Tag Archives: Commentary

Dynasty Warriors 8: Like It or Not, Koei Tecmo and Omega Force Keep It Rolling…

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I happen to like the long-running franchise, warts and all… but I also know there are some gamers who ask “Whyyyyyyy…” every time there’s a new entry or remix version dropping into stores. Hey, Koei Tecmo knows what the fans want and Omega Force gets better and better at what they do so well. Granted, if people had actually bought up games like Trinity: Souls of Zill O’ll or even Crimson Sea, perhaps we’d see sequels to those hitting stores to shake things up. Both may LOOK like fantasy versions of a Musou game, but if you’ve actually played either, you’d see the differences right away. Anyway, sign me up yet again – I’ll be back for more bloodless hack ‘n slash action in ancient China just like the other hardcore Warriors fanatics.

Sine Mora: Make Your PS3 and Vita Happy With This High End Shmup

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Like classic arcade shmups? Got ten bucks and a PS3 or PlayStation Vita handy? Well, go grab a copy of Sine Mora off PSN and prepare for takeoff. This Grasshopper Manufacture/Digital Reality team-up is really great stuff, inspired by Squaresoft’s classic PSOne game Einhander as well as bullet hell shooters from companies such as Cave and Psikyo. There’s a unique time-based mechanic where taking enemy ships and creatures down adds to your timer while getting hit decreases it, so you’ll always be on your toes. Sine Mora looks really gorgeous as well, with cinematic sequences flowing right into gameplay, keeping you immersed in the action.All that and if you speak Hungarian, you’ll actually be able to understand the dialog without subtitles (yes, Japanese game developers do some odd things like that).

There are some long load times and seeing some of the tiny shots on screen in certain areas is tough, adding more challenge to some map, but overall, it’s a total blast and well worth every penny. Oh yeah, it’s also got more content than the versions thanks to Whilhelmine from another spectacular arcade and console shooter Under Defeat (which just got a limited retail release on the PS3 after its PSN debut not too long ago). Anyway, go make your PS3 or Vita (and you) smile with a nice, inexpensive present you’ll play again and again.

(Not So) Random Film of the Week: Melancholia

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melancholiaQuite possibly the best end of the world movie to date (provided you aren’t expecting something along the lines of an Irwin Allen-style Hollywood blockbuster packed to the gills with overpaid celebrities), Lars von Trier’s Melancholia is also a surprisingly beautiful film despite the fact that everyone dies at the end. Er… Surprise!

Actually, the film spells its not so big secret out in the stunning opening montage and its two acts play out in operatic fashion as things unwind in the lives of two sisters and how they deal with the impending disaster. Even though you know what’s going to happen, von Trier’s focus on the pair and the more intimate events in their small part of the world makes for compelling viewing that keeps you watching until the very end. Even if you don’t like some of the director’s previous films, this is one of those essentials that’s not as depressing as you’d think thanks to some excellent performances all around and some truly gorgeous cinematography.

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A Little Opinion Piece About You Know What…

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NRA_Gun ClubI suppose I should offer up some sort of an opinion on all this video games and movies causing violent behavior nonsense being pushed around like cold peas on a plate by politicians and pundits that have never picked up a controller in their lives (and too bad for them for not broadening their horizons outside of that they THINK they know about gaming and gamers). Generally, I tend to keep out of these conversations because it seems that he who yells the loudest enough to drive everyone else out of the room clasping their blown out eardrums always considers themselves the “winner” of this sort of debate. So, instead of tossing out ideas or solutions (some of which have history behind them as working), I’ll offer up an observation or three just to get them out of my head because they’re messing up my mojo that wants to get back to writing about games and other fun stuff…

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Capcom Wishes You A Merry Mega Man Xmas (Don’t Forget To Get Your Gift)

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And here I am, thinking he’s all about knocking off cute but dangerous enemies and bosses with silly names and powers. Some would probably prefer a less annoying Mega man experience where ladders and bridges would replace those jumps they keep missing, while others might want a less violent Mega Man without his blasters and such. If I had to choose something with less violence, I’d make the blue bomber a sly negotiator who doesn’t fire a shot, but makes enemies fight each other. Of course, there goes that cool Rockman versus Paper Man versus Scissor Man boss battle (ha ha), but that new monocle, smoking jacket and fake pipe are nice accessories Capcom could add to the character with that new attitude and see what’s what?  Anyway, enough of my lousy attempts at humor – go download Street Fighter X Mega Man if you haven’t already. I’m a damn cheapskate, but I know where the good free gifts are and how to share them…

Apocalypse No… Oh Wait, We’re Still Here (Er, Carry On, Then!)…

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WWCHmmm. So, the world did NOT end (well, for most of you) and I’ve heard that it seems to have ruined a few otherwise well-made doomsday plans. Hopefully you’re not one of those folks who was thinking of ending it all or that we’d go up in flames due to nuclear, planetary collision, zombie or some other sort of holocaust.  Because my snarky side (which has just activated – you’ve been warned) would kindly point you to the nearest window (even if you’re in a basement), then the clock on the wall and tell you to get to it already so we don’t have to hear you wailing about how that Mayan calendar was upside down and it’s NEXT year or when the Cubs win the Super Cup or when the next season of GIRLS begins because it’s a show made by the Devil himself. Whatever.

