Dead Island Riptide Launch Trailer: A “Staycation” Was A Much Better Idea…

Yeesh. I’ve heard of vacations from hell, but this is REALLY ridiculous. Granted, the original Dead Island had that whole “island paradise gone to zombie hell” vibe going for it from that first CG trailer everyone fell over backwards over that wasn’t quite what the game was about, but this one looks like it’s got more of a story. And more crazy undead to put down before they eat your skin. Did I mention this game isn’t for kids or those who faint at the word BLOOD or sight of it (even if it’s fake)? Well, it is. So there. Oh, wait…. you fainted dead away, so now I’m typing this to no one. Rats. Well, as long as you didn’t crack your head open when you fell from that chair (and don’t come after me as a zombie), it’s all good…

Ride to Hell: Route 666 Trailer: It’s A Biker Strategy Game? OK, I’m Sold…

Deep Silver’s upcoming “grindhouse” style action game Ride to Hell: Retribution isn’t the only surprise they’ve got up their sleeve, it seems. The company has just dropped a very cool trailer for (of all things) a tactical/action game for PSN and Xbox Live Arcade called Ride to Hell: Route 666… and yep, I did a triple take when I say that trailer above. Of course, now I have to play this game as it appeals to a few things I happen to like a lot. That said, I wish it was a grittier looking game, as it’s almost too cute for its content… well, almost. Anyway, this one’s coming in the summer and I’ll be keeping an ear to the ground for more info…

Ride to Hell: Retribution: “No Rules” Means You’re Always The Man…

Deep Silver’s awesome, violent “grindhouse” biker action game looks like one of those interesting Mature-rated sleepers that really doesn’t give a dead rat’s ass about some jerky politicians and parents groups whining about video games being the modern scourge of the earth, but that’s a good thing. Anyone with half a brain and no Sunday soapbox to stand on who’s actually HELD a controller knows that games don’t CAUSE violence at all and hell, if this were some TV movie or rolling up into a theater near you, you wouldn’t hear much about it save for whatever some overpaid film “critic” says. For those concerned adults running around with their hair aflame, I say just keep little Johnny and his soft, easily molded brain away from it and the world is a safer place. Anyway, June 25, 2013 seems to be the day this one hits the road with all engines burning. I’m liking what I see, so yup – I’ll be playing this for sure…

Ride to Hell CGI Trailer (NSFW): Va, Va, Voom Meets Bing, Bang, Boom…


 

Hmmm… sooo, the “grindhouse” revival isn’t quite dead yet, huh? Well, I don’t mind a GOOD exploitation flick (or game, in this case), so this new game coming in June for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC should be worth keeping an eyeball on. Or someone’s eyeball you happen to have well-preserved in that leather jacket pocket from an old bar brawl a few years back, ewww. Provided it doesn’t take itself TOO damn seriously, that tagline of “Two Fists, Two Wheels, and No Rules” might make this one worth a few laughs of the “definitely NOT for the kiddies!” variety. Deep Silver has been developing and/or picking up some fun stuff to publish lately, so hopefully this one plays well and doesn’t wear out its welcome in terms of longevity. The best “B” flicks don’t explain everything they shake your way and it looks like this game won’t either. As always… we shall see.

Dead Island Riptide TV Spot: Gilligan Wouldn’t Last A Minute, Either…


 

OK, as great as this sequel to Deep Silver and Techland’s hit zombie game looks, now I really, REALLY want to see someone do an official mod that turns this game into that lost Gilligan’s Island episode and makes it out as DLC and/or part of the inevitable Game of the Year edition. “What lost episode?” you ask? Well, you know… the one where the Professor tries to come up with a new beverage made from coconuts and those strange barrels of green, glowing goo that washed up one day. Yeah, THAT episode. Uh, huh… it’ll indeed be BIG fun seeing the Skipper turned into a fat zombie who starts chasing after the rest of the cast, but you just KNOW it’ll be MUCH better if it’s Gilligan who goes undead first and turns on everyone else.

To wit:

SCENE: Outside the Howell’s cabin, night. Spooky music plays on the soundtrack…

SKIPPER: GILLIGAN! Put down those coconuts!
GILLIGAN: Grrrrrrrroooowwwr!
GILLIGAN turns around slowly, the SKIPPER sees that they’re not coconuts he’s holding… but the heads of THURSTON HOWELL and EUNICE WENTWORTH HOWELL. Spooky music grows more dramatic, increasing in tempo…
SKIPPER (shocked): GILLIGAN! What did you DO, little buddy?!
GILLIGAN: Grrrrrrrroooowwwr! (throws heads at SKIPPER, then pounces on him)
SKIPPER: No, Gilligan, NOOOOOOO!! GEEEEYAAAAAAAGH!!!!!

