New Japanese Dragon’s Crown Trailer Is Anything But Vanilla…

Posted on February 18, 2013 by geelw

A ha ha. I’ll take “MORE puns you don’t get if you’re not a gamer” for a thousand, Alex. Anyway, Atlus has dropped this nice new slice of lovely 2D gaming bliss into the Japanese PS Vita web event and yes indeed, I want to see this get as much love as possible. George Kamitani and his talented team at Vanillaware are making sure the side-scrolling flame is kept alive and well, and thanks to the gorgeous art style and chaotic gameplay crafted for solo and multiplayer action, this one’s a guaranteed winner on both the PS3 and Vita. Release dates for North America are TBA, but I’m hoping we see this soon, as both systems need all the cool exclusives they can handle and then some.

Video Game Appreciation 101: Evolution of PlayStation: It’s Portable Time!

Posted on February 18, 2013 by geelw

Hmmm. There’s a day to go before the big PlayStation event but we’re already out of systems to cover. I guess that tomorrow’s video will be all about the PlayStation Network or something I’m not thinking of right now because I’m full of coffee and need to pee, but I can’t do that just yet because I’m typing this while sitting in a Starbucks and I have a few too many windows open and need to save stuff (or finish typing like mad), close all those windows, pack up the PC and do a fast trot to the loo. OR… I could type the previous sentence and hope it transfers the sudden urge to pee to you folks reading this, thus lightening my bladder’s brain considerably. Hey, it’s working! OK, now that YOUR eyeballs are floating, hopefully you’re closer to a working toilet than I am. Hmmm, now that I don’t have to go, I just HAVE to go so I don’t get caught off guard on the walk back home.

Back in a bit…

Gallery: WRC 3 FIA World Rally (PS3/Vita)

Posted on February 18, 2013 by geelw

Finally headed to North America courtesy of Namco Bandai, Milestone’s rally racer looks to catapult itself (and its cars) onto retail shelves and as a PSN download this spring. As a big fan of the previous Evolution Studios-developed games in the series on the PS2, I’m interested in seeing how a new developer also known primarily for racing games handles this franchise. I’ve played a few of Milestone’s racers in the past, so I’m liking what I’m seeing here and in gameplay videos so far. Of course, I go into every game I play with no expectations of perfection (which makes for more accurate reviewing, folks), so I’ll be playing and judging based on whatever merits it has before I pounce on any major flaws (with constructive criticism, as always). As an actual release date has yet to be announced, my engine is idling until then, but once I hear of an update, you’ll be the first to know…

More screens below the jump.

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Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken Flies In For a Welcome Rescue Mission…

Posted on February 16, 2013 by geelw

Arriving in time to give me a break from all this writing (oh, I’m not done, folks – I still have a TON of Toy Fair stuff to do as well as more hands-on articles), Ratloop Asia’s fine and funny side-scrolling action/platform/adventure game (also available as a PS3 game via PSN) is saving my brain bacon from crisping up too much. So far, it’s fun and funny in an 80’s action flick meets old-school NES game kind of way, but that’s a good thing, as I wasn’t expecting Shakespeare on Ice or whatever. Actually, I go into most reviews with NO expectations, so I’m pleasantly surprised so far. Anyway, a review will indeed go up shortly. Most likely after that big, fat Sony event on Wednesday while I’m trying to recover from THAT madness. Stay tuned…

Soul Sacrifice Update: More Aural Fixation (Or: There’s An Orchestra in Your Vita)…

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

Here’s a tiny bit of Wataru Hokoyama’s stirring score for the upcoming (and eagerly anticipated) PS Vita action/RPG exclusive plus some interview time for your listening pleasure. Hey, we’re cultured around here despite the name of the site. Hang around here long enough and that’s me drinking a cold beer with my pinky out in the corner. Anyway, Soul Sacrifice will be out soon, so keep an eyeball peeled for it. Of course, if you’re REALLY cultured, you’d have someone peel your eyeball for you, painful as it may be – it’s the classy way to do things…

