GRID 2 WSR (Part 1): Driving Near-Miss Daze-y…

Posted on March 15, 2013 by geelw

Ha and har. OK, bad pun (that I changed because I was a wee bit pooped out when I write this post originally) aside, Codemasters is on point with GRID 2 so far and despite the screeches and crunching from fans demanding a dashboard view or else, it looks as if the game should do fine without it. Granted, there are some powerful PC’s that can run other games out there with full dashboard cams going a a billion frames per second or whatever, but I guess we’ll see what the Codies can do on next-gen console hardware to satisfy those folks who want that in-car viewpoint. I think it can be done and having the option is always cool even if it’s never used by the bulk of casual to regular race fans that dislike it. As always… we shall see…

Gallery: Rambo Screenshots – I’ve No Beef With Reef (Just Yet)…

Posted on March 15, 2013 by geelw

UK-based Reef Entertainment along with developer Teyron are hard at work on their upcoming PC/PS3/Xbox 360 Rambo game and it looks pretty good as far (well, as those nice screenshots go). That initial trailer with zero actual gameplay footage was a good enough elevator pitch to some fans, but skeptical dopes like me want to see something to Actual Bravo about.

Still, I won’t be playing this as a “serious” game, as other than First Blood and that last super-gory flick (that made some interesting political points on the pro-rebel side of the Myanmar/Burma conflict), the series isn’t exactly without its unintentionally goofy-ass elements. Of course, I’m also throwing any expectations out the nearest window like I do with every game I play, as going in wanting something LIKE another game and getting what a developer intends to be different always disappoints in one way or another. That May 3, 2013 release dater I’ve seen is rolling around pretty fast, so let’s hope for the sake of the license that the game is actually fun and does well at retail.

Deadly Premonition: TDC Q & A With SWERY65: Your Burning Q’s Get A’d (Even If You Didn’t Ask Any)…

Posted on March 15, 2013 by geelw

What, you didn’t notice that director Swery65 (or Hidetaka Suehiro in real life) was taking questions about the upcoming PS3 Director’s Cut version of his cult Xbox 360 classic horror.humor hybrid? Shame on you… but it seems that he’s got a Deadly Premonition of his own and has answered what you’d probably ask had you known. This is good. Go watch the man in action (well, as much action as you can get from a Japanese guy sitting on a sofa and fielding silly to smart queries about his game) and then feel free to sit back and smile afterwards if you’re a PS3 owner and in the mood for a funny, frightening and just plain WEIRD game experience.

The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct: A Bit of Behind the Scenes With Merle & Daryl…

Posted on March 15, 2013 by geelw

No, today isn’t National Zombie Day or anything like that, folks. I just go scooting through my inbox as stuff rolls in and post the fun stuff. Today just so happens to have a LOT of undead in games news. Must be a Friday thing or something… Anyway, here’s a new look at Terminal Reality’s upcoming shooter set in The Walking Dead world. I like the gritty look of the game and some of that visceral action you’d expect from an undead-rekilling game. In a weird way, this one reminds me of BrainBox’ interesting but flawed Land of the Dead: Road to Fiddler’s Green, a FPS that had a few problems, but was actually pretty damn scary and compelling once you got past its weak points. We’ll see what’s what with Merle and Daryl’s gory adventure soon enough when The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct ships out for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U and PC March 19, 2013.

Lone Survivor Headed to PS3 & Vita. Lock Yourself In, There’s Trouble All Around…

Posted on March 14, 2013 by geelw

I actually hadn’t heard of Lone Survivor until a friend raved about the PC version a little while back. But I’ve just been way to busy to get to the ton of indie games I already have and pushed this one to the back burner. Now, I have a reason to give it a try, as the game is headed to the PS3 and Vita this summer courtesy of superflat games (which is Jasper Byrne) with an assist from London-based studio, Curve (which is a few more people). The game is a retro-looking but decidedly modern survival horror game that can be played in almost any way a player chooses. You can complete the game without firing a shot or go all out and try to dispatch every undead thing you come across. However, your character’s mental state is a bit off (possibly from hunger, thirst and/or lack of rest) and not everything is as it seems. Innnnnteresting, to say the least and given Byrne’s complete love for Sony’s console and handheld, PS3 and Vita owners can expect some nice changes to the game that include Trophies, Cross-Buy and Cross-Play support plus MORE. What’s MORE you ask? Ha! That trick NEVER works here, kids. You’ll see if you click on this PlayStation Blog post…

