Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut Random Screenshot of the Day: “This Ain’t No Disco…”

Posted on April 26, 2013 by geelw

It’s another Friday night in Greenvale and while the town is practically overrun with tourists checking out every nook and cranny and getting underfoot during FBI Special Agent Francis York Morgan’s (just call him York!) investigation of the Red Seeds Killer, making his work a wee bit more complicated, York is taking it all in stride by taking a little time off this urgent case. He’s been disappearing a few more times a day than he usually does, but I’m not about to follow him around to find out where he’s going and what he’s up to. I did get curious at first and thought about poking around the Sheriff’s office to see if Emily Wyatt was around so I could ask her if she had a clue as to what’s going on, but I haven’t seen her in a few days. Hmmm… I guess she’s on vacation for a bit. Oh well, I’ll guess I can speak to her when she gets back from wherever she went off to. Come to think of it, I think I don’t need to speak to her at all because I recall overhearing York at the A&G this morning talking about drinking some coffee and going to another place. Aha! the next town over isn’t too far a drive… I just need to find someone to take me over that way…

Hmmm.. where does than man disappear to? Of course, while I’m on MY trip looking for York, YOU might find out where he’s at before I do when you play Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut, exclusively for the PlayStation 3 from Rising Star Games. Featuring updated HD visuals, PlayStation Move and 3D TV support, over 100 improvements from the original release and more, this is one weird and wild trip you’ll want to bring a friend or three along on for the ride.Or to hold your hand when things get REALLY creepy. Granted, you may not all return if you’re unlucky enough to stumble across that killer York is looking for, but I guess if you have to go, it may as well be while playing a video game, right?

Innnnterestingly enough, I just so happened to pop by the Swery 65 Bar for a quick beer and who do I run into, STILL in celebratory mode, but owner and Game Director Swery 65. He’s still drinking away merrily and having a blast, but I hope he’s got Drunk Mode OFF, as that tall tube of Blue Curaçao he’s imbibing makes it look as if he’s drinking some Jekyll & Hyde concoction that could turn him sinister in a few seconds. Hey, wait… I think I may have discovered the identity of that Red Seeds Killer! Damn, and York is nowhere to be found when I actually need to ask him something important! Hmmm… I better pretend to not notice, as now Swery is giving me the eye and waving me over to join him… *Ulp!*

Sony Waves Its Dual Shock 4 In Our Faces As A Friendly Reminder…

Posted on April 26, 2013 by geelw

Yes, thank you… I’ll take a dozen, please. It’s pretty funny that we have a new console cycle slowly but surely steamrolling towards us, but news has been slowing to a trickle on the PS4 front. Or at least Microsoft has been sucking in all the air with its alleged “always online” console that’s “not so Draconian” (in that alleged “always online” way) according to one amusing posting I saw on a game industry site. Anyway, it’s always fun and funny to see these companies jockeying for your dollars when the REAL play should be just to hope as many people as possible find and play whatever the hell they want to play on and expand their horizons by tasting the competition’s waters if the feel like it. Well, there goes MY industry job, huh? Oh well… I like playing games too much to stomp around in a suit and tie…

Capcom Arcade Cabinet 1984 Pack: The Hits Just Keep On Coming…

Posted on April 26, 2013 by geelw

Three more classics are now here for your downloading and playing pleasure. I definitely remember 1942 in the arcades and I think I recall playing SonSon down at an arcade back in the day. Pirate Ship Higemaru will be new to me, but I hear it’s pretty damn challenging right from the get-go. For me, it’s actually been a bit amusing listening to the folks who HAVEN’T played these yet saying they can get the same games for free on the internet and so forth and so on. Well, yes… you can grab a ROM from all over the place, but the higher resolution visuals, bonuses and most importantly, fact that supporting a game company that still owns the damn IP is a lot more of a nice thing to do to show your support means you’re not such a dick at the end of the day.

