Gallery: BioShock Infinite Cover Art – Ash, Is That You?

Posted on December 1, 2012 by geelw

Provided the world doesn’t blow up in a few weeks as some would prefer (jerks), It looks as if we’ll be seeing Irrational Games and 2K finally get BioShock Infinite out on store shelves (and digitally, for those that prefer not owning their AAA games). That delay in its initial release date should help the dev team iron out any problems and hopefully the single player story will be memorable and compelling. And yes, I got an Evil Dead vibe from that cover image (I do wonder if this is intentional, or perhaps I’m just reading too much into things)…

Personally, as much as I’m a fan of this franchise, I’d LOVE to see irrational do something entirely different as a follow-up… perhaps even revisit their long-canceled game The Lost for consoles and maybe a handheld system or two? That’s one of those games that was looking quite innovative before it died an untimely (and unnecessary) death. Well, I did get to see it in action at the first E3 I went to (and I still have an asset disc around here somewhere in the vaults) it did pop up completely reworked in India as a PC game called Agni: Queen of Darkness… but that’s a long story (and yes, I’ve been looking for a legal copy the game for a few years now with no luck).

Woo Hoo. My Wii U Is On The Way!

Posted on November 16, 2012 by geelw

So, Best Buy comes through (whee!), although since it’s a SUNDAY launch (which has been a Nintendo standard for a while), I won’t be jumping up and down like a kid on Xmas until the 19th or 20th. Still, that’s awesome news. I have some stuff coming and I hear Ninja Gaiden 3 has been reworked considerably to a much more enjoyable experience, so that one is going on my play list. Of course, Nintendo hasn’t ever sent me anything I’ve requested (they’re publishing the game not Tecmo/Koei), but I don’t mind paying for this one if it’s as good as I’ve heard.

GTA V Trailer: Rockstar Proves (Yet Again) Single Player Games Aren’t Dead…

Posted on November 14, 2012 by geelw

One thing you’re always going to get from Rockstar Games when it comes to their open world experiences is a damn fine story and some of the most memorable characters in gaming. Even if Grand Theft Auto V comes to retail packed with DLC and other online content, for many (if not most) who play it, it’s all going to be about the story and storytelling the company is well known for. So, yeah – Spring 2013 is certainly going to be quite busy with people calling off dead from work for a few days so they can dink around in the fictional Los Angeles and the surrounding area Rockstar North is working so hard on. I say if you’ve got a console or PC that can run this game in your home (and you’re of age to buy M-rated games, of course). You should be putting money down on this one as soon as possible.

DmC Gets DLC Already (But You KNEW It Was Coming, Right?)…

Posted on November 13, 2012 by geelw

Ah, poor Vergil! He gets relegated to DLC (which has pissed off the Capcom haters once again) rather than an unlockable bonus section, but hey, that sort of thing has been the law of the console land for a bit now. Unfortunately, those who can’t access the content thanks to no online accounts or willingness to pay more than the retail price for a game (for some people it’s still a poor economy) will need to hope the game sells well enough to net some sort of reissue down the road.

Sonic & All-Star Racing Transformed: You’re Not Buying This For Danica, Right?

Posted on November 12, 2012 by geelw

Hey, no offense here – I’m just asking that Q because I can’t think of anyone I know who’s a big Danica Patrick fan. That, or they aren’t watching her race or whatever she does when she’s not on the track. Ah well, I guess she needs to keep her “celebrity” sports gal thing going until that next GoDaddy ad. Then again, better to see her in a racing game than say, Brooke Burke, who was in that awfully goofy Burger King kart racer from a few years back. Well, at least THIS game looks as if it’s going to be a hell of a lot more fun…

TANK! TANK! TANK!: Is It The Wii U’s COMBAT? Mmmmm, Could Be…

Posted on November 11, 2012 by geelw

As soon as I saw the first video for this Wii U port of the popular Japanese Namco Bandai arcade game, I thought about Atari’s classic pack-in that became an instant hit remembered by anyone who picked up a joystick back in the day. Of course, with the Wii U bringing a new controller into things, this simple-looking blast-fest could be the one game that has similar impact should the console take off into the stratosphere (as Nintendo hopes). As always, we shall see, but I think no matter how the system does, this is one of those games that will get a LOT of play long into the system’s life cycle. That said, fun games really don’t need silly-ass trailers like this. Just show the gameplay and I’m all in.

