All Those NEW features And It’s Just Called “iPad”… Really?

Posted on March 8, 2012 by geelw

Meh, for all its lovely tech features, the lousy name choice only sounds to me like Apple is trying too hard to make you forget you just bought an iPad 2 last year. OK, I’m no sheep-headed, blindfold-wearing fan of the iOS lineup, but a name for something so “resolutionary” is an important thing. I’d have least spent the time to think up a better name for the new device (maybe use that new super-screen as a starting point, perhaps?). Oh well, the Foxconn factory is pumping the iPad out as we speak. I still want to see live feed cameras from the factory floor so we know those underpaid folks we’re not supposed to care about (because we just want a new Apple toy as quickly as they can make them) aren’t being exploited.

Well, not TOO much.

Making Halo 4: First Look Documentary: 343 Takes It To A New Beginning

Posted on March 6, 2012 by geelw

With the latest entry in Microsoft’s seminal console FPS franchise headed to the Xbox 360 later this year from a “new” dev team, it’s nice NOT to see so much secrecy now that things are well under way. Then again, it’s pretty obvious that 343 has a great deal to live up to and wants to show that they KNOW what they’re doing now that Bungie’s no longer at the helm. From what I can see, I’d say even the most diehard fan has nothing pressing to worry about, but that won’t convince the non-Halo fans or others who should know better. Me, I just want a longer yet supremely written and paced campaign so that running around shooting other live players in the requisite multiplayer modes isn’t the ONLY thing the game gets noticed for (*yawn*). Let’s hope we see MORE of these “making of” videos for the game as Halo 4 gets further along in development…

Clan of Champions Isn’t What You Think It Is (And That’s Probably A Good Thing)…

Posted on March 5, 2012 by geelw

This spring, NISA will be publishing Acquire’s upcoming downloadable PS3, Xbox 360 and PC fantasy action game (for up to six players), Gladiator VS under a name that makes it sound exactly like either a RPG or a League of Legends pastiche. This of course, could work for or against the game as I can see JRPG fans wanting to snap it up automatically because of the Nippon Ichi connection and overly protective LoL fans thinking it’s a shoddy rip-off of some sort. Yours truly falls under the happy medium label, as I want to see the game succeed on its own merits and not just some accidental honors blessed upon the game by those who automatically support ANYTHING certain companies put out just to add another notch to their gaming belts. Of course, i don’t want it to fail miserably because it gets bad word of mouth from too many people who haven’t a clue (and nope, uninformed opinions based on NOT touching the game don’t count). In English: personally, I like what Acquire has done here (and with previous entries in the series) and want to see how it’s all turned out, no matter who publishes it and under what name.

Granted, if it were titled “Mr. Pablum’s Peanut Butter Palace” or something similarly silly, I’d wonder who the hell was thinking up these game names and how the hell I could get a piece of THAT particular pie. I can think up dopey names all day, so I should at least be able to collect a paycheck for that…

Assassin’s Creed III Cover Makes Some See Red(coats)…

Posted on March 5, 2012 by geelw

As for me, after the last couple of installments doing their best to milk things dry, I like the new location the series is headed to. The choice of a Revolutionary War setting shows that Ubisoft is interested in taking the series in a different direction that just may shake up the gameplay in a few core areas. I always get a chuckle out of poking around message boards and seeing the bile flow from the folks that don’t get the fact that the AC series isn’t “their” game. Like it or not, at the end of the day, Ubisoft dictates what goes on in the series and as long as the games continue to sell, you can expect them to keep being made. As for those who were expecting the series to stay overseas as far as settings go… lighten up, already. Sure, it may seem jarring to have things leap from the vast and lovely architecturally dense cities to pre-1800 America and its fight for independence, but let’s just see where this one goes as more info (and some ACTUAL gameplay) are released, hmmmm?

Hell, I’ll only complain if I see the exact same game mechanics and animations (and maybe some Dodge cars being driven during a big battle sequence like in that stupidly overblown commercial from last year)…

Game Appreciation 101 (V): The Basics (Again, For The First Time)…

Posted on March 3, 2012 by geelw

Yikes. It still seems not enough of you out there know the difference between a developer and a publisher. Yup, I keep reading message board posts on different forums from or having actual conversations with folks who rant and rage about whatever wrongs they feel certain game companies have committed against a favorite game franchise, but I always see the same mistakes in self-misdirection. You simply can’t have a rational argument that works at all if you keep pointing your fingers in the wrong places. Once again, a DEVELOPER makes games, while a PUBLISHER gets them out the door into a retail or online shop near you. Yes, sometimes both are the same, but more often than not (in the case of many AAA titles), many hands are working together. Let’s keep the DISTRIBUTOR out of this for now, as that’s a bit tricky to define and can get bizarre if you follow the twisty trail that loops backward on itself at times.

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Prometheus ‘Ted Talk 2023’ Video: What A Tease!

