Clan of Champions Update: PSN, Steam Bound This Summer in NA & EU.

So, Clan of Champions still isn’t getting a budget retail release? Boo. Still, it’ll be worth a buy or try if you’re a fan of the underappreciated Gladiator Returns on the PSP or Warriors of the Lost Empire, another PSP game that’s got visual similarities as well as some of the same game mechanics, menus, options and even typefaces as Gladiator Returns. Well, all three games are from the same developer, so I don’t mind this sort of recycling, although Warriors was one of those games that you had to get used to (and actually only really got great after you beat it once). Gladiator Returns was better in some respects, but had some of the same flaws as Warriors. That said, both games had more than enough going for them to keep me playing and CoC looks to hit that same spot.

Of course, I still have my fingers crossed that NISA gets back to doing more with retail as well as DLC so MORE people can play these games, as not EVERYONE has the ability to or hell, even likes to download ALL their game content. Getting this game and perhaps some of their other upcoming PSN-only content on a disc at some point (together in one package deal) would indeed be sweet… but I’m not holding my breath. It’s kind of hard to type when you’re blue in the face, you know…

So, Why Am I Caring That Might & Magic Is Celebrating World Music Day?

Actually, I’m not… I’m just a bit puzzled here. I’m also wondering when the heck we’ll get an actual return to the Might & Magic series many know and haven’t seen in far too long. You know, the one with that classic first-person perspective, huge dungeons and terrifying level of difficulty thanks to mobs of enemies to face off against. Hey, Ubisoft! You’re appreciated around here and all that, but come on guys and gals – let’s get some classic RPG action back where it belongs. You can save the funny videos for promoting whatever new M&M game you come up with. I say redo IX and follow that up with a proper “sequel” or just start from scratch, keeping the perspective and gameplay from those New World Computing gems. Trust me, MANY people will be happy to see this, especially if you can get it on consoles and handhelds as well as computers (of course)…

Tech Review: Accell UltraAV DisplayPort to Dual-Link Active Adapter

Whether you’re planning to use multiple monitors for gaming, an art project, multi-tasking or even more mundane needs, Accell’s UltraAV Display Port/Mini Display Port to DVI Dual Link Active Adapter (try saying that three times fast!) should be one product you’ll want to take a look at. This nifty USB-powered device (no AC adapter!) plugs into your PC’s DisplayPort (or Mini DisplayPort) and then into either a Single or Dual-Link DVI, allowing you to spread your visuals out across all two or three screens. Resolutions of up to 2560×1600 (WQXGA) as well as all HDTV resolutions are supported here and if you’re like me, you’ll probably find yourself wanting to go monitor shopping after seeing how cool this gadget is. Granted, I’d need more space in the home office for a third monitor, so I tested it with two here before the next phase of the trial…

Continue reading

Doom 3 BFG Edition Headed To Consoles, PC This October (Flashlight Mod Included)…

Nice (and hell, it’s about time!). I loved the console version of Doom 3 and its expansion back on the original Xbox and next to Valve’s stellar ‘How the hell did they DO that” port of Half-Life 2 (still the technical achievement on the console in my book), it’s one of those games you’ll always remember after you’ve played it. Well, id is bringing the game to consoles and PC this October 16 with some nice additions PS3 and 360-only owners should approve of. The main game, Resurrection of Evil expansion and seven new levels (The Lost Mission) are all 3D optimized, feature 5.1 surround sound, new lighting, rendering an an actual checkpoint save system (for those who disliked having to replay certain tricky sections of the game over). In addition, fellow Space Marines, that aforementioned flashlight takes care of one of Doom 3’s more irksome problems (unless you owned the PC version and got one of the many flashlight mods) and yes, there are now Trophies and Achievements for those that feel the need to hunt them down. Even better, you’ll be getting the original versions of Doom and Doom II included in the package (hopefully ON the game disc and not as downloads, right, id?). The best thing here is the price point – $29.99 on PC and $39.99 for the console versions. That’s not bad for so much, I say. Especially when it’s a game that still has the scares to send you under the couch time and time again (and that’s just the first two games in the series)…

GOG.com Gives Away Two Ultima Games (There Goes My Schedule Out The Window)…

Oh, they’re doing it again…. this time, it’s two really spectacular spin-offs from a seminal PC role-playing game franchise. Just clicky-click away here and here to get both games for nothing at all, as even a gog.com account is FREE. While you’re at it, you may as well check out the site to see what other inexpensive (not free, but amazingly cheap) DRM-free classic to current games they have (the library is ridiculously impressive and growing). Finally, don’t forget to vote in their daily Battle of the Games promo where YOU (yes, you!) decide which of the two games fighting it out gets a bigger discount. If you pop in today to vote, you’ll see Quantic Dream’s excellent adventure/action game Fahrenheit has a massive advantage over the poor (yet classic) Alone in the Dark collection (historically, that’s a big boo-boo, but in terms of production values and the “coolness” factor, David Cage and his team win).