I’m just sayin’… people who spend money help gaming at the end of the day more than those who don’t…

Orc Attack: Casual Brothers Cooks Up A Cool-Looking “Gas & Slash” Game…

Posted on April 26, 2013 by geelw

OrcAttack Box Art With SO many indie developers getting so many games out there and not enough time in the day to cover them all, they need to be either really innovative or really amusing to catch my attention. Orc Attack isn’t innovative at all, but seeing it in action made me smile because it reminded me of some of the classic arcade beat ’em ups I spent way too much money on back in the day.

This may be developer Casual Brothers Games first project, but it certainly looks as if it won’t be their last if the right audience snaps this one up. It’s already getting interest as a potential Steam Greenlight candidate )go vote if you’ve an account there!) and is coming to PS3, Vita (yes!) and Xbox Live Arcade soon. I’ll have to check this out once it’s out because my retro sense is tingling, shiny 3D visuals aside. Alrighty, then – my work here is done. For now… Orcs, I’m coming for you (and holding my breath, you gassy brutes)…

Lost Planet 3 Multplayer Interview: Szymanski’s The Man, See…

Posted on April 26, 2013 by geelw

OK, either Capcom read my mind and had this prepared a while back or they read my post yesterday and cooked this up in a hurry. Probably neither of the above and more like it’s been in the works just to explain the upcoming game’s MP modes as I hoped they’d do. From what I got to try of the campaign, the game is solid and quite enjoyable in that “Ah, this is MUCH cooler once you give it a play” way that’s supposed to happen. Hopefully, some of the louder, lazier skeptics who love to knock anything fun if it’s not what they THINK they want will shut it and put some time into trying this one out. I’ve been sold since last year and that was without any multiplayer.

Gallery: Resident Evil Revelations

Posted on April 26, 2013 by geelw

revelations_logo_r

Jill_Porthole_Artwork Jill Valentine certainly isn’t on The Love Boat this time out and this creature-packed cruise from hell she’s stuck on will surely make her long “OK, let’s NOT do that again” list along with her every other appearance in a Resident Evil game where she’s put through the virtual wringer. But where would you fans be if she wasn’t always in some sort of peril with half a clip left and something really ugly closing in for it’s dinner? Granted, if she’s out of ammo and on her last legs, that’s actually more your fault than the game, right?

Anyway, Resident Evil Revelations looked fantastic as a Nintendo 3DS game last year, but completely redone for consoles and PC, it’s definitely a visual showstopper for the long-running franchise. With a May 21 release date set Capcom has announced that yes indeed, a demo for the upcoming multiplatform game will be released soon over Steam (PC), PSN (PS3), Xbox Live (Xbox 360) and eShop (Wii U), so you’ll get to try this one out and see the horror for yourself. Or not see it, because you’re too damn scared to tiptoe into the next room. Hmmm… I wonder if there’s even a tiptoe animation in the game. I guess that’s my winning suggestion to Capcom for the next installment in the series…

Below the jump are a boatload of screens and a part one of a great developer diary that looks at how RE’s of the past have shaped this installment – do drop in and check it out, please… Continue reading →

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

Posted on April 25, 2013 by geelw

There’s been a great deal of excitement in Greenvale this week, as it’s gone out on the grapevine that there’s going to be a LOT of new visitors starting next week. Actually, some people are there already from what I’ve been seeing around town, which is both good and bad. The good is business is absolutely BOOMING at both the A&G Diner and Swery 65 Bar, the tips are generous and there are lots of new friends being made all over town. The not so good? Well, try and get a good cup of coffee or a beer in a timely manner at either place and yep, it’s suddenly a pain seeing all those new faces. FBI Special Agent Francis York Morgan (just call him York!) isn’t happy with all these new people getting in his way while he’s trying to wrap up his Red Seeds Killer case file, but he’s about to get a little more unhappy as this overly thrilled employee of the Greenvale police force runs into him and knocks him down, as he’s just heard that there’s now a game shop in the town and there’s this new title he’s been hearing about that he’s just DYING to play…

And of course, that game just so happens to be Rising Star Games’ Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut, exclusively for the PlayStation 3. Those updated HD visuals, PlayStation Move and 3D TV support, new DLC, Trophies and more are all getting a few citizens of Greenvale quite hot and bothered. Of course, that means more PS3 sales and less people out and about once they get their hot little hands on the game, so perhaps York is going to get some relief after all. Well, once he gets up off the carpet and has the footprints cleaned from his suit, that is… ouch.

