Sniper Elite V2 Hands-On: Rebellion’s Latest Is Dead On Target.

Posted on April 2, 2012 by geelw

Who knew one good cure for an aching back would be a bullet to the eyeball?

My poor old back was a bit out of whack after some lugging some heavy stuff to the airport shenanigans the previous morning, but after sitting down to a nice bit of the Xbox 360 version pf Rebellion’s superb Sniper Elite V2 last Thursday, I left the Edison Hotel with a spring in my step (but scanning high windows and rooftops for snipers). 505 Games is fortunate enough to be publishing Rebellion’s followup to their 2005 PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox sleeper (later ported to Wii in 2010) that’s still one of the most challenging and tightly focused war games ever put on a console. Sniper Elite V2 ups the ante with an even more phenomenal proprietary graphics engine, excellent sound design and gameplay that’s going to surprise a lot of people who’ve never experienced the original…

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Ridge Racer Unbounded Launch & Environment Trailers: Bugbear’s Worked It Hard So You Can, Too!

Posted on March 31, 2012 by geelw

Looking super sharp and like a ton of fun in these videos, Namco Bandai’s not quite reboot but re-versioning of its classic arcade racing game should be in stores (and hopefully, in your hot little hands) as you read this. Will Bugbear’s expertise at racing games where stuff wrecks up quite well be accepted by the masses, or will even the awesome-looking City Editor fail to capture the attention of the jaded RR maniacs who ONLY want ONE type of game in their libraries? Suspense!

(But I’m guessing the former will win out amongst those with half a head full of common sense)…

Review: Ninja Gaiden 3

Posted on March 31, 2012 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation 3 (also on Xbox 360)

Developer: Team Ninja

Publisher: Tecmo Koei

# of Players 1 (Online 2 – 8)

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Official Site

Score: C+ (75%)

Team Ninja set itself up with quite a paradox-shaped pickle when they set about designing Ninja Gaiden 3. The particular problem plaguing them? How to make a game for new casual players (and those who hated the supreme challenge of the older Ninja Gaiden games) and while pleasing the more hardcore fans of the franchise (some from the arcade and NES days) who wanted something brutally difficult that took a great deal of effort to master. Now, some of those more loyal hardcore Ryu Hayabusa fans would simply say “screw the noobs!” or something far less print-friendly. However, these days it’s getting much harder to sell some “core” games so far within a niche and make a decent profit. Yes, that’s pretty awful if you think about it, but broadening the base has worked well for certain other franchises and genres, right?

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NISA Announces New JRPGs Galore (Hey, Three Counts As A “Galore” Around Here…)

Posted on March 31, 2012 by geelw

NISA is rolling out some really fun-looking RPGs of a few varieties in 2012 and 2013 (that I wish were all arriving on discs, but what can you do these days but hope?). The company announced three new titles for the PS3 and/or PSN that include:

Legasista (Summer 2012), which SOUNDS like a 70’s Legosploitation flick (har har), but is actually a lovely rogue-like tactical RPG coming from developer System Prism exclusively to the PS3 via PSN:

Then there’s Mugen Souls (Fall 2012):

…which sounds like some import tuner muffler company sticker you’d see plastered on some goofy looking tricked out street whip (oh, I’m on a roll, aren’t I?), but it’s actually a very cool looking PS3 Strategy/RPG from Compile Heart (the folks behind the Hyperdimension Neptunia games) and GCREST.

And finally…

The Witch and the Hundred Knights, an Action/RPG set for a 2013 release on the PS3, has some lovely stylized visuals and while early, has “BUY ME” written all over those screenshots on the teaser site…

Add in a few more intriguing games such as Clan of Champions (Spring 2012), Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention for the PS Vita (Spring 2012), Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland (sooner than you think!) and a few other surprises and that’s actually even MORE of a galore! OK, my work here is done – now go pre-order something or get that wishlist updated already!

Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes Cover Art (What, No PSP Version?!)

Posted on March 30, 2012 by geelw

And a nice trailer for good measure (in case you haven’t seen it yet). I’m liking this sequel a lot based on the stuff I’ve seen and heard because it has actual voice acting and what’s looking like a pretty cool story. Of course, that it doesn’t look bad at all helps out quite a bit. Traveler’s Tales Is doing what looks to be its most polished work for current gen platforms, but the game is also hitting nearly every other platform (except the PSP). So, if you’ve got something to play games on that’s not a phone or tablet, you’re DEFINITELY covered.

