Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut Random Screenshot of the Day: More Road Rules…

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Paying attention to the road while driving may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised just how easily distracted most people get when behind the wheel. Case in point, this particular road trip in that not so fancy but fast Sheriff’s car, currently driven by one Francis York Morgan. Given that he’s got two passengers with him, he should be concentrating on the road and doing his best to drive safely. However, just LOOK at that speedometer! 73 MPH is not exactly following the Greenvale speed limit, it’s not an emergency (this time), and lack of traffic or not, he should keep an eye out for pedestrians. I’d say something about that “Talk” button onscreen, but I guess it’s OK, as talking while driving is something everyone seems to do. Granted, York will probably Talk to “himself” rather than his passengers (which is distracting enough), so perhaps he’s not too bad behind the wheel after all?

DPDC PS3 US EFS 2D RealOf course, you’ll get to find this out for yourself and more on April 30, 2013 when Rising Star Games’ Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut hits retail exclusively for the PlayStation 3. Featuring updated visuals, improved controls, all-new content PlayStation Move and 3D TV support and more, this is one of those games guaranteed to get you out driving safely to your favorite game shop and back home even if you’re a block away. Hey, practice makes perfect, right? And if you don’t drive, no worries – that walk will do you good, as you’ll probably be getting a wee bit less exercise once you pick up the game and start playing. Your heart will be racing quite a lot, though…

suda 51_swery 65Another reason you should buy this game is you’ll be keeping Game Director Swery65 a busy man. Getting him back in the office in Japan making more games is a good thing, as if he’s not making games, he’s getting into mischief with people like this other creatively named game-creating reprobate (and all-around nice guy if you get to meet him in person), Suda 51 (both seen here in a local drinking establishment somewhere on Planet Earth. So, yeah – you know what to do, right. Buy at LEAST two copies of this game so Swery gets back to making another one. Or at least thinks about a Vita version, as there’s nothing like being able to be scared out of one’s wits while on the road (er, except when one is behind the wheel – that’s NEVER a good thing)…

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut Random Screenshot of the Day: Sleeping on the Job…

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In general, people in the U.S. just don’t get enough sleep. Whether it’s due to overwork, too much TV/computer time or doing too many things at night other than sleeping, it’s a national epidemic that can be the root cause of a few bigger problems. As you can see above, York stepping in to Greenvale’s police station SHOULD have that guy at the desk alert and facing the opposite direction. But he didn’t get enough sleep last night and doesn’t drink that strong coffee the A&G Diner sells at all so he’s a bit lax in his attitude. Before you ask, they don’t sell that multi-hour energy drink crap in town because it’s been banned (it makes hooded killers do their job a wee bit too efficiently, I’ve heard). Anyway, if York were a hooded killer, this poor sap would be on the floor with his face missing within a few seconds. But he’s only a detective on the prowl, so Officer Sleepy here will just get a damn good scare (and maybe wet his pants a little) and maybe a stern talking to he won’t soon forget.

DP_PreorderOf course, you’ll probably be joining him soon enough if you’ve pre-ordered or plan to pick up Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut, coming exclusively to the PlayStation 3 on April 30, 2013. Those updated HD visuals, quirky humor, PlayStation Move and 3D TV support, new content, Trophies and more will keep you up so late (and yes, half-scared out of your wits) that you’ll need to call in dead to work the next day. Or show up and pay the consequences. Just don’t be that one guy who doesn’t get enough rest and pops in to work at the VERY moment that heavy bottle of water in the water cooler needs changing. You ever drop one of those things on your foot in front of that cute secretary you’ve been secretly ogling? It’s not a good thing when that happens, folks.

swery65_igramI haven’t had the chance to ask him yet, but I’d bet a whole dollar that Game Director Swery65 (arriving a bit tired-looking at GDC 2013) has NEVER had an embarrassing incident like this happen to him. Of course, he’s seemingly always on a plane headed somewhere or working on something you’ll probably want to be playing at some point in the future, but I’ll have to remember not to forget to ask him about this one of these days…

