RAGE: Hands-On In The Wasteland

Posted on August 2, 2011 by geelw

Thanks to the fine folks at Bethesda Softworks and id Software, last Wednesday, I got to spend a good two and a half or so hours with a complete Xbox 360 version of id's latest shooter (and one of 2011's most anticipated games) AND got to see a stunning live presentation of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim afterwards. No, I'm not going to compare them in this preview, silly rabbits. However, I will point out that both are completely different experiences that no gamer worth his or her salt should miss out on. Unlike many other events I've attended, RAGE was set up to play from the beginning from a new profile. While there were a few PR reps and a Bethsoft (or was it id?) employees floating by on occasion to see if things were going OK, I got to play a small chunk of the single player game the very same way you'll dive into it come this October 4. Note: Spoilers below the jump, but given that my progress was limited to what I could do in a few hours, I'm sure none of them are MAJOR reveals.Read more »

Star Odyssey Released – Time To Dig Out The Genesis!

Posted on June 29, 2011 by geelw

Awesome. SuperFighter Team has released its latest retro game project, the long-awaited Star Odyssey for the Sega Genesis and Mega Drive systems. The game (known as Blue Almanac in Japan) was one of a number of projects for Sega’s 16-bit console that was started but never fully completed in terms of an English localization, but thanks to the dedication and a ton of hard work by Brandon Cobb the rest of SFT, it’s finally done with many improvements and ready for purchase HERE.

As usual, expect a high-quality package complete with a the game cartridge, clam shell case, full-color manual and art insert. As someone who remembers reading a preview article for this one back in the day (and later ended up buying and playing carefully through some of the Japanese version without knowing a bit of the language), you better believe I just ordered a copy. I’ll post a review around the end of July. In the meantime, go dig out that Genny from the closet (or go buy one cheap on ebay) and shell out the $48 (including US shipping) for this resurrected sci-fi RPG gem – I’m betting you won’t regret it one bit.

Review: Baron Wittard: Nemesis of Ragnarok

Posted on March 6, 2011 by geelw

Platform: PC

Developer: Wax Lyrical

Publisher: Iceberg Interactive

# of Players: 1

PEGI Rating: 7+

Official Site

Score: A

Despite the market overloaded with fast-paced shooters and action games as well as plenty of licensed properties that get a lot more press coverage, point & click adventure games are far from dead. The genre, while not getting the massive ad budgets of the aforementioned “Triple A” action blockbusters, continues to forge onward with a number of excellent releases from publishers brave enough to slow things down to a more cerebral pace while giving fans the mystery, suspense and puzzles they crave. Wax Lyrical's Baron Wittard: Nemesis of Ragnarok is an excellent new game that features a nicely (and increasingly) unsettling atmosphere, brain-bending puzzles and a solid story that grabs you right from the start. From the photo realistic pre-rendered visuals, excellent sound design and music that will have you looking over your shoulder every so often, the Baron is a worthy addition to any adventure fan's library.

Review: Trinity: Souls of Zill O’ll

Posted on February 12, 2011 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation 3

Developer: Omega Force

Publisher: Tecmo Koei

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: B+

If you’re a big fan of hack & slash action RPGs and happen to own a PlayStation 3, Trinity: Souls of Zill O’ll is going to be right up your alley. Omega Force’s latest is a solid dungeon hack with a few splashes of familiar genre influences (both Eastern and Western) from Diablo to Demon’s Souls. If that puts a grin on your face, you’re all set for many hours of quality monster slaying, loot grabbing and quests galore. The game’s non-linear structure allows for enough freedom that the main plot of a half-elf’s revenge against the evil overlord that killed his family almost takes second place to the sheer amount of rescue/escort missions, fetch quests, arena challenges and other RPG staples. I say almost because while the story does pick up as the game goes on, the simple, yet challenging gameplay is the star when it needs to be. While it isn’t perfect, Omega Force deserves a ton of credit for making such a fun to play experience that’s guaranteed to steal many hours from those players that fall under its spell.

