GRID 2 Teaser: There’s a Lot More Where That Came From…

Posted on February 9, 2013 by geelw

Oh, Codemasters, you big fat tease! OK, maybe not so big (or fat) after all. I saw and played a nice demo of the upcoming racing game last week in NYC, but my actual hands-on coverage is embargoed until 2/14 so I can’t lay a peep on you about all the new and fun stuff I saw. I think I can get away with telling you the game looks amazing, but that’s it until after Toy Fair is over, kids. Now If you’ll pardon me, I need to figure out how to weld a blowtorch to a shovel so I can get out the damned door on Sunday morning. My hour train ride is probably going to be a wee bit longer. Stupid blizzard…

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…

F1 2012 Singapore Hot Lap Video: A Burning Query…

Posted on September 23, 2012 by geelw

Hmmm… given all the restrictions on stuff like walking and chewing gum in public (or more precisely, spitting out that gum onto the street there), I wonder if you can get a fine in Singapore for speeding on a race track? Ha ha. Anyway, before i cause an international incident, let me point you to the lovely video above provided by the fine folks at Codemasters, makers of some mighty incredible racing experiences for quite some time. The game is out now, by the way, so while you’re dashing off to the store to snap up a copy, I shall make good my escape… into the future! *Poof!*

F1 2012 Launch Trailer: Going For The Flag at Full Speed

Posted on September 21, 2012 by geelw

Codemasters’ absolutely gorgeous racer should be in shops as you read this. Buy it for the mind-blowing visuals alone and you’re only getting half the story. From playing the demo, this one could be the best console F1 game to date. Even if you’re not big on F1, I say rent the game, dive into learning the ropes and experience a new type of track burner that will eat up your spare time.

F1 2012 Demo Gameplay: Coming Up Fast, Hoping To Take The Lead…

Posted on September 11, 2012 by geelw

Codemasters is finally dropping that demo of their latest racer this week, so definitely give it a go if you’re a F1 fan or want to try something completely different from other racers on the market. From what I’m seeing so far, this might be one of the best console F1 games to date, but we’ll see when the final drops, as sometimes even the best demo builds aren’t exactly showing off the quality of the final product. A little more salt to the soup or too many cooks spoiling the broth? As always, we shall see, we shall see…

F1 2012 Gets Even Better As It Races To Completion

Posted on September 4, 2012 by geelw

Codemasters has been tinkering with its F1 game more and more since they’ve had the license and the latest installment is looking like it could be pretty stellar stuff for fans of the genre. Granted, there are those who will want 100% accuracy and every sort of simulation element possible on whatever platform the game appears on, but I’d bet half of those people couldn’t squeeze into a F1 car (let alone a seat on the subway) and just want one of those games that no one can play but a select few (which means it won’t sell to casual race fans at all, a sort of no-no these days.

Someone will strike some sort of common ground within the next few years, I’d bet. But until then, it’s going to be a game for the masses who watch the sport as well as those who want to play as if they’re IN that sport. Go, Codies!

F1 2012 “Games vs Reality” Trailer: For Some, It’s Not By The Hair Of Your Simmy-Sim-Sim

Posted on March 18, 2012 by geelw

Some diehard Formula One aficionados want ANY game with the F1 license to be nothing but as real as possible with no sort of leeway given to novice players. That’s a fine way to lure in that select few who can deal with this type of driving game, but it makes selling that game outside that audience a slim to none chance. Granted, a full-on arcade experience is a no-go for those that crave a game that’s not going to be a floor it and win every race experience, and I’m one of those who dislikes racers that take too much effort away from actual gameplay. Codemasters seems to have solved some of these issues with F1 2012, although if you’re REALLY picky, the game’s September release comes when the actual F! season is pretty much over. Hey, you can’t expect the team to bust out a game BEFORE the season like EA Sports does with the Madden games, as there are a great deal of variables involved and a rushed to market game isn’t actually good for much unless you’re collecting coasters. Sure, F1 201o and 2011 weren’t flawless, but the dev team is definitely getting better and better each year they have the license (and I’m all for that)…

DiRT Showdown “Massive Damage” Trailer: Now, THAT’S More Like It (Almost)…

Posted on March 14, 2012 by geelw

OK, I said this a while back, but once again, I’m officially retiring Test Drive: Eve of Destruction as my go-to demolition derby fix once DiRT Showdown is released. Still, while this latest work in-progress trailer shows off some cool stuff, I’m wanting a bit more of a damage model that’s closer to actual derby stuff and the damage model found in Bugbear’s FlatOut games while not straying too far into Burnout territory. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with the later Burnout games at all in terms of stuff wrecking up pretty good. However, there’s a great balance between realism and arcade that Monster Games nailed almost perfectly in Eve of Destruction back on the PS2 and Xbox that’s hard to explain unless you’ve played it or seen it in action. Anyway, I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed that Codemasters can knock it out of the park. Well, even further than they have so far…

DiRT Showdown “What Goes On Tour” Video Takes You For A Ride…

Posted on February 25, 2012 by geelw

Codemasters’ powerful Ego engine is pretty spectacular for whatever they use it on and I’d say this upcoming all-purpose rally/destruction racer is really pushing it as far as it can go. I’m loving all the modes I’ve seen as now I probably don’t need to keep digging out so many different types of racers in order to get a few different road fixes taken care of. Granted, I really STILL want a solid, PURE rally game from the team down the road that’s even better than what’s here. But I’m certainly not complaining about how much fun I’ll be having when the game is finally out sometime in May 2012 (PS3, Xbox 360 and PC).

DiRT Showdown Update: “Nevada 8-Ball” Gameplay Trailer Shows Off The Bash & Crash

Posted on January 27, 2012 by geelw

Funny. Just as I was restoring the post with the announcement trailer to Codemasters’ upcoming hybrid racer, I see that a new trailer has been posted, so here you go. This new (and extremely impressive) in-progress demolition derby footage reminds me a bit of Monster Games VASTLY underrated PlayStation 2 and Xbox title, Test Drive: Eve of Destruction. Granted, the amazing EGO-engine wasn’t around back then and that game didn’t have any actual drivers nor some of today’s top US rally racers doing donuts and taking risky driving to all new heights (pun intended). Anyway, I predict this one will be the biggest DiRT to date. One suggestion, though – PLEASE offer the option to turn OFF any and all video upload prompts when offline! They were a big pain in DiRT 3 for solo players (like me) who were trying to concentrate on winning a stretch of tough races and didn’t need the constant prodding for a feature we had no plans to use.