Of Orcs & Men “Buddy” Trailer: On the Road to Sleeper Hitsville? We shall see…

Posted on October 5, 2012 by geelw

With about a week to go before launch, I really haven’t seen much about this one. That may or may not be a good thing depending on who you ask. While it’s going to be buried in the juggernaut of more hyped launches this month and next, i think that if the game is good, it will no doubt find an audience over time (the way many of these RPGs do with fans who like seeing fantasy games that try to do things differently). If, on the other hand, the game is being skipped into stores like an assassin’s blade through the ribs of some unsuspecting target because it’s rough around the edges, then it’s a quick trip to the bargain bin or worse, a slow death as yet another fine game that took a lot of people a long time to do goes under appreciated. Hopefully, Focus Home Interactive’s PR folk here will be willing to let some of us interested types see what’s what and let you know, but I have no qualms about shelling out full price for a game that’s interesting enough to keep my interest for longer than some FPS or overblown titles with bigger budgets and less to do at the end of the day…

Silent Hill Revelation 3D TV Spot: There Goes The Neighborhood (Again)…

Posted on October 3, 2012 by geelw

Well-made though it was, I actually didn’t care much at all for the first Silent Hill movie. Replacing the game’s Harry Mason character with a female lead and reworking some plot points made me think that the film’s writers and director had zero confidence in what Konami’s team came up with originally. Even though Rahda Mitchell’s performance was superb and the film had a few nice scares, to me, it didn’t have the impact the first two games did. That said, this “sequel” definitely piles on the game-related elements to such an extreme that the home video versions should do spectacularly well with those who want special features or some sort of extended cut, as it looks like we’re getting everything, the kitchen sink AND Pyramid Head. The good thing is, Silent Hill 3 is still such a great game that even if the film tanks (and it won’t, I’d bet), the original work will be a great backup plan for the disappointed.

Tomb Raider: The Final Hours #2: Crystal Dynamics Gives Lara More Lift…

Posted on October 3, 2012 by geelw

Second part in the “making of” series collaboration between Crystal Dynamics games journalist Geoff Keighley and hosted Zachary Levi (one of those actor/gamer types you probably know from some TV show or movie. I don’t know him, as I’m too busy playing too many games to pay attention to Hollywood types). This time out, it’s a look at the game’s story and what went into creating it. The “survival adventure” element and new take on the character will be the draw for me (OK, the amazing visuals are nothing to sneeze at) and I hope that this “reboot” gets the appropriate praise for what it does right and the proper amount of criticism for anything it misses. Of course, if poor Lara misses those jumps too many times, it’s back down to the depths of the bargain bin, right? Then again, I’m betting this will be light years better than some of the lesser games in the series older days. Angel of Darkness, anyone?

Gallery: Brothers – A Tale of Two Sons

Posted on October 2, 2012 by geelw

OK, a mere six early screenshots isn’t much, but the gorgeous teaser video above for Brothers – A Tale of Two Sons makes up for that, I’d say. After a long time away doing quality shooters set in gritty modern and futuristic locations, Uppsala, Sweden-based developer Starbreeze Studios is headed back into the more fantasy-themed worlds they started out making. Granted, their very first game, Knights of the Temple: Infernal Crusade (PC, Xbox, PS2 and Game Cube) took place in a gritty medieval setting, but their second game, Enclave (Xbox) was set in some a pretty interesting (and yes, gritty) locations. This new game, set to hit PSN, Xbox Live Arcade and Steam in 2013 has a richer, more stylized look to it that recalls a tiny bit of the Fable series but with more of Starbreeze’s technical polish. Unreal-powered loveliness aside, I’ll need to get my grubby (or is that gritty?) paws on a build for some hands-on time. 505 Games has been good about letting me know when they’re in the city (playing a demo of Naughty Bear: Panic in Paradise was a highlight of last month for me), so I’m expecting a little bird at my window when they’re ready to show off their new baby. I can’t wait…

Edit: I had a R.J. McReady monent there, heh (+5 points if you get that joke)- Starbreeze isn’t Finnish, but they’re based out of Sweden. Oops!