Continue reading →

Review: Plants vs. Zombies

Posted on February 8, 2011 by geelw

Platform: Nintendo DS/DSi

Developer: PopCap Games

Publisher: PopCap Games

# of Players 1 – 2

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)

Official Site

Score: A-

If you're like me and you've somehow managed to miss the whole Plants vs. Zombies craze on every other platform it's appeared on and happen to own a Nintendo DS or DSi, you NEED to buy and play PopCap's excellent and hilarious strategy/puzzle game. Easily one of the best DS games to date, period, PvZ takes the tired Tower Defense genre and makes it fresh as a daisy with a more modern theme, the always popular addition of zombies to the formula and addictive gameplay that starts out simple and gets supremely challenging as the game progresses. Yes, the smaller, lower resolution DS touch screen makes things a bit crowded in terms of controls and less spectacular in the visual presentation. But again, if you've never seen or played the game previously on an HD console, PC, iOS or other device, you really won't care.

Okami Plush/Pillow Set Is A One-Two Combo of CUTE!!!

Posted on February 5, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/2CGPpuTnMaU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0

Today’s “D’awwwwwwwwwwwww, CUUUUTE!” moment is brought to you by Capcom, publishers of Okami, Okamiden and now, NEW:

Okamiden Chibiterasu Plush and Pillow!

…And now, a word from our sponsor:

Feeling sad and droopy, ladies and gents? Well, just let OKAMIDEN get you peppy in seconds! Just apply to your Nintendo DS or DSi and just like THAT, that gloom is all g-o-n-e! It’s like MAGIC!

That’s OKAMIDEN – available March 15 2011 in the US and March 18 2011 in Europe at a store near you!

YES, I want that darn cute pillow and plushie! I’ll sit up, play dead roll over and beg for that set, Woof!! Er, details to follow soon on how to get one from Capcom, but I’ll guess pre-ordering the game or some other semi-heroic actions MAY be involved. You readers might want to poke about on the Official Okamiden Facebook page and see what’s up…

Off to bug Capcom PR and see if we can give some of those away… THAT would be awesome, methinks… “D’awwwwwwwwwwww!”

Gallery: Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked (3DS)

Posted on January 28, 2011 by geelw

Yeah, yeah, there are a ton of 3DS games I need to cover (and I'll get to them starting this weekend), but I'm actually really looking forward to this one the most. Atlus is bringing a souped-up version of one of the best RPG's of 2009 to the 3DS with a few cool new features. Overclocked includes full voice acting, an all-new epilogue, revamped visuals and more. The game's official site is going up soon, according to Atlus… just keep coming back and clicking on that link 'til you get a picture. Or I'll just post here again when it finally does go live. Press release & five screens below the jump

Ys I & II Chronicles Official Site Launches

Posted on January 27, 2011 by geelw

February 22, 2011 is going to be a RIDICULOUS day for new game releases, but there’s only ONE Ys I & II Chronicles on the way, “Hair Metal” edition and all. The game’s gone gold and the official site is up and running, looks cool (as usual) and yes, you can go watch that hilarious trailer all over again and save me the trouble of re-posting it once more.

Portal 2 On The PS3: Valve Makes More Than Good On That Promise…

Posted on January 18, 2011 by geelw

Well, Portal 2 on the PS3 has moved on up from last year's intriguing “Is it EVEN possible?” E3 announcement to a “Holy Cats… they actually went and did it!” must-buy experience. PS3, PC and Mac cross-platform gameplay as well as Steam functionality over PSN and a REALLY (really) cool freebie for truly dedicated players? Looks as if Sony's console gets the best version after all.

Er, now about Left 4 Dead & L4D2 on the console… (just nod if they're coming – I won't tell a soul)…

Press release below the jump (and no, there's no cake at the end for reading the entire post… well, not for YOU at least).

Review: Fighters Uncaged

Posted on January 17, 2011 by geelw

Platform: Xbox 360 (Kinect)

Developer: Ubisoft

Publisher: Ubisoft

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: D

As a launch title for Microsoft's otherwise interesting (and multimillion selling) Kinect, Fighters Uncaged suffers from a case of “good idea, poor implementation” but sadly, this didn't have to be the case. If you're feeling the need to compare, unlike Sony's PlayStation Move brawler The Fight: Lights Out, this is a supremely below average game that's quite undercooked and shows its flaws as soon as you start playing. The Fight does indeed have its own flaws, but it's at least actual fun once you get the hang of it, supports two players and can be played online. Fighters Uncaged is strictly a solo affair, which makes little sense for a game in the genre these days. The generic, poorly told “story”, stereotypical enemies straight out of a bad Final Fight clone and wonky Kinect controls all beat up on you as you're slogging through, making it a total chore to complete. It's not all bad news, however. It's certainly a game that's not getting a sequel (unless too many Kinect owners new to motion control gaming snap it up and make it a mega-hit).