Trine 2: FrozenByte’s Instant Platform/Puzzle Classic

Posted on December 8, 2011 by geelw

The original Trine was a blast of fresh air, mixing action, platform jumping, puzzle solving and fantasy elements almost flawlessly in a solid, engaging PC (and later console) experience. The sequel, Trine 2, has just hit PC and Mac courtesy of Atlus and is a must buy game whether or not you’ve played the original. Just take a look at the trailer above and try not to reach for that wallet… See? Me, I’m holding out for a retail release like the first game that doesn’t tie me to a download service, as I’m not a big fan of losing that much privacy. Anyway, PS3 and Xbox 360 versions are coming soon via PSN and XBLA, so keep an eye peeled for those soon!

Of Orcs & Men Gameplay Trailer: One To Watch While It Cooks…

Posted on December 7, 2011 by geelw

Shaping up to be quite an interesting surprise in an overcrowded genre, Cyanide Studios and Spiders’ upcoming Of Orcs & Men is looking to be one of those games RPG fans will want to keep an eye on. This first gameplay teaser shows off some gorgeous visuals and as it’s coming to consoles as well as PC next year, both camps should be happy, provided the game looks and plays similarly across all platforms. I’ve got my fingers crossed that this one’s got a story as good as the visuals as well as enough gameplay depth to keep me busy for a while and coming back for more.

Syndicate Co-op Gameplay Trailers: Classic Meets Current

Posted on November 16, 2011 by geelw

Submitted for your approval, two pretty cool videos from EA’s upcoming reboot of the PC and console classic. Not only does veteran developer, Starbreeze get it, they get it RIGHT. Reworking some classic Syndicate maps into the new game’s 4-player co-op mode is a great thing indeed and should give the more open-minded loyalists something to think about. As much as I love the original game, it’s not 199X, folks… so it’s time to move on and enjoy what’s here, keeping in mind that the game has the blessing of members of the original’s development team. It’s all coming along really nicely and I can’t wait to see more gameplay videos as the game gets closer to completion.

Need For Speed: The Run Races Into Retail

Posted on November 15, 2011 by geelw

DICE’s Frostbite 2 engine is running hot in this spectacular-looking new entry in the long-running franchise. The combination of lightning fast driving and out of the car quick-time action events give the game a truly cinematic flair and you get a digital version of Christina Hendricks to moon over if that’s your thing. EA, you’re going to make me BROKE with yet another cool, fun game this year, grrr…

Gallery: Of Orcs & Men: One Unique RPG To Keep An Eye On…

Posted on November 12, 2011 by geelw

Sure, Skyrim is ruling them all as one of the best (if not THE best) game of 2011, but the RPG genre is definitely surging forward into 2012 with a number of cool new titles. One of the many games I’m highly interested in seeing and playing is Of Orcs & Men, Focus Home Interactive’s upcoming PC/PS3 and Xbox 360 title co-developed by Cyanide Studio and Spiders. What’s intriguing about the game for me is the idea of playing through a lengthy quest as a pair of characters usually found in your average RPG at the end of some heroic square-jawed human’s blade. The leads here are an orc warrior and a goblin assassin who team up in order to kill the human ruler who’s responsible for man’s ongoing war with their races. This change of pace from the usual RPG formula looks to make for an interesting blend of gameplay styles as players will be able to use both characters and their different skills throughout the adventure. The E3 teaser shows off some nicely stylized characters, beautiful lighting and what’s looking to be a pretty huge, detailed game world so far…

The game is set to be released in Spring 2012, and yes, I’m keeping this one on my radar (and you should as well). Screens and other fun stuff below the jump… Continue reading →

Game of Thrones Headed to Consoles, PC from Cyanide Studio & Atlus

Posted on November 11, 2011 by geelw

Should I feel bad about not only NOT having read any of the books, but also for totally ignoring the HBO show until I hear news of Atlus publishing a new PS3, 360 and PC game based on the hugely popular fantasy series? Well, nope. Sometimes, I’m just a little slow. That, and too busy to add so much new stuff to my plate sometimes. Actually, I tried to watch one episode of the show, but it was a messy bit of walking into the middle of a conversation with and feeling really left out. All I know is NOT to get too attached to any characters (something I learned from the King’s Field days) and sometimes, the little guy is the one to really keep an eye on (lest he get stabby with his sword). “Early 2012” means this one has been in the pot for a little while at least. Given the sour reception Cyanide’s last Atlus-published game (The Cursed Crusade) received, Let’s hope GOT arrives at retail as a fully cooked bird and a tasty one at that…

BioShock Infinite: Meet Booker & Elizabeth 1

Posted on November 8, 2011 by geelw

Irrational Games’ Ken Levine “hosts” this really cool video in which we get to see the faces behind the two main characters in 2K Games’ upcoming BioShock Infinite, set for release next year on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. It’s great to see two actors dedicated to bringing gamers such solid performances feel something about their work other than “It’s a paycheck…” Pay attention, especially if you’re thinking of getting into voice-over work yourself…

WAVES: Probably The Only Time Squid In A Box Isn’t A Bad Thing…

Posted on November 4, 2011 by geelw

Indie developer Squid In A Box (yes, they even have a nice logo with a squid in a box) has a really cool game called WAVES. Based on the trailer above, it looks amazing, has some great music (As the kids on American Bandstand used to say, “It’s got a good beat and you can dance to it”) and you play with a ball that blows stuff up a lot. The game is also a lot of fun (or else I’d never mention it). Get the demo here. I’m doing that as I type this. If, I’m not mistaken, the full version should drop around November 16. Nice.

The Sound of Skyrim Video: Bethesda Shows & Tells, You Get To Bring The Smells…

Posted on November 3, 2011 by geelw

11-11-11. is almost here and I know a lot of folks WON’T be going to the movies to see Immortals, that’s for sure. A good chunk of gamers will no doubt be camping out in their living rooms exploring the wide world of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, not coming out into the real daylight until their relatives send the cops around to check for a strange smell. Of course, after doors are kicked in across the world because of that odor, all the authorities and formerly grieving family members will discover is a few too many smelly, unwashed gamers with headphones on (that why they didn’t hear the banging and ringing), moldy bits of takeout food and perhaps a lingering aroma of a disc drive spinning eternally. Yeah, I’m going to be one of those folks…

GTA V Reveal Trailer: Yes. And Yes, Indeed.

Posted on November 2, 2011 by geelw

For the hell of it, I stuck it on my lower-traffic blog even though it’s not really “Mature”. I hate the ESRB’s goofy, puritanical and needless restrictions on this stuff, by the way. I’;; rant about that some other time, though. Anyway, Well, well, well. And who DIDN’T think the trailer wouldn’t be spectacular stuff. Expect to hear some news at or around E3 time, if not before. If I really HAD to venture a release date guess, maybe holiday 2012? As for the rumors of a download-only GTA V, I hope the hell not, given that 100 percent of GTA players probably don’t all live in areas with stable (or any) broadband connections. One reason this rush to digital-only stuff is so annoying to me. Hell, that and who doesn’t want that usual big color map and manual combo. My suggestion to Rockstar: do a standard retail edition and make a TRULY limited collector’s edition as a DIRECT purchase from an online shop you set up. Keep the production run reasonable (take pre-orders so you know how many to produce ), make them worth the price and once they’re gone, that’s that.