DMC “Home Truths” Vignette: Dante Gets Something Big To Swing

Posted on November 10, 2012 by geelw

More nice cinematic joy from Ninja Theory’s upcoming reboot. It seems that the game has gotten a lot more respect over the months since Capcom has had playable versions at conventions and some decent coverage on other outlets, but of course, you can’t please everyone. Me, I’ve been on board the project from the beginning, as I trust Ninja Theory to make a compelling experience no matter what they do. Well, unless they do a kart racer. No one can make one of those interesting without getting compared right away to Mario Kart and its other successful derivatives…

World War Z Trailer: Zombie Apocalypse, Now?

Posted on November 10, 2012 by geelw

OK, so I never read the acclaimed 2006 Max Brooks novel nor his 2003 Zombie Survival Guide, as hell, I’m too busy these days and know there are no such things as roving packs of undead (science is good for proving this). Also, I really think zombies are getting way too much exposure as the “go-to” thing for instant mass media interest (that said, The Walking Dead will always have my undivided attention).

Of course, given that the upcoming film deviates greatly form the book (according to an irate friend who recommended I read it and NOT see the film), I’m betting the film still does well at the box office because the masses who will line up like slow-moving zombies will be made up of those who haven’t read the source material. Anyway, Here’s the trailer for WWZ, which has Brad Pitt stepping into the suspense/horror genre once again after a bit too long away from it. Then again, he’s an actor you can’t typecast at all at this point in his career – you just show up and know you’ll get a solid performance from the guy.

Now, will I get off my lazy ass and go track down the book? Probably not (well, not yet). I still have too many games to play and plenty of other zombie-loaded entertainment here. But I may just go see the film and if I like it, well… maybe that book will get a read one day after all…

The Elder Scrolls Online Introduction (Gameplay Included)

Posted on November 9, 2012 by geelw

OK, I may not be much interested in an online Elder Scrolls game, but YOU might be. So, here you go – a fine nine-plus minute look at the upcoming MMO that shows off its excellent visuals and yes, actual gameplay for the first time. That said, IF I were going to be jumping back into the MMO space, it’s now a toss up between this game, RIFT and Guild Wars 2. But of course, a nice new gaming PC and an even better online connection are needed… as is a working time machine, as I already have WAY too many games to play that aren’t online time-sinks…

Pier Solar Goes Kickstarter Route For HD Remake – Give Them Your Money (Now!)

Posted on November 7, 2012 by geelw

Confession: I’ve yet to play Watermelon Team’s incredible Pier Solar and the Great Architects (I’ve been dying to do so, but missed the original and all the assorted reissue versions), but the folks I know who have played it can’t stop singing its praises. I was thinking about finally getting around to snapping up a copy of this unlicensed Sega Genesis /Mega Drive game online, but Watermelon Team has a HD version in the works that’s even more tempting. Can you say Kickstarter project, ladies and gents? Yup, not only are the folks at Watermelon working on an HD version, they’re going to be getting it out on PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox Live Arcade and (Eeeeeee!) Sega Dreamcast (Eeeeeeee!). Of course, I’m a bit ticked off that PSN, Vita and Wii U versions aren’t in the pipeline (hell, those consoles NEED great indie games like this so the suits can see they’ll sell like hotcakes), but hey – this is certainly a step up to the big time for a game that’s gotten solid reviews and a VERY loyal fan base.

The campaign has already gotten a nice chunk of pledges and that’s thanks to the game itself plus some fantastic premium versions that are well worth the money. I need to flip a coin and see where it lands so I can choose which version I want, but I may end up with the PC version (boxed, of course). I wish I could afford one of the more pricey home versions, but it is what it is. Anyway, definitely do yourself a big favor and pledge to this project. Hmmm… maybe I’ll sell a kidney and go for that deluxe Dreamcast version, as I haven’t used my DC in a few months and it’s been looking at me funny from the corner of the room… We shall see. That fancy Magical Game Factory is rocking pretty hard these days…