It’s almost too bad the Vita didn’t launch with this title, as it’s a new IP that introduces a character any gamer will love as well as shows off what the system can do quite well. Thankfully, this trailer shows off some of those cool things quite nicely. I’ll try to jam in a review at some point this month, but no promises, as it’s a bit hectic at the moment. For now, however, I’m absolutely recommending you check this one out if your Vita has been feeling lonely or you’re thinking about the system and want another definitive killer app that’s pure fun from the moment you pick it up and start playing…
If you missed out on Little King’s Story on the Wii a few years back, you didn’t get to play a really cute and fun blend of real time strategy and RPG elements wrapped into a surprisingly neat neat tale that was also pretty funny at times. This sequel gets a completely new visual style, more mature looking characters and a few other tweaks, but as many Vita owners will be new to the game, that doesn’t matter all that much, I’d imagine. What DOES matter is that the Vita NEEDS more quality games such as this and as many as possible over the next few months so that this current dry spell is rendered a thing of the past sooner than later. Let’s keep ’em coming Sony!
For the first time in a while, Sony opened things up with a complete shocker no one knew a thing about. This time, it was BEYOND: Two Souls, the upcoming game from Quantic Dream. With incredible visuals and Ellen Page as the lead character, the clip ended up leaving SO many questions unanswered, but that’s how David Cage wanted it. I did find it pretty amusing that after Cage touted how stunning Page’s performance was in the game, her digital character was mute for the bulk of the clip shown.till, it’s a must-buy I’ll be tracking until it’s released. God of War: Ascension finally got a live single player demo that showed fans really had nothing to fret about at all, as Kratos is as brutal as ever, the enemies are all deadly and the trademark QTE kills are even gorier than ever. Pre-orders are already being taken for this one, even though it’s not in stores until March 2013, so make that a priority if you’re good about hanging onto receipts.
The Vita got some props with a few new titles announced and a bit of cross platform play from PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale that was slick and flawless. While it looks like a TON of fun, I’m still not sold on the Super Smash Bros. influenced game completely, as I think not having old PS mascot stalwarts such as Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon (both owned by different publishers these days) makes for a lesser experience (Fat Princess? Really?). And where’s Solid Snake? Then again, Uncharted’s Nathan Drake and Big Daddy from BioShock will please some folks out there, as they were announced as new fighters in the game as part of a quick teaser.
Take one of the most innovative console developers and their award winning tech, add in a great actress with huge fan appeal and mix well under cover for a while, let bake and pop off the lid unexpectedly at a huge press event. BEYOND: Two Souls is going to be fantastic for a few reasons, the least of which being it takes place over a period of fifteen years in the main character’s life. The game is also something a lot more action driven than Heavy Rain, but Page’s character is clearly a “normal” human who happens to have some sort of powerful spirit that enables her to do some superhuman things (and attract the notice of a well-armed SWAT team). Other than a probable 2013 release date, nothing else is know about the game, but this first look at the game and amazing trailer should be more than enough to make you want to buy a PS3 just to play what’s bound to be an instant classic.
Every time I see bits of this upcoming PS3 exclusive, I have to shake my head in disbelief. But, hmmmm… some fans still want these guys and gals to crank out a new Jak & Daxter game instead of going all out and making another new IP that might be a better move for the developer at the end of the day. I think they’re entitled to that opinion of course, but I also think they’re slightly bonkers with nostalgia. That and perhaps Naughty Dog has simply grown out of and away from making this sort of CG cartoon experience (no doubt thanks to the success of the Uncharted series). For me, outside of Ubisoft’s fun as hell Rayman franchise, some excellent 2D and 3D indie games and a bunch of cool handheld titles, mascot games and particularly, mascot based platformers are a dying breed. OK, save for the new Sly Cooper game coming, plus Mario and a newly revived Sonic doing their stuff on different systems.
Personally, I’d rather see a developer show what an “old” console like the PS3 can do by stretching the hardware as far as possible while doing something innovative and “adult” in the process. Look, I liked the Jak games on the PS2 and while Naughty Dog didn’t program the game, Daxter on the PSP is a classic for that platform. That said, I wouldn’t mind seeing a Vita J & D collection at some point. As it stands, unless there’s a supreme reason for bringing both characters back in an all-new game (for a new console), just beating a dead horse harder won’t make money come out of its ass…
OK, looks aren’t EVERYTHING (as I say when I look in the mirror each morning), but with Kenji Inafune (of Mega Man fame) and a bunch of talented artists and programmers working away like mad, this one’s looking like an instant classic in its own right. That’s fine by me, as the Vita needs as many solid games as possible if it’s to stomp away the blues and rocket up the sales charts a bit more. Keep ’em coming, Sony!
Yes indeed, Sony’s got yet another super PSN-only sleeper on their hands that I really wish was on a disc along with a few other games a bunch of non-PSN users are missing out on (and not because they WANT to, mind you). Hell, I’d even play this on the Vita if it were sold on a card and not just as a download. Yes, I would actually pay more to support a smaller developer, especially when their game is this original, surreal and inventive. Let’s hope SCEA is listening to the little people for a change instead of just doing it their way, damn the outcome. Hey Sony! A little flexibility in this day and age actually gets MORE people to like what you’re doing. That;s also a memo to ALL game companies: if you don’t allow us to care (and buy games how we like), guess what? They’re not always going to sell as well as you hope they will, no matter how good they are…
Cue the “It’s About Time!” music, please. Well, I’m glad that’s one more E3 surprise I don’t have to worry about not being announced, even though it was a no-brainer. I like the new additions a lot and hopefully, Sony will have a few more fun PS Move games to show off next week. Truth be told, I’m not even a huge sports fan these days and I’ll be picking this one up just for the workout possibilities. Motion control gaming isn’t dead quite yet, kids – but it’s not going to completely replace traditional controllers at all, either. It’s all about BALANCE at the end of the day…
OK, it looks like the mild drought of retail releases is over for the time being… as long as you like shooters. Still, it’ll be fun to actually play a FPS on a handheld with two analog sticks instead of being forced to used a D-Pad for movement. Granted, I’ve played loads of old PS1 and some PS2 shooters with this older form of control, but it’s a LOT different when the screen and controller are in your hands at the same time. It looks as if the team at Nihilistic has nailed it up tight in terms of the look and feel of the PS3 Resistance games, so it also looks as if this one’s a buy for me…
It’s finally out as of today, so give it a try if you’ve got a Move wand and Navigation Controller that are feeling lonely these days. I’m not expecting “perfection” at all, but a game that’s fun to play and shows off how the peripheral is a lot better than waving your empty hands in front of your TV and pretending to swing a sword or cast spells. Sure, it probably won”t be a “game of the year” candidate, but as long as I’m entertained, I’m a happy camper…
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