Gallery: Ryo Hazaki is Baaaaack….

Posted on October 7, 2009 by geelw

Sega continues to crack me up in all the right ways these days. Shenmue’s lead character Ryo Hazaki is all set to make quite a comeback and nope, he’s not looking for any darn sailors this time! Check out these pretty slick screens from Ryo’s return in next year’s Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing.

All I’ll say (other than doing a happy dance after seeing Ryo after too long) is I’m hoping we also see the return of a certain Daytona racer, a Harrier or two from Space or some other Planet, and perhaps something colorful from a Fantasy Zone (among others). Hey SEGA! I have about 500 Mega Drive, Genesis, SMS, Game Gear, Dreamcast and Saturn titles here… If you need a few more suggestions of who to put in the game (or who to add as DLC), you know who to call…

The press release is a hoot and a half – check it out with more screens below the jump…

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Demon’s Souls is HERE (And So Is The Wiki!)

Posted on October 6, 2009 by geelw

Yeah, some of you have it, all of you will die multiple times playing it and more than a few of you will want to jump up and down on your PS3 until it’s a flat black file folder with sparks coming out of it.

Before you reach that point (it’s an expensive file folder, folks), head on over to the new Demon’s Souls Wiki and get some assistance for those problem areas (which will be pretty much the entire game for those trying to play this like it’s Diablo 2 or some other simple chase ‘n chop game with a basic multiplayer and PvP mode… which it isn’t at all)

As the Wiki is *NEW*, a LOT of stuff needs filling in, so if you’re getting really great at surviving what’s being thrown at you in the game and can string a sentence together, SUBMIT to the Wiki! Just remember to use that spellchecker, folks. Poor grammar is a worse death than the False King Allant can ever give you…

P.S. The servers are officially UP – enjoy the game!!!

Fairytale Fights Updated Hands-On

Posted on October 6, 2009 by geelw

Preview versions of the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Playlogic’s Fairytale Fights showed up last Friday and after digging myself out from under a pile of other work, I finally got a chance to spend some quality time with the game. After diving in and coming up covered in blood and chunks a few days (and many replays) later, I’m even more impressed with how the game has progressed. The Unreal 3 powered hack ‘n slash/platformer hybrid is really coming together in this latest build and is shaping up to be an outrageous, surefire hit for hardcore gamers when it’s released on October 27. If you like your games bloody, challenging, controversial and off the charts hilarious, what’s here will keep you giddy and bouncing up and down like kids in the back seat on a Sunday drive sugar high.

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Where the Wild Things Are Website Live – Trailer Revealed

Posted on October 5, 2009 by geelw

WBIE has launched the official web site for Where the Wild Things Are: The Video Game and here you go – the first game trailer:

On the web site, you can check out screenshots from the console and Nintendo DS versions and find out about the film as well as its soundtrack. If you’re lucky enough to be a US resident, you can even enter a contest to win one of six cool Where the Wild Things Are prize packages, one of which will include a brand spankin’ new Xbox 360. So you know what to do, right?

Where the Wild Things Are; The Video Game arrives in stores on October 13, 2009.

Zen Studios Is At It Again… Mystery Game Alert!

Posted on October 5, 2009 by geelw

Hmmmm…. another cryptic message from ZEN Studios’ PR department. This time, the image to the left has something to do with an announcement tomorrow on the Official PlayStation Blog and I think I know what it is. Although, if this is going to be like the last time I got one of these messages, I’ll probably need to deal with pesky assassins and such bursting through my windows and breaking up furniture in an attempt to end my life before I uncover the big secret.

*Sigh* Why I even bother with this writing stuff sometimes is beyond me. No hazard pay at all, folks… Anyway, take a guess as to what the upcoming game, er… big announcement will be and I’ll be back tomorrow with the answer, dead or alive!

Er, that wasn’t a hint, kids… (sort of)…

Borderlands PC Now Available For Pre-Order on Steam

Posted on October 3, 2009 by geelw

PC gamers listen up! 2K Games and Gearbox Software’s upcoming open world post-apocalyptic Action/RPG/FPS hybrid with something like ninety-gazillion guns is now available as a pre-order on Valve’s always handy Steam game service.

