Want to try out (and then buy) some of the deepest and most intricate RPGs out there for PC and Mac (and in at least one case, iPad)? Well, Spiderweb Software, which usually runs an October sale has lowered their prices even more permanently! While getting 20% (or more) off is awesome, buying one of their PC or Mac games this month will give you an EXTRA 10% off, making anything they have an even nicer deal. Hmmmm… at these prices, I may just have to take my own advice here for a change…
Hey, Tim! Next time, send these releases out to everyone! Or actually, maybe I need to update my contact info with Double Fine, huh? Anyway, I missed this Psychonauts press release, but thanks to a few “Did you see this?” emails pointing to Bitmob, you can check out the pretty funny press release about the Mac version of Double Fine’s rather awesome and funny (and classic) platformer. Yes, the PC version over Steam has gotten some cool enhancements as well.
I actually haven’t played the PC version (it’s on my to-do list, really!), but I do have both console versions here (the Xbox version is the better of the two). I’d gather the chances of seeing the game get an HD upgrade for PS3 and Xbox 360 are slim to none, but hey – if I had a few million bucks laying around, I’d wave some of it under the noses of a few games companies to tempt them into committing to doing at least ONE run of discs and selling them directly to gamers rather than going through the retail chain hell…
Yeah, yeah, Gears of War 3 is out and fantastic all that, but I’m actually a tad more excited about (The Dark Eye) Drakensang: Complete Saga arriving this week as part of THQ’s ValuSoft games lineup (albeit as a GameStop exclusive). “What’s a Drakensang?” you ask? Why, a pretty cool third-person PC fantasy role playing game that’s got a nicely loyal fan-base, solid visuals, fun classes to choose from and a great, challenging combat system among other things. I’m absolutely recommending this collection to fans of open-world fantasy games, deep RPG experiences and anyone who likes games with at least a hundred hours of gameplay. Even better… it’s on a retail DISC, not a download, so even if you have a crappy Internet connection, you can STILL buy and play a quality RPG while getting a great deal in the process.
Press release & screens below the jump Continue reading
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.
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.
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)..
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!
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.
Platform: PS3 (also on Xbox 360, PC)
Developer: Eidos Montreal
Publisher: Square Enix
# of Players: 1
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
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.
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)…
"DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!" 