EA & BioWare Keep The Mass Effect Flames Burning…

Nice. Not only is there going to be a collected set the trilogy coming for consoles and PC soon, the Wii U is getting what’s looking like a superb enhanced version of Mass Effect 3 with a new character, included DLC and a bunch of other cool features. Having played the series already, I’m still planning on looking into the Nintendo version thanks to the Gamepad functionality and being curious about how BioWare pulls off telling the story of the other two games in the series.

As always… we shall see…

Updated Update! EDF 2017 Portable Gets A February 2013 Release At $39.95

As I noted last week, D3 is bringing out the Sandlot-developed action game sooner than later and at a very good price point at that. While it’s a premium price point, that $39.95 is actually an incredbly GREAT deal for this one, as you’re getting online play for up to four, all new weapons, dozens of hours of play (and even more replay value if you become a hardcore EDF fanatic) and yes, Pale Wing to play around with for the first time in the US. Anyway, go buy a Vita if you don’t own one yet – it’s been a good few months for Sony’s handheld and there’s a lot more to come. Hmmm. I suppose I should ask D3 about a digital release for those of you who prefer downloading everything, but let me finish doing my happy dance around the room that we’re actually getting this one localized first…

Portal 2 In Motion On PSN: Definitely NOT The Same “Old” Game WIth Move….

 

As the kids say, “Now THAT’S what I’m talkin’ about!” – or something like that. While this super new update to Valve’s stellar first-person physics puzzler may LOOK the same at first, the changes made to get the game PlayStation Move compatible will add new challenges to the familiar while also proving how well motion control can be done when you have a team that can do it correctly. Sixense just may have a lot of people who’ve played this one to death doing it all over again. I’d be one of those people if this wasn’t DLC only, but I guess I’ll have to hold out hope that Sony’s console gets an Orange Box version of Portal (or even better ALL the Left 4 Dead games!) that has this on it. Ah well… PSN users will be pleased, that’s for sure.

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut Coming to PS3 in 2013!

OK, I missed posting this news yesterday thanks to a REALLY chuggy connection (and today is actually WORSE, but here goes nothing… again!), but here it is if you haven’t yet seen it. One of the best (and most polarizing) Xbox 360 sleepers, Deadly Premonition,  is finally hitting the PS3 next year with all new content (roll that press release!):

  • New scenario from the game’s director, Hidetaka “Swery” Suehiro
  • HD graphics
  • Reworked control system allowing for an even better combat experience
  • Downloadable content to expand the mystery beyond the original game

Hmmm. I was hoping the ENTIRE game would be on the PS3 disc (as in NO new DLC), but I’ll certainly take this update for a spin anyway, as I know it’s going to be completely crazy, completely weird fun just as the original was. According to publisher Rising Star Games’ website, Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut should be available in March 2013. If they keep it close to the same budget price point, I predict it’ll be even more of a winner than it was on the 360. As always, we shall see…

Review: Ragnarok Odyssey

Platform: PlayStation Vita

Developer: Game Arts

Publisher: Xseed Games

# of Players: 1 (online 1 – 4)

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: A- (90%)

Another key Vita game hitting stores and PSN at a prime point in a pretty busy year, Ragnarok Odyssey is one of the better JRPGs on the handheld thanks to addictive, fast-paced gameplay, plenty of tough enemies in offline single and online multiplayer modes and lots of lovely visuals and sound to groove on as you play. The game clicks in just about every area and fans of Ragnarok Online and the under-appreciated Ragnarok DS will be pleased to know that the game has enough familiar elements that it feels like a natural extension of those games that can be enjoyed on its own merits. The game is so good that the only major flaws here are some lock-on issues and the lack of a PlayStation 3 version or the ability for Cross Play functionality. The PS3 could use a decent new MMO/Action RPG experience and this would have been superb had GungHo Online and developer Game Arts seen fit to bring the game to that console.

