I’m gathering Zack Snyder has been listening hard to criticisms leveled against his films and some elements of his directorial style certain vocal fans dislike. Either that or he’s been watching Terence Malick’s exquisitely mind-blowing The Tree of Life one too many times while eating bowl after bowl of Corn Flakes and reading a Ralph Lauren catalog shot by Bruce Weber. Anyway, these new Man of Steel teasers manages to be vague, impressive and inspiring all without coughing up a single spoiler or explosion. That said, I’m hoping the final film has a wee bit more color in it, as this sort of bleached out look in movies is fading fast (har har). With plenty of time to go before the Summer 2013 release, here’s to more revealing and intriguing future trailers that don’t give away a thing while managing to be equally thrilling.
NISA’s Online Store does it again with yet another nice set of dual pre-order Premium Box sets for an upcoming PS3 exclusive. This time, it’s Mugen Souls, coming your way on September 18 in not one, not two, but THREE editions. Pick one, unless you have that much cash to spare (and maybe want to surprise me with a gift, ha ha). You can pre-order NOW or snap the standard edition later at any game retailer or at NISA’s online shop for $49.99 or grab one of the SUPER limited single print run boxed versions via pre-order (ASAP, as they’ll go FAST) for $64.99 or $99.99 depending on how much swag you want to fill up your shelf space. Both box sets come complete with an art book, soundtrack CD, bath sponge and hand towel, with the more pricey set netting buyers three exclusive figurines you won’t see anywhere else. Gamers who only go for the standard edition have to provide their own fancy washing goodies, or just rub the shrink wrap all over them to get that new game smell. Anyway, the game looks like a ton of fun, promising “overwhelming visuals, massively customizable characters, and never ending gameplay” according to the press release.
United Front Games isn’t skimping on the voice casting in their upcoming (and eagerly awaited) action game. Take a look at a veritable who’s who of familiar faces (and voices). Even the people you haven’t heard of are doing a fine job from my perspective. It doesn’t hurt at all that the game is looking quite good as well. That August 7 release date is rolling up fast, isn’t it?
Well, this is cool. Yes, it’s only a teaser site for now, but Sandlot has been very, very busy this year (and that’s very, very good). I’m betting we’ll see more about this one come this year’s TGS, but even if it’s a total no-show and that show, I can wait.
That and hey – D3Publisher of America should be making sure 2013 is a big, bug-packed (in a good way) EDF year for gamers. With enough time to generate the proper hype, I’d bet we’ll be seeing a sleeper steamroll some of the games that cost more to promote than what EDF 4 is costing to make…
Boy, try and make a new game in a hugely popular series without dragging along EVERY element from previous entries and watch the more stick in the rear fans fearful of change scream and struggle as if they’ve been tossed into a burlap sack, then the back of a moving black van. Maybe Michael Ironside was unavailable, wanted too much money or hell, wanted to move on from the character he originally voiced for a bunch of games. Maybe Ubisoft wanted someone “younger” sounding for this installment. Eh, whatever. all this reminds me of is how things often work out in Hollywood in terms of sequels. Keeping in a Tom Clancy vein, how about that Jack Ryan? Anyone?
Well, now… color me intrigued. I happen to still like my Nintendo DS quite a lot, so yes, I’ll absolutely be bugging Namco Bandai for a reviewable of this game. Hey, for me, it’ll be the 16-bit game I never got to play back on the SNES and Genesis and as you’ll see from the gallery I’ll post later tonight, the game actually looks pretty impressive. Which of course means that I need to practice my Lion-O yell to get even more psyched for the game’s September 25, 2012 release. Er, you may want to stand back a few feet, kids (and get the family pet into a closet nearby – you’ve been warned): *Ahem* Thundercats, HOO*cough!*ooooo….*ack*oooo!!!!…
Hmmmm. Clearly, practice is needed there, as I just broke my throat and a window here. Back with more later. Er, more screen shots, that is (and a lot of them)…
“We want people to experience the same terror of the walker-filled reality our characters faced in seasons one and two – and will continue to face in our third season,” said Greg Nicotero, Co-Executive Producer and Special Effects Make-up Artist for the series. “Our collaboration with Universal Studios’ creative teams is exciting as we work to truly capture the essence of the show.”