Urban Trial Freestyle Trailer: Trials of A Man on The Iron Horse…

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

Now available on PSN for the PS3 and Vita, this slick-looking moto game from Tate Multimedia might LOOK verrrry similar to Red Lynx’ worldwide hit, but the gameplay shakes things up a chunk by making stunts a huge part of the fun. I’ll have a review up sometime next week, as I’m just getting around to downloading my copy and there’s an embargo until the 19th. OK, I’m off to check my insurance and go grab a helmet and pads. I’m not as spry as I used to be, so I’m taking extra precautions!

Star Wars Pinball: The Empire Strikes Back Rolls Onto PSN, XBLA

Posted on February 13, 2013 by geelw

Zen Studios does it again, dropping a new, cool pinball table onto PSN and XBLA for Zen Pinball fans. This one will have special appeal to Star Wars fans, as it’s Episode V themed and as you can see above, packs in plenty of detail and familiar characters from the film and fun cinematic stuff to make you lose a few balls over as you’re ogling them instead of paying attention to the rest of the amazing play field when these sequences end. Of course, pinball is easy to pick up for anyone who can hold a controller, so this one has wide appeal to all ages (E10+ rating aside). Zen also has a Boba Fett table coming and will reveal more next week, so pop back in to see what’s up (and yes, you can expect a certain line from Return of the Jedi used as a joke title for that post or somewhere in that post…).

Wallet Drain Alert! Xseed Games Brings It With Some Awesome Surprises…

Posted on February 2, 2013 by geelw

Wow and double wow. First we get the spectacular news that Pandora’s Tower is headed to North America and now Xseed is setting out to make 2013 even better for their fans (and possibly their best year to date) by announcing a VERY cool selection of new titles plus yet another classic Nihon Falcom JRPG set heading to PC gamers via Steam. Even better, everything but the Steam download is getting a retail release! Yes, I’m typing this post with a big fat grin on my face, as I want everything here that’s coming.

More below the jump! Continue reading →

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time Short: I’d Buy That For a Dollar!

Posted on January 30, 2013 by geelw

OK, so it’s not old and classy like Boomerang when they rock those old Hanna Barbera and MGM ‘toons I grew up glued to the tube on, but if there were ever a Sly Cooper animated series made, I’d probably shell out for a DVD or Blu-Ray after the season was over (yeah, that’s right – I like to own discs over downloads any day of the week). Granted, it would need to be better written than say, an average episode of Secret Squirrel or Tom and Jerry, but there’s a gold mine of heist flicks to steal story ideas from. Topkapi, The Great Train Robbery, The Lavender Hill Mob and so forth and so on. So, Sony… find a fine writing team with good transforming skills (who won’t be sued for plagiarism because they got too lazy) and some old-fashioned 2D animators who know their stuff and get that ball rolling – you’ve got a few customers waiting outside the gaming space…

Review: Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable

Posted on January 20, 2013 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation Vita

Developer: SANDLOT

Publisher: D3Publisher of America

# of Players: 1 – 4

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: A (95%)

Much more than a straightforward “port” of the former Xbox 360 exclusive, Earth Defense Force 3 Portable comes screaming onto the Vita as the game developer Sandlot most likely wanted to make in the first place. The return of Pale Wing and her energy-based weaponry (from EDF 2 on the PS2 and EDF 2 Portable PSP) adds a new way to experience the game while an up to four-player co-op mode, rebalanced and all-new weapon drops, new enemy types, trophies galore and seven new levels makes this an absolute must-buy for anyone with a Vita. For those who’ve played the 360 version to death, there’s definitely enough new content there to get you equally obsessed (and yes, perhaps it’s finally time to get that Vita if you’ve been on the fence). Don’t let that $39.99 price point for a download put you off one bit, as there are dozens, if not over a hundred hours of gameplay here, especially if you’re looking to grab one really hard to obtain Platinum Trophy.

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