E3 2014: Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley – Not The Only Thing Natsume Showed This Year, But…

Alphadia Genesis Wii UYou wouldn’t know this by looking at their North American YouTube page. Now, I’m not singling Natsume out for anything mean here at all, folks. They’re a solid but much smaller publisher than some of the bigger and busier ones who show stuff at E3 and to me, that’s precisely why they NEED more updates on their main video page. Granted, they DO have a nice social presence on facebook with a page that’s updated fairly frequently. however, not everyone has or wants a facebook account and YouTube works quite well as far as letting potential customers see what’s coming (despite the pain in the butt that is Google+ hampering some basic functionality there).

Anyway, as I’ve been trumpeting, Alphadia Genesis is also coming (a port of an iOS and Android JRPG) and I posted about the rest of their lineup before the big show. Hey, I just want to see the little guys succeed, so if I can generate some thrills and hits for Natsume and their cool lineup of upcoming and already available games, I’m doing my job here.

Dracula Untold Posters: Bats Just Nuts, I Say…

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 Hmmm. I guess I should wait and see what the trailers look like for this upcoming Universal Pictures/Legendary Pictures co-production, but I can’t help myself about whipping out a bat of my own and swinging at these poster designs. They look cool and all, but if you’re not the only one getting a serious Batman vibe from these two like I did, well keep looking and you’ll see the same things I’m seeing. Again, I won’t judge the film at all based on the posters, but at least it seems to be set during the “proper” time period and not some “Hey, let’s move the classic vampire into the modern age!” fail face that certain popular franchise TV shows and films have done over the years. Granted, for my money there hasn’t been a truly GREAT Dracula film in many years, so this one’s got a good deal to live up to. As long as it’s better than that reboot of The Wolfman from a few years back, it just might be a good time. as always, we shall see…

E3 2014: Xseed Gets Nicely Nostalgic and Notoriously Naughty This Year…

 
So, it looks as if Harvest Moon is now Story of Seasons, at least because Natsume owns the name proper and this game, while in the same series, has to get a retitling. No worries there, as it’s the same gameplay and pretty much the same plot as the older games you may have played and loved. Just buy it when it comes out and you’ll forget all about the name change, I say.

 
Gamers who recall one of the Super Nintendo’s most devious and pesky rogue-like RPG’s will be pleased to know that Nihon Falcom’s masterpiece Brandish is BACK in remake form as a new(ish) PSP game called Brandish: The Dark Revenant. from that video above, I got a few chuckles because it reminded me of playing the old game on the SNES and hating it until I got the hang of things, then hating it some more because making progress was tough as nails even after you got used to the gameplay. The assorted deathtraps here will drive impatient players nuts plus tax, so may I recommend you tape that PSP or Vita wrist strap around your wrist if you buy this game? This way, if you decide get pissed off and actually throw that handheld, you don’t get to see it hit anything unless it whips around your wrist (ouch!).

 
Corpse Party is also coming back, this time as a PC game for those of you who missed the original indie version. don’t let those initially cute characters fool you one bit. This one’s a creepy horror tale with some blood and gore and a plot that WILL get up under your skin and writhe around like it means it. It’s not really a party at the end of the day, but corpses are indeed involved, so that title is half correct, ha and ha… Continue reading

E3 2014: Dynasty Warriors: Gundam Reborn Trailer: It’s Back and Better – Go Get Your Zeon!


It’s too bad this reboot of the Dynasty Warriors: Gundam franchise is digital-only, as I’d love to own this on a disc and not need to bust out the Japanese dictionary and flash cards in order to read the menus and understand the dialog. Oh, I suppose I should just go learn the language already, but I also want to support Namco Bandai here in America with a buy at some point. Of course, these digital releases are cheaper for them to get out because there’s no discs to press or ship out to assorted retailers, no overstock sitting around unsold and no resale market to worry about raking in money the company won’t even see a penny of. On the other hand, I’m a disc guy first and foremost, as are plenty of people who prefer their games in a case for a few good reasons. Anyway, this one looks good enough to buy in any form, so perhaps I’ll end up doing just that when this rolls out in July. Oh, and that VERY Star Wars-like cantina music at the end for the DLC pre-order? Priceless (but oddly enough, has nothing to do with the SW films old or new, go figure!)

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E3 2014: Risen 3: Titan Lords Trailer: One For The Fans Who Appreciate The ERPG…

 
Here in the west, I’s bet most gamers only know developer Piranha Bytes’ Risen series from the two console ports, which weren’t great because on the visual front, they distilled a game made for a decent 3D card down into a somewhat mushy-looking mess with some interesting gameplay elements and quests of decent length and challenge. As with other European-made RPG series such as Two Worlds and to some extent the Gothic games, Risen seems to sell well enough overseas on PC to garner more installments and I believe the console versions of these games do well in Europe as well. Here in North America where some are a LOT more picky about visuals and take some elements of their games too seriously, the combination of so-so looks, comedy bits that may seem out of place and perhaps simplified for game pad control schemes seem to turn some gamers off, leaving these titles to find a more niche audience.

