The Lone Ranger Trailer: Hi Yo, Silver! Let’s Go Rake In Some Gold!

Posted on October 3, 2012 by geelw

OK, nice trailer and all, but I probably won’t catch this in theaters because I’m old and remember the reruns of the TV western too much to muss up my nostalgia with big explosions and sweeping CG vistas galore. But hey, if this is your thing, go on ahead. Still, Johnny Depp in anything is worth viewing because he’s guaranteed NOT to be dull and definitely has the chops to make whomever he’s playing the most interesting thing about a movie. Oh, by the way, who the hell is that guy wearing the Lone Ranger mask? I saw that name I didn’t recognize at all and IMMEDIATELY thought of Klinton Spilsbury reincarnated. Yeah, I’m that old. Back in 1981, I paid to see that klunker and yeesh, was that a waste of time. This new guy better knock it out of the park (or whatever it is you can do up against Depp’s performance and a ton of special effects)…

Hmmm… maybe being the Lone Ranger is the Madden Curse of movie roles or something? Let’s hope not for Bruckheimer’s sake…

Tomb Raider: The Final Hours #2: Crystal Dynamics Gives Lara More Lift…

Posted on October 3, 2012 by geelw

Second part in the “making of” series collaboration between Crystal Dynamics games journalist Geoff Keighley and hosted Zachary Levi (one of those actor/gamer types you probably know from some TV show or movie. I don’t know him, as I’m too busy playing too many games to pay attention to Hollywood types). This time out, it’s a look at the game’s story and what went into creating it. The “survival adventure” element and new take on the character will be the draw for me (OK, the amazing visuals are nothing to sneeze at) and I hope that this “reboot” gets the appropriate praise for what it does right and the proper amount of criticism for anything it misses. Of course, if poor Lara misses those jumps too many times, it’s back down to the depths of the bargain bin, right? Then again, I’m betting this will be light years better than some of the lesser games in the series older days. Angel of Darkness, anyone?

Gallery: Brothers – A Tale of Two Sons

Posted on October 2, 2012 by geelw

OK, a mere six early screenshots isn’t much, but the gorgeous teaser video above for Brothers – A Tale of Two Sons makes up for that, I’d say. After a long time away doing quality shooters set in gritty modern and futuristic locations, Uppsala, Sweden-based developer Starbreeze Studios is headed back into the more fantasy-themed worlds they started out making. Granted, their very first game, Knights of the Temple: Infernal Crusade (PC, Xbox, PS2 and Game Cube) took place in a gritty medieval setting, but their second game, Enclave (Xbox) was set in some a pretty interesting (and yes, gritty) locations. This new game, set to hit PSN, Xbox Live Arcade and Steam in 2013 has a richer, more stylized look to it that recalls a tiny bit of the Fable series but with more of Starbreeze’s technical polish. Unreal-powered loveliness aside, I’ll need to get my grubby (or is that gritty?) paws on a build for some hands-on time. 505 Games has been good about letting me know when they’re in the city (playing a demo of Naughty Bear: Panic in Paradise was a highlight of last month for me), so I’m expecting a little bird at my window when they’re ready to show off their new baby. I can’t wait…

Edit: I had a R.J. McReady monent there, heh (+5 points if you get that joke)- Starbreeze isn’t Finnish, but they’re based out of Sweden. Oops!

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…

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!

INCOMING! EDF 3 Portable Headed to North America In 2013

Posted on September 27, 2012 by geelw

Well, that’s what I call day-making news (at least in my world). D3Publisher of America has announced via Twitter (and to us press folk here) that Earth Defence Force 3 Portable will be headed stateside in Winter 2013. I’m gathering that that vague launch window means sometime between January and March, not November/December of next year. I’d heard rumblings about an English script a few months back from somewhere I can’t say, but I’ve been keeping that info secret because I absolutely despise rumors and getting people’s hopes up about something so cool. Anyway, even though I’ve imported the Japanese version, I’ll absolutely be diving back into the game again when it lands in stores sometime next year. EDF! EDF! EDF!

EDF 4 Promo Trailer (Ver. 1.5): Sandlot Builds A Bigger And Better Sequel

Posted on September 27, 2012 by geelw

With EDF 3 Portable landing in Japanese and Asian territories (retail and PSN) this week for the Vita, I’m hoping that D3Publisher of America is paying attention to the awesome promo videos being produced for that game and the currently in development EDF 4, set for a 2013 release. This is exactly the time to get in early on getting Sandlot’s name into gamer ears as a team that can bring it when it comes to over the top run & gun action and much more tremendous replay value than found in other titles. Keep up the great work, Sandlot – as for D3’s US arm, I have just one thing to say (three times): EDF! EDF! EDF!

Naurto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 TGS Trailer: Closer and Closer to Playing an Anime….

Posted on September 25, 2012 by geelw

Oof… yesterday was a loooooooong one and I didn’t get much done in the way of writing up a few things I wanted to. So, I’ll distract you all with this insane trailer from the upcoming Naruto game, which is coming along quite nicely. I played the demo a few weeks back at the Namco Bandai event here in NYC and was surprised at how chaotic and cinematic the opening sequence was. It’s definitely the most ambitious Naruto title in terms of attempting to bridge the gap between anime and gameplay, and if the dev team can pull off everything they’re going for, this could be one of the best games in the franchise to date. Another fine 2013 release from Namco Bandai? Sure, why not?

Lost Planet 3 TGS Gameplay: Spark Versus Snark (And Spark Needs To Win Big)

Posted on September 24, 2012 by geelw

I’m one of those few waving the flag about how damn good Lost Planet 3 is turning out to be, but par for the course on the internet, there are too many whiners living in the past griping about how the game isn’t EXACTLY point for point like the first two installments. Reading is fundamental, but let me break it down a bit for those who aren’t up to speed. Given that it’s a PREQUEL that will most likely set up some of the events of the other two games, once you get some hands-on time, it’s easy to appreciate the effort developer Spark Unlimited has been putting into the project for a few years now. I liked what I saw in terms of the single player story, the gameplay is pretty tight and the use of Unreal tech is very solid, particularly in the well done cinemas that draw you into the frozen world and the miners who work there. I say a bit more appreciation and a lot less being jaded just to be jaded would help here, but you can’t control others’ intent to somehow NOT enjoy what’s being done to expand their horizons (as well as the potential for future installments in the series). In any event, I’m holding out hope that this dev team and Capcom get some actual credit for what’s going to be a pretty cool experience (at least for me) when the game is released in 2013.

Dragon’s Dogma Gets New Content in 2012, Dark Arisen Coming in 2013

Posted on September 21, 2012 by geelw

Excellent. Not only does one of my my favorite action/RPGs of 2012 get new content this year that includes Speedrun and Hard difficulty modes, we’re all getting a new installment in the franchise in 2013 called Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen. Now, THAT deserves an exclamation point! Lovely. Three measly screens, though… C’mon Capcom! Tease! Anyway, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen looks like it’s going to keep me even busier. and YOU, too if you were a fan of the first game. More details to follow shortly… or when Capcom drops them in my inbox.