Game of Thrones “Artisan Piece” Vignettes: Making Westeros As Lovely And Deadly As Ever…

Posted on February 20, 2014 by geelw

I haven’t been keeping up with all these behind the scenes videos on Season Four, but I may as well post the two that jumped out at me thanks to someone pointing me to them earlier. I’m gathering all these locations around the world that get used on the show make great tourist dollar traps afterwards for those who can afford the vacation and maybe an arrow to the knee from some pissed of local who’s tired of loud crowds tromping through their back yards cooing and pointing at every tree, rock and body of water that LOOKS as if it’s straight from the show.

Yeah, that can get tiring for sure. On the other hand, you KNOW there’s that ONE guy or gal who’s making a killing being some sort of unofficial “official” go-to person who’s a font of knowledge about the areas and histories of everything they lay an eyeball on. Of course, there’s a good chance they’re lying through their teeth about half the stuff they’re bending your willing ear over. But that’s a good thing if you end up falling for their tall tales, correct? After all, you wouldn’t be a fantasy fan if you weren’t a sucker for a tale told well, right? Yeah, you know that’s true…

THIEF Launch Trailer: So Much For the Element of Surprise, Huh?

Posted on February 20, 2014 by geelw

Hey Garrett! The jig’s up, you know. SOMEONE decided to shoot out this launch trailer BEFORE your crafty little game has shipped out so now EVERYONE will know what you’re up to and perhaps NOT want to let such a skilled thief into their homes. You’re not going to succeed in your burgling ways if everyone tapes shut their windows, triple-bars their doors and gets a guard dog for the guard dog. Ha! You think you’re still going to get around safely now that we all know that you’re up to (or will be on February 25)? Yeah, well… good luck with that, pal. I think it was someone at Square Enix or Eidos, by the way (in case you want to get all clubby and stabby or something). You go take care of them and maybe you’ll see a few folks who didn’t see this post pop up on launch day to pick you up and take you home with them. You KNOW what to do after that, correct? I thought so…

Let Dark Souls II’s Hollow Lullaby Rattle Around In Your Skull For A Bit…

Posted on February 20, 2014 by geelw

Because it will be the last thing some of you new players will hear before you throw that controller down and start jumping up and down on it. Yes, Dark Souls II is going to be the HARDEST game some of you have played and it’s supposed to be because it wants you to learn how to play it properly. Go in like Kratos on a caffeine high and you’re dead like that steak in the freezer. On the other hand, take time to get into the game and realize you can (and should} be patient as you figure out how to deal with multiple enemies, deathtraps galore, bosses that take up too much real estate and more hazards and you LEARN what to do through pure trial and error. Mostly error if you slip into old habits. March 11 can’t come fast enough, but I dread it because I know this game will EAT any free time I thought of having and my dreams will get darker and grimmer thanks to some of the meaner enemies my poor avatar will face off against.

Thanks, FromSoftware for making my nightmares much more lively. I think I’ll need that Monster Eater Kit I saw at Toy Fair after all…

Sacred 3: Asceron’s Bringing Its RPG Series Back In A Big Way…

Posted on February 20, 2014 by geelw

I’d say “it’s about time!” or something like that, but I knew developer Asceron was working on Sacred 3 and didn’t mind waiting at all. With publisher Deep Silver coming to the rescue and getting this out worldwide, this bodes well for fans of the franchise wanting more after the solid Sacred 2 and its expansion. For the uninitiated, the Sacred series is an open-world isometric action RPG that some compare to Blizzard’s Diablo series, but is actually a bit better in some respects. The freedom to go where you wish (at your own peril, as enemies can be quite brutal if you get in over your head) and variety of male and female human and non human character classes make this one an evergreen series with massive replay value.

The great thing is this one’s coming to PS3, Xbox 360 and PC this summer, so there’s no need to run out and buy a new console to play it on if you haven’t made the switch yet. I’m all for that, as it takes a while for these new systems to really get going and show what they can do. As for that multiplayer mode? I don’t need it at all as I play for the story and characters, but I’m glad it’s there for those who want to beat up on each other or how need help with the tougher bosses in the game…

Guardians of the Galaxy Trailer: Not Your Average Folks In Tights…

Posted on February 19, 2014 by geelw

I didn’t think I’d be interested in this one at all, but this trailer got me turned around and a bit more hopeful that this actually works. The cast is out there and full of interesting choices, there’s a lot of humor and despite the Marvel logo and immediate knee jerk response that this is yet another super hero flick, there are nice signs that this one may be more than it seems. Of course, you don’t get what you expect with a James Gunn film, so it’s also great that this trailer really doesn’t do anything in giving away any major plot points (which should make this a nice surprise to see in a theater). Fan reaction seems quite positive overall, but as usual the trolls are out holding up under bridges and waiting for the saps that always get caught up in their toll traps. I pay them no heed and no fee, folks. I just roll over their flat heads with the heavy cart, hobnailed wheels and all…

