Ahoy! Once Piece Pirate Warriors Ships Out Via PSN (Arrrrr!)

Posted on September 30, 2012 by geelw

Now, I could make a couple of REALLY corny piracy jokes about the US version of this hit game NOT being available on a disc, meaning the poor digital pirates can’t even play the game they don’t want to buy or something like that, but I won’t. Anyway, One Piece Pirate Warriors, the latest anime franchise to go the Dynasty Warriors route id out NOW and quite spectacular stuff. As for why it’s not a CD in a case, well… among other things, mega-success in Japan doesn’t always translate to that same number of sales here and yes, anime games like One Piece are indeed a niche inside of a niche (or much smaller than than even the most rabid fan would want to know), so here we are. Granted, it’s another sad case of some people being able to play this instant classic, and some that can’t even if they wanted to.

It’s the current economy more than it is Namco Bandai wanting to piss you off, folks. That said, the move to digital is becoming a bigger problem as more games head that way without letting fans in on why, so I hope the powers that be in the industry in general finally quit it with the smoke and mirrors and “everyone is downloading!” crap and get into letting people with money but crappy online connections have the means to BUY their games instead of complaining that they can’t do so.

GRID 2 Pre-Alpha Footage: It’s A Gas (With Many Miles To Go)…

Posted on September 30, 2012 by geelw

Nice (and EARLY, as in pre-alpha gameplay) work in progress showing off Codemasters’ attention to detail and what looks like another great racer. There’s still a great deal of work to be done, but I’m one of those gamers that can look at an early build and see how things will fall into place. If this sequel builds on the ground laid by the first GRID and adds all the proper bells and whistles, it’s going to be one of the better racers in a too-crowded genre. Fingers crossed and foot on the pedal, I’ll be waiting for updates…

Resident Evil 6 TGS Trailer: The Final Fear Is Almost Here…

Posted on September 29, 2012 by geelw

Well, OK… it’s a great bet that Resident Evil 6 probably won’t be the LAST numbered game in Capcom’s ongoing undead saga, but it’s absolutely the most ambitious to date, packing in a huge globe-spanning campaign and the most interesting set of playable old and new characters right out of the gate. From what I’ve played at press events and through the recent demos, this kitchen sink approach to development is working on many fronts with a game that is at turns, action packed when it counts, scary and intentionally slow-paced where it needs to be (but not intensely so) and full of plot twists, new enemy types and some of the most satisfying gameplay in the franchise’s history. I have the feeling that good or bad, this will be the most discussed RE game for quite some time after its October 2, 2012 release.

Naughty Bear: Panic in Paradise Trailer (And A Release Date, Too!)

Posted on September 28, 2012 by geelw

Annnnd here you go: October 12 only via PSN and XBLA. As a bonus video surprise, here’s Victim #8, Bubbles. Poor Bubbles! While I’m still holding my breath (sort of) that we see an combo disc featuring both games (including all the Gold Edition content), I guess I’ll have to get this digitally after all (PSN, puh-leeze). Ah well – given that the game is going to be even better than the original, i don’t mind going out of my way to snag a copy. That said, it would also be cool to see this hit the Vita as well, especially with a wave of really super portable games on the way from other publishers.

EVENT! EA’s Soccer & Speed Tour Rolls Into New York City Sept. 28-30

Posted on September 27, 2012 by geelw

Soooo, what are you doing this weekend? If you’re around NYC or are popping in for a bit, you can play two of EA’s upcoming titles and maybe WIN some cool prizes with your gaming prowess. Out of nowhere, a truck rolls up (through a mysterious cloud of smoke optional), opens up and *BOOM!* the gaming gets underway. Playable versions of Need For Speed: Most Wanted (Criterion’s spectacular return to form with a crazy amount of cars and seriously fun multiplayer content that should make any Burnout fan keel over with joy) and FIFA Soccer 13 (depending on who you ask, arguably the best footie game on the market), are headed around the town for three days:

WHEN & WHERE:

Sept. 28, 3 PM – 8 PM: Upper 90 (697 Amsterdam Avenue New York, New York)
Sept. 28, 9 PM – Midnight: Genesis Bar (1708 2nd Ave #1, New York, New York)
Sept. 29, 10 AM – 1 PM: Legends (6 W 33rd St. New York, New York)
Sept. 29, 2 PM – 6 PM: GameStop (2322 Broadway and 85th St. #1, New York, New York)
Sept. 30, 9 AM – 9 PM: Upper 90 (359 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY)
Will I show up to beat some of you into submission or lose terribly to the better man or woman? I’m not quite sure just yet, as I still have a pile of work to get to here. But who knows? Oh, I’d probably lose to anyone at FIFA, as I like watching more than playing. But as for NFS: MW? I did win one journalist’s tourney at an EA press event a while back, so I can at least hold my own at that game.

