Tag Archives: Holiday Gift Guide 2012

GTA San Andreas: “Introduction” – One of the Best 20 Minute Game Movies You’ll Ever See.

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Grab a 40 (or some eggnog), pull up a chair and sit down to one of the most impressive bits of storytelling from a ten-year old video game. To some of the less respectful gamers out there Grand Theft Auto San: Andreas may be ancient “by today’s standards” (and it’s now available on PSN and Xbox Live), but Rockstar Studios created a game for the ages (whether you like the M-rated content or not). I know I put maybe 70 or so hours into the game when it was initially released on the PS2… but I still didn’t see the ending. Not for lack of trying, mind you – the memory card with my saves on it went missing and I certainly wasn’t pleased with having to restart the game from the beginning. Not that I would have minded much at all – it’s just that I had a ton of other games to review and I’ve never gotten back into San Andreas after all this time.

Well, it sure looks as if I have the chance now, hmmmm?  As for y-o-u, well now, are you going to get THIS game for your favorite player, or will it be another Chia Pet or Clapper this year? C’mon, do the right thing and get this one as a gift for that (over 18, of course) gamer on your list.

D3Publisher of America’s Holiday 2012 Lineup Is Mysteriously Free Of Bugs…

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Hey D3! Nice family-friendly lineup you’ve got there. One teeny-tiny thing irks me, however. You know, TEASING viewers about Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable (which comes out on February 12, 2013) in your otherwise fine Holiday Gift Guide YouTube video would have been a REALLY cool thing to do. Since you didn’t, I have an idea: cook up another of these videos for that game and post it, oh, I dunno BEFORE the end of this year (or at latest, at the beginning of 2013) just so people KNOW that the game is available as a pre-order from a few places. Look, the Vita is getting the crap kicked out of it by the 3DS and some games journalists who aren’t happy with some of Sony’s decisions. It needs any game that could be a potential hit (and system seller) to get as much notice as possible as early as possible. Sooooo, get ‘er done, I say! Take Two… ACTION!

Random Art: New Mouse Means New Trees…

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in characterSo, the folks at a A4Tech sent me one of their G11-570HX-4 Wireless Mice to try out and after charging it up and doing some rather dull pointing and clicking from a few places around the room (it’s a really smooth and responsive mouse on any surface no matter how irregular) and some more exciting gaming for a bit (yes indeed, it works excellently in the games I tried it with), I decided to try it out as a drawing tool in MS Paint (see left, Sherlock!). Not bad for a quickie sketch, but I’ll see what I can do later with a few free hours to play around.

It’s definitely much better than the USB mice Ive used previously since it glides so well over the small space I usually do digital art on.  I liked the no hole design on the mouse that keeps it from trapping dust and other crap  on the lens (which can be cleaned with a cotton swab or soft cloth) The rechargeable G11 has a pretty long battery life per charge (I’ve had it for a week so far and it’s still going strong) and also has an optional downloadable office suite that adds a bunch of other functions to the mouse, but I haven’t actually downloaded it yet (Yep, I’m THAT busy these days).  Anyway, with seven buttons to play around with, 5 DPI settings and a fair price point ($32.99 or less if  you shop around), the G11 is a decently reliable mouse for everyday usage that won’t break the bank

Review: Retro City Rampage

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Platform: PS3/PS Vita

Developer: VBlank Entertainment, Inc.

Publisher: VBlank Entertainment, Inc.

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: A+ (100%)

Ironically, one of the best games of the year is a completely retro throwback that would have been one of the best 8-bit games ever made had it been slapped into a cartridge. But it’s not even available on any physical media at all – it’s a download-only game that’s currently a PC and PSN exclusive (that’s also coming to other console platforms soon enough). If you’re well versed in classic gaming and plenty of 80’s and 90’s pop culture history, Retro City Rampage will be one of the best gifts you can give yourself or someone else who’s going to appreciate the megaton count of in-jokes, references and completely off the wall humor the game delivers. The first five minutes will have you hooked, but the amazing thing about RCR is how much it crams into each cut scene and the resulting gameplay chaos that often ensues from the act of merely trying to progress in the often hilarious story mode.

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Malevolence In the Home Stretch: Six More Video Updates To Snack On…

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Winding up what’s looking to be a really productive development cycle, here are six more videos from Malevolence: The Sword of Ahkranox, set to hit PC’s very soon. The promise of infinite play here is quite compelling and as you can see here, the game is looking quite excellent for what’s basically a fan-made project. Well, some VERY dedicated fans of classic PC role-playing games

 

More after the jump!