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Behind the Scenes: A Fantasy Trip for Today…

 

Hey! Wouldn’t you like to be on a nice vacation right about now? OK, let’s go! Let’s say, hmmm… we’re now in Sweden with Josef Fares at Starbreeze Studios talking a little more about their unique game collaboration, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons coming to Windows PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 courtesy of publisher 505 Games? OK, OK… sitting in another room that’s different from the room you’re in now may not be much of a holiday at first glance, but think outside the box (or outside the building, in this case) and you’re on the way to your new destination with a fresh outlook. Um, Har en fantastisk semester – inte äta för mycket korv!

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut Random Screenshot of the Day: Exercise!

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It’s good to get out and get some fresh air in sunny Greenvale, but probably not in the very good (and reasonably priced) suit like York here is wearing in today’s screenshot. Granted, the man has his own style and a certain rugged flair that comes from being kind of crazy, but one has to hope he’s got a very good deodorant protecting him under those clothes. Anyway, there are many places to run to in and around the town, but you kind of need to pay attention to the clock you see in that picture. Why? Well, there’s nothing worse than missing the opportunity to pick up a clue, run into someone needing a bit of assistance only you can provide or even better, making headway in solving a particularly nasty set of murders because Greenvale actually needs as many people in town as possible who are kind of alive. I hear that tourists don’t visit a small town just to stumble across mutilated corpses… unless they actually LIKE stuff like that.

Anyway, enjoy that run and don’t forget to hydrate!

DPDC PS3 US EFS 2D RealSpeaking of running, if you don’t pre-order a copy of Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut for the PS3 (set to arrive in stores on April 30, 2013), you may find yourself emulating York and running to that game emporium only to find that they’ve completely run out of copies. Which in turn forces you to pull more York-like running all over YOUR town looking for the game. Of course, what with you not running all winter and storing up all that extra fat, you’ll be out of shape and pull a hammy while you’re huffing and puffing it around.

Swery65_dSo, before you do anything else (well, as you’re reading this post, actually) ask yourself (or the snarky voice in your head): do you REALLY want to miss out on those updated HD visuals, quirky humor, plenty of gore, PlayStation Move and 3D TV support, new content, Trophies and more?  Besides, you can even carry your copy around with you everywhere, as you may one fine day run into Swery65, who just might sign it for you and really make your day. Well, it COULD happen if you’re REALLY lucky… you never know, right?

Dragon’s Crown PS3, Vita Bound This Summer – It’s Worth Every Crown, I Say…

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DC display packsVanillaware’s latest and absolutely gorgeous-looking 2D side-scrolling action RPG, Dragon’s Crown is finally US-bound this summer for both the PS3 and Vita (yup, you can pre-order it HERE) and yes, it’s going to arrive at a premium RETAIL price point for both the PlayStation 3 and Vita. Sure, $49.99 (PS3) and $39.99 (Vita) will seem pricey to the entitled trolls who bitch about game prices in the same posts they seem to cut and paste around the web (usually followed by “When is this going on SALE?” or something similarly cheap-sounding), but this isn’t some dumb mobile nickel and dimer we’re talking about here. George Kamitani and his team at Vanillaware make their art into gaming form and fans of the company’s other releases such as Odin Sphere, Muramasa: The Demon Blade and Princess Crown (which NEEDS a HD remake one of these days!) KNOW these games are well worth the money for the artwork and lovely character designs alone.

Por ejemplo…

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Of course, the addictive gameplay will be a big draw as well and this one’s got drop-in multiplayer on PlayStation 3 or via adhoc network on PlayStation Vita. No Cross Play functionality might be a sore spot for some, but I say pick one version (or both) and enjoy either ride solo or with like minded friends who also love Vanillaware’s games for their always awesome art and stylish hack & slash action. Chalk up another winner for Atlus, I say!