Game of Thrones S4 Trailer #2: Vengeance (Is Mine, And Yours, And Yours)…

Posted on February 16, 2014 by geelw

The clock is ticking away as Season 4 is headed to HBO and fans prepare their brains and bodies for what’s coming. I can’t keep more than one eye open at the moment thanks to my long day, so I’ll just let out a squeaky “Yaaay!” from the back of the room and fall over in a heap to sleep. Good night, people. I’ll be back and in better shape tomorrow… I think. Zzzzzz.

Cloudbuilt: Eternal Run Shines (of the Spotless Kind)…

Posted on February 15, 2014 by geelw

I haven’t even played Coilworks’ incredible looking Cloudbuilt yet, but between that very descriptive game trailer above and the lovely screens below, I’m getting a serious Gunvalkyrie meets Mirror’s Edge meets Mega Man vibe – and that’s a damn good thing.

Man, I wish this game was on consoles on a disc so MORE people could play it. The sense of speed and what looks like solid controls only add to the fun, and given the levels seem to be open to each player’s skills, I’m expecting this to be one of those games that’s not played and put away (or deleted) any time soon (unless you’re a total loser who despises a decent challenge). Now I just need to find time to actually play that demo I’m being teased with, as Toy Fair is going to take up a huge chunk of my time for the next four days and afterward as I write up a few articles. Eh, it’ll all work out soon enough. It always does. Back in a bit.

Jodorowsky’s Dune 2014 Trailer: From The Ashes, Much More Life…

Posted on February 15, 2014 by geelw

I can only imagine what would have happened had Alejandro Jodorowsky actually gotten his wild version of DUNE made way back in 1975 or however long it would have taken to film properly. Well, this must-see documentary may answer that for me to some extent, but I still won’t be satisfied because I still want to see it made at some point. Even as an animated film (traditional with a dash of CG enhancement in backgrounds, please!), I think it would blow the minds of anyone who sees it, especially with all those amazing artists like Moebius, Giger, Foss and others who contributed to this failed project before moving on to bigger and better things. Anyway, this one’s a must-see documentary for a few reasons and I’ll most likely shell out for the Blu-Ray/DVD when it gets a release just because this chronicle of a never made adaptation is something that deserves a few looks outside of a theater setting.

BOUND BY FLAME: Spiders’ New RPG Seems Quite Witcher-iffic. This Is A Good Thing.

Posted on February 14, 2014 by geelw

A-ha. I was wondering just what developer Spiders was up to, as they last teamed up with Cyanide Studios for Of Orcs and Men and Cyanide is now busy with the follow-up, STYX: Master of Shadows. Spiders is working on BOUND BY FLAME, an upcoming fantasy action/RPG set to hit PC, PS4 and “last” gen consoles later this year (although there seems to be no Xbox One version? Hmmmm…). Casting such a wide SKU net usually means a drop in quality somewhere unless you have a developer who knows their stuff, and I think Spiders can pull this off if they’ve learned from proper criticism of previous games. I like the visual style here (although the faces on the characters look a bit… “off”) and the gameplay and mature time seems similar enough to CD Projekt RED’s The Witcher games that the game may find an audience among those who like European-style RPGs as much as they like the games made here and elsewhere. That crafting system looks pretty fun as well and I hope it’s as flexible as noted in the trailer above.

Like Focus Home Interactive other RPGs, I’ll be keeping an eyeball on this one. I still get use out of my PS3, so I may go that route for the final just because I don’t need to connect it online in order to play stuff. We shall see, as usual…

Strange Love: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle

Posted on February 14, 2014 by geelw

Namco Bandai seems to be conducting a little experiment and I’m gathering they need your assistance. For a little while the company has been releasing digital versions of popular Japanese anime-based fighters available overseas as retail and digital purchases, and now they’re trying out a limited edition physical release to go with the (to some) more convenient downloads.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle is coming sometime this Spring via PSN (digital) and as a limited edition physical disc (ClubNamco.com and Amazon.com). No price has been announced just yet, but I think it’s a good idea as even niche games have fans who want them who can’t buy digital only product. Ever busy developer CyberConnect2 shows once more they’re the master of making anime fighters look as close to their source material as possible, as you can see above and in the screenshots below.

As for what’s on that disc or download, below the jump is some cut ‘n paste press release work plus those eleven screens… enjoy!

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