Valve Offers PC. Mac Versions Of Portal Free (As An Educational Tool)

Posted on September 17, 2011 by geelw

Valve is always doing some rather fun stuff with their older games, and now they’re giving educators a chance to share one of the coolest puzzle games ever with their classes without paying a dime for it. Even better, it’s supposed to be for purely “educational” purposes, meaning it would be awesome if some clever teacher out there actually downloaded this for a class and used it in a lesson plan. All you need is a Steam account and a PC or MAC capable of running the game and boom, you’re in. This offer expires on September 20, 2011, so act fast. Hopefully Valve will extend this deal a bit longer. Click on over to Learn With Portals and prepare to be schooled in more ways than one.

RAGE TV Ad

Posted on September 15, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/GooazR-tmG4?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

It’s almost here and if you’ve been watching this season of Breaking Bad, you’ve been getting peeks at the game here and there. By the way, for the still confused, over-thinking types wondering just HOW Jesse Pinkman can be playing a game that’s not out yet, stretch your imaginations for a moment. As the show never states exactly what year this season takes place in, perhaps it’s set just after the game has shipped, thus justifying his owning and playing it. Granted, that light gun attachment and no sight of a console are harder to explain away to any gamer worth his or her salt. However, I’m gathering you’re not supposed to obsess over that detail and just tie it in to Jesse shooting that would be meth cooking replacement for Walt and his mental state as a result of the crime. Anyway, nice TV spot, right?

Max Payne 3: First Trailer

Posted on September 14, 2011 by geelw

Rockstar’s take on Remedy’s modern noir character goes for a really intriguing mix of elements for its third installment, set for a March 2012 release on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. I’m liking the visuals, color palette and overall tone of the trailer. As usual, Rockstar KNOWS how to sell a story with a trailer that also shows off their latest tech in action. This definitely isn’t the game some are “expecting” but it’s sure as hell going to be washing the taste of that film out of the heads of anyone who paid to see it. I can’t wait to get some hands-on time with this one and see how it plays. So far, I’m betting it’ll be a hit (in part due to the pedigree). The trailer can be viewed by clicking on the image above. On a side note, someone needs to sue the ESRB (or at least make them see the light) so they can stop this nonsense about restrictive age gates and such.

Gallery: Max Payne 3 (Remedy Gets Even More Real)

Posted on September 10, 2011 by geelw

After a long wait (and still ongoing development cycle), Rockstar is finally bringing Remedy’s modern noir detective back, and this time he’s looking both better and worse for the wear. Better as in the game is taking the stellar visuals and phenomenal attention to detail the developer is known for to new heights of realism. Worse in terms of the presentation of a down and out Max Payne as an alcoholic, pill-popping gun for hire living in Sao Paolo. Of course, the game is not just about his decline well off the grid and whatever rotgut and cheap drugs he can score to feed his bad habits. There’s plenty of gunplay, bullet-time sequences and what’s looking like the most spectacular use of the Euphoria Engine to date. Rockstar is set to reveal the game’s first trailer next Wednesday, so expect that to get posted (most likely on the other blog, as I’m expecting it to be nice and violent).

Some in-progress screens are below and more are on the way (most likely next week with the trailer I’ll bet)..

Mass Luminosity Wants YOU to WIN Deus Ex: Human Revoloution (I’d Take Them Up On That Offer)

Posted on September 1, 2011 by geelw

Usually, one of ML’s giveaways involves Facebook or Twitter sign-ups, which can be annoying if one doesn’t want to go to the trouble of setting up an account at either social networking site. For this new giveaway, the company is running a more simplified method of entry that allows nearly anyone to grab a chance of winning one of 15 Steam downloads of Eidos Montreal’s amazing RPG. Just click on over to the contest site, sign up and that’s that. One winner will also win a SAPPHIRE AMD Radeon 6950 graphics card along with a copy of DX:HR and DiRT 3 as a bonus. Go sign up NOW and keep your fingers crossed!

PAX 2011: Hawken Desert Gameplay (Yes, The Game is Still Amazing)

Posted on August 30, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/iVa7B1bLv8I?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

What? TWO updates from Adhesive Games in less than a week? This must mean their baby is closer to completion. I love how they announce their videos with text notes referencing the team size or how long the project has been in development. That’s focused ego in action and it quite admirable. Anyway, while the approaching completion of Hawken is indeed great for gamers, I’m still hoping for a console release at some point in the future. A game this amazing looking should be played by as many people as possible.

Review: Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Posted on August 29, 2011 by geelw

Platform: PS3 (also on Xbox 360, PC)

Developer: Eidos Montreal

Publisher: Square Enix

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Official Site

Score: A

Eidos Montreal had a lot to prove with Deus Ex: Human Revolution and thankfully, the long development cycle has paid off with an exceptional single player story driven role-playing game that’s an instant classic. Fans of the original will find this prequel sets up events to come flawlessly while those new to the franchise will absolutely want to play this one and seek out the two other titles just so they can see how well the game fits into the trilogy. For those who crave non-stop action, you have the choice to go in guns blazing all the time if that’s your thing, but you’ll definitely want to see how the entire story unfolds because it so well done. As in previous Deus Ex games, you’re also able to play through the entire game without killing anyone (except a handful of mandatory bosses). No matter how you play, every action or conversation has a consequence that reverberates through the story in one way or another. Some minor presentation hiccups and a bit of age-old boss battle issues aside, what’s here is a brilliant game no true gamer should miss.

Continue reading →

Hawken Story Trailer: Adhesive Games Has Mega Talent

Posted on August 28, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/BwA03XsKzbY?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

The small but supremely talented team at Adhesive Games (nine people, right?) continues to amaze with this latest Hawken footage. If these guys aren’t snapped up by a bigger studio and given free reign to create whatever they want, there’s no justice in the world. Of course, I’d also love to see them take on something like a Mechwarrior game or some other familiar game franchise just to see their spin on things. In the right hands, the ever mighty Unreal 3 engine is indeed a monster. Now, all we need is a release date (in addition to seeing the game hit consoles at some point down the road)…

Gallery: TES V: Skyrim Character Portraits

Posted on August 22, 2011 by geelw

Want to see which races you can play as in Bethesda’s upcoming time-eating epic RPG? Here are a few possible combinations (out of millions or variations) thanks to the excellent character editor. As longtime Elder Scrolls fans know, a good chunk of the fun at the beginning of a new adventure is choosing just who you want to play as. I’m thinking about ditching my usual first play-through choice of an Argonian battlemage who dips into archery from time to time, especially given the more flexible skills system Skyrim offers. Decisions, decisions…

Gamescom 2011: Borderlands 2 Screens Tease More Greatness…

Posted on August 18, 2011 by geelw

2K Games and Gearbox Software are set to deliver an even bigger blasting bonanza with this upcoming sequel to everyone's favorite post-apocalyptic shooter that already had too many billions of possible weapons combinations. Nice new environments, new characters and as mentioned, way too many weapons to count. Full press release below the jump and yes, you can now dual wield anything you like, which should make online play SUPREMELY cheap when everyone's packing twin sniper rifles or some sort of crazy homing weapons that means they can camp and prey on unsuspecting newbies. Good thing I'm only in for the single player campaign. Still, this one will be a major smash for 2K and Gearbox (which is having a pretty darn good year so far)…Read more »