Until Dawn Halloween Trailer: Getting A Move On (As In Running Like Hell, Part Deux)…

Sony’s version of Ten Little Indians (minus two) meets SAW and a few other things is looking pretty nifty and yes, it also gets a nice Halloween trailer to ogle. I’m hoping the game is great, as it’s tough to do a good horror game these days because no matter how amazing it is, there’s going to be some jaded jackanape who starts griping that the game either isn’t scary enough, or is too familiar to something they think they know all about, or has someone cursing in it (hey, it’s a M-rated game, silly – what are you supposed to say when there’s a crazy man coming at you from out of nowhere with a knife?). I want to see this succeed because the Move works well enough (and hell, a LOT better than Kinect in terms of a 1:1 gameplay experience) and could use a many new titles that take advantage of the peripheral as possible. OK, I think that may be the last post for the day, as the connection here is crappy and I still need to get a few reviews done and posted later, PLUS, get around to changing the banner to November on the blogs. Back later… or sooner if I can find time for a quickie post.

Puppeteer Halloween Trailer: It’s Not Out Yet, But I’ll Be Lurking Nearby…

Meh, I’m still busy working on some reviews and such, so here’s a fun Halloween trailer for Puppeteer, Sony’s upcoming PS3 platformer. The game is still in progress, but as you can see here, it’s progressing nicely (even if this is just footage done up just for the “holiday”). Anyway, it’s another one headed to my want list, one of many PS3 games coming that should keep the console doing well into 2013.

Okami HD On PSN Now, Capcom Not Worried At All About AC III Juggernaut

You have to love that Capcom has a great sense of humor and can poke fun at both themselves and Ubisoft in the same video*. Sure, everyone will run out and snap up Assassin’s Creed III (the most pre-ordered game to date thanks in no small part to a year-plus long pre-sell campaign), but Capcom knows what’s good for you instead – another hero in while with some deft skills you’ll grow to love equally (even if you’ve played the original game to death). That and hey, some people think wolves are cooler automatically. I don’t count myself among that number – I just love Okami because it’s a damn good game. So yeah, BUY IT, I say!

*Eh, for some reason, Capcom posted a neat parody video called “Okami’s Creed” a few hours ago, but now it’s private, so my post makes no sense. Feh – I’ll leave it as is and hope that video is restored, as it’s quite funny stuff. Anyway, go buy Okami HD on PSN – you don’t need a funny video to let you know this classic still holds up today.

Review: Dokuro

Platform: PlayStation Vita

Developer: Game Arts/PonKotz Troops

Publisher: GungHo Online Entertainment

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)

Official Site

Score: A (95%)

 

 

Combining a cool storybook visual style and a compelling mix of puzzle, platforming and combat elements, Dokuro comes to PS Vita owners at a crucial time for Sony’s handheld. The Vita absolutely needs some key titles to prop it up as it finds its user base and GungHo Online Entertainment’s first of two games for the system (both from veteran Japanese developer Game Arts) ends up as a must-by for fans of old-school gameplay (and new school game delivery systems). This PSN game manages to be compelling right from the start thanks to the likable (and very dead, but cute) “hero”, the solid controls and how the surprisingly emotional story unfolds as you play.

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Thundercats DS In Stores Now: The Retro Revival Continues!

 

Transformers, Thundercats, He-Man – the 80’s cartoon hits just keep on coming to gamers these days (but hey, where’s the Twinkle the Dream Being game?!). Anyway, Namco Bandai has released Thundercats into the wild for the Nintendo DS. It certainly looks pretty awesome and heck, my nostalgia meter says this one will be a ton of fun. As usual, it’s up to the hands-on time and final impressions from dopes like me and other editor-types that will sway you one way or the other, but I trust in Lion-O to NOT be in a stinker. Mumm-Ra, maybe (which is why he’ll never get his own game), but not Lion-O. Anyway, we shall see what’s what in a few days when my review copy pops up.

The Pinball Arcade Gets Elvira & The Party Monsters Out For Halloween!

 

Ah, nothing like a little hurricane action to keep you indoors and annoyed (but slightly productive). Anyway, one more post for the day, then I’m off to catch up on some gaming. While Zen Studios is king of the modern digital pinball game these days, the fine folks at Farsight Studios have been making the best recreations of classic pinball tables for consoles and other devices. The newest addition to the ongoing Pinball Arcade series (exclusively for PS3 and PS Vita) will include the legendary Elvira and the Party Monsters table, which last appeared on the Atari Lynx if I’m not mistaken. It’s good to be a PS3 and Vita owner these days, that’s for sure. Anyway, go ogle the video above – I’m off to play a few games and watch stuff blow by my window seven floors up.  Sandy, you’re not slowing ME down one bit, grrrrr!

Assassin’s Creed III Liberation: Could This Be The Best Vita Game To Date?

 

Hmmm, let’s see now: side story to one of the biggest AAA games of the year, a strong female lead with a compelling back story, a deep plot that could resonate on a few levels for those of us who love compelling single player experiences, some truly stunning visuals and oh, so much more. Yeah, that sounds like something I’m interested in. Ubisoft and Sony think so too, which is why they’re doing it up with a really nice bundle that includes a nice white Vita. I already have a Vita, so I won’t be snapping this up, but I think YOU should, as the handheld is finally getting more and better games worth an absolute buy.

Ragnarok Odyssey: A Few Hours Into Xseed’s Vita MMORPG Time Eater…

Well alrighty then – after a chunk of time spent downloading thanks to a sloooooow connection and a bit of a false start when booting up the first time (I got a black screen for ages and had to reboot my Vita twice before the game woke up and decided to start), I’m finally playing Ragnarok Odyssey – well, the single player mode so far. So far, it’s quite fun – easy to get into in terms of setting up and creating your character, but not the grind-fest I thought it would be. You actually don’t gain levels by killing monsters (although you can repeat quests to gain extra items, weapons and other drops plus more Zeny to buy supplies and upgrade gear with). Your rank goes up as you complete chapters that advance the overall story.

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Okami HD Video: 5 Awesome Things In The First Hour (No White Rabbit Needed)…

And all five things can be done before breakfast if you get the game when it hits PSN exclusively on October 30th and wait until early the next morning to play it. Well, that’s not going to happen, as Okami is more of a game you’ll stay up ALL night playing. With spiffy HD visuals, PlayStation Move support, many, many hours of gameplay (yes, there’s loads of replay value here as well) and more, chalk this up as yet another winner from Capcom.

Import Review: Earth Defense Forces 3 Portable

Platform: PlayStation Vita

Developer: SANDLOT

Publisher: D3Publisher

# of Players: 1 – 4

CERO Rating: C (Ages 15+)

Official Site (Japan)

Score: A (95%)

Much more than a straightforward port of the former Xbox 360 exclusive, Earth Defense Forces 3 Portable comes screaming onto the Vita as the game developer Sandlot most likely wanted to make in the first place. The return of Pale Wing and her energy-based weaponry (from EDF 2 on the PS2 and PSP) adds a new way to experience the game, while an up to four-player co-op mode, rebalanced and all-new weapon drops, new enemy types, trophies galore and seven new levels makes this an absolute must-buy for anyone with a Vita. While the import is indeed entirely in Japanese, the fact that the game is coming to the US this winter in English means Vita owners here have a great game in the pipeline that will get plenty of play and replay. For those who’ve played the 360 version to death, there’s definitely enough new content there to get you equally obsessed (and yes, perhaps it’s time to get that Vita if you’ve been on the fence).

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