I’m Much Older Than Street Fighter (and Ryu Can Still Kick My Ass)

 

Wow – 25 years is a pretty good run for any game, but Capcom’s long-running Street Fighter series was and is a key point in quite a few people’s gaming lives. Me, I’ve always been terrible at fighters like this, but that’s probably because I always seemed to have to play against people who were training to be competitive fighting game players, had more quarters than I did or were just plain good at mastering even the worst characters. Eh, I’m a bit of a passy-fist (ha ha) anyway… and a bit of a voyeur as well, as I like watching people play a good fighting game more than I do playing them. That said, I can play a BAD fighting game all day for some reason. There’s something about a busted combat system or super-cheap moves anyone can pull off that’s oddly appealing.

Or maybe I just suck in reverse at this whole fighting game thing… Anyway, happy anniversary, Street Fighter!

The Unfinished Swan PAX Story Trailer: When Games Are Indeed, Art

 

I wouldn’t exactly call this soon to be released instant classic something that’s going to make the hardcore shooter fans fall away in droves from the games they like, but you can clearly see all the work that”s gone into making The Unfinished Swan a game for the ages. Of course, it’s another PSN-only game, so it’ll be seen as disposable by those who dislike digital releases. Hmmmm… I really do hope someone is preserving all this game code that goes up on these download sites for future reference, as physical media is still important to the industry (and will be for a while). Hell, they still need to transfer digital movies to 35mm film stock for proper preservation purposes all while the movie industry is rushing into dropping film pretty much entirely within a few years due to the cost of shipping heavy film reels around to theaters (for starters). That’s going to be one frightening time indeed, especially if all that digital data starts disappearing.  Eh, maybe I’m worrying too much… but I don’t think so….

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.

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

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!

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)…