Killzone: Shadow Fall Update: Guerrilla’s in the Midst (and Not Monkeying Around)…

Well, it sure looks like Killzone: Shadow Fall is going to be another marquee title for Sony’s new console and as you can see here, the guys and gals at Guerrilla Games are making sure series fans get their money’s worth and then some. What’s really impressive here is despite being yet another shooter in a very well-packed genre full of them, if you follow the game from its first chapter on the PS2, you can see the developer maturing as they lay down the series’ trajectory as the focus shifts from one side to another.  Win or lose, war is indeed hell for both sides at the end of the day…

The Killing 3(01): Yes, Those Hooks Are Still Quite Sharp…

Well, so much for the reborn series being a dud, hmmm? I did myself a nice and tease-dipped favor and switched over to Game of Thrones just so I can catch the second hour of The Killing when it reruns later tonight. I don’t mind the tension of holding out, as GoT is going to keep it high (this is the penultimate episode this season) and I can knock out an article or three in that extra hour. I actually save Mad Men for viewing later in the week through Free on Demand, as that show is a bit too densely packed with characters and plot to sit through in a single sitting (and this latest season is a bit bulky with gloom).

OK, off to Westeros (well, I’m already there with the pack of “ugly” daughters)… Back in a bit…

Ride to Hell: Retribution “Built, Not Bought” Trailer: Hmm, How About A Slice of Iron Pie?

Well, OK… you can technically add food to stuff you can “build” and not buy off the shelf,  but who’s writing this lame material, hmmm? Anyway, Deep Silver’s and Eutechnyx’ grindhouse biker action game is still on the way and sure, it’s not going to win any Game of the Year awards for visuals, but it just may be a hell of a lot more fun than some expect. Especially because you absolutely CAN’T judge a game by looks alone in this day and age. Hell, that would kill nearly the whole retro/indie games market in one go. As I’ve noted elsewhere, if it’s fun to play and makes you laugh in all the right spots (as in WITH the game, not AT it), it’s a keeper. Sort of like with people, you know…

Mezco’s Living Dead Dolls Resurrection Series 7: Chucky Gets Some Company…

LDD Resurrection VIIMezco Toyz is dropping some cool San Diego Comic-con International reveals on collectors in the forms of their upcoming Living Dolls Resurrection Series VII and  Living Dolls Resurrection Series VII – Variant Edition sets, both of which now available for pre-order directly from the company’s website.

As you can see, the “reborn” versions of  Revenant, Dahlia, Lust and Killbaby all look nice and ready to stalk your shelves at home (or haunt someone else you decide to gift them). Looks like Barbie’s going onto that bonfire after all. Just keep a window open… the fumes will make you end up looking like one of these hellish cuties if you’re not too bright…

LDD_Series 7alddres7group_1

Random Indie Game of the Week: Bundle Stars Wants YOU To Adopt Lucius (He’s a Hell of a Child)…

lucius art

Hey there. Bundle Stars KNOWS how much you love kids, so they’ve got a really special one they desperately want to find a few new homes. His name is Lucius and he’s quite talented. As in VERY talented. As in his birthday was 6/6/66, and it’s six years later and he’s discovered who he really is. As in this is VERY bad for his family in their lovely and secluded mansion. As in if you’ve seen The Omen (the original, not the remake), you’ll find a chilling little horror game with a bit of bite that 85% off for a LIMITED time only. As in if you have a Steam account and about three bucks burning a hole in your pocket (or Lucius has set your purse or pants aflame so that money falls to the carpet), you SHOULD buy this game… NOW.

I mean. look at those sad (read: glowing and hypnotic “adopt me… or I’ll kill you”) eyes… they’re begging you to take him home! And Bundle Stars seems to have a lot of little Lucius to go around. Won’t you please help them out? OK, it’s for the Special Effect charity as well, so now you HAVE to drop that three bucks and get this. Think of the children! And prepare to get scared out of your wits… eek.