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Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD Is Vita Bound – That’s A Buy Right There, Folks…

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Excellent. In case you missed it back on the original Xbox and last year, on the PS3 as a PSN download, well, here you go. Oddworld Inhabitants is getting Stranger’s Wrath out on Sony’s portable and I say it’s a buy because it’s still one of the best games you’ll ever play thanks to its innovative gameplay elements combining FPS and third-person action/platforming) along with a strong story that’s funny and touching. Oh yeah, and that Stranger is quite a likable fellow for being a bounty hunter and all. And the game is pretty darn long for what it is. And it sure looks mighty pretty in HD. And a whole lot more “ands” too. Keep an eye peeled for it soon enough…

Sony’s Holiday Strategy Seems To Be Go All Nintendo On Its Fan Base…

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I wasn’t going to say anything snarky initially, but I overheard a hilarious conversation yesterday that definitely kick-started this post. Basically three kids were arguing about Sony “copying” Nintendo’s hugely popular Mario Kart games with Little Big Planet Karting (above) and the Super Smash Bros. series with PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale (below). Granted, if you actually play the games you’ll see that both do certain key things differently, but on the surface, yup – shameless, aren’t they? I had to laugh because while they all were wrong in that way kids who no not a thing about how games are made are, a few nails were indeed hit on the head. Granted, Sony’s other first party stuff has been pretty solid and there’s more greatness to come in 2013. But for this brief, not so shining moment, the Nintendo fanboys and girls out there actually have a genuine gripe that can’t be easily brushed away. Well, at least the two games are good*, so that saves them from a bit of the batting about they’re getting in some corners of the internet…

*”Good” being entirely objective term, as we all know Mario Kart is the gold standard here.  LBPK is a wee bit problematic on a few fronts, but the driving and blowing stuff up works OK.

NEOGEO X Gold LE: Delay of Game Equals More Anticipation (As Well As Some Rustproofing)…

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Sometimes, delays are a good thing, provided you’re taking the glass half full approach. To wit: Best Buy notified me that my order would be delayed until the 18th, but no biggie. That gives me more time to practice playing a few games on that really fine PS2 collection from a few years back. After all these years I’m still absolutely, completely terrible at Magician Lord (and probably will still be), so I’m going to be spending a few hours trying not to die so much or jump up and down on a controller after losing that final life.

For newbies, let me very safely state that NeoGeo games aren’t for rage-quitters at all. Nope, if you get all Hulky and throw that big ol’ heavy arcade stick down, you’ll probably break a toe (and need to go spend a small fortune replacing it. Er, the controller, not your toe). The X’s replicated arcade stick seems to be of similar quality (and not inexpensive either), but I’m definitely NOT going to be tossing it around when I lose. Now you know why they call throw pillows THROW pillows. Just aim for something non-breakable (and not the family pet, lest you get that toe you didn’t break earlier chewed on while you sleep)…

Far Cry 3: I Haven’t Played It Yet, But I’m Already Hooked In…

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Thanks to having so many other games to play through this month, I know I won’t get around to playing Far Cry 3 until next year. However, from what I’ve seen so far (a friend has it and is having a total blast), I’m going to be REALLY busy in Crytek’s massive open-world shooter. I spent an hour or so watching someone play and it looks as if the game allows you to do what you want on those islands outside the main story line (a great thing). Sure, you’re still killing men and animals by the boatload, but the story sections are compelling from the beginning and you can get your character’s motivations and grasp his rather insane situation thanks to some excellent writing and motion captured performances. Hmmmm… maybe I’ll skip a few games and pick this up sooner than later after all… we shall see.

Review: TANK! TANK! TANK!

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tanktanktankPlatform: Wii U

Developer: Namco

Publisher: Namco Bandai Games

# of Players: 1 – 4

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)

Official Site

Score: B (80%)

As a launch title for the Wii U, Namco Bandai’s TANK! TANK! TANK! may not look like a system seller, but look past its colorful arcade visuals and initially simple gameplay and you’ll find a fast-paced (and 100% tank focused) party game shooter that owes more than a little credit to Sandlot’s always fun Earth Defense Force series of games. In fact, the game manages to play almost exactly like an arcade version of EDF would, streamlining the experience down to timed stages, random weapon pickups that you can use instantly and a mix of assorted enemies from giant robotic spiders and wasps to some pretty wild bosses that need to be taken down as quickly as possible. Granted, blowing monsters into scrap metal over and over is all you do here in the main game whether playing in solo or co-op, so those seeking something deeper should look elsewhere. On the other hand, given that this is a rather enhanced port of an arcade game that offers much more than the original version, you SHOULD expect and respect the repetitive nature of the game to the fullest by diving in and shooting up the scenery as much as possible.
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