New Little King’s Story Launch Trailer (UK) – US Version Coming Oct. 2

Posted on September 27, 2012 by geelw

Ah, I’d almost forgotten about this one, but here you go: the UK/EU launch trailer for the nicely intriguing RTS/RPG hybrid. I loved the first game on the Wii quite a lot (in my opinion, it’s one of the best games made for that console) and updated visual style plus all-new touch controls aside, the Vita game looks like it will be even more addictive and fun to play. Slowly but surely, the Vita is getting more great games – something it really needs with so much at stake for Sony this console cycle.

INCOMING! EDF 3 Portable Headed to North America In 2013

Posted on September 27, 2012 by geelw

Well, that’s what I call day-making news (at least in my world). D3Publisher of America has announced via Twitter (and to us press folk here) that Earth Defence Force 3 Portable will be headed stateside in Winter 2013. I’m gathering that that vague launch window means sometime between January and March, not November/December of next year. I’d heard rumblings about an English script a few months back from somewhere I can’t say, but I’ve been keeping that info secret because I absolutely despise rumors and getting people’s hopes up about something so cool. Anyway, even though I’ve imported the Japanese version, I’ll absolutely be diving back into the game again when it lands in stores sometime next year. EDF! EDF! EDF!

EDF 4 Promo Trailer (Ver. 1.5): Sandlot Builds A Bigger And Better Sequel

Posted on September 27, 2012 by geelw

With EDF 3 Portable landing in Japanese and Asian territories (retail and PSN) this week for the Vita, I’m hoping that D3Publisher of America is paying attention to the awesome promo videos being produced for that game and the currently in development EDF 4, set for a 2013 release. This is exactly the time to get in early on getting Sandlot’s name into gamer ears as a team that can bring it when it comes to over the top run & gun action and much more tremendous replay value than found in other titles. Keep up the great work, Sandlot – as for D3’s US arm, I have just one thing to say (three times): EDF! EDF! EDF!

EDF 3 Portable Update: It’s An Invasion Alright – Just Ask Around!

Posted on September 25, 2012 by geelw

And you thought YOU had bug troubles? Vita owners in Japan (and some lucky folks like me who are importing but STILL want this localized for our territories) are getting what I consider to be an instant system seller in the form of a SUPER enhanced version in one of the most action-packed “retro” sci-fi shooters ever. Of course, the man on the street stuff above makes for a fun watch that would be cool if the game was promoted here in the US in a similar manner (should it get the green light for a localization)…

Lost Planet 3 TGS Gameplay: Spark Versus Snark (And Spark Needs To Win Big)

Posted on September 24, 2012 by geelw

I’m one of those few waving the flag about how damn good Lost Planet 3 is turning out to be, but par for the course on the internet, there are too many whiners living in the past griping about how the game isn’t EXACTLY point for point like the first two installments. Reading is fundamental, but let me break it down a bit for those who aren’t up to speed. Given that it’s a PREQUEL that will most likely set up some of the events of the other two games, once you get some hands-on time, it’s easy to appreciate the effort developer Spark Unlimited has been putting into the project for a few years now. I liked what I saw in terms of the single player story, the gameplay is pretty tight and the use of Unreal tech is very solid, particularly in the well done cinemas that draw you into the frozen world and the miners who work there. I say a bit more appreciation and a lot less being jaded just to be jaded would help here, but you can’t control others’ intent to somehow NOT enjoy what’s being done to expand their horizons (as well as the potential for future installments in the series). In any event, I’m holding out hope that this dev team and Capcom get some actual credit for what’s going to be a pretty cool experience (at least for me) when the game is released in 2013.