Turbo Super Stunt Squad Hands-On: Zippy Trick Snails Remind Me A Bit Of The Old Days…

Posted on April 30, 2013 by geelw

Image converted using ifftoany

Dreamworks Animation is having quite a busy year with a few big releases zipping into theaters this year, and D3Publisher is right in the same zone, getting out a few cool family-friendly titles tying into these assorted properties. Turbo (set for a July 19 release) is the next film zooming your way and D3P’s Turbo: Super Stunt Squad will also pop up as a multiplatform release (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii/Wii U, Nintendo DS/3DS) a few days before on July 16, 2013 (what, no Vita version?). I had the chance to take the Xbox 360 and 3DS versions for a spin earlier this month and came away with a smile, as the games are coming along as fine and well-made tie-ins to the upcoming film.

While you’re not going to be getting any hyperbole-packed “Game of the Year!” reviews from a licensed game like this (and you shouldn’t expect any, mind you), developer Monkey Bar Games is whipping up a fun, cool homage of sorts to the classic Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater with this stunt-filled racer/exploration game that’s sure to put smiles on a few faces…

Continue reading →

KILLER IS DEAD 3rd Trailer: Suda’s Mondo Girls, The Moon, And All That Jazz…

Posted on April 30, 2013 by geelw

KID_black Oh, yes indeed, Suda 51’s upcoming game, KILLER IS DEAD is sure to be one of those great sleepers that makes his longtime fans happy campers as it baffles those new to his work and riles up others who throw arbitrary rules of “reality” around in dopey ways when going after what’s clearly a fantasy-themed game. Gigiolo Glasses, a gorgeous gal riding a hypodermic needle and main character Mondo Zappa out for a stroll on the freaking MOON should clue you in that this one’s going to be bizarre even by grasshopper manufacture standards. That said, it’s also going to be another “Don’t you miss it at all!” game experience that’s sure to be remembered as a modern classic.

Of course, I say that about all of Suda’s work, as I’ve been into it for quite some time, so yeah – I’m a bit biased. Still, the man does come up with some of the most memorable characters male and female (and other, if you toss in some of those strange bosses in his games)…

Random Indie Game of the Week Review: Lumber Island

Posted on April 30, 2013 by geelw

Dean Forge Studios’ methodically-paced, unsettling horror game Lumber Island is one of those well made indie games that’s great and effectively creepy as it puts you through its paces, but it’s hard to see it not being so as soon as you fire it up.

The first moments where the game credits play out (as if you’re watching a film) as your character makes his way slooowly up a dark pathway on the island he drifts to in that small boat set an appropriately chilling mood, so play this at night for best results. As you cautiously make your way around with that flashlight you’re fortunately equipped with, the beautiful Unity engine visuals pull you in even further to the madness about to ensue…
Continue reading →

Grand Theft Auto V: Meet The Boys of Late Summer (You’ll Be With Them For A While)…

Posted on April 30, 2013 by geelw

MFT-

Say “Hi!” to Franklin, Michael and Trevor, the three playable leads in Rockstar Games’ upcoming soon to be blockbuster, Grand Theft Auto V. Some of us GTA fans play these for the stories and wild characters and I can very safely say that this wild bunch will be the best trio of anti-heroes to date. For me, a new Rockstar game isn’t about violence or raising all types of hell, but sinking into the world and characters the team has created and getting a big smile going when everything clicks into place as each new chapter plays out.

As i haven’t played this yet, I’m not about to dissect these videos at all save to say that amazing engine being used makes the game look incredibly realistic and hopefully we’ll see some of these cinematic sequences flow into gameplay that’s just as thrilling. As for “favorite” character of these three miscreants, again, it’s hard to say without touching a controller, but I’d have to say Trevor’s arc might be the most “fun” to play given his intro video and personality:

That said, I don’t need to go into all sorts of analysis about the GTA series, as since the third game that pulled in millions of new players and all sorts of awards, Rockstar has been consistently upping the quality of the writing and visuals. All I know is these games are instant classics for solo players like me, as each game is best when you’re getting those bits of well-scripted exposition before setting out on missions to advance the story for a while before just taking off to wander around and find a nice spot to check out some stunning vista before hopping back into the mayhem.

Mark your calendars for September 17, 2013 and even if you’re not planning to buy or play this one, I can bet that you’ll notice a LOT of people not showing up at work that day (or rest of the week) in some places. They’ll be on a little vacation in the same busy, crazy world being whipped up for them by a team that’s the best at what they do…

Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon Launch Trailer: A Bang And A Boom Time For 80’s Action Fans…

Posted on April 30, 2013 by geelw

You have to admire Crytek’s chutzpah here, as Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon isn’t even pretending to be original or in fact a “great” game. Of course, you absolutely need to be well-versed in the 80’s action flick cheese it makes fun of (but with super-colorful visuals that won’t run on a low-end gaming PC, of course – this IS a Crytek game after all). The good thing is this one flies into digital release at a cheap-ass price point and those who get what’s here will be chuckling along merrily. Those who don’t will wonder what the hell the fuss is about, but I say just go watch a few awful to decent macho action stuff from that era and you’ll get the point of this gem. Duke Nukem is probably very pissed of right about now…

Soul Sacrifice Launch Trailer: (Some) Commitments Aren’t A Bad Thing After All…

Posted on April 30, 2013 by geelw

With today’s launch of Soul Sacrifice, Sony’s got a real winner here as well as yet another Vita exclusive the handheld absolutely needs in a pretty crazy year for the system. The library is growing steadily (especially if you’re looking at the amount of older available PSN One titles and PSP games that can be played on the system) and while a price drop is definitely going to be necessary for some potential buyers to make a commitment, games such as this one should be tempting enough to make them want to take the plunge.

