Prototype 2 Covent Garden Live Ad: Anarchy In The UK. Or Something Like That.

Posted on April 24, 2012 by geelw

OK, this made me crack up quite a bit, as I can see some unsuspecting non-gamers strolling through Covent Garden, coming across this bizarre live advertisement for Radical Entertainment’s sequel and wondering what the hell is going on. Well, it’s certainly an attention grabber, that’s for sure. The game should be rolling into stores all over the place at some point today, but here in the US, we’ll just have to settle for bigger-budgeted live action and CG TV commercials and no faux real-life rumbles in a big case in a public place. Here in NYC, this would just be performance art, anyway…

Batman: Arkham City GOTY Coming In May (But With More Mandatory DLC In Tow)

Posted on April 24, 2012 by geelw

Hmmm, I was wondering why the price dropped so quickly on Arkham City (it’s about $29.99 or less in some spots) and now I know. The Game of the Year Edition set to arrive on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC will feature the complete game with every updates and all the previously released DLC packs, along with an all new DLC pack: Harley Quinn’s Revenge AND the Batman Year One animated film (the latter for USA and Canada only). I wish the ENTIRE deal was on the disc instead of forcing users to grab the extra content off PSN, XBLA or whatever download services the PC version will be available from, but again, game companies are a bit stubborn about not understanding that not EVERY gamer has a decent internet connection or even a console account.

Ah well, one of these days they’ll get it (and perhaps actually start making money from those folks who feel so shut out because they just can’t get that content they want to pay for how they prefer it)…

Tanks A Lot, Capcom! Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor Pre-Order Campaign Rolls Out

Posted on April 23, 2012 by geelw

No, you’re still not getting a big honkin’ 40+ button controller, so quit griping. Of course, getting ALL three bonuses in one shot is a no-go unless you want three copies of the game or have your fingers crossed that they get released as free or paid DLC at some point, so three’s always that to complain about if you’re so inclined. Hey, it’s not ALL Capcom’s fault, kids – that’s just the way thing go in this day and age of every retailer wanting exclusive content and your gaming dollar.

That said, I keep wondering how much longer the industry can keep this up, given the backlash against other things that are a lot less annoying to those of us who want games to ship with as much content as possible, Granted, if you ask around, you’ll hear most people IN the industry saying “this is how it is” or something like that. However, it’s looking as if this enforced means of content division can backfire if enough gamers put their foot down and start screaming as loudly as possible. As for me, I’ll be playing the game with no bonuses because I think it’ll be fine without them.

Game Appreciation 101: Understanding Stylization Helps You Enjoy MORE Games…

Posted on April 23, 2012 by geelw

Maybe it’s because I’m an artist (well, sometimes) but for the life of me, I just don’t understand how and why some gamers ONLY see “realism” as the sole way to go when it comes to modern game visuals while accepting all sorts of artistic stylization in comic books, TV and movies. Experimenting with stylization is not only important for artists in any medium, it’s also important for those who enjoy that medium to help expand their horizons, sometimes significantly. “Realism” is as subjective as looking out your own window and seeing what an actual building, tree or person looks like (boring, aren’t they?), then comparing it to whatever game you’re playing that’s blowing your mind out your left ear.

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The Military Shooter Resurgence: It’s Nice To See The Genre Getting A Kick In The Ass…

Posted on April 22, 2012 by geelw

Despite all the money raked in over the past few years by certain well-known multimillion selling franchises, I see the military shooter genre as a bloated, rotting corpse with limited appeal outside of whatever multiplayer shenanigans keep the masses bunny-hopping and camping online endlessly. Granted, there have been many great advances in MP that have kept things fresh and exciting for fans, but those of us who crave deeper single player experiences have been, save for a few bright spots, left out in the cold. Granted, the story modes in the last few shooters I’ve played have been decent and well-written overall and I don’t give a hoot about how long a campaign is as long as it’s memorable. Thankfully, 505 Games and 2K Games are coming to the rescue with two fine titles that take the shooter into two different and very intriguing directions. And neither of them is a FPS…

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Max Payne 3 TV Spot: Probably The Only Bit of The Game They CAN Show On TV…

Posted on April 21, 2012 by geelw

Rockstar Studios’ long awaited beautiful bullet ballet is almost upon us (and yup, I can’t wait to see how it’s turned out) and here’s the first big TV ad for the upcoming game. Ever since I saw the live demo last year at NYCC, this one has been tickling a few buttons in my head. The art direction, visuals and gameplay all looked solid and that new animation system is brilliant when you see it in motion. While I’m not big on multiplayer these days, I know the story and characters will be what I like to call “Rockstar memorable”. As in there will be quite a few quotable lines sinking into skulls like some of the bullets Max fires off during the game. May is certainly going to be a busy month around these parts, that’s for sure…

“GameStop New”… You’re Still At it, Huh?

