Game Appreciation 101: Understanding Stylization Helps You Enjoy MORE Games…

Posted on April 23, 2012 by geelw

Maybe it’s because I’m an artist (well, sometimes) but for the life of me, I just don’t understand how and why some gamers ONLY see “realism” as the sole way to go when it comes to modern game visuals while accepting all sorts of artistic stylization in comic books, TV and movies. Experimenting with stylization is not only important for artists in any medium, it’s also important for those who enjoy that medium to help expand their horizons, sometimes significantly. “Realism” is as subjective as looking out your own window and seeing what an actual building, tree or person looks like (boring, aren’t they?), then comparing it to whatever game you’re playing that’s blowing your mind out your left ear.

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“GameStop New”… You’re Still At it, Huh?

Posted on April 20, 2012 by geelw

Yeah, yeah, if I don’t like it, I don’t have to shop there. On the other hand, ignoring a problem (no matter how “trivial”) never makes it disappear. That and hell, sometimes it’s hard to pass up a great deal like this. Still, NEW to me when it comes to a product like a game, movie, lip balm or candy bar means SEALED. The location I got this at had something like four or five copies of Metroid: Other M mixed in with the used games, all opened but listed as NEW. And this wasn’t the only “new” title that was opened up and stuck in the stacks. Again, if I’m giving a gift to someone, I’ll have to make sure I get it from someplace that doesn’t have this rather stupid policy. If you have mockup cases for upcoming games taking up space on the racks, you can so the same for older games like this, sell them still sealed and not need to deal with any complaints from me or anyone else who hates this opened as new scheme.

Oh, and it’s not as if there wasn’t any space in the shop behind the counter either. The location, which has previously been a pretty messy place to pop into, has cleaned things up tremendously since I last shopped there. While I understand the practice is supposed to discourage theft or whatever, it’s pretty annoying to have to accept something that would be unacceptable in certain other retail situations. And hey! The game isn’t that bad as far as I’ve played. Sure, Samus is a bit whiny, but hell, who has the EXACT same personality their entire life? OK, Romney springs to mid straight off the bat… but he’s a Weyland-Yutani creation, I just know it…

Dishonored Trailer Drops, Bethesda Gets My Fingers Tingling…

Posted on April 17, 2012 by geelw

(shakes fist at monitor)… Blast you, Bethesdaaaaaaa! Showing off such an awesome game to us yesterday here in NYC, slapping us with an embargo until next week THEN unloading this spectacular trailer on the masses! Grrrr! Anyway (very fake rant over and done with), Dishonored is going to be a game that gets talked about quite a lot, especially as it’s definitely one of the more intriguing games I’ve seen this year that’s NOT a sequel or reboot of an older IP. Arkane Studios’ hard work blew me away and I hope it will do the same to you once more news gets out about how amazing it is.

Will Someone Do An Anvil of Dawn Kickstarter Project Already? Seriously.

Posted on April 17, 2012 by geelw

The late, lamented New World Computing developed and/or published a number of great PC games back in the day including the classic Might & Magic series, but for me, DreamForge Intertainment’s 1995 MS-DOS first-person RPG was one of the most memorable titles the company was involved with (outside of the franchise they’re more well known for). The game was a single-player real time action game that allowed you to choose one of five characters and play him or her as they set out into the rather deadly dungeons in and around the land of Tempest seeking out the titular Anvil.

I loved how the character you chose ended up meeting up with the others you didn’t as the game progressed, the traps and puzzles mixed in with the combat and the multiple endings based on who you chose to play as. I’ve always wanted to see this one remade at some point (even though I still own the original game) and now with all this Kickstarter fury going strong, I’d say it’s time some dev team with members who remember this classic set out to reboot it for PC and perhaps consoles and other devices. Hell, I’m even willing to do some character or environment art if needed. In case you didn’t know, I can draw a little and I do like my RPGs old school. Anyway, someone out there, get on this and get back to me. I’d actually love to be playing this before I get TOO old and grey…

Survey Says: Surveys Suck!

