Divinity: Original Sin Update – Hey, At Least Larian Studios Is Working Today…

 

This latest in-progress video shows the team at Larian is toiling away merrily on their new baby and at this point we can leave then alone because everything is looking great. Still, I think the developer should consider getting all the Divinity games out on PSN or XBLA at some point in the future because all are worth playing if you happen to be a RPG fan or happen to like well-written stories that have a decent amount of humor sprinkled throughout (sort of like that perfect raisin bagel). Granted, that would take a lot of time, a lot more money and perhaps a studio stepping in to help out with the crazy porting process. Nevertheless, I think it’s worth all that effort at the end of the day because MORE people would be playing these great games.

I still have Divine Divinity installed on my PC here and every time I see a new update from Larian, I have the urge to play it. I think it would be mighty fine If I could indeed play it on my Vita or PS3 or 360 (perhaps with a few Trophies/Achievements HD tweaks for those who crave that stuff). Hey, I’d even accept a Wii U version of any of the games as Nintendo’s new console can run them just fine if you go by specs alone.  OK, let me stop procrastinating and get back to some reviews…

Castlevania: Mirror of Fate Will Make You Want A 3DS For The Holidays… Or Now.

Ah, Konami… how you tempt me so. Castlevania looks so lovely on the 3DS and I know core fans of the long-running franchise will be pleased as punch that the handheld is getting a great-looking game. Of course, unless both Lords of Shadow games come to a Nintendo home console (I’d say the Wii U can handle them just fine), those users aren’t getting the whole story. And THAT, ladies and gents is exactly why I’m platform agnostic.

You’ll Finally Get To Ride Dragons In The Newest Skyrim Expansion (Unless You Own A PS3)…

So yeah, 360 owners are first on the block to brag about getting Dragonborn before everyone else, but I’d bet PC fans of Bethsoft’s RPG are going to be smiling even more broadly because they get to mod that content even more. As for poor PS3 users, wellllll… I’m one of them, so all I can do is hope to hell SOMEONE fixes that version up right so it can actually get new content instead of being a bit too buggy to play after a ton of hours are sunk into the otherwise excellent experience. It’s the one thing that kept me from going through the game a second time (and many from getting through it once). Ah well… in a perfect world, I suppose. Or a spiffy Game of the Year Edition that SHOULD come out with all the DLC on a disc (right? Right.)…

Updated Update! EDF 2017 Portable Gets A February 2013 Release At $39.95

As I noted last week, D3 is bringing out the Sandlot-developed action game sooner than later and at a very good price point at that. While it’s a premium price point, that $39.95 is actually an incredbly GREAT deal for this one, as you’re getting online play for up to four, all new weapons, dozens of hours of play (and even more replay value if you become a hardcore EDF fanatic) and yes, Pale Wing to play around with for the first time in the US. Anyway, go buy a Vita if you don’t own one yet – it’s been a good few months for Sony’s handheld and there’s a lot more to come. Hmmm. I suppose I should ask D3 about a digital release for those of you who prefer downloading everything, but let me finish doing my happy dance around the room that we’re actually getting this one localized first…

WB Games Brings Midway Arcade Origins To PS3 & 360 (On A DISC!)

Well, alright! Folks like me who prefer physical product (hey, I hug my games every day!) can now add a really sweet mix of games to our collections without losing much shelf space. WB Games and Backbone Entertainment have released Midway Arcade Origins for the PS3 and Xbox 360 as noted above in the header, on an actual game DISC. Yeah, that’s right. You can boogie on down to your favorite game emporium, whip out that wallet (you know, the one embroidered with BAD MOTHERF*CKER on it), whip out some cash money and tip on out with that new set of oldies in an actual plastic bag. Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about!  Anyway, no matter which system you own (er, well, if it’s one of the two mentioned, that is, er hey, WHY isn’t this on the Wii U as a launch title OR on the Vita for the holidays?), get this collection, grab some friends and prepare to get schooled by some really awesome arcade hits, I say!