Now, I’m a fan of the Risen games on console, warts and all, but I can see why some aren’t exactly jumping off their seats at this announcement trailer. On the good side, at least Deep Silver isn’t calling this CGI trailer a “gameplay” trailer at all. Now, I want to see how this looks in action on whatever it’s coming to so I can pick it up and play it whenever it’s released. Which, by the way will be August 12, 2014 on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. The pirate theme from Risen 2 is gone and the more familiar “medieval” fantasy look is back, so that’s a fine start. Not that I don’t like the whole pirate themed RPG thing, mind you…

Game of Thrones 4:9 Recap: A Bit Late, But I’m Still Recovering…

 
Hey, this week was so packed with stuff that I didn’t get a chance to post a post-show impressions post. That’s too many posts in that last sentence, but I’ll let you forgive me while I ramble on a bit. So, the Wall did not fall, but plenty of good and bad men did thanks to everything from unhappy accidents, being in the wrong place and general last man standing stuff… Continue reading

E3 2014: The Order: 1886 Trailer: Ready at Dawn, Making Themselves A Household Name With Certainty…

9071605272_c2f2d83d8d_bYou can very safely say that a new console REALLY doesn’t get games worth upgrading for until it’s second year as developers ease into learning the hardware and Ready at Dawn’s upcoming The Order: 1886 is shining proof of that. Amazing looking cutscenes flow into what’s looking like solid gameplay, the intriguing mix of alternate past with future tech and of course, familiar action-heavy gameplay all make this one look like a winner as well as a system mover for Sony when it’s finally released on February 20, 2015.

E3 2014: MilitAnt Trailer: Prepare to Bug Out in 2015 With Xibalba’s Upcoming PC/PSN Shooter

militantLogoSure, you can say Indie games are a dime a dozen these days, but more often than not, keeping your ear to the ground will reveal cool stuff like this PC, PS3/PS4/Vita bound game, MilitAnt from Xibalba Studios. As I tend to love “old-school” stuff like this, I’m all in and wanting to see more.

MilitAntIntro3Thankfully, the game’s site has a bunch of screens and art to show off, so some of that stuff is here. This one’s not due until 2015, so there’s plenty of time for Xilbalba to make it even better and hopefully (waaaaaait for it…) as bug-free as possible (A ha and ha-ha). Anyway, I’ll keep you posted on this one as more info and images creep out. You aren’t afraid of ants, right? I sure hope not!

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E3 2014: Official Batman: Arkham Knight Batmobile Battle Mode Gameplay – “Please, Can I Have The Car Tonight, Batty?”

 
Aha… and I kind of need to find my eyeballs because they’ve popped out and rolled under a table here. With Batman Arkham Knight, WBIE and developer Rocksteady are giving you another reason to buy a new console if you haven’t already. And of course,I thought this was going to be an online mode, but nope, it seems to be part of the main game and man, that new Batmobile is pretty darn slick stuff. Rocksteady’s skills with next-gen hardware are mighty impressive, huh? Anyway, WB Games wants you to check out the Batmobile in detail, so put on your drool cup, boogie that mouse finger on over HERE and enjoy the ride. I can’t even drive in real life and I want one of these!

Funko’s Hikari Friday 7: Double Special Turtles Giveaway FTW!

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This week’s Funko Hikari Sofubi Vinyl figure giveaway is once again geared towards Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans and this time, it’s pair of even cooler vinyls they’re giving away, ONE each to TWO lucky winners. Check them out:

Limited Edition Clear Leonardo Hikari Sofubi Figure (#1 of 3000!):
Limited Edition Clear Leonardo Hikari Sofubi Figure 

Barnes & Noble Exclusive Pizza Power Michelangelo Hikari Sofubi Figure (#1 of 600!):
Barnes & Noble Exclusive Pizza Power Michelangelo Hikari Sofubi Figure 

At this point, you know how to enter for a chance to score one of these, correct? NO?! Okay, one more time (well, until next week when I let you know again). Just click on over to one of Funko’s social channels:

www.facebook.com/OriginalFunko
www.twitter.com/OriginalFunko
Instagram @OriginalFunko

Enter and keep those digits crossed! Winners are announced ever Thursday (not that along a wait, right?). Good Luck and if you don’t win, pop back in next week for a new Funko Hikari giveaway!