Did you know that Game Director Swery 65 is STILL celebrating the game’s release? I asked him about this after his sixth one and was told that he’s simply taking care of all his partying at one time because of the different release dates in a few territories. He said he plans to stop and rest for a bit once the North American version comes out, but I just realized he really doesn’t need to. Why? Well, dear reader… In Greenvale, the beer can’t get you drunk at all (it’s digitally created!), so you can drink as much as you want and never feel a thing. Of course, if you play around on the options screen, you can reverse that effect and pretty much pickle your liver in about three sips… but who the hell wants to do that? Enjoy responsibly, people!

Defiance 1:3 Preview: “The Devil in the Dark”

Posted on April 25, 2013 by geelw

Short and longer previews of next week’s episode, anyone? I like that the show picks bits and pieces from all over and cobbles them together into something entertaining that makes those who get all the references nod and wink at their TV screens. I’m not tracking the ratings at all, as that’s a useless thing to do for any show that SHOULD get a full season and story arc to find its place. I hear that the game has been having some bumps that are being ironed out through patches, but that’s the online space for you – nothing ever goes THAT smoothly even if that’s the best intention of all involved. It’s a really good thing the show is so much fun to watch and both products can stand alone while enhancing the overall experience if one has the means and connection speed to play.

Do We REALLY Need A Ratchet & Clank Movie? I Guess We Do. Maybe.

Posted on April 25, 2013 by geelw

OK, I know I’ll get beat up by the more cranky fans of this franchise, but I’d much really rather see whatever money that’s going into this otherwise SPECTACULAR looking new film (set for a 2015 release, mind you) go into a new game (or games) instead starring these characters. Or even better, a game that combines this look (which the PS4 can handle with no trouble, I’d bet) in a game that’s packing movie-quality looks and gameplay flawlessly. Sure, this will absolutely rake in the megabucks as soon as it hits theaters, but I know that there’s an audience for CG animation that automatically shows up and buys into that first weekend or two just because it looks cool. I know that if the film references the older games too much, most of those jokes will soar over the heads of that non-gamer crowd while those who DO know what’s being talked about will be falling into their buckets of popcorn laughing.

On the other hand, this COULD be the best thing since sliced hamcheesebread if this is some sort of trial balloon for a future animated series or new game tie in. THAT said, it’s going to be interesting to see if this video game series that got its start on the PlayStation 2 eleven years ago is still relevant two years from now. I’d like to think Insomniac Games would want to move onto better and brighter things, but try and tell that to the rabid fans who want them to churn out the same types of games endlessly and gripe if they want to do something different. Then again… it’s kind of hard to pass up on making more money from something so cool if there’s enough of a demand for it. Ah, the eternal cycle continues, I suppose…

Ride to Hell: Route 666 Trailer: It’s A Biker Strategy Game? OK, I’m Sold…

Posted on April 25, 2013 by geelw

Deep Silver’s upcoming “grindhouse” style action game Ride to Hell: Retribution isn’t the only surprise they’ve got up their sleeve, it seems. The company has just dropped a very cool trailer for (of all things) a tactical/action game for PSN and Xbox Live Arcade called Ride to Hell: Route 666… and yep, I did a triple take when I say that trailer above. Of course, now I have to play this game as it appeals to a few things I happen to like a lot. That said, I wish it was a grittier looking game, as it’s almost too cute for its content… well, almost. Anyway, this one’s coming in the summer and I’ll be keeping an ear to the ground for more info…