Who’d Ya Vote For? I Picked Deadpool…

Yeah, yeah – I’ll get back to updates after the election is final. I still don’t know why this stupid country can’t postpone it for a short while so people who’ve been displaced by the crazy weather can go vote and come home to a place with lights and food, but ah well. Anyway, a few other things are going down around here, but we’ll see where they lead, bot good, not so hot, and interesting. Back in a bit. If Deadpool wins, I’ll probably jump out a window or something. But probably not – I’ve got WAY too many games to catch up on!

November’s Here (And So Is The Wii U)…

With all the big games hitting this month for other consoles, it’s actually going to be Nintendo’s big Wii U launch that will probably be key to a huge part of this year’s holiday sales successes or failures. The system has a number of solid-looking launch titles from first and third parties with more on the way in enough different genres that almost all bases are covered. Granted, there are a few things that could spoil Nintendo’s financial fun from idiot speculators dooming the console prematurely to families simply not having more money to spend of a new system this holiday season in favor of buying cheaper Wii games or even another console. I know for a fact that NO ONE with half a brain will be buying a tablet or other device OVER a console, despite the fever dreams of those in the mobile industry sitting on the cheap games bubble about to burst and take a lot of them down to reality sooner than later. People want dedicated consoles because they want to play games that aren’t all short bits of pay to play addiction or clear clones of other successful casual games. That and hell, Mario isn’t coming to iOS or Android any time soon and Nintendo has him and a few other classic characters you won’t see anywhere else but on a Nintendo system (which is how fans prefer it). As always, we shall see what’s what soon enough – I think the console will indeed do well, but Nintendo needs to get people used to paying a premium for a replacement controller (the one thing that will make some rethink a Wii U purchase down the road)…

Portal 2 In Motion On PSN: Definitely NOT The Same “Old” Game WIth Move….

 

As the kids say, “Now THAT’S what I’m talkin’ about!” – or something like that. While this super new update to Valve’s stellar first-person physics puzzler may LOOK the same at first, the changes made to get the game PlayStation Move compatible will add new challenges to the familiar while also proving how well motion control can be done when you have a team that can do it correctly. Sixense just may have a lot of people who’ve played this one to death doing it all over again. I’d be one of those people if this wasn’t DLC only, but I guess I’ll have to hold out hope that Sony’s console gets an Orange Box version of Portal (or even better ALL the Left 4 Dead games!) that has this on it. Ah well… PSN users will be pleased, that’s for sure.

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut Coming to PS3 in 2013!

OK, I missed posting this news yesterday thanks to a REALLY chuggy connection (and today is actually WORSE, but here goes nothing… again!), but here it is if you haven’t yet seen it. One of the best (and most polarizing) Xbox 360 sleepers, Deadly Premonition,  is finally hitting the PS3 next year with all new content (roll that press release!):

  • New scenario from the game’s director, Hidetaka “Swery” Suehiro
  • HD graphics
  • Reworked control system allowing for an even better combat experience
  • Downloadable content to expand the mystery beyond the original game

Hmmm. I was hoping the ENTIRE game would be on the PS3 disc (as in NO new DLC), but I’ll certainly take this update for a spin anyway, as I know it’s going to be completely crazy, completely weird fun just as the original was. According to publisher Rising Star Games’ website, Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut should be available in March 2013. If they keep it close to the same budget price point, I predict it’ll be even more of a winner than it was on the 360. As always, we shall see…

Until Dawn Halloween Trailer: Getting A Move On (As In Running Like Hell, Part Deux)…

Sony’s version of Ten Little Indians (minus two) meets SAW and a few other things is looking pretty nifty and yes, it also gets a nice Halloween trailer to ogle. I’m hoping the game is great, as it’s tough to do a good horror game these days because no matter how amazing it is, there’s going to be some jaded jackanape who starts griping that the game either isn’t scary enough, or is too familiar to something they think they know all about, or has someone cursing in it (hey, it’s a M-rated game, silly – what are you supposed to say when there’s a crazy man coming at you from out of nowhere with a knife?). I want to see this succeed because the Move works well enough (and hell, a LOT better than Kinect in terms of a 1:1 gameplay experience) and could use a many new titles that take advantage of the peripheral as possible. OK, I think that may be the last post for the day, as the connection here is crappy and I still need to get a few reviews done and posted later, PLUS, get around to changing the banner to November on the blogs. Back later… or sooner if I can find time for a quickie post.