor Warfighter, Code of Princess, New Little King’s Story, Need for Speed Most Wanted and so forth and so on (as in too many games to list here). As usual, i won’t be getting to all those games on or before day one because I like to take my time and play stuff at my leisure. But I’ll be nice and do a few capsule reviews for folks who might be on a fence about some titles. You can sit up there all night if you like, but trust me it gets painful after about an hour or so.

On second thought… get off that damn fence or you’ll bust it again! Good Night…

Ahoy! Once Piece Pirate Warriors Ships Out Via PSN (Arrrrr!)

Posted on September 30, 2012 by geelw

Now, I could make a couple of REALLY corny piracy jokes about the US version of this hit game NOT being available on a disc, meaning the poor digital pirates can’t even play the game they don’t want to buy or something like that, but I won’t. Anyway, One Piece Pirate Warriors, the latest anime franchise to go the Dynasty Warriors route id out NOW and quite spectacular stuff. As for why it’s not a CD in a case, well… among other things, mega-success in Japan doesn’t always translate to that same number of sales here and yes, anime games like One Piece are indeed a niche inside of a niche (or much smaller than than even the most rabid fan would want to know), so here we are. Granted, it’s another sad case of some people being able to play this instant classic, and some that can’t even if they wanted to.

It’s the current economy more than it is Namco Bandai wanting to piss you off, folks. That said, the move to digital is becoming a bigger problem as more games head that way without letting fans in on why, so I hope the powers that be in the industry in general finally quit it with the smoke and mirrors and “everyone is downloading!” crap and get into letting people with money but crappy online connections have the means to BUY their games instead of complaining that they can’t do so.

Random Indie Game of the Week: Knights of the Chalice

Posted on September 30, 2012 by geelw

OK, another case of me being late to the party, but even so, here’s another RPG you’ll probably fall head over heels for. Knights of the Chalice comes highly recommended if you’re a fan of old-school top-down RPG bliss, anything Dungeons & Dragons related and well crafted, severely challenging games in general. While it’s not a free game, you can download the wickedly cool (and hard) demo and decide if it’s worth the £14.95 (approximately $24.15 US) – I’d say it is and then some, but I’m still playing the demo! Actually, I’ll probably pick this up once I whittle down the pile of games I have to review. I don’t want to buy it now and be tempted to start up another game that’s going to eat up what’s left of my free time…

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GRID 2 Pre-Alpha Footage: It’s A Gas (With Many Miles To Go)…

Posted on September 30, 2012 by geelw

Nice (and EARLY, as in pre-alpha gameplay) work in progress showing off Codemasters’ attention to detail and what looks like another great racer. There’s still a great deal of work to be done, but I’m one of those gamers that can look at an early build and see how things will fall into place. If this sequel builds on the ground laid by the first GRID and adds all the proper bells and whistles, it’s going to be one of the better racers in a too-crowded genre. Fingers crossed and foot on the pedal, I’ll be waiting for updates…

Resident Evil 6 TGS Trailer: The Final Fear Is Almost Here…

Posted on September 29, 2012 by geelw

Well, OK… it’s a great bet that Resident Evil 6 probably won’t be the LAST numbered game in Capcom’s ongoing undead saga, but it’s absolutely the most ambitious to date, packing in a huge globe-spanning campaign and the most interesting set of playable old and new characters right out of the gate. From what I’ve played at press events and through the recent demos, this kitchen sink approach to development is working on many fronts with a game that is at turns, action packed when it counts, scary and intentionally slow-paced where it needs to be (but not intensely so) and full of plot twists, new enemy types and some of the most satisfying gameplay in the franchise’s history. I have the feeling that good or bad, this will be the most discussed RE game for quite some time after its October 2, 2012 release.

Carmageddon Max Pack Skids onto GOG.com!

Posted on September 29, 2012 by geelw

Yeah, yeah, you COULD sit in L.A. traffic and face what they consider “Carmageddon” but that’s not the real deal, folks. Just avoid that vehicular nonsense, stay home and download Carmageddon Max Pack for a measly ten bucks HERE. Hell, it’s a weekend and you don’t really need to drive anywhere anyway, right? And if you’re not in L.A. and don’t get the reference, it’s not important and you should get the game anyway because I said so (nicely). Besides, it’s MUCH safer than getting in a weekend wreck with some fool who was texting while behind the wheel.