Posted on April 20, 2012 by geelw

Yeah, yeah, if I don’t like it, I don’t have to shop there. On the other hand, ignoring a problem (no matter how “trivial”) never makes it disappear. That and hell, sometimes it’s hard to pass up a great deal like this. Still, NEW to me when it comes to a product like a game, movie, lip balm or candy bar means SEALED. The location I got this at had something like four or five copies of Metroid: Other M mixed in with the used games, all opened but listed as NEW. And this wasn’t the only “new” title that was opened up and stuck in the stacks. Again, if I’m giving a gift to someone, I’ll have to make sure I get it from someplace that doesn’t have this rather stupid policy. If you have mockup cases for upcoming games taking up space on the racks, you can so the same for older games like this, sell them still sealed and not need to deal with any complaints from me or anyone else who hates this opened as new scheme.

Oh, and it’s not as if there wasn’t any space in the shop behind the counter either. The location, which has previously been a pretty messy place to pop into, has cleaned things up tremendously since I last shopped there. While I understand the practice is supposed to discourage theft or whatever, it’s pretty annoying to have to accept something that would be unacceptable in certain other retail situations. And hey! The game isn’t that bad as far as I’ve played. Sure, Samus is a bit whiny, but hell, who has the EXACT same personality their entire life? OK, Romney springs to mid straight off the bat… but he’s a Weyland-Yutani creation, I just know it…

Star Trek Update: Hey, We May Not Be Here In 2013. Beam Me Up, Already!

Posted on April 18, 2012 by geelw

Yeah, yeah – some Trek fans want less action and more of the same “nautical” ship combat from other Trek titles or something slower and more procedural like the old show instead of a more action-oriented game that this has been from the start. i say wait and see what a playable build brings as I hope this one gets around to NYC so I can get some hands-on time and let you all know the real deal. I have my fingers crossed Bad Robot does a game any Trek fan can be pleased with, but hey, you can’t win everyone over even with the best of intentions…

Dishonored Trailer Drops, Bethesda Gets My Fingers Tingling…

Posted on April 17, 2012 by geelw

(shakes fist at monitor)… Blast you, Bethesdaaaaaaa! Showing off such an awesome game to us yesterday here in NYC, slapping us with an embargo until next week THEN unloading this spectacular trailer on the masses! Grrrr! Anyway (very fake rant over and done with), Dishonored is going to be a game that gets talked about quite a lot, especially as it’s definitely one of the more intriguing games I’ve seen this year that’s NOT a sequel or reboot of an older IP. Arkane Studios’ hard work blew me away and I hope it will do the same to you once more news gets out about how amazing it is.

Will Someone Do An Anvil of Dawn Kickstarter Project Already? Seriously.

Posted on April 17, 2012 by geelw

The late, lamented New World Computing developed and/or published a number of great PC games back in the day including the classic Might & Magic series, but for me, DreamForge Intertainment’s 1995 MS-DOS first-person RPG was one of the most memorable titles the company was involved with (outside of the franchise they’re more well known for). The game was a single-player real time action game that allowed you to choose one of five characters and play him or her as they set out into the rather deadly dungeons in and around the land of Tempest seeking out the titular Anvil.

I loved how the character you chose ended up meeting up with the others you didn’t as the game progressed, the traps and puzzles mixed in with the combat and the multiple endings based on who you chose to play as. I’ve always wanted to see this one remade at some point (even though I still own the original game) and now with all this Kickstarter fury going strong, I’d say it’s time some dev team with members who remember this classic set out to reboot it for PC and perhaps consoles and other devices. Hell, I’m even willing to do some character or environment art if needed. In case you didn’t know, I can draw a little and I do like my RPGs old school. Anyway, someone out there, get on this and get back to me. I’d actually love to be playing this before I get TOO old and grey…