Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor Tutorial: From Software Shows How To Make The Kinect WORK

Posted on April 4, 2012 by geelw

One of the near-constant gripes I hear about Kinect from some “core” gamers who hate it is that they feel it’s not for the games THEY want or like (or want TO like, for that matter). Well, thanks to From Software and Capcom, a few of those already made up minds may change a bit. The upcoming Xbox 360 exclusive Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor will be on display at PAX 2012 this weekend and will be playable, so I’m expecting a few folks to be hopping on board for this one once they get their hands on it. No, it doesn’t use the Kinect as the sole means of control – From has integrated both a stock 360 controller and Kinect controls together to make one of the most immersive game experiences using the peripheral to date. Hell, I’d MUCH rather be buying a Steel Battalion Kinect Bundle than that Star Wars deal that’s just a cash cow for Microsoft with a not so hot game strapped into the cockpit. Ah well, in a perfect world, this one would get more hype… Go From! Go Capcom!

Gallery Update: Steel Battalion Heavy Armor

Posted on March 13, 2012 by geelw

From Software and Capcom are getting set to release what’s looking like the next big Kinect game as well as what’s looking like the first that’s going to have appeal across a few genres. Fans of the niche original will be all over this one (and won’t have to break out that table-sized 40+ button controller the original had), military tank sim fans should be intrigued enough to take the plunge and I can even see FPS players looking for a more emotional (and cerebral) experience wanting to give this one a shot. Of course, the naysayers are going on about the Kinect’s price point just for ONE game, but that’s when I smack them (gently) on the back of the neck while suggesting a few other titles they may want to play that won’t make them look like marionettes in an asylum puppet show put on by unsupervised inmates

More on this one as new info becomes available…

UPDATE: Want More Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor Footage? Here You Go!

Posted on March 6, 2012 by geelw

It’s really late, I’m really wiped out and REALLY too tired to run as long a post as I’d like here, but here’s the latest video from Capcom and developer From Software’s upcoming Kinect exclusive that’s set to hit retail in June. All I’ll say before falling into bed is those of you out there who’ve been kicking the peripheral around (or just hate the 360 for some reason) will more likely than not be taking a begrudging glance at the console once this game ships out. Or even before as the gameplay previews drip out…

OK, off to bed for me – I’ll be back later today!

Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor Gets a Heavy Date (Finally)…

Posted on March 5, 2012 by geelw

That date would be a release date: June 19 in North America and June 22 across European territories. Rats. Now, I’ll just HAVE to buy a Kinect it seems. No more slacking off and hanging out at a friend’s place just because he’s not using his as much as I think he should. Oh well.. but I guess I’ll be a happier camper in the end. Nope, I’m not going near a dancing or exercise game (other than Double Fine Happy Action Theater, as you’ll find yourself dancing, exercising and playing in lava before you know what hit you), nor do I want to get all “pew-pew” with a shooter that works fine with a decent controller. I missed out on the original Steel Battalion thanks to the expense and not enough space here for that ridiculously awesome custom controller setup, but this time, it looks like Capcom will get me. Now, if they’d only sell enough copies of the new game to fund a proper HD remake of the original just so those who’ve missed it can see what was (and still is) a pretty unique game experience. That, folks, would be even more spectacular…

Yes, I Still Review Stuff, Silly…

Status

This should be interesting. I talked a Kinect-owning pal into buying Double Fine Happy Action Theater and I’ll be moseying on over to his place later to see what’s what. The XPlay demo last night made me do it, so blame them. Although, my heads up from him and his kids says the game is nothing but stupidly entertaining. In a really good way. If I don’t throw my back out kicking a pigeon or making fireworks with my fingers, I’ll be back with a review later tonight. Wish me luck…

Winter Stars Teaser Trailer: Deep Silver Wants To Get You In The Mood For Snow…

Posted on November 20, 2011 by geelw

Deep Silver’s got a plan to get those of you looking for a winter sports game to buy a copy of Winter Stars, their just released motion-controller-based game for the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii. Eleven different sporting events bound to get you up off the couch and shaking it like you mean it sounds like a good idea to me, as my own “it” is getting a tiny bit wider from way too much Skyrim. Naturally, I’ll at least play the snowmobiling mini-game sitting down, but it looks like I’ll need to be waving my arms and moving about for the rest of them. With Move, Kinect or Wii Remote/Balance Board support for each platform, it’ll be interesting to see if this one takes off as the weather gets colder and holiday gift thoughts start wafting through the air like the scent of freshly baked pies.

New Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor Trailer Makes Me Want To Knock Down a Wall…

Posted on October 26, 2011 by geelw

…So I can actually (and finally!) get my own Kinect and play the game. My living room is nicely-sized, but in the wrong way that I’d need to have my TV near the front door and blocking access to the kitchen in order to play any Kinect games. I can do Move stuff just fine, though. Oh well. Go, From Software! I’d say Capcom will have a nifty niche hit here provided that some folks get over the fact that more types of games can be done well on Kinect outside of dance, exercise and “family” titles. So far, color me very impressed with this game (even as a work in progress). I’d be even MORE impressed if Capcom added the original Xbox game and sequel to the disc as bonuses so those who missed out can finally play them without having to pay an arm and a leg for that MASSIVE custom controller (and find out the second game needed a single-player campaign which it didn’t have as an online-only expansion pack).

Sega Offers FREE Rise of Nightmares Comic Download

Posted on October 1, 2011 by geelw

Sega’s campy/scary Kinect horror game Rise of Nightmares is generating a decent amount of interest among gamers (warts and all) and now there’s even a comic book tie-in to pore over. You can download it HERE if you’re interested in the game ad want a bit of cool back story.

Writer Al Ewing and artist Marc Olivent’s “The Lost Tapes of Roland Childs” tells the tale of the private detective whose tapes and experiences players can collect as they explore the world in the game. As I don’t currently own a Kinect, I’ll have to hope Sega brings the game over to the Move at some point. I kind of need a bit more room in my place for a Kinect as well as that Nyko Zoom add-on so I can actually play some of those games and not knock all the air out of the room in the process.

Please note: This comic contains adult language and scenes. Reader discretion is advised.

Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor WIll REALLY Make You Want A Kinect

Posted on August 26, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/oh2OaqDfBIs?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

As this very cool Gamescom 2011 interview with the game’s producers (decked out in their Army gear) shows, FromSoftware is on track to wow Kinect owners (and skeptics alike) with their upcoming game. Between the retro visual style and influences (the Omaha Beach sequence from Saving Private Ryan springs to mind) plus the fact that yes, you’re controlling a huge walking mech in real time (and without that massive 40 button controller the original SB had back on the Xbox), this one looks like a keeper. It also looks like Kinect is getting a few games hardcore gamers will really want to get their hands on (provided they also manage to wrap their heads around the whole no controller aspect*).

*Well, the game actually DOES require a 360 controller, but you’ll still do the majority of playing without it.

E3 Day 1 – Microsoft: Surprises and No Surprises Balance It Out…

Posted on June 6, 2011 by geelw

So far, so good, I suppose. Microsoft kicked off the day with a pretty cool conference that revealed a much stronger focus on Kinect that in this writer's opinion, should have been last year's approach. Sure, 10 million plus units were shifted at retail since the launch, but many “core” gamers have ignored the peripheral for a few reasons (most of them based on misconceptions). Microsoft set out to change that big time and seems to have succeeded thanks to integrating Kinect functionality into nearly everything they showed off. More precise Kinect functionality (for the most part).Read more »