Resistance: Burning Skies Launch Trailer: Console Quality FPS Experience, Anyone?

Posted on May 30, 2012 by geelw

OK, it looks like the mild drought of retail releases is over for the time being… as long as you like shooters. Still, it’ll be fun to actually play a FPS on a handheld with two analog sticks instead of being forced to used a D-Pad for movement. Granted, I’ve played loads of old PS1 and some PS2 shooters with this older form of control, but it’s a LOT different when the screen and controller are in your hands at the same time. It looks as if the team at Nihilistic has nailed it up tight in terms of the look and feel of the PS3 Resistance games, so it also looks as if this one’s a buy for me…

The Devil IS In The Details. You Just Need To Pay Attention To The Little Things…

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So, I’m working on my Diablo III review and I had to stop to vent some of the steam coming from my ears here, so as not to spoil the review with too many complaints. I’m giving the game what I feel is a solid score based on ignoring a few things, as in despite the problems, there’s a great little game here. On the other hand, speaking for those who want to play the game by can’t. I can’t just slap the blinders on like a few other reviewers who have that perfect online setup and/or are of the “get over it” mentality that’s going to more or less kill gaming at some point when crap really goes bad (e.g., servers go down like the Hindenburg for an extended period and no one can even play the game).

Oh, I don’t hate Blizzard at all, folks. I’m just wondering how they didn’t see the launch day server crush coming. In addition to selling the game at retail and online, they gave DIII away for free to many World of Warcraft players, who happily took them up on the offer. As I’ve said elsewhere, an offline solo play mode (and LAN functionality for those that wanted it) would have been smart options for such a huge release, no matter what the company line is. Hell, I’d bet real money that the amount of day one bitching would have been about 90% less if people had something to play after waiting so long (either that 12 years of calendar time or those few hours on line at the midnight launches)… Continue reading →

Dragon’s Dogma Addiction Update: Still Going…

Posted on May 24, 2012 by geelw

OK< more progress made, still more to go! The game is a LOT deeper than those rushed-out reviews are making it sound. There's a LOT to love here, especially if you're a fan of dungeon crawlers that allow you a ton of freedom. DD also has features that would make other games jealous (if other games were sentient things and wished they had rooftop travel, the ability to craft anytime/anywhere, a combat system that got better thanks to class changes and new skills and so forth and so on.). I'm still shooting for the weekend for my review, but if you're on the fence, I'll tell you now that your money will be well spent if you're looking for something that's going to keep you occupied for a long time….

Sleeping Dogs Update: “Made In Hong Kong” Doesn’t Mean It’s Cheap…

Posted on May 24, 2012 by geelw

It’s really looking as if Square Enix and developer United Front Games are going to have one of those ridiculously FUN games to play in Sleeping Dogs. Personally, I though the True Crime games were undercooked and a bit too derivative of certain other games on the market at the time, but as a reboot and potential new franchise, SD has nothing but too many cool Hong Kong action flicks to look up to. I think as long as the combat isn’t as slippery and funky as it was in Stranglehold and the story is well done, this one’s going to be a keeper. We shall see, as always…

Lollipop Chainsaw “Special Edition” Ad: Juliet’s Not Going To Let You Play Unless You Play Nice…

Posted on May 23, 2012 by geelw

Director (and co-creator of the game) James Gunn has an amusing answer to the fanboys out there drooling all over Juliet and thinking this game is ALL about exploitation and bouncy cheerleaders and junk like that. This clip made me laugh quite a lot, but I’d bet some of the harder-headed types on either side of the fence might not see the funny here. Go Juliet!

