Random Art: One From the Vaults: Sonic + Mega Man

Posted on September 8, 2012 by geelw

Quick backstory: I did this back in 1993, so perhaps I was a tiny bit psychic. About a year later, gamers were getting all excited reading about Sega making some sort of big publishing deal with Capcom which some thought would also bring Mega Man to the US on a Genesis cart. Of course, that didn’t exactly happen and Rockman Mega World/Mega Man: The Wily Wars is to date, a highly desired collectable. It was released in Japan and PAL territories in English, but Sega decided to ONLY give this game a shot as part of their innovative Sega Channel service. Blast you Sega for being so damned forward thinking!

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Retro Review: Sorcerer’s Kingdom

Posted on August 25, 2012 by geelw

I remember the first time I saw screenshots of Treco’s Sorcerer’s Kingdom in an issue of Die Hard Game Fan back around 1992 or ’93 and immediately wanting to track down the game based on the art style and interesting battle system the article described. When I finally got the game, I wasn’t disappointed one bit. In fact, the rather brutal level of challenge right from the beginning kept me playing early areas of the map until I could take down the first actual boss in the game with relative ease, yet still aware that the next area would be geometrically tougher.

While the story is your pretty basic quasi-medieval RPG stuff that’s somewhat predictable in a few of the usual spots, the game doesn’t look at all like it’s stealing from some nameless anime or manga and it’s in the unique combat system that most players will find their fun and yes, frustrating moments…

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Incoming Retro Bliss: Sega Genesis Classics Collection Gold Edition (PC)

Posted on August 18, 2012 by geelw

As I always have way too much going on (being a one-man operation can be a bit of a pain every so often), sometimes I can be a tad forgetful. That. or I end up not getting to everything on my rather long list of games I’d like to dive into for a spell. To wit: I’d forgotten this amazing set of over 40 Sega Genesis games had shipped out to retail a while back (OK, something like March 2011!) until one of my eBay alerts reminded me that I was looking for this. A few clicks later and for a mere $9.90 shipped (brand new/sealed), I’m a happy camper set to re-relive some games I’ve played to death on a few platforms already. Hey, the classics NEVER get old, that’s for sure.

I’ll drop in a review once this arrives and I get in some quality time with the games in this great package. Hmmmm… now, where did I put that PC game pad I haven’t used in ages?

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Update: Faster And Furiouser

Posted on August 16, 2012 by geelw

Based on this new Gamescom trailer, Sega is really pulling out all the stops with this sequel, but I’m still curious about that rather glaring lack of the word SEGA in the title. “Sonic & All-Stars” just sounds so… lazy or something. Hell, even if the game has guest stars NOT in any Sega games, keeping the name of the company IN the darn game is kind of important for old-ass Sega supporters such as myself. I’m just saying… Anyway, the game looks great and you certainly can’t go wrong with a good, fun racing game built for competition and pure fun. Just fix that name and it’ll be perfect, I say!

Aliens: Colonial Marines Dev Diary 3: Did Someone Say Extreme Firepower?

Posted on August 15, 2012 by geelw

In this latest developer diary, check out some of the tried and true gear from the Cameron film you’ll be using up against those oh-so-pesky xenomorphs. Gearbox is making a game any fan of the series should jump into when it hits retail. As I’ve said earlier, that delay is only making for a much better game in the end. OK, that and it’ll give me and a few million other people a chance to complete Borderlands 2 a few times. Go, Gearbox! Go, Sega!

Sega’s Hell Yeah!: This Rabbit Tale Is Getting Curiouser and Curiouser…

Posted on August 9, 2012 by geelw

Fun and funky visuals aside, I’m still trying to figure this game out and I can’t quite put my finger on why I like it despite it trying to be too, er…. something. Well, it’s not a bad thing that quirky still tickles my fancy and Hell No!, I’m NOT one of those mildly angry internet folk clamoring for Sega to make a Sonic game that looks something like this. As usual, some hands-on time will clarify and crush any doubty rumblings I may have, but overall, I like what I see, pushing the crazy vibe overkill and all. Go, Sega!

Aliens: Colonial Marines Developer Diary 2: Gearbox Wants You Playiing From Under The Couch

Posted on August 7, 2012 by geelw

More fun with fast-moving Xenomorphs in this latest dev diary from Gearbox Software and Sega. You can definitely fell the love these guys have for James Cameron’s second installment in the popular film franchise, which will hopefully translate into a game for the ages that’s as scary and action-packed as everyone wants it to be.

Quickie Import Review: Airs Adventure

Posted on August 7, 2012 by geelw

I was moving some games last week and this one fell on my head, so I had to see if my memory still works by recalling what it’s about. Well, other than being a collaboration between the generically named Game Studio with ToysPress and May Music, Airs Adventure for the Sega Saturn is pretty dated if you judge it by today’s standards. Granted, it was probably dated by 1996 standards because the game isn’t all that complicated or challenging save for some wandering about necessary mid-game to solve a puzzle. Despite the language barrier It was one of the first imports I was able to complete it twice without understanding any Japanese thanks to the simple combat system, only two party members to deal with and for the most part, fairly linear progression.

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Aliens: Colonial Marines Developer Diary 1: Bug Hunting (In More Ways Than One)…

Posted on August 2, 2012 by geelw

2012 is going to be a REALLY good year for Gearbox Software, what with Borderlands 2 looking to outstrip the original in every way (and how). But let’s not forget the thrilling xenomorph-packed surprise they have coming up in 2013. Granted, I’m someone who liked Alien 3 when I first saw it (and like it even more today thanks to that Assembly Cut version), so I’m not one of those folks who thinks what’s here is replacing that film at all. Of course, if Fox decides to go on ahead and make a movie out of this new game, the crazy paradox time shift that will happen when some poor developer that’s not Gearbox tries to make a movie based off a game based off a film series… well, that just might cause the planet to collapse in on itself in confusion.

Video Game Appreciation 101: Nintendo DS (New Additions)

Posted on July 20, 2012 by geelw

I need to do this on a more regular basis like some of my other fellow game bloggers (you know who you are, but I need to list you guys on my sidebar at some point today), so here you go, six new DS games added, all picked up quite cheap.

Aliens: Infestation is a pretty challenging side-scrolling shooter/adventure from WayForward Technologies (makers of some of the best “retro” style games out there) and Gearbox Software. Hop aboard an alien packed Sulaco as a squad of Marines as you search for survivors in this sort-of sequel/side-story to Aliens. With a limited number of squad members available (one they’re dead, they’re gone for good), some mean bosses that take a bit of work to put down and a decent amount of replay value, it’s not a bad game at all if you’re a fan of this sort of game.

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