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Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut Random Screenshot of the Day: Waiting…

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So, it’s Monday in Greenvale and here’s Emily Wyatt, still waiting patiently from last week. Uh oh. She doesn’t look very happy at all for a few important reasons. One: you’re late. Never keep a lady waiting, PERIOD. Especially on a Monday. Two: you forgot to being her a hot cup of coffee after keeping her waiting. I mean, you came from the A&G Diner, right? ALWAYS buy a lady you’ve kept waiting a hot cup of coffee. Three, her hand still hurts from that punch she threw at you on Saturday night. YOU may have forgotten all about that incident, but she didn’t. And even if she did, her hand would still hurt. Anyway, your moral for today is the following. Never keep a lady waiting, always buy her a hot cup off coffee if you do keep her waiting and ABSOLUTELY do not mention what happened on the weekend at any point. Unless she brings it up, whereupon you’re to shift nervously in your seat and mumble an apology (which should probably e a sincere one).  Emily might not be in the best of moods today, but she’s a good kid and can forgive one or two mistakes like that.

DP_PreorderJust don’t let it happen again. In fact, you can probably be a bit more proactive in the future if you simply pre-order and play Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut, exclusively for the PS3 and landing in stores on April 30, 2013. Groove on the improved visuals, PlayStation Move and 3D TV support, new content, Trophies and more and if you play your cards right, you’ll be able to have a better Monday at some point down the road. You may even get a nod, a smile and a sunny “Hi!” from Emily, but remember, that doesn’t mean she’s anything but a professional.

IMG_2148If you’re still desperate, Dr. Swery’s radio advice show may still be on the air. Hmmmm. If I recall correctly, it used to run from midnight to 7AM daily on that radio station you get in the hotel better than anywhere else in Greenvale, but I haven’t heard a thing since those strange killings started. I hope he’s alright, as that was a really good program. Hmmm… now that you mention it, there’s been a few other odd things going on since he’s been gone. I sure hope he’s OK. Maybe I should call up a detective or something? Oh, wait – there’s one in town, I hear. Now where the hell was he? Probably working a big case or something…

(to be continued…)

Diablo III on PS3: Blizzard’s Showing Off The Goods (And Positively Pissing Off Some PC Gamers in the Process)…

 

DIII New TristramI’m really happy to see that not only has Blizzard reworked the controls to be direct and yes, Dual Shock 3 friendly, the game also looks great and should get MORE people playing who’ve been wondering what the hell a Diablo game is and why there’s so much bile spilling out over the Internet from a certain bunch of folks who seem to be either jealous or wishing fiery doom, (DOOM, I say!) upon the developer and anyone with a console and not a cutting-edge PC that cost more than some used cars who wants to play this game. Eh, whatever. I’m BUYING Diablo III because my PC couldn’t run it (the always online crap from that version has been replaced with a solo play mode I’m behind 100%) and I wasn’t at all interested in the real money auction house nonsense forced upon PC players. Of course, there’s the matter of the PS4 version of the game not being compatible with the PS3 version, but at the end of the day, I’m gathering that other than visuals and controls, both versions will otherwise be the same and compatible with their specific consoles (which should have user bases large enough to support online play amongst those users who end up going that route).

 

 

DIII Black Canyon Mines DIII Bridge DIII Caldeum DIII Evasive Fire DIII Fiendish DIII Inventory DIII Mob 1 DIII Realm of Terror DIII waypoint

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut Random Screenshot of the Day: “Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!”

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“Hey, Not so loud!”, you sputter out
It’s been a long, long night.
You spent a good part drinking too much
(I think there was a fight.)

That Swery65 Bar, it’s quite the raucous place
Where too much booze and cheek pinching
got you punched in the face.

It was quite the sight to see you rise
when some blow sent you flying
You sailed into the ladies room
and thought that you were dying!

From what I heard after you left
it was the first time ever
They had toss a tourist out (using that hidden lever!)

So up you rise, your head throbbing
But hey, man – you’re alive
I’d say a decent hot breakfast
is the best way to survive

So put a pair of fresh pants on
(well, after a nice shower)
And tilt yourself on down the street
where you can regain some power.

