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 »

Battlefield 3 Caspian Border Trailer WIll Make You Want To Upgrade Your PC

Posted on August 18, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/m8S_eEv_A5k?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

Even though I have zero interest in online shooters (no matter how good they are), it’s hard not to (actually, it’s IMPOSSIBLE) not to say anything against them when Dice is running the show. With up to 64 players on maps like this amazingly huge showcase they’ve whipped up (LOVE the jet action!) and that incredible Frostbite 2 engine doing everything it needs to do (and really darn well at that), this one’s going to be an instant hit. Yes, on consoles as well, even though the player cap is a “mere” 24 (which is nothing to sneeze at, mind you). All Dice needs to do is find a way to make some PC gamers less lame jerk-ass braggarts about building their own systems and showing off to the point of embarrassment and the would will be a happier place.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution TV Ad (UK Version)

Posted on August 18, 2011 by geelw

It’s finally out (well, review copies are being shipped this week and next) and definitely worth the wait. Eidos Montreal’s hard work looks to kick off this supremely busy season of games in the best possible way, so let’s hope it’s all it’s cracked up to be and then some. To some off-base skeptics, Square Enix still needs to prove that it’s not JUST “those Final Fantasy guys” (even though they’ve published a few solid non-FF western developed games previously). Hell, I say just buy, play and enjoy this one – you’ll definitely be back more than once just because there are so many ways to play…

Gamecom 2011: Counter Strike: Global Offensive Announced For 2012

Posted on August 12, 2011 by geelw

Boom! It looks live Valve has done it again, stealing the thunder from an important games trade show with a big announcement. “What big announcement?”, you say (ignoring the headline) Oh, a BIG announcement like the return of one of the seminal multiplayer online shooters (and greatest game mods) ever created. Awesome news, but I still have to add a “Hmmmmmm…” here. That's all fine and dandy… but I really, REALLY want to see Left 4 Dead hit the PS3. As in on a disc with BOTH games and all the additional DLC along for the ride plus some cool fill up a Blu-Ray disc bonuses. Maybe one day… I'll wait.

For now, I'll just practice my screaming like an upset toddler because I completely stink at Counter-Strike… “Waaaaaaaah!!!” press release below the jump, by the way.Read more »

TES V: Skyrim Collector’s Edition Announced At QuakeCon

Posted on August 5, 2011 by geelw

Yeah, yeah – if you know me, you also know I have a love/hate thing about these big Limited Editions. However, as I'm supremely excited for Skyrim, that automatically translates to a few smooches directed toward this nifty CE, now available for pre-order at selected retailers. Details and pricing below the jump. Sure, It's not cheap and I'll probably just end up with a copy of the standard edition (if you saw my games library, you'd understand why), but if I get hit on the head with a bag o' cash, I'll be buying one of these right away and making space for it.Read more »

Gallery/Impressions: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Posted on August 3, 2011 by geelw

What else can be said about what's truly going to be one of the biggest games (in terms of scope and hype) to hit consoles and PC's to date? TES V: Skyrim will no doubt be generously rewarded with huge sales and critical accolades from press and gamers alike, so I'm just pouring more gasoline on the bonfire of praise with these words. Seeing that E3 presentation on TV and the internet is one thing. Seeing it in person id like discovering sunlight for the first time. Bethsoft's proprietary Creation Engine brings the game world to stunning life without any need for 3D glasses or tacked on motion control schemes. The team behind the game has crafted one of the best-looking games to date and you'll see this in many, many fine details such as items that can be rotated in your inventory (helpful when solving some puzzles) and the way the weather changes as you ascend a mountain from the sunny plains below to the freezing summit. Everyone at the presentation was silent, most likely from being in sheer awe at what was on screen…

RAGE: Hands-On In The Wasteland

Posted on August 2, 2011 by geelw

Thanks to the fine folks at Bethesda Softworks and id Software, last Wednesday, I got to spend a good two and a half or so hours with a complete Xbox 360 version of id's latest shooter (and one of 2011's most anticipated games) AND got to see a stunning live presentation of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim afterwards. No, I'm not going to compare them in this preview, silly rabbits. However, I will point out that both are completely different experiences that no gamer worth his or her salt should miss out on. Unlike many other events I've attended, RAGE was set up to play from the beginning from a new profile. While there were a few PR reps and a Bethsoft (or was it id?) employees floating by on occasion to see if things were going OK, I got to play a small chunk of the single player game the very same way you'll dive into it come this October 4. Note: Spoilers below the jump, but given that my progress was limited to what I could do in a few hours, I'm sure none of them are MAJOR reveals.Read more »

Random Game of the Week: FOTONICA

Posted on July 27, 2011 by geelw

Indie game development is all the rage these days to the point that it’s changed the way games are made and marketed (some would say for the worse in the long run, but I don’t agree and that’s another article for another time). I often play way too many of these when I should be doing more important things, but it’s always great to discover buried treasures before they get uncovered by the usual suspects and dragged out into the sunlight for all to play as some sort of next big thing.

Anyway, Santa Ragione’s spectacular FOTONICA was recommended by a friend and I’m glad I took his advice. It’s a simple, one button game with a stylized look and fast-paced, but easy to grasp gameplay you’ll want to experience for yourself. PC and Mac compatible the game is also a free download (but there’s a suggested ‘pay what you want’ donation I’d suggest you use just to support the developer). Anyway, enough blabbing from me. I’ve a busy day ahead – go play a game today!

Tomb Raider: Making Of "Turning Point" Video

Posted on July 17, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/q2GeG_OpyE4?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

Eidos and Crystal Dynamics’ upcoming reboot is looking quite stellar. With a younger Lara, new “survival action” gameplay and scary cinematic moments galore, this was one of the games of E3 that some of us longtime Tomb Raider fans have waited for. Here’s a peek at some behind the scenes stuff (just in case you were curious as to how these game cinemas are created). Square Enix has quite a nice set of worldwide developed AAA games this year that makes them far more than just the guys behind Final Fantasy…

Oh – in case you still haven’t seen it, the full Turning Point trailer is below.

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/RN7_8Yholm4?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0