Alphadia Genesis Mini-Update: Seven More Screens To Tickle Your JRPG Fancy…

Posted on August 28, 2014 by geelw

I’m quite sure someone at Natsume just LOVES teasing gamers half to death and is probably chuckling merrily about it somewhere safe with a nice fat cream puff and a cup of good Genmaicha. Dropping a mere seven more screenshots from its upcoming Wii U download-only JRPG Alphadia Genesis into my inbox and stealthily escaping into the night air, a hint of sugar in the breeze as the ninja swoops up onto a rooftop and then dives down into the dogwood trees below. Good thing they planted those trees about a year or two back and removed the chain link fence, as that’s seven stories to the ground otherwise.

Anyway, here you go – the game is coming to the eShop for the Wii U later this year. back with more when that sneaky ninja makes a comeback…

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor Belated Update: Some Evil, Some Good and How It’s All Done…

Posted on August 27, 2014 by geelw

Yeah, yeah, I’ve been behind a bit on this upcoming game from WBIE and developer Monolith Productions, but that’s because I’m confident it’s going to be a worthy Middle-earth experience no matter what it’s played on. I think I’ve said that already but it bears repeating. Respecting a developer and enjoying whatever they’re working on goes a longer way than nit-picking that work apart for not being 100% accurate to the original works. Particularly if that game does something out of the ordinary yet seems familiar at the end of the day. Pity the last-gen versions aren’t getting all the AI bells and whistles as the current (or next, if you’ve yet to update) gen new systems, but that’s the way the ball bounces. You get more power to use and you use it wisely. Hmmm… isn’t that one of the lessons Tolkien was trying to get across in his books? Well, well, well… I’m already up to speed, then.

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is out September 30, 2014 for PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Yeah, pre-order madness exists in the form of different “exclusive” DLC from different retailers (boo), so do what you need to do if you want that extra perk. or maybe just buy the game outright when it’s in a store and hope WBIE decides to release ALL those bonuses once a few weeks or so have passed. Or they’re available as in-game unlocks once you’ve played long enough…

Jupiter Ascending: WB & The Wachowskis Gamble On The Proper Audiences Rising To The Occasion…

Posted on August 27, 2014 by geelw

Ah, I see the internet is speaking up again with disapproval about another big budget film project by the Wachowskis, this time, it’s Jupiter Ascending, the siblings’ high-concept but somewhat familiar sci-fi action/adventure set for a February 2015 release. Granted, I’ve been on the “what the hell is THIS?” tip on a few of their post-Matrix projects, but repeated viewings have made me appreciate Speed Racer and Cloud Atlas more than I did when I first saw them.

At this stage of the game, I say let them have at it, as their films wrap up more creativity and visual punch than some that swipe from their earlier work. Granted, The Matrix trilogy was clearly inspired by lots of anime and manga plus a few Hong Kong action flicks and other things. But for American and other audiences that never encountered these influences, it was a breath of fresh air (for the most part). I’d gather both the Wachowskis as well as Warner Bros. have predicted this new normal of over-criticism based on trailers and clips (which is nothing new at all except the speed of people tearing things apart has grown exponentially faster thanks to social media), but these days it’s like EVERY movie is seen as Heaven’s Gate was initially, and everyone with access to a computer of some sort and an internet connection thinks they’re a great film critic or historian in training.

Well, I suppose ignoring the usual suspects is the best revenge, as you can only fight with so many fools before you grow tired of what you do and head for the nearest bar. Or nearest window in some extreme cases. Noli nothi permittere te terere. is all I have to say (and I hope to hell I got that right)…

Interstellar 60-Second Trailer: Hold Onto Your Seats (Again) For A Minute…

Posted on August 27, 2014 by geelw

As noted previously, Interstellar promises to be another “deep thought” film experience from Christopher Nolan, so I’m looking forward to those conversations with people who didn’t “get” something in the film or were hoping for a typical Hollywood ending and didn’t get that and think they wasted whatever it cost to buy a ticket. *Sigh*, yeah… opinions and the internet can be a pain in the rear end sometimes. Anyway, I’m predicting big things for this one even if it’s not a box-office buster like less cerebral movies turn out to be. It’ll certainly be something to keep in mind as a future home video purchase as I think it’ll be a film worth watching a few times…