The A&G Diner is the place you want to be
The food’s good and cheap, the wait staff’s great
And they make damn good coffee!

DPDC PS3 US EFS 2D RealWell, OK… your first weekend in Greenvale wasn’t a total bust (other than the fat lip you now temporarily own), as now the locals know who you are and know you can sort of hold your liquor (to a point). Still, watch it after that fifth drink, buddy. The ladies don’t like you sizing them up, especially with a killer on the loose and you the new guy in town (suspicious and grabby? Yeah, that’s a good way to get KO’ed). Anyway, after breakfast (don’t forget to tip your waitress!), you may want to relax the rest of the day. You know, keep a low profile and all?

SWERY65_tinyMy suggestion: Get a copy of Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut, coming April 30, 2013 exclusively to the PlayStation 3. Even if you’ve never played the Xbox 360 version, the improved visuals, PlayStation Move and 3D TV support, new content, Trophies and more will have you staying indoors for long enough that the residents will forget all about your transgressions (well, until NEXT weekend when you’re back at that bar). Remember, not only is Sheriff Swery watching your every move, he actually EXPECTS you to behave while you’re in his town. Yeah, he owns the bar too, and the diner and everything else, but he likes that cowboy hat the best, I hear…

Gallery: Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara

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D&D_art_small (Cue stereotypical booming RPG narrator voice along with equally stereotypical epic-sounding fantasy music) NARRATOR: “And so, it came to pass, after many years of online fire and calamity that Capcom doth finally decree that the gamers worldwide long starving for a pair of decent fantasy hack & slash arcade games long consigned to history’s dusty trails become updated and set loose as one whole product to be forever named Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara. And that game, now headed to the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U and Windows PC (developed for Capcom by Iron Galaxy and priced at $14.99/€14.99/£11.99/1200MSP) was indeed met by the cheers and praises of the long-starved masses destined to play until the long hours of the dark night have turned to day… and beyond!”

Or something like that. I’ll just shut up with the silly stuff and run the gallery below:

D&D faux machine 1 D&D faux machine 2 9c3578dfce792763854d46b2efea539d 2019c8f2a1588f5a1c6abcac2b7d0e0a 2250c9f1c00e2aee7b5610639ec06fc6 bffb0007127a70d52374374785f839ea c2a3ea084a2802aaf28e9994ba6e4a93 c46d32d4f9461645eabdb35c8bddbaf6 d31570646d1abf19e03c7b7129b2cc92 f9105b4dcd1a278c17279c8ccef21bd3 6493eaaadcd4b64d199183b4a5abe51e

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut Random Screenshot of the Day: Saturday Night, Greenvale…

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It’s Saturday in sleepy Greenvale, so what are your plans for the evening? If you’re a drinking man or lady, you know where to point your boots, of course. Just tip your cap and tap, tap, tap to the stylish but rustic Swery65 Bar where the drinks are cheap, the company’s fine and if it’s not too late when you leave, you may even catch a dead body along the way home. Eeek. Hmmm… OK, that last thing might be a deal breaker for some of you, but that’s what happens when there’s a killer on the loose and a certain detective with a few loose screws hasn’t yet gotten around to solving this particularly nasty case just yet.

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Swery65_dYou can help Detective Francis York Morgan out AND keep Greenvale’s much-needed tourist dollars coming in, you know… just to make sure your trip to that cool old bar isn’t your last. How, you ask? Well, dear reader, just make sure to pick up a copy of Rising Star Games’ Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut for the PlayStation 3, of course!  The game has been reworked considerably from the original Xbox 360 cult hit with improved visuals, PlayStation Move and 3D TV support, new content, Trophies and more, but you’ll probably go and grab it anyway because the game hooks you in and keeps you playing for longer than you’d expect. Of course, I’m betting you’ll spend a chunk of that time playing under the couch, as the game can be scary as hell when it isn’t making you laugh.