The Darkness II Demo: Not For The Squeamish, Kids Or Anyone Not Expecting A Load Of Not-So-Nice Stuff

If ever a game earned its Mature rating, it has to be this one. Let’s just say that Digital Extremes has done a mighty fine job taking the reins from Starbreeze Studios for this upcoming sequel and they pull no punches when it comes to the game’s content. What works is the overall dark tone of the demo, the beautiful color palette (gory bits and swearing set on staccato aside, the game is quite striking to look at) and the bits of humor in the midst of all the violence. While the sequel will ship with a 4-player co-op mode, I’m all about the single player campaign and getting into the story. The demo has been out for a few days now and it comes highly recommended for those of you out there interested in the game, but on whatever fence folks who don’t run out and snap up quality games hang out on.

February 7, 2012 is the launch date and although I don’t expect any midnight launch parties or massive roll-outs for this shooter, it absolutely deserves a wiser audience than the first game got. Of course, between this game, BioShock Infinite and Borderlands 2, 2K Games has a great chunk of the FPS market sewn up very tightly, I’d say.

SoulCalibur V Story Trailer

Namco Bandai’s newest installment in the long-running fighting game series finally lands in stores at the end of the month (January 31, to be exact). Here’s a look at the game’s story trailer, which as usual, is that high quality Namco CG awesomeness they’re well known for. Project Soul has injected a more action game dynamic to the fighting with faster (and more fluid) character animation for even the returning favorites which should shake things up considerably as slower fighters get a speed boost that some hardcore fans may not initially care for. Me, I’m easy as long as the game is good and is packed to the gills with content.

Gallery: Street Fighter X Tekken

Capcom’s upcoming crazy mash-up fighting game extravaganza (coming to the PS3, PS Vita, Xbox 360 and PC sometime this year) and  has my interest piqued for a few reasons such as the mixture of completely different fighting styles and the amazing visuals that blend outrageous stylization with fantastic animation both franchises are known for. The game also makes me think back to when I saw each series for the first time and how both Street Fighter and Tekken changed the fighting game landscape when they were introduced to the public. OK, OK, I actually played the original Street Fighter first, but we won’t talk about that here, right Capcom?

Anyway, a baker’s dozen screens below the jump – more to come…

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NISA Online Store Reveals Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 Limited Edition

Or: Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 Limited Edition: Gamindustri Savior Set (say THAT three times fast!) if you want the full title to take up space above your head for a few minutes before it vanishes. Anyway, as usual, NISA is pulling out all the stops to give fans a ton of cool omake goodies at a really amazing price point ($64.99!). Go pre-order yours HERE and remember, those cards offered in the Limited Edition can’t be found anywhere else!

Mortal Kombat Vita Bound This Spring

“The NetherRealm team is committed to making sure that we follow up the success of 2011’s Mortal Kombat with an equally compelling experience on the PlayStation Vita,” said Ed Boon, Creative Director, NetherRealm Studios. “The original game content and new features we developed for the PlayStation Vita will provide gamers with the best fighting game experience available on the new mobile platform.”

NetherRealm’s brutal battle ballet is back, this time arriving on the Vita sometime this spring. As with the PlayStation 3 version, the game will feature fan favorite Kratos as a playable fighter plus a number of new yet to be announced enhancements and features that should help it rocket to some pretty impressive sales. While I wait for more news and some screenshots from the upcoming game, it looks as if this version will start making appearances at a Vita Hill Social Club event near you at some point in the near future. Stay tuned for updates as we get them

Resident Evil Retribution Trailer: Product Placement Does Work, After All…

I meant to post this one a few days back when it was initially released, but I got busy tackling the pile of old posts I still need to reformat. plus a few other things Anyway, I’m not a huge fan of the RE films, but the trailer for Retribution is clever enough to pique my interest somewhat. For starters, Sony getting a PlayStation Vita in the first few seconds of the trailer before the US launch is priceless (and makes me want one even more) and the excellent segue combining MORE shameless product advertising for other products then turning into Alice’s next adventure is excellently done. Granted, I’ll most likely NOT pay for a ticket and wait to catch this one on cable like I have with all the other RE films, but at least this trailer grabbed my interest enough to make me want to watch it multiple times.

WipEout 2048 Intro Cinematic Double Shot!

No, you’re not quite seeing double here (even though you are). It’s one video with commentary and one without (if you somehow haven’t managed to read the headers above the videos). Also, one of the Vita’s must-haves in my book just because I’m an old-school WipEout player from the original PlayStation days. I also had the PC version, but I found it tougher to control using a keyboard. Oh well. Anyway, what I love about the commentary from Game Director Graeme Ankers and Art Director Lee Carus is that it acknowledges those players who’ve been around since the first game while giving a bit of back-story to those coming into the game for the first time. WipEout 2048 zips onto the Playstation Vita on February 22, 2012.

Kid Icarus: Uprising Trailer Shows What The Fuss Is All About

Nintendo’s killer app (that would have made for a great launch title had the 3DS shipped in 2012) is finally soaring into retail in March, so here’s the latest peek at some gameplay. I still feel bad for Wii owners that they’re not getting this one, but it really would be nice to see the Wii U do something with the character now that he’s officially back on the gaming radar worldwide. Let’s hope we see more new games and not poor Pit relegated to another Smash Bros. sub-character no one under a certain age even knows about (like poor Ness from the Earthbound/Mother series)…

Max Payne 3 Gets Release Dates, Extended Pre-Order (Bullet) Time

I’d have posted this news when it arrived yesterday, but I had a little incident that kept me away from posting for a bit. Thanks, Max. Look, I know you’re terribly excited about your new game, but please keep the house calls to a minimum. I can use less lumps upside the head, too. Ouch. Anyway, May 15, 2012 for North America and May 18, 2012 in Europe for PS3 and Xbox 360. PC gamers get theirs in North America on May 29, while Europe gets theirs on June 1. You can also (and wisely) pre-order the game from a few places online or off, if there’s a game shop near you. Rockstar as extended the time to pre-order the game until April 2, 2012, which means you should probably snag that Special Edition if you like what you see on the pre-order page, correct?

Hmmm… that US release IS a week after my birthday, so perhaps Max will be a tiny bit nicer and drop off a little gift as an apology of sorts. Of course, I could just wake up again with my other foot in the toilet and another lump on the head, so I won’t push my luck…

EVENT: Babycastles Brings Indie Games To The Hayden Planetarium

Babycastles is doing it AGAIN, bringing indie gaming to the masses in a unique public setting with food and drink – check the invite below for details:

THURSDAY JANUARY 26 2012

RSVP

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