As usual, we shall see…

Biohazard HD Remaster Offers Up A Great Reason To Import (For the PS3 At Least)

Posted on August 27, 2014 by geelw

Sure, you can hold out for the download-only North American release of Resident Evil HD Remaster, but I’m seeing the more hardcore fans of the long-running franchise and a few gaming friends running for the Eastern border and snapping up pre-orders for the Japanese or Asian versions of Biohazard HD Remaster instead. Why? Well, for starters, the game comes on a physical disc with a manual and as you know (or should know), PS3 games are region free, so the game should run on any console anywhere in the world. Both the Japanese and less expensive Asian version (which is for Chinese gamers and should come with an English manual or instruction sheet fold-out common to that region’s software) will have dual-language support (English and Japanese voice and text based on the console settings), so jumping back into this classic experience will be a breeze for anyone.

From what I see, that much more expensive E-Capcom Complete Edition is sold out in a few import shops, so folks who want that pack for all the goodies it contains will need to hold out and see if Capcom plans to get that out over here. Anyway, go take a gander at some comparison screenshots so you can see what you’re in for. We won’t be seeing this remaster in the US until early 2015 at the earliest, but as the import ships out this November, I have the feeling that a bunch of people will be grooving on this game before that and posting their impressions left and right in the usual spots. Will I be one of those people? Hmmm… we shall see…

OBEY: Funko Wants Your Money… And You’ll Gladly Give It To Them!

Posted on August 26, 2014 by geelw

Wow, I can’t even keep up with all the email Funko sends my way (that’s a good thing), but here’s a few of their upcoming products you’ll want to free your wallet from the cage it’s in for (oh, nice logo change, guys!):

SF Mystery Minis are coming in September and yeah, I WANT A BOX OF THESE! Just to give away to random readers, surprise someone by adding one to a holiday or other gift, you know, silly stuff like that. Okay, I’ll keep an Alien here on what little remaining shelf space I actually have, but all the rest would get gone somewhere and get some people smiling for sure. These are coming in September to your favorite Funko retailer, so keep an eye out, Okay?

December brings you Dancing Groot from The Guardians of the Galaxy and the return of Howard the Duck (!), which I may also need to clear a space for, as I’m an old fan of that character from his initial run in the 70’s and that oddball black & white mag Marvel published in the 80’s. Hmmm… Funko, you’re trying to seduce me, huh? Well, we’ll see about that. I’m allegedly immune to such blatant BUY ME shenanigans, but it’s been getting tempting seeing all this really cool stuff.

Oh, annnnd speaking of really cool stuff:

Yeah, that’s the Pop! Rides Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Van, with the special Michelangelo Pizza Pop! only available with this package. This one’s coming in September, by the way. Hmmm… i there’s a Pop! Mystery Machine, that would make quite the pretend race, huh?

Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham: TT Games’ Next One Will Be Out Of This World…

Posted on August 26, 2014 by geelw

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham is coming to PlayStation 3/PlayStation 4/PS Vita, Xbox One/Xbox 360, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, and PC on November 11, 2014. That’s pretty much all you need to know as TT Games and WBIE have absolutely MASTERED the art of whipping out a LEGO game to mostly rave notices and delivering the goods with a family-friendly set of titles that have infinite replay value and make for instant “BUY ME!” purchases whether as gifts for oneself or a bunch of lucky kids.

Seriously, all you need are a couple of controllers and anyone can have a total blast. for the longest time, the LEGO series has been a “pick up and play” festival and with each installment, TT Games has been adding neat stuff like fully voiced characters, bigger maps to explore and loads of additional costumes, characters and plenty of hidden secrets for those willing to play until they fine everything. Oh, and here’s a word from Braniac and a few pals in case you’re showing any form of disinterest in this one:

Yeah, soooo… don’t let the Joker put the earth in his pants (ewww!)… BUY THIS GAME when it comes out and knock some sense into that ever-grinning nut-job, I say!