Tiny & Big: Grandpa’s Leftovers Launch Trailer (It’s Here And Yep, You Should Buy It!)

 

Finally done up fresh, hot and ready to serve, Black Pants Game Studios’ eagerly awaited PC game hits a few download sites (Steam, gog.com,  Gamersgate or directly from the developer) and if you’re lucky enough to live in Europe, you can (*gasp!*) actually buy a retail version on Amazon. Which makes me wish I lived in Europe as amusingly enough, it’s easier for me to play a game from a disc these days!  Anyway, with its quirky art style, innovative gameplay and very cool soundtrack (which you can also buy if the tunes agree with your ears), there’s a lot to love here. Translation: No matter how you get this game (legally, silly!), GET THIS GAME. You can thank me later. Or more precisely, thank Black Pants – me, I’m just the messenger…

You’re NOT Going To The Olympics, So You May As Well See What You’re Missing (Sort Of)…

Nope, I’m not going to London either, but thanks to Sega, we all get to see these flybys from their upcoming London 2012 – The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games, coming to consoles and PC soon enough. Of course, I don’t think I’ve watched an entire Olympics since Mamo Walde won the Marathon. Then again, that was what, 1968? I forget. Anyway, Sega produced a few of these slick trailers (which look really spectacular), but I’m just posting these two, as like you, I’m not planning to watch (or more precisely, planning to MISS) this year’s Games. I might track the game down at some point, but it’s not too likely, as sports games and I don’t get along much unless there are explosions and maybe some cars bumping into each other. Not both at the same time, though. That wouldn’t be much of a sport, right?

LEGO Batman 2 Is Going To Be Absolutely Great, But There’s Just One Thing Missing…

I’ve been thinking about this from the moment I found out how big the game was in terms on scope and amount of playable characters and after talking with a few people who feel the same way, well here you go. Sure, this will probably be the best-selling Lego game to date and TT Games has done a STELLAR job all around. That said, where’s the SERIOUS Batman/Justice League game in the vein of Arkham City? Imagine all that large and lovely real estate to roam around in and all that fast-paced action with a ridiculous number of regular looking (non-LEGO) DC characters? Heck, the dev team and publisher went to all the trouble to get tons of voice talent and cook up a bigger, much more coherent storyline this time, so I’m betting a lot of DC fans are probably on the same wavelength. OK, memo to WBIE, DC and TT – get to work on something like a Justice League Heroes follow-up that will appeal to those folks who somehow aren’t quite sold on another LEGO game (no matter how fun and awesome it is)…

Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs Trailer: Not A Sequel, But An Equal (And Then Some)…

The definition of insanity? It’s not Far Cry 3’s jungle sprawl and overkill, but something like Frictional Games and thechineseroom’s upcoming collaboration. Dear Esther was a haunting masterpiece from thechineseroom that’s worth a buy for the visuals alone, but the innovative gameplay is also a draw. As far as Frictional goes, if the progression they’ve shown in their previous games (Fiend, the Penumbra Trilogy and Anmesia: The Dark Descent) is any indication, horror game fans will be in for some sleepless nights and days where they’re looking over their shoulders for things sneaking up from behind. This should be interesting (to put it mildly)…

E3 2012: Watch_Dogs Gameplay: Ubisoft Also Hits A Few Nerves Outside Of The Gaming Life…

Like nearly everyone else who saw it, I was floored when Ubisoft dropped Watch_Dogs into our collective consciousness at the end of its E3 press conference. Not only did they completely surprise people, they did so in the way things USED to be done in this industry. Win NO in house PR-generated “leaks” or overly annoying viral nonsense that keeps people who need to be more productive trolling around the Internet looking at teaser sites or playing with devices in useless mini-games that hint at what’s to come. Although amusingly enough, that’s probably one big way to market the game now that the beans have been spilled. Still, as great as the game looks and as amazing as the idea behind it is, something bugged the hell out of me when the demo was over…

Continue reading