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut Random Screenshot of the Day: Not A Clue…

Posted on April 29, 2013 by geelw

I actually had to get out of Greenvale after over a month there doing daily posts about FBI Special Agent Francis York Morgan (just call him York!) and the big case he was handling out that way. I would have stayed a day or two longer, but I got an urgent message that some important package I was expecting had finally arrived. I left a note for York and another for Emily just in case she turns up at some point. Thankfully, I didn’t have to deal with George’s cranky nonsense on the way out of town, as he turned out to be quite a jerk when all is said and done. I actually have NO clue how far York has gotten into solving his case, but he seems too be a really thorough investigator who seems to have two brains at times (well, that’s what I kept hearing around the A&G Diner and Swery 65 Bar when I asked around about him) and he’s also got a pretty decent amount of knowledge about some good and not so good movies (most of which I’ve seen)… Well, hopefully York will drop me a note when he’s got the time. It would be cool to have an FBI agent as a friend for a few reasons (but you probably don’t need to know why, correct?)…

I’d say that based on that screenshot above, in a few seconds York will see that Emily is not that shadow that’s going to turn around and attack him. Of course, if your were playing Rising Star Games’ PS3 exclusive Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut, which should be in stores as you’re reading this. Well, the “official” release date is April 30th, but I’ve heard a few people talking about playing the game already thanks to getting their hands on the game thanks to a favorite game store selling them a copy a day or so early. Hopefully, the reworked HD visuals, PlayStation Move and 3D TV support, over 100 changes to the original game and MORE will keep you and the York you’re playing fixated on getting to the bottom of this case in record time. Yes, that’s my copy in that photo to the left and above. I got home not too long ago and *ding!*, there it was, waiting for me on the table by the door. Nice! Now I can help York get that damn killer!

Hmmm… I think Game director Swery 65 is going to be in Greenvale for a day or so longer, as he’s tying up a few loose ends of his own. People have been bugging him day and night with compliments, questions, comments and even a few jokes about all the hard work he and his team at Access games has done, so I suppose he’s entitled to a good night’s rest before his long plane trip back to Japan. You’d think the guy would prefer to live in the town he helped create and run, but there are just too many things back home you can’t get out in the middle of nowhere…

GRID 2 Uncovered: Paris, Here We Come (Plus A Few More Gameplay Modes)…

Posted on April 29, 2013 by geelw

Hey there! Go pull up a seat (without a steering wheel attached, please) or stretch out on the couch and check out these two new GRID 2 videos from Codemasters. Before you ask, NO you can’t stop the car during the race you’re part of in that beautifully rendered Paris street course to go get a croque-monsieur and café au lait. You’d lose the race before your coffee was even poured and hell, probably throw up in the car later because it’s not a good idea to go 150 MPH right after that lunch you just had. No madelines, either… and nope, no smoking in the car while I’m trying to drive (there’s no ashtray, silly!), so toss that pack of Gauloises into the crowd on the next turn, grrr… Man, I can take you anywhere anymore! Hmph – this car needs an ejection seat, methinks…

FUSE Unboxing Video: This One Is At Least Intentionally Funny…

Posted on April 29, 2013 by geelw

In case you didn’t know, I really dislike unboxing videos. For me, it’s a waste of time, white cotton gloves when the person making the video is wearing them (and looking like a game usher!) and basically, the majority of the ones I’ve seen are just smug “look what I got” videos or just show off one big reason the industry is having issues with some AAA games that seemingly get overpriced Collector’s Editions for no really good reason but to be in someone’s unboxing video. Thankfully, Insomniac Games has read my mind and come up with the *ULTIMATE* in unboxing videos for their new PS3 and Xbox 360 game FUSE, set for release on May 28 (in the US) and May 31 (In Europe). I say just get me the game and I’ll play and enjoy it – no statues, comic books, CD soundtrack, artbook or other goodie necessary, as they won’t fit into my consoles anyway…

Metro: Last Light Ranger Survival Guide Trailer: McGuyver’s Got Nothing On Artyom…

Posted on April 29, 2013 by geelw

MLL_Logo

I actually recently (and FINALLY) completed the absolutely tense and brilliant Metro 2033 on a borrowed Xbox 360 (as the ones I own are dead as doornails, dammit) and it’s still one of the best and most frightening first-person games I’ve ever played. Between the destroyed Moscow landscape, the ruined tunnels survivors make do in and those dreadful mutations they fight against, there’s a great deal of details in that game and this follow-up, Deep Silver’s Metro: Last Light that make it a must-play experience. The fact that the game isn’t a straight up shooter and has elements of adventure and role-playing games while feeling downright frightening and depressing as your avatar, Artyom and his beat up survival gear barely make it through the radioactive hell makes it a keeper I’ll go back to again and again.

As I’ve said before, this game and a few others where so much thought and work has gone into crafting a world and characters you want to live with for a while are all the same to me like great novels are to someone who collects books. I’ve actually never read anything by Russian sci-fi author Dmitry Glukhovsky has written, but based on the near-flawless atmosphere these two games have, I just may be adding a new book or two to my already packed list. Thankfully, 4A Games is absolutely committed to making this a story-driven solo experience, so we won’t be saddled with mindless multiplayer modes of running around shooting each other in the face for no good reason than collecting XP and yelling obscenities over headset microphones. Besides, in this version of the future, you’re better off saving any ammo you can find and settling your differences with a a blunt or sharp object you can repair or replace afterwards…

Metro: Last Light hits PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 on May 14, 2013, so if you’re looking for a bleak, purely terrifying slice of post-nuclear survival action, this is probably going to be your best bet for a good long while…