E3 2013: Surprises From DICE? Maybe (If You’re Very Easily Surprised, That Is)…

Posted on June 5, 2013 by geelw

Hmmmm… Let’s see now. As much as I dislike speculation about this sort of stuff (my brain usually has better things to do with its time), I figure I may as well play along for a few minutes and get this out of the way so I can be proven wrong and get back to other, more important issues. I’d guess that we’ll see a big Battlefield 4 reveal, something very Star Wars related (and perhaps exclusive to a certain upcoming console/cable box hybrid), a lot of DLC news and maybe, just maybe something portable gamers may want to get their paws on (maybe). That is all. If I’m right, I’m pleased with this three minute forecasting exercise. If I’m wrong, well… what else is new?

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Update: Faster And Furiouser

Posted on August 16, 2012 by geelw

Based on this new Gamescom trailer, Sega is really pulling out all the stops with this sequel, but I’m still curious about that rather glaring lack of the word SEGA in the title. “Sonic & All-Stars” just sounds so… lazy or something. Hell, even if the game has guest stars NOT in any Sega games, keeping the name of the company IN the darn game is kind of important for old-ass Sega supporters such as myself. I’m just saying… Anyway, the game looks great and you certainly can’t go wrong with a good, fun racing game built for competition and pure fun. Just fix that name and it’ll be perfect, I say!

E3 2012: Watch_Dogs Gameplay: Ubisoft Also Hits A Few Nerves Outside Of The Gaming Life…

Posted on June 10, 2012 by geelw

Like nearly everyone else who saw it, I was floored when Ubisoft dropped Watch_Dogs into our collective consciousness at the end of its E3 press conference. Not only did they completely surprise people, they did so in the way things USED to be done in this industry. Win NO in house PR-generated “leaks” or overly annoying viral nonsense that keeps people who need to be more productive trolling around the Internet looking at teaser sites or playing with devices in useless mini-games that hint at what’s to come. Although amusingly enough, that’s probably one big way to market the game now that the beans have been spilled. Still, as great as the game looks and as amazing as the idea behind it is, something bugged the hell out of me when the demo was over…

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E3 2012: Unreal Engine 4 Tech Demo: Like It Or Not, It’s Coming Your Way…

Posted on June 9, 2012 by geelw

This is pretty great to look at, but remember: it’s ONLY a tech demo and under the right hands, I’m betting things can only go up from there. But at what cost? For me, a game engine is only as good as the programmers and artists who end up using it. There have been a number of games created with older and current versions of the Unreal engine that do an amazing job of NOT looking as if they were made using it (which is really cool in my book). This leads me to believe that while we will indeed see plenty of games that make us all say “Oh…THAT’S Unreal 4?”… we’re going to be sitting through a lot of games before that, sighing “Oh, that’s Unreal 4…” Continue reading →

E3 2012: Feeling Down? Rayman Legends Will Make You Smile In A Few Seconds Flat.

Posted on June 9, 2012 by geelw

Seriously, if these two E3 videos from Ubisoft’s upcoming (up to FIVE player) Wii U exclusive don’t get you grinning, you’re one pretty mean person having a not so hot day. Don’t spread that frown around at all, I say. Rayman, Murphy, Globox and the rest of the crew want you to let your cares fall away as you race through some mighty pretty (and pretty insane) old-school platforming levels (with some neat and quick “3D” elements) , feeling like you’re years younger, pounds lighter and a bit hairier up top. No, on top of your head, silly (yeesh!). Ha! I saw you smile. Good – that’s just what the game is supposed to do. OK, my work here is done (again)… Thanks Ubisoft!

E3 2012: Agni’s Philosophy Tech Demo Shows Square Enix Is More Than Ready For New-Gen…

Posted on June 8, 2012 by geelw

Lovely. Absolutely lovely. Well, if they can make a battle system that’s a bit more action oriented (and lose the quick time events!), I’ll be diving back into a Final Fantasy game after too long away. Still this IS a tech demo, so it’ll be up to what the programmers can do to assure any game using this engine looks as great or even better. As for MY own new-gen wants: I want NO damn “dot” shadows ever again in a 3D game, EVER, destructible/movable objects (no more furniture nailed to sets), ZERO clipping issues, voice sync that looks realistic and hell, every door opening in a game for a change. Some bathrooms would help as well, but hey, RPG characters aren’t real and don’t need to poop or pee, I guess.

OK, that said, I STILL want to see an anime game on a new console that looks and flows even more like an actual anime does. We’re getting to that point and it’s clear that the coming console cycle Can make that happen. I’ll be keeping my eyeballs peeled (eww), so get on it, guys….

E3 2012: Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed: One If By Land, Two If By Sea, Three If By Air…

Posted on June 7, 2012 by geelw

While it’s not the first arcade-style racing game with transforming cars, it’s hard not to see the lineup of rides here and not want to fall over something running to grab a controller and get some fast track action in. I’m still confused as to exactly what to call this, as Sega keeps leaving out the SEGA in the title, but folks who’ve posted the video have put it back in (where it needs to be). I guess we’ll all need to see what the official word is, but as a Sega supporter since before a lot of you were born, I’m all for promoting that world famous name whenever possible. Go, SEGA!

E3 2012: Lost Planet 3 Trailer: I’ll Have Another Cold One, Thanks…

Posted on June 7, 2012 by geelw

Capcom and developer Spark Unlimited are going back to the past to bring you the future with Lost Planet 3. Taking place before events in the first game, the mix of “older” tech, some new Akrid to fight and a few tweaks to the gameplay formula (while ditching what didn’t work in part two) could just make this one a sleeper hit. Just don’t get it mixed up with Dead Space 3 (as that installment gets a cold and wintry planet to explore as well as huge bosses to battle) and you’ll do fine…

E3 2012: New Little King’s Story: Big Changes For A Smaller System

Posted on June 7, 2012 by geelw

If you missed out on Little King’s Story on the Wii a few years back, you didn’t get to play a really cute and fun blend of real time strategy and RPG elements wrapped into a surprisingly neat neat tale that was also pretty funny at times. This sequel gets a completely new visual style, more mature looking characters and a few other tweaks, but as many Vita owners will be new to the game, that doesn’t matter all that much, I’d imagine. What DOES matter is that the Vita NEEDS more quality games such as this and as many as possible over the next few months so that this current dry spell is rendered a thing of the past sooner than later. Let’s keep ’em coming Sony!

E3 2012: Divinity: Original Sin & Divinity – Dragon Commander: Larian Doubles Up On The Fun Stuff

Posted on June 7, 2012 by geelw

Not one, but TWO new games on the way from the fine folks at Larian Studios? Nice. We’re getting a prequel to Divine Divinity (still a really cool RPG to dive back into for me) and an all new strategy game with what’s looking like a wild sense of humor from the same team. Here are looks at both games iv developer videos from before and during the show. Keep up the great work, guys!