Camera shot pulls away as GILLIGAN tears SKIPPER apart…

(Or something like that…)

Saint’s Row IV Trailer: Volition and Deep Silver Make Sure It’s More of What You Want…

 

Mmmmhmmm? OK. That’s sorted out, isn’t it? I certainly think so. Well then, if there were ANY doubts that Deep Silver’s purchase of Volition was going to mean a different direction for the fan favorite franchise, well… here’s proof that the more things change, the crazier they get at the end of the day. More outrageous and DEFINITELY not for the kiddies open world action, goofball weapons, super powers (!) and too much weirdness guaranteed to make any fan fall off the couch and bust a gut twice. OK, let’s move on now that we know all is well. Now, about Summoner III (which NEEDS to be made, grrrr. Letting that go unsold at the THQ auction was a huge mistake that needs to be rectified, I say…)

Dead Island Riptide Trailer: Death Takes A Holiday (Again)…

 
 

It figures. The first Dead Island got a surprisingly emotional CG trailer that drew acclaim and major attention to the game, which turned out to be OK, albeit a bit buggy in spots. I actually held out for the recently released Game of the Year retail version after playing about an hour of the original because I knew Deep Silver and developer Techland would fix things up (and add all that DLC content I couldn’t get).  Anyway, this new trailer for the sequel is another superb two-hanky CG masterwork which also makes me never want to go anywhere on vacation ever again. Damn undead and their people-chomping ways mucking up everything like that. Imagine that last postcard from the doomed couple in the video: “Having a blast on our trip – Wish you were here!”  BOOM. 

Hmm… then again, I actually don’t actually believe in zombies at all (thank you science education!), so my ass is safe as the breeze wherever I go.  You can hole up with a shotgun, machete and a few thousand cans of beans if you like when the so-called zombie apocalypse hits. Me, I’ll just see some cranky-looking people stumbling around because all the Starbucks in the world will be closed. I’ll just carry a pocketful of coffee beans to toss at them and be able to get away while they’re rolling on the ground fighting each other for that fix.

The Prequel To Sacred 3 Is A Downloadable Side-Scrolling Brawler. This Could Go Two Ways…

Well, I didn’t see this coming at all, but here you go: SACRED Citadel in all its work in progress glory (complete with corny captions trying too hard for that “hip” angle).  Let the scalp scratching commence.  Naturally, haters (and people who can’t read the description of the game on the official site) are gonna hate. That said, once I got over the shock and took another look, the game does look nice enough and could be quite fun for what it is. As a longtime fan of the Sacred series and old-school side scrolling games from the 80’s until today, I give my official DAF stamp of approval. Of course, If you know me, you also know I’ll wait until the game is actually out and playable before forming a more reliable opinion. That said, I hope to hell that this shows up as part of Sacred 3’s retail edition (as in on the game disc, grrrrrr!) so those who hate digital media can actually play it. That seems to be the big mistake developers and publisher keep making with some of these cool projects, but that’s a complaint for another post. Anyway, 2013 is looking more interesting by the minute…

Risen 2: Dark Waters PC Launch Trailer: Hi, Seas! Adventure!

I really liked the first Risen quite a lot, even though it wasn’t the best looking game out there in terms of a PC to console port. Once you got used to the challenging combat system and started exploring the rather large and deadly island, the game was quite a nice surprise (and definitely not a short RPG experience). I’d imagine the first game sold well enough on PC to get this more seafaring sequel, just released on PC and coming in late July for PS3 and Xbox 360. I definitely want to see how the console versions have turned out, as my creaky old rig is on it’s last legs as far as playing any new games.

Winter Stars Teaser Trailer: Deep Silver Wants To Get You In The Mood For Snow…

Deep Silver’s got a plan to get those of you looking for a winter sports game to buy a copy of Winter Stars, their just released motion-controller-based game for the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii. Eleven different sporting events bound to get you up off the couch and shaking it like you mean it sounds like a good idea to me, as my own “it” is getting a tiny bit wider from way too much Skyrim. Naturally, I’ll at least play the snowmobiling mini-game sitting down, but it looks like I’ll need to be waving my arms and moving about for the rest of them. With Move, Kinect or Wii Remote/Balance Board support for each platform, it’ll be interesting to see if this one takes off as the weather gets colder and holiday gift thoughts start wafting through the air like the scent of freshly baked pies.