Posted on April 17, 2012 by geelw

You know what I hate about some surveys that SAY they’re gamer-focused? When an old coot like ME puts in his age and gets booted out of the damn thing like I’m no longer a gamer because I don’t fit the target demographic. That’s lame and stupid, as I have a hell of a lot more experience with MORE types of games than a lot of folks who’ll answer all those questions the way the folks running the survey seem to want. I’d like to put a boot up the ass of the folks who think anyone over 40 is useless when it comes to our opinions about games when, hell a LOT of folks my age or close to it are MAKING the damn games being asked about…

Just a thought, grrrr…

Slow Day? Not Really.

Posted on April 16, 2012 by geelw

Yeah, yeah – I’m behind in posting, but I’ve been running about tackling a few projects, seeing some great games (put Bethesda’s amazing Dishonored on your radar NOW. Arkane Studios is going to surprise the hell out of a lot of people is all I’ll say).

It’s ALSO hot as hell outside and it’s only April. Methinks summer will be a total roaster, but the folks who think climate change is a hoax are still going along with their own versions of things. Let them burn up first, I say. I’m staying inside with a bucket of ice, a lot of water and too many games…

Hitman Absolution Pre-Order Bonuses: Agent 47 Hides Guns Everywhere, It Seems…

Posted on April 15, 2012 by geelw

I’m not a huge fan of the way game bonus content gets diced up into selected bits and turned into multiple retailer exclusives (and I just KNOW a lot of fellow gamers as well as more than a few developers hate this as well), but this is something you just can’t get away from these days with many AAA releases.

Still, IO Interactive and Square Enix made me laugh with these pre-order weapons from the upcoming Hitman: Absolution. That thick Professional Edition in the top photo is tempting enough, but Amazon (well, one of their many crate-filled warehouses), Best Buy, GameStop and Walmart are all looking like places Agent 47 can pop into when he needs a new gun. Which means that clerks and shelf-stockers at these places had better watch their backs, as they might get KO’d and dragged into a closet when a certain bald guy in a black suit steps into their workplace…

Tiny & Big Gets A Tiny Bit Of Accidental QA Humor…

Posted on April 14, 2012 by geelw

Black Pants Game Studios should have added some random football/soccer commentary to this clip just to make it even funnier. Anyway, Tiny & Big In: Grandpa’s Leftovers is still winding its way toward completion, so I’m looking forward to finally trying the final version of the game out to see how much it’s improved since that incredibly fun demo. That, and I want to see it hit PSN and/or XBLA at some point just because I think a LOT of gamers out there would have a blast with it.

Dragon Ball Z On The Kinect: “Kamehameha” Means “Heart Attack” In What Language Again?

Posted on April 12, 2012 by geelw

Well, “Holy Hmm…,” Batman, the rumors are true. There’s actually a Dragon Ball Z game hitting the Kinect in October, so make some room in the living room and pad the walls for those screaming sessions you’ll be having in front of your TV. All I’ll say is this had better be fun as hell or else Namco Bandai’s formerly impenetrable HQ will be stormed by angry DBZ fans wearing bright gold wigs and costumes they made in their basements (some with the assistance of a parent or very understanding significant other!). This could get ugly and fast. I can see the newsflash now: Angry Dragon Ballers Raging At Game Publisher’s Offices! Details at 11…

What? Don’t get offended, now. They’re NOT going to show up in person or post those angry rants on the internet while sipping a snifter of brandy and thoughtfully stroking their beards, if that’s the other direction you want me to go here. Eh, whatever. With a franchise like this, there’s sort of no middle ground unless you don’t take the series seriously enough to be upset about the Kinect getting a DBZ game. For me, there are more urgent things to be pissed off about (like the fact that I need to get a Kinect at some point, but I’ll probably need to punch a hole in a wall so I have enough space to use the damn thing)…

PROTIP: A Little Monty Python Can Make Anyone’s Day Better…

Posted on April 10, 2012 by geelw

To wit: I was at the post office earlier today mailing some stuff out and the place was mercifully empty save for two ladies taking forever at the two open windows. When it was finally my turn in line, without thinking, I raised one leg up and stepped forward in such a way that the clerk I was headed for nearly fell off her seat laughing. Truth be told, I really didn’t INTEND to do a Silly Walk at all, it was just me automatically being goofy. Nevertheless, I did make her day, as she told me when she game me my change. Score another victory for learning through public television!