Posted on March 1, 2012 by geelw

It’s actually pretty amazing how well Ridley Scott is playing his hand here, but I still don’t think a lot of folks quite “get” it yet. In setting up Prometheus as NOT an actual “linked” prequel to Alien (it takes place so far back in time that you more than likely won’t see the famous xenomorph some still expect at all) but a trip back to the building of the bookends, there’s a kind of meta brilliance here that makes the TED Talk even more intriguing. It also made me wonder if there will be a third film by Scott just to finish off any loose ends at some point in the near future. All I’ll say is he’s giving Fox a HUGE gift and they’d better not screw it up like they did with the franchise after Alien Resurrection (which had its flaws, but was still a fun flick to watch). June 8 is the date, so mark your calendars, folks. I think this one will have many minds blown by the time the end credits roll…

Unit 13 “How To Play” Video: Zip It, Haters.

Posted on March 1, 2012 by geelw

Yeesh, so the game doesn’t feature some super crazy balls-out 100-player online death-match modes up the wazoo. I say big deal, as I don’t care for that stuff and this early in the Vita’s life cycle, I’ll also suppose any developer would need a bit more time to make sure any competitive MP was running as smoothly and with as little lag or load times as possible. It’s definitely not just a simple “cut and past from the PSP code” deal, I’d bet. Of course, the spoiled/jaded/cranky gamer crowd won’t hear any of this, nor will they face the fact that as much as they WANT the Vita to be a portable PS3, it’s not QUITE going to do that. Yet. For me, as long as any game this early on is well-made, I’m aboard with any compliments and complaints I’ll have placed exactly where they should be.

Gravity Rush Live-Action Trailer: Another Reason To Get a Vita…

Posted on February 29, 2012 by geelw

Don’t try to read too much into this as far as any “messages” go, folks. It’s just a cool ad designed to get you interested in another awesome Vita launch window game. Created by some of the team behind the Siren games (for my money, one of the most frightening series to date), this one’s a completely different and yes, gravity defying experience that’s a must-buy killer app. It’s also proof that the handheld is a LOT more than “just a hopped up PSP” as I heard some 3DS owner claim a few days ago. Of course, I just had to ask him if he’s actually had the chance to try the Vita out and yup, he admitted that he didn’t. Sorry, but that sort of ignorance gets you a BUSTED rating here at DAF.

Sure, everyone is entitled to their opinions, but as soon as they creep over into the fact section and you start brewing up that pitcher of hateorade (in new bile flavor, Oh Yeeeeeaaaah!), a little gentle smackdown must be applied. Respect gets respect, I say, and broadening one’s horizons only makes you a better person in any subject at the end of the day. I like the 3DS as well as the Vita for different reasons and there are great titles for BOTH systems that make for some fine entertainment.

OK, that’s a solid 100 posts for this month – whee. Act-ually, it’s a solid 120 posts when you include the stuff on the other DAF blog (feel free to sign up if you like – I can always use the extra traffic). I should celebrate a little, but I’m actually focusing on being even MORE productive with so much going on that I need to cover. That said, here’s a live-action WipEout 2048 trailer – another great reason to be a Vita owner, I say.

Game Appreciation 101 (IV): Those Zen-like Reflexes…

Posted on February 27, 2012 by geelw

Briefly, some random things to contemplate, as you would the moon on a clear night. All of these will be discussed in detail at some later date (and yes, there may even be a test):

Being bad at any games doesn’t mean the game is bad. Hit > To Continue (repeat as necessary).

A game isn’t truly considered “bad” until you actually finish it and can dissect what worked and what didn’t. Hey, you may even like the ending.

Applications of arbitrary rules of reality to any game will only make you enjoy it less. A bit of respect for a developer’s intentions adds perspective.

Bunny hopping, circle strafing and stopping to teabag a dead enemy soldier in a real war zone will get you shot up faster than in any FPS.

Sometimes, skipping Easy mode in a game you’ve never played only to wind up complaining the game is too difficult only means your ego is bigger than your brain.

AI Snipers should always kill you in one shot. This is why they’re snipers. If you think about it, no army wants a soldier with such a position who can’t shoot straight.

Mastering a “bullet hell” shooter actually makes you less likely to fly a real plane out of danger (unless you’re an actual pilot who happens to love those Cave games)…

I’ll stop here, as I have a review to finish and dinner to cook. Class dismissed.

Video Game Appreciation 101 (III): On Instructions and Necessary Antisocial Behavior

Posted on February 26, 2012 by geelw

This time, let’s talk briefly about pain management before moving on to today’s lesson. For this first part of the class, you’ll need a hammer and a hand. Yours, specifically, so you should have two. One-handed gamers are excused from this part of the lesson (unless you can hold a hammer in your prosthetic hand or have a friend who won’t mind lending a hand). Now, on the count of three, raise the hammer and hit your free hand… oh, somewhere around the thumb is fine. Not too hard, now.

Ready? One, Two, Three!

Oops.

As you can probably guess, most of you didn’t actually hit your hands. This is indeed a wise thing. Those of you who did are in a lot of pain and probably wondering why the other 99 percent of the class isn’t joining you curled up in a ball under their seats…

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