Wrath of The Titans TV Spots 13 & 14 (!): OK, We Get It, You’re NOT John Carter…

 

Have there ever been THIS many different commercials for a fantasy film pre-release? Add in all the DVD-style featurettes about the different creatures and you’re looking at a pretty packed DVD/Blu-Ray edition in what, eight months or so? Talk about overkill, WB!. Anyway, no, I haven’t yet seen John Carter, but in talking to a few folks who have, it’s a divided nation indeed. Most actually liked what they paid to see and some have even read the original stories, so at LEAST they have context and can respect the film for what it is (unlike some bash-friendly folk that have been going after the film since it was announced).

As for Wrath? I’m not planning to pay to see it, but if I get a screening invite, I will write a fair review. I thought the first one was kind of OK (a bit heavy on the CG, but what can you do) and even though I respect Ray Harryhausen a HUGE amount, his best work on the original was the still scary Medusa sequence. Yes, as noted, this one is darker and grimmer, but these days, that’s nearly every sequel going for the throat with as many effects shots as they can get in while still having actual actors yell out a few lines in close up. The more interesting thing here is there’s no video game tie-in, which is only mildly shocking… unless you played Clash of the Titans, which was a great guilty pleasure more than a spectacular game experience…

 

Another Day, Another GOG.com Commercial (And Now I Want Cake)…

Tomorrow is the big day for the even more revamped GOG.com to launch and someone’s been busy pumping out some amusing ads that seem to be poking fun at other game download services. Nothing like a little friendly competition, but I’m betting the DRM-free aspect of GOG is guaranteed to win over certain folks who aren’t fans of it on other sites…

LittleBigPlanet Karting? Shark Tank Sinker Or Key Speed Demon Deluxe?

 

Commence the unstoppable automotive puns: It’s a running joke around here that when a franchise does a kart racer, it’s either doomed, running out of steam or jumping the shark somewhat hard creatively. However, given that it’s a LittleBigPlanet spin-off (or spin-out if things go badly for the game), this one might be worth taking for a ride. Of course, Sony already has an excellent kart racer in the ModNation Racers series, but let’s see how LBP turns out before passing any judgement. If what’s under the hood is fast and fun, this one will be firing on all cylinders in play stacks for quite some time. Of course, some creative wags will no doubt create a bunch of Mario Kart clone tracks, which should be really funny because you KNOW someone at Nintendo will be playing them once they’re posted on PSN…

Malevolence: The Sword of Ahkranox Update: The Great Outdoors And A New Funding Pitch…

 

In case you’re not following this fantastic-looking “old-school” RPG here, the dev team is hard at work whipping up some gorgeous outdoor environments:

 

 

 

and has done a second IndieGoGo pitch video geared toward potential donors who haven’t yet heard of the project (you SHOULD go donate to the cause, I say):

 

 

Finally, below the jump, some borrowed video from one of the alpha testers just so you have an idea of what to come (but much more improved, obviously)…

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GOG.com Wants YOU To Get “Steamed” About DRM And Regional Game Prices…

 

If you still don’t have a GOG.com account… GET ONE. This DRM-free game download service has been around for a few years offering up some of the best classic PC games along with modern content (CD Projekt Red Studios’ The Witcher II: Assassins of Kings being) and now it looks as if the company will be taking on Valve’s Steam service (as well as other popular download services) shortly.  That is, if I’m reading the not so hidden messages in these amusing advertisements correctly. Tuesday is the big announcement, so check back here for an update or simply boogie on over to the GOG.com page and see what’s what…

 

As Kid Icarus Flies Into (And Out Of) Retailers, Nintendo Has Its Fingers And Toes Crossed…

 
 

While continuing to drop gameplay videos left and right, of course. The reviews are pretty decent to really good so far, but I’m not too sure I want to be playing a handheld using a special stand. That’s my sole worry about this one, as I knew from the first trailer that it was going to be special. Nintendo is no doubt keeping a good eyeball on this weekend’s sales figures, but hopefully, they’ll also have an “evergreen” strategy for the Kid that keeps this one at the top of the charts for a while…

 
 

Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland – NISA’s Nicely Necessary New Niche

 

While the Atelier series isn’t for everyone, it’s great to see the series still going after all these years Atelier Meruru, the latest PS3 installment features characters from Atelier Rorona and Atelier Totori plus some all new or tweaked gameplay. If you’ve never played one of these cute simulation/alchemy/RPGs previously, it’s all a bit thick to the skull for a bit until you get a few hours in. Still, the mostly light tone, charming visuals and nicely done soundtracks the series is known for amongst its fan base are always good for losing oneself for a few too many hours before you know what hit you…

Disney Epic Mickey 2 Is Multiplatform. Now Everyone With A Console Can See How Much Fun They Missed…


 

Yes, the original Wii game had it’s quirks, but it was also a breath of fresh air for the “mascot” platformer thanks to Warren Spector’s guidance and Junction Point’s solid programming. Of course, Peter David’s wonderfully dark script and James Dooley’s stellar music score helped as well. Anyway, I’m happy that PS3 and Xbox 360 owners will get to see the sequel (my own Move and Navigation Controller are shaking the dust off of each other and smiling crazily), but I wonder how those HD versions will address the first game/ Hopefully, we’ll see some sort of special prologue or perhaps a brief playable segment that highlights what went before. Below is a super-short Spike TV segment with Spector kicking his new baby off. I can’t wait to see this sequel in HD…

 

 

Kid Icarus: Uprising How To Play (Part 2): Multiplayer Massiveness

Hmmm…. I’m not a huge multiplayer fan, especially in a game such as KI: U where the story should be the big focal point (after all this time away from the gaming scene, it should be grand and thrilling, right?). However, the temptation of hundreds of weapons (loot!) is something that may have some solo players out there handing out Friend Codes like water in the desert. Or buying a 3DS at some point if they don’t own one yet so they can play this game. I’d also imagine those who fall into the latter category will also want to check out a few other games, as buying a system just for ONE title is a bit goofy (especially as the 3DS library has a number of fine games for nearly any type of gamer)…

The Walking Dead Debut Trailer: Proof That Good Zombie Games Aren’t Dead (Yet)…

The whole “add zombies to anything” style of game making is finally playing itself shuffle by shuffle after much success, but Telltale Games is definitely doing it up right in their upcoming episodic series based on the award winning comic. Actually, Based AROUND that award-winning comic would be a better description, as the game looks to introduce a whole new set of characters and situations rather than do the “expected” thing and let players dink around with what’s already in the comic (and on the TV show). Of course, some internet ranters aren’t hip to this and are giving the company both barrels on Facebook, Twitter and anywhere else they can set up a soapbox and bleat away mindlessly.  Obviously, “Braaaaaaaaiiinnnns!” aren’t doing too well working, so even if Telltale and Kirkman sent a barn full of walkers out to get the haters, they’d all come back more pissed off because half those heads they chewed on were empty already (or filled to the brim with bile, yuk).

Personally, I rather like that the game isn’t trying to expand the older stories because there are absolutely a ton of other tales that can be told about other survivors, so you won’t be hearing any complaints from this direction. As for those excellent “making of” videos that have also been posted by Telltale, I’ll be dropping those into the other blog later this afternoon or so, as I’m about to go to bed. I’ve a long day later on – got a 7am wake-up call inbound, so I’ll be the one at the train station looking like a zombie, eek!