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Until Dawn Halloween Trailer: Getting A Move On (As In Running Like Hell, Part Deux)…

Sony’s version of Ten Little Indians (minus two) meets SAW and a few other things is looking pretty nifty and yes, it also gets a nice Halloween trailer to ogle. I’m hoping the game is great, as it’s tough to do a good horror game these days because no matter how amazing it is, there’s going to be some jaded jackanape who starts griping that the game either isn’t scary enough, or is too familiar to something they think they know all about, or has someone cursing in it (hey, it’s a M-rated game, silly – what are you supposed to say when there’s a crazy man coming at you from out of nowhere with a knife?). I want to see this succeed because the Move works well enough (and hell, a LOT better than Kinect in terms of a 1:1 gameplay experience) and could use a many new titles that take advantage of the peripheral as possible. OK, I think that may be the last post for the day, as the connection here is crappy and I still need to get a few reviews done and posted later, PLUS, get around to changing the banner to November on the blogs. Back later… or sooner if I can find time for a quickie post.

Puppeteer Halloween Trailer: It’s Not Out Yet, But I’ll Be Lurking Nearby…

Meh, I’m still busy working on some reviews and such, so here’s a fun Halloween trailer for Puppeteer, Sony’s upcoming PS3 platformer. The game is still in progress, but as you can see here, it’s progressing nicely (even if this is just footage done up just for the “holiday”). Anyway, it’s another one headed to my want list, one of many PS3 games coming that should keep the console doing well into 2013.

Okami HD On PSN Now, Capcom Not Worried At All About AC III Juggernaut

You have to love that Capcom has a great sense of humor and can poke fun at both themselves and Ubisoft in the same video*. Sure, everyone will run out and snap up Assassin’s Creed III (the most pre-ordered game to date thanks in no small part to a year-plus long pre-sell campaign), but Capcom knows what’s good for you instead – another hero in while with some deft skills you’ll grow to love equally (even if you’ve played the original game to death). That and hey, some people think wolves are cooler automatically. I don’t count myself among that number – I just love Okami because it’s a damn good game. So yeah, BUY IT, I say!

*Eh, for some reason, Capcom posted a neat parody video called “Okami’s Creed” a few hours ago, but now it’s private, so my post makes no sense. Feh – I’ll leave it as is and hope that video is restored, as it’s quite funny stuff. Anyway, go buy Okami HD on PSN – you don’t need a funny video to let you know this classic still holds up today.

Review: Dokuro

Platform: PlayStation Vita

Developer: Game Arts/PonKotz Troops

Publisher: GungHo Online Entertainment

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)

Official Site

Score: A (95%)

 

 

Combining a cool storybook visual style and a compelling mix of puzzle, platforming and combat elements, Dokuro comes to PS Vita owners at a crucial time for Sony’s handheld. The Vita absolutely needs some key titles to prop it up as it finds its user base and GungHo Online Entertainment’s first of two games for the system (both from veteran Japanese developer Game Arts) ends up as a must-by for fans of old-school gameplay (and new school game delivery systems). This PSN game manages to be compelling right from the start thanks to the likable (and very dead, but cute) “hero”, the solid controls and how the surprisingly emotional story unfolds as you play.

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The Pinball Arcade Gets Elvira & The Party Monsters Out For Halloween!

 

Ah, nothing like a little hurricane action to keep you indoors and annoyed (but slightly productive). Anyway, one more post for the day, then I’m off to catch up on some gaming. While Zen Studios is king of the modern digital pinball game these days, the fine folks at Farsight Studios have been making the best recreations of classic pinball tables for consoles and other devices. The newest addition to the ongoing Pinball Arcade series (exclusively for PS3 and PS Vita) will include the legendary Elvira and the Party Monsters table, which last appeared on the Atari Lynx if I’m not mistaken. It’s good to be a PS3 and Vita owner these days, that’s for sure. Anyway, go ogle the video above – I’m off to play a few games and watch stuff blow by my window seven floors up.  Sandy, you’re not slowing ME down one bit, grrrrr!