Remember Me Live Action Trailer: Dontnod’s Lost Angel in the City of Light

Capcom and developer Dontnod Entertainment have a Royale (with no cheese) surprise coming to PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 on June 4, 2013 with Remember Me, a sci-fi action game set in and around a 2084 Neo Paris about a former “memory hunter” forced to take on her former employer after her own memory is erased. Some hands-on time with a demo at a recent Capcom press event revealed a stylish and cinematic single player focused experience with a unique “rhythm” based combat system, some nice and fluid parkour elements and what’s looking like a few tricky environmental puzzle-based surprises and rewards. Lead character Nilin’s slim athletic build, multiracial look and telltale scar make her a refreshing change of pace from certain other female characters that usually step in from the same gene pool, so hopefully gamers will hook into her and fine a heroine worth (wait for it) remembering. I think they will. Back with a full review sometime next week…

Game of Thrones 3:8/GoT Ascent: Bear Pit Meets Snake Pit!

Man, a week without GoT is like going cold turkey, isn’t it? Of course, the only thing to do after those final two episodes this season is to run around like a headless chicken until Season 4 is announced. OR… you could go long onto the evil nonsense that is Facebook and try out this upcoming time sink of a game. I only use Facebook for the occasional update and a few posts to friends in a few industries there, so I’m not going to be playing Game of Thrones: Ascent at all. Yeah, I did my time on Mafia Wars and Castle Quest years ago, but I’m far too busy to be mucking around with a game I’m not too interested in.

Hey, it might even be really good, but I find it comfortably de-stressing after a season of a favorite show is over to step away from it entirely and let something else take its place, albeit temporarily. So, if you try this out and like it – good for you. Feel free to let me know what the heck I’m missing, though.

FUSE Launch Trailer: Tip #1: Don’t Die Hard, Duck, Dodge and Destroy…

So, FUSE is finally out and, Insomniac fans can get their game on for the first time on both the PS3 and Xbox 360. As I’m up to my eyeballs in stuff to do, I haven’t grabbed a copy yet, but I’ve played a few demo builds at press events and based on the quick report from a friend who picked up his from a certain game shop, it’s super challenging and a hell of a lot of fun. I’m more of a solo player, so I’ll need to make it through the campaign with my fingers crossed that the AI is really good (it was in those preview builds) and Insomniac tweaked the challenge in that one crazy mode where the objectives change randomly for each wave of enemies. OK, enough daydreaming – back to work…

Review: Resident Evil Revelations (Xbox 360)

RER_360Platform: Xbox 360

Developer: Capcom

Publisher: Capcom

# of Players: 1 – 2

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Official Site

Score: A- (90%)

Calling Resident Evil Revelations a mere “port” actually does it a tiny bit of a disservice, as Capcom didn’t simply press some magic upscaling button to get this great, formerly Nintendo 3DS exclusive onto PC, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U. The game’s character visuals have been completely redone in HD, there’s a brand new monster type added to the game, a few new modes and a good deal more (especially for Wii U owners, I hear) that make this one a must by for any non-3DS owner who missed out on this as a portable game experience. If you’re one of those longtime series fans overwhelmed by the crazy kitchen sink that was Resident Evil 6 (I actually liked the game’s chaotically schizo overkill amount of content) or the nonstop MP-centric focus of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City (which was fine, provided you played with like-minded friends), RER’s return to greatness will bring a smile to your face at the return to classic form. Continue reading

Bundle Stars’ Outlaws Bundle Wants To Permanently “Borrow” A Buck From You…

Blast you again, Bundle Stars! These dollar deals are TOO outrageous to pass up for budget-minded gamers looking to score a great deal AND do some charity work without so much as lifting an arm to help a puppy filled basket-carrying granny across the street (you lazy gits, you). Anyway, this week’s awesome deal is The Outlaws Bundle – SIX games from Steam’s huge digital closet from publisher Meridian 4: PAM (Post-Apocalyptic Mayhem), Robin Hood – The Legend of Sherwood, Pacific Storm and all three games in the RIP Trilogy. That’s two strategy games, a car combat game and three arcade style run ‘n gunners for your slightly adjusted to UK rates dollar. As the kids say (well, the kids from 1985 or so), you can’t be that with a baseball bat.

…Well, you CAN beat that with a baseball bat, but if by “that” you’re referring to your PC or laptop… er, that’s kind of a a bad idea because you’ll have nothing to play those games you just paid a dollar and a few cents for. So go beat a couch cushion with a chopstick instead. AFTER you do your good deed for the day and by these games…