I’ll be running an actual preview on this one shortly (it’s been on the radar for a while, but I haven’t had the chance to write anything yet). Based on the movies, images and art I’ve seen (plus Gearbox’ track record of quality games), Borderlands is looking very much like yet another must-buy release when it hits retail on October 20, 2009 for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

PRE-ORDER BORDERLANDS ON STEAM NOW

Borderlands, the new RPS (role playing shooter) from Gearbox Software and Take 2, is now available for pre-order via Steam. Those who pre-order the title from Steam will save 10% off the regular price and be set to play the moment it is released. For more information click HERE

WARNING: Playing Demon’s Souls TOO Early Will Blows UP Teh Internets! WARNING!!!

Posted on October 2, 2009 by geelw

Oh Noes!!!! Actually, dear readers (and this IS the truth this time), Atlus is letting you know that the Demon’s Souls US servers won’t be active until the game’s 10/6/09 release date.

Now, SOME of you LUCKY pre-order-ers out there may receive your standard or collector’s edition before this date and should you try to jump online, you’ll simply get, according to the press release Atlus sent out this evening,

“…an immediate PSN error and have to start playing offline.”

Ulp (that big-ass font IS scary, huh?). Cue Demon’s Soul’s doomy-sounding atonal main theme played loudly enough to creep the cat right under the sofa. Poor Kitty…

In other words, be good and listen to the soundtrack (which is an awesome aural experience), read the hint book if you must and ogle the lovely art book as you sit in front of your lonely PS3. Of course, you can always just play the offline game for a bit until that clock strikes “Server’s UP!”

Anyway, be patient and really, really, really enjoy the game, as it’s spec-tac-u-lar, period.

Dragon Age: Origins Update #5: The City of Denerim

Posted on October 2, 2009 by geelw

This week, lets take a little trip to one of Dragon Age: Origins’ huge cities, the capital of Ferelden, also known as Denerim. It’s a nice place to visit, but you all know how the rest of that old saying goes, especially if the real world is beckoning you away from more play time with BioWare’s upcoming epic Action/RPG. Well, grab that passport anyway, this is only a short hop today!

By the by, I missed an update regarding the game’s soundtrack, so I’ll just quickly report that the very talented Inon Zur is doing the music for the game. A well-respected composer of film, TV and game scores, he’s done some great work in games such as Shadow Ops: Red Mercury, Lineage II, Fallout 3, both Crysis titles and many others. Meanwhile, back at the travel agency, your cart is ready – shall we get on with the tour?

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Namco Bandai Announces Enslaved for PS3, 360

Posted on September 29, 2009 by geelw

It looks as if Namco Bandai has figured out one more new gaming equation: Ninja Theory + Andy Serkis = one hell of an interesting game experience. Enslaved is the next game project the respected Heavenly Sword developer is currently working on for a 2010 release on both the PS3 and Xbox 360 and based on the concept art and early screens, the game is looking mighty fine indeed.

Aesthetically, I’m not sure if the Jak meets Wolverine look of Monkey clicks until I see the game in action, but it’s a definite “Yes!” in my book for Trip’s athletic yet “normal” figure (i.e., no pudding-filled pontoons stuck to her chest). Also, the bigger questions in the end to some may be this: can Ninja Theory deliver a second killer game, this time out, successfully as a cross platform release while making sure it looks equally good on both consoles? My money says yes they can. Anyway, to the press release!

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Review: DIRT 2 (PS3)

Posted on September 25, 2009 by geelw

Platform: PS3/Xbox 360

Developer: Codemasters (Racing Studio)

Publisher: Codemasters

# of Players: 1 (Online: 2 – 8)

Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: A

Accessibility is the prime mover DIRT 2 uses perfectly to keep players of all skill levels coming back for more. Whether you’re a rally newbie interested in the sport thanks to the X Games or a grumpy veteran player shaking his or her fist at Codemasters for “Americanizing” the game in the past two installments, there’s definitely something for you (and everyone in between those two extremes. Stick a controller in your hands or sit in front of your expensive steering wheel setup, lock in your difficulty and take the phone off the hook – you’re not coming up for air unless it’s your virtual ride taking to the skies on an awesome jump. Fantastic visuals, near perfect handling and a solid racing experience await anyone looking for one of the best racers this year. A few bumps in the road keep this from sheer perfection, but the Joe Gamer crowd will barely notice the problem areas.

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