One of those MAY be true, by the way…

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A Friendly Reminder From Black Pants Game Studios…

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No, not that the world is ending in a few hours (well, for some people out there)… there’s a NEW demo for Tiny & Big: Grandpa’s Leftovers available on Steam! Go get it, play it and laugh yourself silly while things go to heck in a handbasket or something. Look at it this way, if you love the demo enough and the earth doesn’t blow up, you can actually go BUY the game and play the whole thing. Even better, the game is 50% off until doomsday (I’d gather that’s later today), so get while it’s hot. Or before you burn up when Melancholia hits. Or something like that. The talented gentlemen at Black Pants will thank you kindly, and I’ll have done my good deed for the day because I’ve turned you on to a really cool (and really funny) game experience. OK, I’m off to watch some cartoons now… Good Night!

Earth Defense Force 4 (EDF 2025) Gameplay: Now, That’s What I Call A Bug Bomb!

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Finally, we get to see Sandlot’s super efforts on EDF 4 (which will be known as EDF 2025 here) in action and I’m quite happy with the more polished look to the game as well as the new character class system (which seems inspired by Vicious Cycle’s work on Earth Defense Force Insect Armageddon) that shows off the new Air Raider, Wing Diver and others in action. Between this and yesterday’s announcement of Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable getting released over a month earlier than initially announced as a digital-only PSN title (I think that’s some sort of first), things are looking up for fans of the series. That said, the game NEEDS both a physical as well as digital release in North America so more people can play it.

Memo to Sony and D3Publisher:  Think about it – while anyone can take a Vita to any wi-fi hotspot to get games for that handheld, those people who can’t get broadband at home or use a friend’s connection CANT BUY PS3 GAMES OR CONTENT ON PSN AT ALL. Stop NOT taking the money we want to spend on games and listen for a change. That said, how about a low print run disc version which will indeed sell out if you simply let the fans know it’s coming (or even better, Ask us HOW we like to buy our games in the future). That is all.

Christopher Lee. Heavy Metal. Christmas Songs. Yeah, They All Go Together.

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CL_XMAS“There was a time when Saruman walked through my woods, but now he has a mind of metal…”

You know how people say “Now I’ve seen everything!” all the time? No, no… they haven’t. THIS, on the other hand, helps cross a huge bunch of stuff off that long list list of “everything” in one gift-wrapped shot. According to Loudwire, 90-year old Christopher Lee, who’s played everything from Count Dracula, Lord Summerisle in the original (and still outstanding) The Wicker Man, and more recently, Saruman in The Lord of the Rings films has released an EP of two Christmas songs that’s now available for download on iTunes, Amazon and other music sites. I’d normally be clutching my chest and cracking up, but I’ll just tip my cap to the man for still doing what he does at that age. It’s not even the first time he’s done recorded work, as you’ll find out by simply Googling the man up and seeing what the results are.

Hell, the next time you can’t get out of bed because of a “serious” case of the sniffles, you might want to watch your back, you lazy git. Christopher Lee might have your job when you finally get back to work… and he’ll be doing it better than you ever did…

EDF 2017 Portable Release Date Pushed Up to January 7, 2013 As A PSN Release

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EDF 2017 Portable D3Publisher is giving EDF fans some good reasons to cheer (as long as they prefer their content digitally released). That February 12 date for EDF 2017 Portable? Gone like a cool breeze in the desert. A press release just issued reveals that the game is hitting PSH hard on January 8, 2013 for $39.99. Yes, this is ten bucks more than the price originally announced, but as someone who owns the import (which cost me a lot more), I can VERY safely say the game is WELL worth the money. New stages, new weapons and Pale Wing shake the remastered game up significantly, the added Trophies will keep you returning to the game many times and that new 4-player co-op makes for an even more frantic experience when the going gets tough.

Attention Fellow EDF Troopers (and any potential new Vita-owning recruits): adjust your calendars accordingly and get ready to make the planet a bug-free zone.