New Oneechanbara Z2 Chaos Trailer: Aya and Company Are In Double (Plus) Trouble This Time Out…

Posted on August 26, 2014 by geelw

While there’s still NO news of this game coming to North America, I’d be the first one signing a petition and/or bugging my contacts at D3Publisher of America to consider getting this silly sleeper localized. Even if they kept the Japanese voices and just subtitled the whole thing, I’d be happy. Speaking of localization work… Hey D3PoA! I’ll even do the proofreading job on the translated text if you need the assistance and pay me for my work. Yeah, I’m that nuts about Aya and the gang, so hit me up and let’s make this happen. Yeah, yeah, the game won’t sell a single PS4 in this country, but it’ll most likely do well enough worldwide to maybe get the girls a follow-up later on. I hope. Of course, the trick is getting the fickle gamers out there to fall for Tamsoft’s visual style and the simple yet complex gameplay the series offers. That’s going to take some marketing genius and perhaps even some money spent on showing the game off at some live events like a comic convention or other show where the public and press can step up and hop into things for a taste.

Eh, we’ll see what happens, I guess. One has to dream big with a game like this, folks. Oh and yeah, things get kind of… fruity at the end of that video. Ah, Japan. I love you, but MAN… you’re weird ~~sometimes~~ ~~most~~ ALL of the time!

Hive Jump, Huh? Hmmm… Color Me Highly Interested!

Posted on August 25, 2014 by geelw

Nope, despite that idyllic GIF above (twang, twang!), Graphite Lab’s upcoming PC/Mac/Linux and Wii U (yay!) game Hive Jump isn’t about some space cowboys sittin’ around a blazing campfire strumming a gitbox and singing bean-related songs (although that might make a fun mini-game now that I think about it). In fact, this in progress Kickstarter and Steam Greenlight game is the exact opposite of low key and gassy. One to four player alien blasting action reminiscent of X-Com, a bit of Slime World, Spelunky and Contra is the name of the game here (EDIT: Hey! I thought this was called Hive Jump?!) and based on that Kickstarter video, thing certainly look pretty thrilling.

See? Now THAT’S more like it, huh?

However, with a mere 931 backers and only $27,030 pledged of their $50,000 goal and ONLY 11 days to go (Eeek!), it seems this game needs MORE people hopping on the bandwagon. Granted, I bet some of those non-pledgers own a Sony or Microsoft console and are wondering why Nintendo is getting the love and they aren’t. But hey, I love it when a developer picks the more under-appreciated console and gives it the old college try. The Wii U needs games like this to stand out, and if it does well across the board, who’s to say Sony and Microsoft won’t be calling them up and getting a few dev kits out via some speedy shipping method? As much as I’m wanting to grab this download on the Wii U next year, I’d actually LOVE to play this on the Vita just so I can take it on the road to show it off and convert a few skeptics into new fans.

I’d say there are a lot of bugs in this game (and that’s a compliment.)

Anyway, internet? Go do what you do so well (no, not THAT complain about meaningless crap in the wrong places!) and FUND THIS GAME! I’m broke after paying a few bills, so I’ll be one of those picking it up once it’s all done. It sure looks like it’ll be a total winner no matter what it appears on. Anyway, stop throwing money AT the screen, as all that does is crack you monitor. You need to do a bit more than that (or: give ’til it hurts or you get hurt) if you want to see this one live to fight another day (and perhaps on other consoles?). You go do just that – I’ll be here, awaiting your progress report!

MotoGP 14 Trailer: A Bit of Bike Action Tease To Get Your Monday Racing…

Posted on August 25, 2014 by geelw

With veteran developer Milestone S.r.L. on the case, MotoGP 14 is looking like a motorbike fan’s dream game. While this particular racing sub-genre doesn’t draw in the legions of fans automobile games do, the developer’s talents at making some very solid racers for quite some time shows once you pick up a controller. I played a few races at Bandai Namco’s NYC event a few weeks back and found the game solid in terms of the excellent controls and sense of speed. Visually, the game looked absolutely great, but I’m betting you’ll be wanting to keep your eyes glued to the road. Speaking of roads, MotoGP14 will feature more than 100 riders to choose from, all the official manufacturers, racing classes and 18 tracks all based on the Official MotoGP World Championship.

As with their other racers, Milestone knows how to yank you into the game they’ve created by concentrating on the details that are the most important, so this just may be one of the better entries in the long running series when it ships out later this year for PS3/PS4, PS Vita, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.