Hawken PAX 2012 Trailer: While My Console Gently Weeps (Slight Return)…

 

It’s too bad Hawken isn’t blasting its way onto the PS3 or 360, as I could see a lot of gamers wanting to have at it in Adhesive’s and Meteor’s phenomenal-looking (and online only) mech combat game. Of course, I’m not complaining to anyone in particular, just expressing a wish while being a bit cranky about the state of the industry today with all this free to play stuff. From the beginning, this game has looked one that should get everyone who’s worked on it a nice paycheck, I say. Hell, stick a solid single player mode in (maybe with some split-screen play for those who need it), slap it in a case with some nice artwork and I’d definitely pay up at retail or direct from the developer. That’s how I roll – good games take time and effort to make, and people who bust their asses on them should be able to get something in return other than the thanks of those who get to play the end result.

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

 

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.

Enter, The Dragon (Again): Shadowrun Is Coming Back!

Yikes. Just when I get to griping about underfunded indie games that NEED more notice, along comes this news, which I gather will make people forget all about that last post. I guess I need to pay more attention to Kickstarter, huh? Anyway, a bunch of ancient mariners behind the original game (you HAVE to love the name they chose for their studio: Harebrained Schemes, LLC) are getting together and bringing the FASA classic Shadowrun back with an all-new title called Shadowrun Returns.

Of course, the project is already doing SUPER well as it zooms toward its funding goal of $400,000. Amusingly enough, I kind of wish they were doing an English translation of the Japanese Sega Mega-CD version, as that’s one of those completely unique versions of the game that was only released on one platform and a pretty hard game to track down even if you happen to own the proper equipment to run it on.

Oh, don’t worry, I’m not complaining at all or anything.  Er… other than wishing the economy was a hell of a lot BETTER for the games industry so that all of these projects could appear as physical product at a fair price point so MORE people would be able to buy and play them…

Two More Awesome Malevolence Videos: C’Mon, Where’s The Indie Love The Usual Suspects Are Getting?


Hmmmm. While all that talk about indifference and snobbery amongst the hardcore crowd about supporting adventure games and indie games got a kick to the face thanks to crowdfunded Kickstarter projects such as Double Fine Adventure, Wasteland 2 and a few other excellent titles, it seems there’s some nose in the sky attitude from these supporters towards projects like this that deserve the same respect and attention. Hell, I wish I could give these guys what they need to complete their game and get it out to whomever wants to play it (which I’m sure would be a LOT more people if certain sites a great deal bigger than my lowly blog actually promoted the funding project). Clearly, this team has TALENT and is making a great game worth watching (and playing). But are they getting much love from the folks who SHOULD be waving the flag for games like this and sending money their way? Not enough, I say… (grrrr)… $6,000 to go. 11 days left.

Orcs Must Die! 2 Announced: Now With Co-Op Play For Twice The Fun!

 

Packed full of all sorts of big changes and tweaks to the already winning formula plus a new playable character, Robot Entertainment’s upcoming sequel looks to be a huge time eater fans of the first game will want to grab as soon as it’s released. THis will also be playable at this year’s PAX, so if you’re going, line up and get ready for a blast. Hmmm, still, why this team doesn’t justdo a full-on action RPG using this great mix of humor and gameplay is beyond me, but perhaps its in the cards one fine day. Hell, this would even make an EXCELLENT Vita game, that’s for sure. Hey Robot! Get on that ASAP (and add the first game as a bonus)…

No Fooling: Malevolence Is Looking Better & Better (And STILL Needs Your Support!)


I really love the gameplay speed in the video above, but it looks like that as well as the the bloom lighting effect have been sped all the way up for testing purposes. Don’t freak out over this, I say (as hopefully these will be adjustable in the final game). Anyway, check out what’s new to the game: more building types! Better water effects! Pigs! Sheep! OK, maybe I’m getting a wee bit too excited about such “mundane” stuff, but hey – I like it when a plan comes together, and this project is showing off some fine work by a very dedicated bunch of folks. Check out the new screenshots HERE and give ’til it hurts (a little) HERE.

GOG.com Goes The Indie Pub Route, Incoming Awesomeness Abounds…

 

Sooo, GOG.com’s master plan is to go the indie route in addition to selling the best DRM-free classic and now recent/current indie content at amazing prices with tons of bonuses? Nice, indeed. Their first big indie publishing project, Legend of Grimlock (you MUST pre-order it as soon as you see it – that’s an order!) looks fantastic (and yeah, I need to upgrade my PC yet again if I want to play it, stubborn old goat that I am) and it’s so far, so good with the rest of the lineup. Color me (and a great deal of other GOG.com users) happier by the minute…

Malevolence: The Sword of Ahkranox Has More Bugs Now. You Should Still Buy it Once It’s Done.

Oh Noes! Well, not really, as you’ll see from this video, it’s actually a GOOD thing to find bugs in the upcoming procedurally generated RPG. Adding digital insect life just makes the game world seem a bit more natural, is all. Now, if only you could earn loads of experience and gold from swatting all the bugs you can find flying about…

Malevolence: The Sword of Ahkranox Update: The Great Outdoors And A New Funding Pitch…

 

In case you’re not following this fantastic-looking “old-school” RPG here, the dev team is hard at work whipping up some gorgeous outdoor environments:

 

 

 

and has done a second IndieGoGo pitch video geared toward potential donors who haven’t yet heard of the project (you SHOULD go donate to the cause, I say):

 

 

Finally, below the jump, some borrowed video from one of the alpha testers just so you have an idea of what to come (but much more improved, obviously)…

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Driftmoon Hands-On: The Top Is Down And The Weather’s Just Fine For Traveling…

Yes, it’s taken a bit of time for me to get around to playing that new Driftmoon demo I mentioned last month, but I’m absolutely more than pleased that I spent a few hours yesterday exploring the early part of the game which was awesome enough to leave me begging to see how the final build will turn out. Instant Kingdom (that’s Ville and Anne Mönkkönen, last time I checked) have created a lovely top down Adventure/RPG that can be tailored for anyone from novices who prefer a lighter combat option to hardcore players who want enemies that bite back hard. It also doesn’t hurt that the writing here is well done and often amusing in tone, offering a RPG experience that allows for different outcomes to certain quests. Toss in an excellent map system, some very well thought out combat, a great soundtrack and the ability to send feedback to the developers as you play and what’s here is shaping up to be a superb little indie game.

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