Soul Sacrifice TGS Trailer: More New IP Shows Sony’s Clear Vision For Vita

Posted on September 29, 2012 by geelw

I’ve been too busy working on some other projects to keep track of every game I liked from TGS, but Soul Sacrifice is one I’m adding to my long list of wants. It’s not only a great-looking game and a new IP (another one in a bunch coming exclusively to Sony platforms this year and next), it’s yet more proof to the naysayers that the Vita doesn’t get any worthy titles. Of course, it’s usually only those who don’t own a Vita or do, but skip over games for it because they’re unwilling to expand their horizons who are complaining. Me, I say keep it up, Sony!

Naughty Bear: Panic in Paradise Trailer (And A Release Date, Too!)

Posted on September 28, 2012 by geelw

Annnnd here you go: October 12 only via PSN and XBLA. As a bonus video surprise, here’s Victim #8, Bubbles. Poor Bubbles! While I’m still holding my breath (sort of) that we see an combo disc featuring both games (including all the Gold Edition content), I guess I’ll have to get this digitally after all (PSN, puh-leeze). Ah well – given that the game is going to be even better than the original, i don’t mind going out of my way to snag a copy. That said, it would also be cool to see this hit the Vita as well, especially with a wave of really super portable games on the way from other publishers.

Random New Additions, Random Edition (Some Games and Movies)…

Posted on September 28, 2012 by geelw

OK, I’m lousy at updating my library pics unlike some of my fellow collectors on WP, but here’s a random sampling of stuff I’ve picked up through budget buys or a few trades. I’ve played all of the PS3 games in the photo previously on the 360, but as I have the worst luck with that console in terms of keeping them working after a few months (shakes fist at non-working 360’s sitting nearby collecting dust), I’ve had to pick the games shown up again. All are great in their own ways with El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron and Shadows of the Damned near polar opposites in weirdness, tone and impact (bot are good, but supremely strange). Warhammer 40K: Space Marine is a big, beefy kill-fest extravaganza that’s quite well done but fairly linear. It’s one of the more visceral action games I’ve played in that you’re going to be wading into packs of Orks and chunking up enemies by assorted means, all of them satisfying. It’s too bad THQ has been having assorted financial issues, as this one NEEDS a sequel or new installment (perhaps on other platforms).

As for the DS stuff, I really liked Blue Dragon on the 360 (with the exception of searching, no, SCOURING maps for items found much easier in other RPGs), so getting Blue Dragon Plus was something I wanted to do for a while. Fortunately, Canada’s best kept secret, online entertainment retailer, iNetVideo.com had it dirt cheap new, albeit with a HUGE sticker on the outer cardboard slipcase (argh). THe DS game is actually a RTS with RPG elements and takes a bit of getting used to. While searching for this, I found out there’s a second DS Blue Dragon game (Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow) that got released in the US. It’s a bit more expensive from what I’ve seen so far, so on the wait/want list it goes. I think I ran a pic of Magical Starsign a while back, but in case i didn’t – here you go. Developer Brownie Brown also worked on Blue Dragon Plus, but the games are so different that you can’t tell at all.

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EVENT! EA’s Soccer & Speed Tour Rolls Into New York City Sept. 28-30

Posted on September 27, 2012 by geelw

Soooo, what are you doing this weekend? If you’re around NYC or are popping in for a bit, you can play two of EA’s upcoming titles and maybe WIN some cool prizes with your gaming prowess. Out of nowhere, a truck rolls up (through a mysterious cloud of smoke optional), opens up and *BOOM!* the gaming gets underway. Playable versions of Need For Speed: Most Wanted (Criterion’s spectacular return to form with a crazy amount of cars and seriously fun multiplayer content that should make any Burnout fan keel over with joy) and FIFA Soccer 13 (depending on who you ask, arguably the best footie game on the market), are headed around the town for three days:

WHEN & WHERE:

Sept. 28, 3 PM – 8 PM: Upper 90 (697 Amsterdam Avenue New York, New York)
Sept. 28, 9 PM – Midnight: Genesis Bar (1708 2nd Ave #1, New York, New York)
Sept. 29, 10 AM – 1 PM: Legends (6 W 33rd St. New York, New York)
Sept. 29, 2 PM – 6 PM: GameStop (2322 Broadway and 85th St. #1, New York, New York)
Sept. 30, 9 AM – 9 PM: Upper 90 (359 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY)
Will I show up to beat some of you into submission or lose terribly to the better man or woman? I’m not quite sure just yet, as I still have a pile of work to get to here. But who knows? Oh, I’d probably lose to anyone at FIFA, as I like watching more than playing. But as for NFS: MW? I did win one journalist’s tourney at an EA press event a while back, so I can at least hold my own at that game.