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…

Resident Evil 6 TGS Trailer: The Final Fear Is Almost Here…

Posted on September 29, 2012 by geelw

Well, OK… it’s a great bet that Resident Evil 6 probably won’t be the LAST numbered game in Capcom’s ongoing undead saga, but it’s absolutely the most ambitious to date, packing in a huge globe-spanning campaign and the most interesting set of playable old and new characters right out of the gate. From what I’ve played at press events and through the recent demos, this kitchen sink approach to development is working on many fronts with a game that is at turns, action packed when it counts, scary and intentionally slow-paced where it needs to be (but not intensely so) and full of plot twists, new enemy types and some of the most satisfying gameplay in the franchise’s history. I have the feeling that good or bad, this will be the most discussed RE game for quite some time after its October 2, 2012 release.

Soul Sacrifice TGS Trailer: More New IP Shows Sony’s Clear Vision For Vita

Posted on September 29, 2012 by geelw

I’ve been too busy working on some other projects to keep track of every game I liked from TGS, but Soul Sacrifice is one I’m adding to my long list of wants. It’s not only a great-looking game and a new IP (another one in a bunch coming exclusively to Sony platforms this year and next), it’s yet more proof to the naysayers that the Vita doesn’t get any worthy titles. Of course, it’s usually only those who don’t own a Vita or do, but skip over games for it because they’re unwilling to expand their horizons who are complaining. Me, I say keep it up, Sony!

Naughty Bear: Panic in Paradise Trailer (And A Release Date, Too!)

Posted on September 28, 2012 by geelw

Annnnd here you go: October 12 only via PSN and XBLA. As a bonus video surprise, here’s Victim #8, Bubbles. Poor Bubbles! While I’m still holding my breath (sort of) that we see an combo disc featuring both games (including all the Gold Edition content), I guess I’ll have to get this digitally after all (PSN, puh-leeze). Ah well – given that the game is going to be even better than the original, i don’t mind going out of my way to snag a copy. That said, it would also be cool to see this hit the Vita as well, especially with a wave of really super portable games on the way from other publishers.

EVENT! EA’s Soccer & Speed Tour Rolls Into New York City Sept. 28-30

Posted on September 27, 2012 by geelw

Soooo, what are you doing this weekend? If you’re around NYC or are popping in for a bit, you can play two of EA’s upcoming titles and maybe WIN some cool prizes with your gaming prowess. Out of nowhere, a truck rolls up (through a mysterious cloud of smoke optional), opens up and *BOOM!* the gaming gets underway. Playable versions of Need For Speed: Most Wanted (Criterion’s spectacular return to form with a crazy amount of cars and seriously fun multiplayer content that should make any Burnout fan keel over with joy) and FIFA Soccer 13 (depending on who you ask, arguably the best footie game on the market), are headed around the town for three days:

WHEN & WHERE:

Sept. 28, 3 PM – 8 PM: Upper 90 (697 Amsterdam Avenue New York, New York)
Sept. 28, 9 PM – Midnight: Genesis Bar (1708 2nd Ave #1, New York, New York)
Sept. 29, 10 AM – 1 PM: Legends (6 W 33rd St. New York, New York)
Sept. 29, 2 PM – 6 PM: GameStop (2322 Broadway and 85th St. #1, New York, New York)
Sept. 30, 9 AM – 9 PM: Upper 90 (359 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY)
Will I show up to beat some of you into submission or lose terribly to the better man or woman? I’m not quite sure just yet, as I still have a pile of work to get to here. But who knows? Oh, I’d probably lose to anyone at FIFA, as I like watching more than playing. But as for NFS: MW? I did win one journalist’s tourney at an EA press event a while back, so I can at least hold my own at that game.

New Little King’s Story Launch Trailer (UK) – US Version Coming Oct. 2

Posted on September 27, 2012 by geelw

Ah, I’d almost forgotten about this one, but here you go: the UK/EU launch trailer for the nicely intriguing RTS/RPG hybrid. I loved the first game on the Wii quite a lot (in my opinion, it’s one of the best games made for that console) and updated visual style plus all-new touch controls aside, the Vita game looks like it will be even more addictive and fun to play. Slowly but surely, the Vita is getting more great games – something it really needs with so much at stake for Sony this console cycle.