Steel Battalion Heavy Armor Press Kit: OK, Capcom, You’re Killing Me!

Posted on June 1, 2012 by geelw

Argh… It’s “bad” enough I’ll soon be getting a Kinect here and knocking over plants and stuff while I’m spazzing out in front of my TV, but Capcom is making me want to see one of these cool press kits miraculously show up at my doorstep. I’m still kicking myself for not snapping up that last Xbox Steel Battalion when I had the chance (hey, it was that or a new console for work, and the new console won). Anyway, they’re giving one of these babies away on their Capcom Unity blog for you non-press folks, by the way. I’m betting From Software is going to surprise a LOT of people with the game, but what else is new? People keep underestimating these guys and they just keep on pulling out surprise after surprise…

Metro: Last Light ‘Enter The Metro’ Trailer: Why Single Player Is Still Important

Posted on May 30, 2012 by geelw

4A Games’ upcoming post-apocalytic FPS isn’t a multiplayer game, and that’s a REALLY good thing. By focusing on storytelling, characters and driving home the feeling of being in a deadly and frightening destroyed Moscow where what’s left of humanity there is fighting for survival while assorted mutated beasts whittle them down bit by bit, this could be one of the bigger “sleepers” out there when it hits the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC sometime in 2013. The prequel, Metro 2033 was (and is) one of the best story-driven shooters that, despite some hitches here and there, was a truly memorable experience. This one looks even more polished and hopefully, will get the audience it deserves.

Prometheus Clip Mini-Bonanza: The Clock Is Ticking…

Posted on May 30, 2012 by geelw

Yup, the Prometheus trailer and clip free for all continues on the internet. Even after seeing all these clips plus the HBO and Showtime features covering the making of the film, it’s still all a big fat mystery to me as far as what exactly happens in the film. Sure, I’ve got the basic story down pat and as noted previously, there won’t be that same alien from the other films running about and bumping off crew members (a good thing in my book). But when Ridley Scott says he’s “going to scare the $#!t out of you,” I have to take him at his word.

So, yeah… June 8 is rolling up next week and I can see that theater filled with folks expecting one thing and getting something entirely different. But in a really good way. I know I’ll be going home and watching Alien again just to check out the links made in the new film and how well they all fit. One cool thing I’ve liked about the trailers and commercials by the way: they use that weird sound effect from the original Alien trailers to excellent effect…

Malevolence Makes Its Kickstarter Target With Time To Spare (But You Can Still Pledge!)

Posted on May 26, 2012 by geelw

Sure, it’s not the Dr. Non-Evil millions that Double Fine or some of those other studios raked in for their projects (even though the team deserves a big chink of cash for all the work they’re doing here), but $7,365 for a 6K target and still two weeks left is not bad at all. The game is looking quite lovely so far and will definitely get better as that launch date approaches. I just saw on the Kickstarter page that an expansion is already in the works, but it will be based on where the donations head next. There are a few tiers based on 8K and 10K milestones, but a modest 20K plus is my wish for these guys and gals so they can do everything that they’ve planned and make lots of people happy.

P.T. Anderson’s ‘The Master” Trailer: Phoenix Rising

Posted on May 25, 2012 by geelw

It’s hard to believe that the self-taught director Anderson has, including this upcoming film, a mere five movies under his belt and all of them are amazing to spend time with when they pop up on cable. His latest work, set for an October release, is a story about a a man (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman) who starts up his own cult-like “religion” in the 1950’s with ex-Navy sailor (played by Joaquim Phoenix) ending up as his personal assistant, most likely after the events this creepy trailer hints at. Interestingly enough, Hoffman isn’t in the trailer at all – it’s all Phoenix here, and while the clip is cryptic, it also hints at a bit of madness and violence in the character he’s playing. I predict another film in the vein of There Will Be Blood, Anderson’s epic-length character study that netted Daniel Day-Lewis an Academy Award (and everyone else the right to make “I drink your milkshake!” jokes, even if they never saw the film). This is really turning into a pretty cool year for movie lovers, that’s for sure…

Steel Battalion “How To” Trailer: “First, You Buy A Kinect…”

Posted on May 24, 2012 by geelw

Ha ha… Well, that’s how it SHOULD begin for those who still don’t own a Kinect, right? Out of all the games for the thing, this one is the main reason I’m interested in the peripheral. I like that it’s set up as a simulation where you’re not just using the Kinect to do EVERY action. With gameplay taking place in and out of the tank, it looks as if there will be a wide range of things to keep players busy as they tromp and blast through some pretty deadly war zones. The sense of immersion looks off the charts and HOPEFULLY, the jaded folks out there will give this one a try even if they’re still whining for a special (and one use) controller. Look kids – that’s not going to happen, as it would be too expensive to produce and useless just for this ONE game. Sure, the first Steel Battalion got that great big 44-button monster, but Capcom was smart enough not to overproduce it. Still, I;m sure SOMEONE will hack their SB controller to work with the new game (good luck with that project!)…

Sleeping Dogs Update: “Made In Hong Kong” Doesn’t Mean It’s Cheap…

Posted on May 24, 2012 by geelw

It’s really looking as if Square Enix and developer United Front Games are going to have one of those ridiculously FUN games to play in Sleeping Dogs. Personally, I though the True Crime games were undercooked and a bit too derivative of certain other games on the market at the time, but as a reboot and potential new franchise, SD has nothing but too many cool Hong Kong action flicks to look up to. I think as long as the combat isn’t as slippery and funky as it was in Stranglehold and the story is well done, this one’s going to be a keeper. We shall see, as always…

Lollipop Chainsaw “Special Edition” Ad: Juliet’s Not Going To Let You Play Unless You Play Nice…

Posted on May 23, 2012 by geelw

Director (and co-creator of the game) James Gunn has an amusing answer to the fanboys out there drooling all over Juliet and thinking this game is ALL about exploitation and bouncy cheerleaders and junk like that. This clip made me laugh quite a lot, but I’d bet some of the harder-headed types on either side of the fence might not see the funny here. Go Juliet!

Malevolence: The Sword of Ahkranox Update: Welcome To Our Town!

Posted on May 23, 2012 by geelw

OK, it’s only a few more in-progress buildings, and yes, the team is still hard at work, but hey – the game is looking better and better with each new video. I’m hoping these guys make their target and maybe even find a distributor like gog.com or even (eek) Origin (now that they threw out the offer to distribute any ready to go indie games). We shall see, I suppose. Anyway, keep an eyeball peeled for this one, as it’s going to be quite a nice throwback to the days of yore when it’s all done. And that’s a good thing, by the way!

LEGO Batman 2 Trailer: You Can Call it “Arkham Cutie” If You Like…

Posted on May 22, 2012 by geelw

Soooo, it’s an open-world game in the Arkham City vein (but not as dark, of course), AND it has fully voiced characters (for the first time ever in a LEGO game? Traveler’s Tales is doing their best work to date and sweet. I get to play this tomorrow at an event here in NYC. But, Ruh-Roh! I’ll be there with a bunch of kids and their parents around ruining my day when they have to drag their bawling offspring away from the controllers. Feh. I’m stocking up on hand sanitizer and wearing my “step away from that controller, kid!” face tomorrow (complete with a growly Chris Bale voice for good measure), is all I’m saying…. That, and staying the hell away from any snacks put out. Nothing like a plate of picked over cookies and fruit, right? Ewww… OK, breathe…. breathe…. it’s the Year of the Bat, it’s the Year of the Bat… Damn kids…