E3 2012: Microsoft Press Conference. Something Old, Some Things New – It’s All Good (Mostly)…

Posted on June 5, 2012 by geelw

As far as exclusives go: Halo 4 looks like a Halo game (a great thing if you’re a fan), The new Forza is a bit more Burnout and Need For Speed, there’s a another Gears of War coming next year (no number this time) and among other things, Microsoft is bringing Internet Explorer (hopefully virus-free or else) as well as device support to the Xbox 360 very soon. This is of course, great news for those who want all that stuff, but me, I just want to play GAMES on my consoles. I don’t need ESPN, more movies and music channels, an automatic pizza delivery button or whatever else they’re offering, but I won’t stop YOU from getting all that coolness.

Speaking of games, Splinter Cell: Blacklist was nice (albeit with a not so subtle political message) that new Tomb Raider demo looked amazing and fluid, I’m never going to use that Nike Kinect functionality ever and that Call of Duty Black Ops 2 demo is showing that Treyarch knows how to get that old engine running what they want to flawlessly while shutting up the haters in the process. There’s also a God fo War-inspired XBLA game coming (that didn’t look as insane as Sony’s God of War Ascension) plus some other stuff I’ll get to writing about at some point. Overall, an OK press conference with less exclusives than Sony’s (I’ll post that shortly), but we’ll see what Nintendo has up later today and perhaps think about picking a “winner” afterward…

E3 2012: Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power Of Two Trailer: A Pair Of Aces.

Posted on June 5, 2012 by geelw

It’s too bad the first game isn’t coming to the PS3 and 360, as I can see it doing well (with the same new game camera system the sequel has), but even without it, there will be an instant appeal to Disney fans looking for something they can hop into with the kids or a friend who wants a cool co-op experience and a non-violent one at that. Granted, the musical numbers will probably have too many people having to listen to their kids singing songs from the game on long car trips, but hey – it’s less annoying than having the kid keep quoting lines from a Gears of War or God of War game, right?

E3 2012: DmC Trailer: Ninja Theory Nails It, Capcom Knows It.

Posted on June 5, 2012 by geelw

It’s great to see that Capcom has kept this game going despite the ongoing (and always lame) bile-fest from so-called fans that didn’t see how hard the law of diminishing returns hit the franchise back when the fourth installment was released. It was time for a new look and a new take on the character and fortunately, developer Ninja Theory has stepped up to the plate to deliver the goods. Now, it’s all about getting the game done and shipped and perhaps some sort of demo that assures those who need it that this one’s going to be not only FUN, but fresh and funny where needed. Keep it going, guys, keep it going!

E3 2012: BEYOND: Two Souls. Quantic Dream’s PS3 Exclusive Surprise of the Show.

Posted on June 5, 2012 by geelw

Take one of the most innovative console developers and their award winning tech, add in a great actress with huge fan appeal and mix well under cover for a while, let bake and pop off the lid unexpectedly at a huge press event. BEYOND: Two Souls is going to be fantastic for a few reasons, the least of which being it takes place over a period of fifteen years in the main character’s life. The game is also something a lot more action driven than Heavy Rain, but Page’s character is clearly a “normal” human who happens to have some sort of powerful spirit that enables her to do some superhuman things (and attract the notice of a well-armed SWAT team). Other than a probable 2013 release date, nothing else is know about the game, but this first look at the game and amazing trailer should be more than enough to make you want to buy a PS3 just to play what’s bound to be an instant classic.

E3 2012: No New Consoles From Microsoft or Sony? No Problem At All.

Posted on June 5, 2012 by geelw

Between Ubisoft’s mind-blowing Watch_Dogs, Naughty Dog’s brutally beautiful The Last of US and Quantic Dream’s stunning surprise Beyond: Two Souls., it’s CLEAR that the current console cycle has at least one great year left in it. Granted, Rayman Legends had me tearing up from laughing so much and YES, Ubisoft showed off how well the Wii U Gamepad and new Pro Controller will work for multiplayer action there, but it’s going to be another might spectacular 2012 and 2013 for gamers who happen to just own a PS3 or 360. More in a bit. I’m still processing a ton of notes…

E3 2012: Nintendo Direct Pre-E3 Video: Wii U Gamepad Revealed

Posted on June 4, 2012 by geelw

Nintendo is rolling out a redesigned (well, final design, actually) and renamed controller for its upcoming console (which is still called Wii U, by the way), the Wii U Gamepad.The video also reveals a new social network service, Miiverse, which seems to be set up as a cross between a social site, chat service and help center. It should be interesting to see how this operates for those potential Wii U buyers who have no need for the service or don’t want their kids using a network at all. That said, I’m certain Nintendo has security measures in place to keep things as safe as can be.