Well, now… this is getting really interesting. Hmmm… I’m betting this is a secret weight-loss plan for some of the flabbier citizens of this country where deep-fried butter and bacon-wrapped everything are a normal way of life for too many out there. Hey, you! Want to lose 20 pounds FAST? Just go to Universal Studios Hollywood or Universal Studios Orlando during Halloween Horror Nights and hit both The Walking Dead and Silent Hill attractions. Make sure you don’t eat beforehand, as the zombies at the former love the smell of digesting beef patties, artificially colored cheese and soda pop PLUS those nurses at the latter can aid in taking care of those bite marks on your flesh… by sticking a few knives and needles into them (ouch!). Stock up on adult diapers and a portable defibrillator at the souvenir shop (conveniently located smack dab in between the two attractions) and you’re good to go.
“With ‘The Walking Dead,’ we want to make fans of the series feel like they are literally walking in the footsteps of the show’s characters, experiencing all of the horrific events from the series just as they experienced them,” said John Murdy, Creative Director at Universal Studios Hollywood. “The goal is to make guests of Halloween Horror Nights feel like they are trapped in the world of ‘The Walking Dead,’ using all of the attention to detail and movie-quality production values that Halloween Horror Nights has become famous for. You’re no longer sitting on a couch, watching a show…you’re living it!”
In other words, be prepared to do a lot of running. And screaming, too. Wear comfortable shoes and maybe some football gear if you tend to knock people over on your way to the exit sign…
Speaking of Persona 4… I posted that last article and went off to make some coffee and as soon as I sit down again, *ding!* this pops up in my inbox. Nice. I now have another game I want for my Vita (and finally, a RPG getting a US retail release that’s deeper than what’s currently on the handheld!). Naturally, clicking on that link above will fly you over to the teaser site where you can go temporarily blind from the burst of color that will hit your eyeballs then upon your recovery, pre-order the game if you like (no pressure here!).
Of course, if you don’t have a Vita yet, you probably won’t be clicking away, but I’d say this is one of those JRPGs that’s worth a console purchase if you like your games ridiculously PACKED to the gills with content and replay value.
OK, I’m guilty! Although I’ve been ignoring all those character moves trailers for a while just because I’m too busy with other stuff, after finally watching this latest trailer I can safely state that Arc System Works + Atlus’ key JRPG franchise = instant classic for genre fans of all skill levels. I’m terrible at most fighting games, but I’ll give this a shot because it looks like fun and I’m a Shin Megami Tensei fan from the Super Famicom days. Granted, I still prefer Kaneko Kazuma’s more unique art style over the art in the series since Persona 3, but I’m not crazy enough to ignore a good game over something like that. Anyway, August 7 is the release date and yes, you can pre-order the game and get a nice bonus (par for the course with an Atlus release). Hmmm. perhaps Persona 5 or a future Shin Megami Tensei title will feature a fighting game engine based on this game instead of a turn-based combat system… that would be a total trip, wouldn’t it?
“This is not a game. This is not a movie. This is real. And guests will be tormented by horrifying creatures from an alternate dimension, including the iconic deformed nurses and the executioner. “
So, Universal Studios is adding a Silent Hill theme to its hugely popular Halloween Horror Nightsattraction at its Universal Studios Florida and Hollywood locations. That’s a good thing or a bad one, depending on how much you like being scared silly by things that go bump in the night. Personally, I’ve never really been scared at any horror house I’ve been to most likely because I have a pretty morbid sense of humor to begin with and tend to elbow anyone who tries to do a “jump out’ scare on me in the eye. I also know that at the end of the day everyone going in will come out alive (soiled shorts optional) and all those mask and makeup wearing guys and gals putting the fear of fear into the heads of those who show up are making an honest buck.
"DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!" 