What You Should Be Doing This Week…

Posted on May 21, 2012 by geelw

Playing Dragon’s Dogma, of course. Capcom has cooked up a slow burning yet surprisingly addictive and fun open world dungeon crawler that’s guaranteed to make even the most skeptical “Japanese developers can’t make western games” message board denizen stand up and take notice. Sure, it’s got some flaws here and there, but the mix of open-world exploration (and it’s a HUGE world), tough monsters (if you’re not prepared, you’ll die early and often) and a great Pawn system (something I’ve wanted to see in a RPG for years) makes this a pretty solid RPGs. Granted, it takes a while to get off the ground in terms of story, but I understand there’s a hell of a finale and unlike some sites, I’m not about to post impressions until I get there.

OK, I need to stop typing and play some more. I’m guessing my review will go up by the end of the week, as I’m taking my time and exploring as much as possible. Also, for the record, I haven’t installed the game on my 360 (My HDD is out of room thanks to too may other games I’m playing), but I’m not seeing any major frame rate issues at all. Just some screen tearing and pop-in on stuff, but that’s a common thing that’s not going to affect my scoring…

Back in a bit…

Dishonored Preview: Arkane Studios and Bethesda Are Cooking Up An Instant Classic

Posted on May 20, 2012 by geelw

With its innovative gameplay, distinctive look inspired by classic illustrators such as N.C. Wyeth and Charles Dana Gibson, an incredible cityscape created by Visual Design Director Viktor Antonov with Art Director Sébastien Mitton and the rarefied air of a product that knows how great it’s going to be to those who “get” it, Dishonored has shot up to the top of the list of games I really want to play (and see succeed in this era of sequels and retreads). Arkane Studios has been going full steam ahead with this all-new PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 IP, a single player focused and yes, story-driven game that allows players do tackle missions in just about any way they desire. Without a multiplayer mode in sight (thankfully), Arkane is showing that a strong story and stronger gameplay can do wonders for an industry where relying or retreading popular multiplayer modes has decimated some games and genres into a depressingly generic formula year after year.

Continue reading →

Dragon’s Dogma Arrives To Take Me Away From Hell For A Bit…

Posted on May 18, 2012 by geelw

Nice. I wasn’t expecting this to show up this evening, but well, here you go. First impressions: I can’t say, as the reviews are embargoed until MONDAY, but the title music cracked me up (let the first one play out and wait for the second, nicer theme). I’ve only put less than an hour in and yes, the game is quite a bit of fun and packed with detail and hidden loot. It’s a COMPLETELY different vibe than what some of you are probably thinking, but again – that’s content for the review.

OK, let me shut up and get back to it for a bit. I’ll be writing about something else in the next few posts so I don’t spoil any more…

Dragon’s Dogma “Pawns Unleashed” Trailer: And Hardcore Pawns, At That…

Posted on May 16, 2012 by geelw

A ha ha ha, I’ll be here all week, folks – two dollar cover, two drink minimum…. Anyway, the game ships out soon and it looks as if it’ll be successful despite the crankypants-ing about the paid DLC being on the disc to be unlocked at a later date. Hey, I don’t care as long as the main game is long enough to keep me not griping about having to pay for more. Capcom just needs to say “Hey, it’s basically the way things are done today”, or “we’re not the only ones doing it,” or “it’s an “expansion pack” that’s not on a separate disc”… and so forth and so on. Or maybe it’s time for a shift to more transparency throughout the entire industry, as they’re far from the ONLY publisher doing this. Of course, if the game does well enough, I expect to see a Game of the Year edition with everything unlocked. Right Capcom?

Lollipop Chainsaw TV Ad: Just About All You Can See During Primetime…

Posted on May 16, 2012 by geelw

I really like that WBIE didn’t fall over themselves trying to whip up a tame and unremarkable commercial for Grasshopper’s upcoming game. Yes, if you’ve been ogling the trailers before, you’ve seen most or all of this footage already. But this spot isn’t for YOU, silly rabbits. It’s for those folks who haven’t pre-ordered on heard of the game for some reason and are seeing all that weirdness for the first time. Hell, I’d buy this if I saw this ad and didn’t know a thing about the game just for the comedy bits alone. I predict a nice summer for Juliet if the game does well (and everyone involved will be happy as well)…