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Gameplay Videos: Full Metal Everything (And Then Some)…

Posted on March 29, 2012 by geelw

While Transformers games have been hit or miss with the ones based outside the films being superior to the ones tied directly to them, it’s pretty clear that Fall of Cybertron will be the all-out killer app fans have been dreaming of (unless they’re still in cheesy 80’s Transformers mode, then they just need a cookie and a nap). High Moon is doing some pretty impressive work as you can see here and below, and with a Fall 2012 release creeping up, I’d say there’s not all that much to be worried about unless the game somehow misses its ship date and drops into 2013 (which shouldn’t happen, right Activision?). Back with more later…

“Back” In The Swing Of Things, Thanks To A Few Upcoming Games…

Posted on March 29, 2012 by geelw

(mild ouch): Well, I’m up for about an hour already and my back is a bit better (whee!). Going out to see a new game (in this case Sniper Elite V2) always helps ease the pain when it strikes. I’d also forgotten that Xenoblade Chronicles ships out next week for the Wii, so I ended up putting in a pre-order just now, Thank goodness I came into a little money out of the blue (Whee!), so at least one of the last important Wii titles will be winging my way shortly… OK, enough gloating and preening (moderate ouch!), off to be productive. Back in a bit, ladies and gents…

Asura’s Wrath DLC Packs Quite The Punch (And Needs To Be Put On A Disc)…

Posted on March 27, 2012 by geelw

Wow, It really stinks to be an Asura’s Wrath fan without a decent online connection, that’s for sure. Capcom has launched the first of a few killer add-ons for CyberConnect 2’s manly muscle-bound masterpiece that in the coming weeks will include some pretty amazing content. Starting today over PSN (and tomorrow over Xbox Live), “Episode 11.5” launches, followed next week (April 3) by “Episode 15.5” hitting PSN and XBL. Each episode will sell for 1.99 over PSN or 160 MS Points over Xbox Live. April 24 hits even harder with a four-episode content pack for 6.99 (560 MS Points) and finally, May will be the big killer month for many AW fans. Why? Capcom plans to pit Asura up against two of Street Fighter’s legendary combatants, Ryu (May 9) and Akuma (May 16). Each content pack will be 1.99 over PSN and 160 MS Points through Xbox Live.

Hey, Capcom! I’d actually pay a little extra for a expansion disc with ALL that content and I’d bet a lot of others would too. Think about it.

You Won’t Need A Sweet Tooth To Ride The Lollipop Chainsaw Schoolbus…

Posted on March 27, 2012 by geelw

Wait, that sounds kind of perverted in a way, but whatever. I’m just thrilled that I finally get to see and play the game next week, as it’s coming to NYC with a few other WBIE-published titles I’ve been really looking forward to. I’ll post impressions of everything once any embargoes are lifted, so pop back in from time to time (or just watch your email if you’re a subscriber) and see what’s what with Juliet. I don’t think that magic school bus in the video will be along for the tour, but if it is, I’ll snap a few pics and post them here. Maybe I’ll even throw myself under that bus (while it’s not moving, thank you much) for added oomph…

NISA Online Store Does It AGAIN: Atelier Meruru Limited Edition Brings The Bonuses Quite Affordably

Posted on March 26, 2012 by geelw

You KNOW by now that the wondrous NISA Online Store has quite possibly the best pre-order bonuses for a fantastic price point of any company publishing JRPGs these days and this time they’re going all out for Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland. A measly $65 for ALL that stuff? Wow. NISA’s “Cut out the middleman and lookit the SAVINGS!!” approach to game retail is a godsend in this day and age of overpriced DLC schemes, not so “Limited” editions that have you hanging out in the rain waiting to get mugged at a midnight launch or any other nefarious plans to part you with your hard-earned Zenny while brainwashing you into thinking you’re special. Hell, I’m not a huge Atelier fan, but even I’m tempted to hock some stuff to snap up this set.

That and oh yeah, Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention on the Vita is coming (or: There The Hell Goes All My Free Time, Again)…