Is Dollar Dash a Modern Day Bomberman? Hmmmmaybe…

Posted on March 14, 2013 by geelw

dollar dash tiny Yes, yes… just the mention of the late, lamented Hudson Soft’s classic character and game brings a tear to my eye (and nope, that new-ish online game isn’t my thing despite the massive social aspect – or rather because of it. I like to see who’s beating me and vice versa). That said, Kalypso Media and developer Candygun want you to dive into their fast-paced cops & robbers & assorted traps game, Dollar Dash like it’s the new next best thing. Already out on PC via Steam and through Xbox Live Arcade for the 360, the game is finally headed to PSN on March 19. I’ve played the PC version and found it to be fun and funny with tons of hazards to avoid in each stage and while not quite as kawaii as Bomberman, the game is a blast to play. Anyway, go check it out if you have Steam installed and if there’s also a PS3 in your home, boogie on over to PSN next week and snap this up. Hopefully, this will be Vita compatible, but we’ll see, I suppose…

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut Site Goes Live: Return To Greenvale (Weirder Version)…

Posted on March 14, 2013 by geelw

Rising Star Games is getting things (and perhaps a few heads) rolling with the official launch of the Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut website. This PS3 exclusive update to the former Xbox 360 exclusive that polarized fans and reviewers with its all-out bizarre tone, somewhat unpolished visuals and gameplay along with plenty of gore is getting an updated version that tweaks and adds many new elements (such as 3D TV and PlayStation Move support) while retaining the completely twisted plot and lead character.

Fans of scary games and/or David Lynch’s Twin Peaks and some of his other films will see an homage or three in this game, but it’s the general mix of offbeat comedy, horror and interestingly disgusting demises that will hook some new players in. Of course, that’s exactly what director Hidetaka Suehiro (Swery65) wants… so you just HAVE to oblige him, right?

GRID 2 Asks and Answers A Few Burning Questions Race Fans Have…

Posted on March 14, 2013 by geelw

Codemasters’ upcoming GRID 2 proposes a few interesting questions about the “what if’s” of a potential worldwide racing league based on assorted disciplines and yep, the game itself tries its best to answer some of those questions through its fictional racing series that takes players around the globe as they attempt to be the best and get that league a wider audience. Granted, in the real world, this would take some doing and a LOT of logistics that would cost a few tons of money, but that’s the great thing about video games, right? You can go anywhere and do anything from the comfort of your couch and not spend that much in the process.

GRID 2 ships out in May, but feel free to to that pre-order thing if that’s what you usually go in for…

Defiance Ark Hunter Chronicles 4 & Making of 6: April May Not Be The Cruelest Month…

Posted on March 14, 2013 by geelw

Want more DEFIANCE? OK, here you go, and with the game hitting retail on April 2 and the show popping up on syfy April 13, it’s clear that all that hard work will pay off as soon as both pieces of this long in development project launch. As I’ve noted previously, the game is great fun, fast paced and NOT like any other MMO on the market (Yes, even SOE’s epic shooter Planetside, which some are comparing it to). While there’s NO single player offline component, hopping online and playing at one’s own pace or with a group is smooth and the world is constantly active with things to do. I’m gathering the eleven-day lead up to the show will see some really hardcore players try to break the game by power-leveling and trying to defeat some of those massive bosses or Hellbug spawns solo (good luck with that, by the way). But I think Trion has planned well enough ahead, as the PvP and other more MP focused elements all take place in the same world and can be joined or avoided as one pleases. Continue reading →

Call of Juarez Gunslinger Reveal Trailer: Techland’s Bounty on the Mutinous

Posted on March 14, 2013 by geelw

COJ_G

Veteran developer Techland’s games have always been visually incredible, so it’s zero surprise at all that this latest entry in the Call of Juarez franchise is gorgeous to look at and the violence is even more balletic in its post-ballistics delivery. What’s a tiny bit surprising to me is the focus on bounty hunting some of the Old West’s well known desperadoes. I’m not going to argue historical accuracy here at all (that’s for the crankier folks out there who apply arbitrary rules of reality to games at the most inopportune times. Still, this looks like it’ll do quite well among the amateur historians and fans of the series who wanted to see it go back to the wild western days and stay the heck out of the present. You’ll be able to saddle of for a quick ride at this year’s PAX in Boston or hang out at your O.K. Corral until the game ships out later this year.