Xseed’s August One-Two Punch: Way of the Samurai 4 and Gungrave: Overdose Hit PSN

Posted on August 21, 2012 by geelw

Normally, I’d suggest running the other way at paying $40 for a game that doesn’t come in a case with a manual, but I’ll make an exception for something this wacky, challenging and fun. Especially as it’s supporting the fine folk at Xseed Games who seem to be doing quite well with their digital releases these days. Acquire’s open world sword-swinging samurai series has gotten quirkier and more intriguing with each new installment, so if you’re into the Yakuza games and their weird (and more modern) riff on all things Japanese, you’ll like what here quite a lot. WoTS 4 has ten endings, loads of stuff to do in your travels and too much Japanese humor on display that you’ll have to play through a few times just to confirm that the game was that nuts. Check out the full features list on the PlayStation Blog post or at the game’s official site

Gungrave: Overdose is also super insane and while shorter and cheaper at $9.99, the more action-packed run ‘n gun gampelay found in this PlayStation 2 sleeper (now part of the PlayStation 2 Classics lineup) from 2004 (originally published by Mastiff Games in North America) might appeal to those who aren’t quite fans of wandering samurai in feudal Japan as it moves kicking and screaming into the modern era. Granted, you may not be into anime or manga either, but I say take a chance on one or both titles if you haven’t played them before. Of course, if you’re into offbeat Japanese games, haven’t played either of these and want to support Xseed, well… here you go. Just poke around the PSN store and you’ll find these with ease.

Tokyo Jungle: I’d Have Worked A Wall of Voodoo Song Into This PS3 Game’s Trailer…

Posted on August 20, 2012 by geelw

Specifically, the eternally quirky “Animal Day” off 1981’s excellent Dark Continent LP. Well, that’s the sone I’d pick if I were working in SCEA’s marketing department. That and hey, this was on a Blu-Ray in Japan, but it’s only getting a PSN release here, grrr. If i were running things out west, or at least had a say in matters, I’d have done a release through PSN as well as a double-game disc with this and Papo & Yo or rain on it plus a few demos of other PSN titles and yes, added a PlayStation Plus discount voucher to the game case so more people could play both games. I’m just saying, the MORE people that can access this content, the better in the long run for SCEA (and gamers, too!)

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Launch Trailer: These ARE The Droids You’re Looking For!

Posted on August 20, 2012 by geelw

Tomorrow is the happy day for Activision and High Moon Studios as their big metal baby storms into retail before landing snugly in consoles all across North America. All that hard work they’ve put into what’s looking like the best Transformers game to date should make fans all to happy to snap this up like hotcakes. If War for Cybertron kept you busy for weeks, the new customization modes, addition of fan favorite characters, even more thrilling gameplay and what looks like some ridiculously fun multiplayer modes should have you practically living in front of your TV. Of course, you kids headed back to school had better get that gaming in before you have to hit the books hard. You don’t want to end up being a video games journalist or something equally low-rent (little in-joke there)…

Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time Gamescom Trailer: Making Mascots Matter (Mostly)

Posted on August 20, 2012 by geelw

I’ve been having an interesting conversation with a friend about the “need” for this sort of AAA mascot platformer in these days of more gritty games and less humor in too many major releases. We’re both not against the idea of this genre and yes, there are plenty of fun (and funny) indie games to fill the gaps should the mascot platformer just about vanish from the next generation of consoles. That said, outside anything “new” Nintendo has been doing with the Mario franchise, I’m seeing a bit too much by the numbers programming where deja vu takes the place of actual innovation and true creativity. Or hell, perhaps I’m getting too jaded about thing (which isn’t a good sign). I think not, though – I’m just old enough to know when a game is going the rote route.

Maybe it’s developers trying too hard to recapture what made many classic platformers great or maybe it’s just that we’re seeing the genre finally winding down after so many games from great to terrible. Either way, it’s looking as if Sanzaru’s upcoming Sly Cooper game will be part of a dying breed unless we start seeing a resurgence in the genre that features new and equally memorable mascots and gameplay that’s worth buying a new console for. Then again, you don’t need a new system to play the best platformers (or mascot games) ever made, right?

Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault: Well, If You’re Skewing Younger, It’s A Step Forward…

Posted on August 19, 2012 by geelw

Well, it looks as if since R & C All 4 One, Insomniac is cutting out any chance of this series being as “edgy” as it once was. Of course, that’s to be expected with the franchise running for so long across two console cycles (and soon to be two portable ones). Granted, if you think about it, the visual style has always been that of a modern CG cartoon influenced by many classics from days gone by now geared to kids. I’m also betting that the dev tem members with younger kids are making a game they can play with them as opposed to cranking out yet another game made for the fans who want nothing to change, ever.

That’s one BIG reason for new IP folks – it keeps stuff like this from dragging out into the land of diminishing returns. Bring on Overstrike, I say.

Assassin’s Creed III Naval Battle Trailer: By George, How Big IS This Game, Anyway?

Posted on August 18, 2012 by geelw

Between the open world exploration across a few choice (and massive, excellently detailed) locations and these spectacular-looking (and rather speedy) sea battles, it looks as if Assassin’s Creed III will be keeping a few million gamers quite occupied for a while before they even touch the multiplayer content on the disc. Me, I’m a story guy first and foremost, so I’m highly impressed by what I’ve seen so far and that includes the Vita game that’s an entirely different story altogether. That October 30 release date is rushing up fast and I’d bet this game will keep a lot of you gamers who normally head out on Halloween inside scarfing down that candy you’d intended to pass out to trick or treaters…

By the way, here’s a new Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation trailer in case you need another good reason to get a Vita. This just might be the best game on the handheld to date and for quite a while, the largest in terms of scope.

Konami On Air Gamescom 2012 Wrap-Up: Raiden The Wave (And How)

Posted on August 18, 2012 by geelw

Konami revealed a nice selection of upcoming titles at Gamescom this year and even had their own web show to promote the goods. Here’s a look at the three post show videos for each day of the show as well as the pre-show peek behind the scenes video that kicked things off. Between Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, Castlevania Lords of Shadow 2 – Mirror of Fate, and a few other cool games, I’m going to be glued to my TV for a nice chunk of time, that’s for sure. I just hope I don’t go even more broke stocking up on extra controllers…

WRC 3: The Birth of A Driver Trailer: Still Holding Out Hope For This To Skid Into The USA….

Posted on August 18, 2012 by geelw

Hmmmm. So far, there’s still no news about a definite US release (boo!), but I do have my fingers crossed that a small publisher here willing to take a chance on what’s looking like a pretty solid racer will pick this up so we finally get an official WRC game after too many years without one. Not that I don’t mind the fun stuff Codemasters is doing, mind you. I just want something a bit less “party” and “social” and a lot more steel-willed concentration as I’m trying to make it though a course and nab that best time without wrecking. As usual, we shall see…

Okami HD (Almost) Leaves Me Speechless…

Posted on August 17, 2012 by geelw

Lovely. There’s really not much to say here other than if you own a PS3 and haven’t played it, you SHOULD buy this game, period. Even if you’ve played it to death, that HD polish and newly added PS Move control scheme both make it worth owning again. Of course, it would have been even cooler to have this on a Blu-Ray disc with an HD version of the cult hit GOD HAND plus a nice “making of” documentary for both games along with soundtracks and an art book (and maybe an Okami plushie for extra Premium Edition measure), but hey – I’m not the one making these decisions. Ah, well,,, but I were running things, that’s how I’d roll (although I’d support both physical and digital releases with the latter at a lower price point, as it should be for not getting packing and a manual).

Sony’s Innovative rain: The Only Problem I See Is This Is DLC-Only, Grrrr…

Posted on August 16, 2012 by geelw

Lovely, chilling and very promising looking adventure game from Sony’s Japan Studio, but so far, it’s only going to net a PSN release. Sony REALLY needs to get some of these innovative games such as this, Papo & Yo, Datura and others onto a disc and sell them at retail or direct to the segment of their user base that doesn’t use PSN for whatever reason. Stick a basic manual with some sort of PSN Plus voucher in there (that doesn’t expire) and maybe they’ll see a jump in users there as some of those without an account start moving forward to take the plunge.