As their official press conference isn’t until Tuesday, a price point for the console and controller have yet to be announced. No doubt this will be leaked before the event but the gremlins, but expect the internet to collapse upon itself like a dying star system once the new games are rolled out one by one. Oh, this is going to be quite an interesting week, that’s for sure…

E3 2012: Two From Atlus: Zeno Clash II & The Testament of Sherlock Holmes

Posted on June 4, 2012 by geelw

Like plenty of publishers these days, Atlus has been diversifying its games lineup for a while now with unique games in assorted genres outside the ones they’re know for in the US. Here are trailers to two titles from their lineup, one a sequel to a PC, PSN and Xbox Live Arcade fighter/action/shooter hybrid (that i REALLY wish would be put on a disc with the first part so MORE can play it) and the latest in the Sherlock Holmes game series ported from PC (which has ZERO to do with that bizarre BBC show everyone seems to like save for Holmes purists). Oh yeah, my Game of Thrones review will be up once all the E3 madness subsides, it’s not as bad as some sites are saying… you just need a great deal of patience and not mind at all that the game takes itself REALLY seriously (for the most part)…

Update: Dragon’s Dogma: The Game That Just Keeps On Giving!

Posted on June 4, 2012 by geelw

OK, how many times did YOU defeat that Ur-Dragon? Did you find all those hidden in plain sight storerooms and dungeon entrances? Did you get the Salvation Key the first time through and explore those areas you thought you couldn’t access? I’m stopping my second playthrough about 12 hours or so in to do some E3 stuff, but, as noted in my review, this game is MASSIVE. Capcom has a definite keeper here and I sort of wish I hadn’t truncated my review so much (I didn’t want to spoil so much of the wild second chunk of the game that opens up when you get into a certain location). Anyway, if you’re looking for a game that’s going to surprise you as much a hundred hours in as it does the first hour, DD is worth that $60. I’d buy a sequel in a heartbeat, provided a few tweaks are made. Change #1: the button for giving someone a gift should NOT be the same one for a basic attack. The only times my character went to jail were due to accidentally hitting someone I wanted to give a present after closing the dialog too quickly. Yeah, it my fault, but I’ve heard of others doing it, so I’m not the only klutz with a controller out there….

The Last of Us: Naughty Dog Breaks New Ground (Again). Deal With It.

Posted on June 3, 2012 by geelw

Every time I see bits of this upcoming PS3 exclusive, I have to shake my head in disbelief. But, hmmmm… some fans still want these guys and gals to crank out a new Jak & Daxter game instead of going all out and making another new IP that might be a better move for the developer at the end of the day. I think they’re entitled to that opinion of course, but I also think they’re slightly bonkers with nostalgia. That and perhaps Naughty Dog has simply grown out of and away from making this sort of CG cartoon experience (no doubt thanks to the success of the Uncharted series). For me, outside of Ubisoft’s fun as hell Rayman franchise, some excellent 2D and 3D indie games and a bunch of cool handheld titles, mascot games and particularly, mascot based platformers are a dying breed. OK, save for the new Sly Cooper game coming, plus Mario and a newly revived Sonic doing their stuff on different systems.

Personally, I’d rather see a developer show what an “old” console like the PS3 can do by stretching the hardware as far as possible while doing something innovative and “adult” in the process. Look, I liked the Jak games on the PS2 and while Naughty Dog didn’t program the game, Daxter on the PSP is a classic for that platform. That said, I wouldn’t mind seeing a Vita J & D collection at some point. As it stands, unless there’s a supreme reason for bringing both characters back in an all-new game (for a new console), just beating a dead horse harder won’t make money come out of its ass…

Metal Gear 25th Anniversary: Meet Hideo Kojima & Yoji Shinkawa In NYC!

Posted on June 3, 2012 by geelw

Do you LOVE the Metal Gear series? Are you going to be in New York City next week? Do you need some new (and really cool) T-shirts and don’t mind spending a little money? Well, here’s something awesome you can be a part of.

Er, cue the press release, as I’m buried under pre-E3 stuff:

©Konami Digital Entertainment

METAL GEAR 25th ANNIVERSARY UT T-SHIRTS GO ON SALE

HIDEO KOJIMA / YOJI SHINKAWA AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS (JUN 8 & 9)

WHAT:

UNIQLO Celebrates the Metal Gear 25th Anniversary and UT (UNIQLO T-Shirts) Collection by hosting Autograph Sessions with game designer Hideo Kojima and artist Yoji Shinkawa

WHO:

UNIQLO

Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd., Metal Gear game designer – Hideo Kojima

Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd., Metal Gear Solid artist – Yoji Shinkawa

WHERE:

UNIQLO New York 5th Avenue Global Flagship: 666 Fifth Avenue at 53rd Street

UNIQLO 34th Street Flagship Store: 31 West 34th Street, bet. 5th and 6th Avenues

WHEN:

Friday, June 8th at UNIQLO 5th Avenue 6:00PM – 8:00PM

Saturday, June 9th at UNIQLO 34th Street 4:00PM – 6:00PM

DETAILS:

The Metal Gear series is taking over two UNIQLO stores on June 8th and June 9th to welcome the arrival of a special UT and UNIQLO T-Shirt collection in honor of the series’ 25th Anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, UNIQLO will be hosting autograph sessions at their 5th Ave and 34th street locations featuring the game’s designer Hideo Kojima and artist Yoji Shinkawa. For the first time in New York City, fans will be able to get autographs from both of the game’s key influencers at the same time! In order to get these coveted VIP autographs, both events require a minimum $30 UNIQLO purchase.

The limited edition Metal Gear UT merchandise will go on sale at UNIQLO 5th Avenue the morning of June 8th and then at 34th Street the morning of June 9th. All 10 exclusive designs retail for only $19.90 each!