Well, once the embargo is lifted on 3/13, actually. There’s nothing like getting a good game to review on a rainy Friday evening, that’s for sure. I haven’t quite fired this one up just yet, as I’ve been busy with some other stuff today, but it’s absolutely on the agenda for this weekend. As with other Tales games, I expect to get pretty occupied in getting through the game once for the review, then heading back in to tackle stuff I missed out on and whatever other surprises I can find on a more exploratory play through. Alrighty, then – back in a bit with some impressions…
Not only are the folks at thatgamecompanysome of the nicest you’ll ever meet, they really know how to make some truly engaging games. While you’re waiting for Journey to drop onto PSN later this month (early reviews are out and yes, the game is a must-buy), take a look behind the curtain and check out what members of the dev team have to say about their baby and the games industry in general. I still think they need to slap all of their games on a Blu-Ray with an art gallery (maybe an actual art book) a soundtrack CD or download with selections from their games and some behind the scenes videos like this one just to get a few more folks who might want to get hooked onto their work up to speed.
After too many years without a new Sly game, it’s just really great to see the raccoon back in action and looking fantastic on the PS3. Love the different costumes and their effects, although I can hear the Super Mario 3 fans out there shaking their fists at the screen for some reason. No matter, I say. As long as the game is great and continues the fun tradition started by Sucker Punch, I’m all aboard and banging the drum as loudly as possible. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to brush up a bit and play Sly 3 again so I can make sure I’m not (too) terrible at the new game…
Yeesh, so the game doesn’t feature some super crazy balls-out 100-player online death-match modes up the wazoo. I say big deal, as I don’t care for that stuff and this early in the Vita’s life cycle, I’ll also suppose any developer would need a bit more time to make sure any competitive MP was running as smoothly and with as little lag or load times as possible. It’s definitely not just a simple “cut and past from the PSP code” deal, I’d bet. Of course, the spoiled/jaded/cranky gamer crowd won’t hear any of this, nor will they face the fact that as much as they WANT the Vita to be a portable PS3, it’s not QUITE going to do that. Yet. For me, as long as any game this early on is well-made, I’m aboard with any compliments and complaints I’ll have placed exactly where they should be.
Don’t try to read too much into this as far as any “messages” go, folks. It’s just a cool ad designed to get you interested in another awesome Vita launch window game. Created by some of the team behind the Siren games (for my money, one of the most frightening series to date), this one’s a completely different and yes, gravity defying experience that’s a must-buy killer app. It’s also proof that the handheld is a LOT more than “just a hopped up PSP” as I heard some 3DS owner claim a few days ago. Of course, I just had to ask him if he’s actually had the chance to try the Vita out and yup, he admitted that he didn’t. Sorry, but that sort of ignorance gets you a BUSTED rating here at DAF.
Sure, everyone is entitled to their opinions, but as soon as they creep over into the fact section and you start brewing up that pitcher of hateorade (in new bile flavor, Oh Yeeeeeaaaah!), a little gentle smackdown must be applied. Respect gets respect, I say, and broadening one’s horizons only makes you a better person in any subject at the end of the day. I like the 3DS as well as the Vita for different reasons and there are great titles for BOTH systems that make for some fine entertainment.
OK, that’s a solid 100 posts for this month – whee. Act-ually, it’s a solid 120 posts when you include the stuff on the other DAF blog (feel free to sign up if you like – I can always use the extra traffic). I should celebrate a little, but I’m actually focusing on being even MORE productive with so much going on that I need to cover. That said, here’s a live-action WipEout 2048 trailer – another great reason to be a Vita owner, I say.
Remember kids: There’s no sin in pleasure… er, at least when it comes to gaming. Namco Bandai’s double shot of Vita launch games (the Shinobido 2 trailer is here) gets off to a rolling start with what’s looking like some pretty decent titles. I’ll need to get my paws on a review copy to see if the latest in the junk-rolling up series has what it takes to be a touchy-feely funny classic or one for the dust bin. Given the Vita’s funky dual touchscreen that adds a lot to some games, I’m rolling toward some positive impressions…
I’ve been on the hunt for a reasonably priced copy of PANEKIT for ages and I’m still surprised that Sony has passed up on localizing this seriously awesome game for the U.S. of A. while also never updating it for a home or portable console since its release*. And you’re now asking me: “What’s a PANEKIT?” Basically, it’s a toy construction kit where you get to build whatever you want out of metal “parts” and set it in motion (if you like) in a 3D world. Sure, it’s visually “dated” by today’s standards and DEFINITELY a niche title, at that. Nevertheless, in this age of all sorts of junk games on phones and tablets, anything that allows you to create and share digital toys with others without losing pieces or worrying about dropping what you’ve built (and seeing it smash into a million pieces) deserves a new shot…
*Yes, the game was popular enough in Japan to get a PSN reissue not too long ago, but it STILL wasn’t even looked at for a more worldwide release (which is too bad)…
What, another Vita hit? Yup. Escape Plan’s black & white “comic noir” visuals, easy to learn, tricky to master puzzle/adventure gameplay and just pure sense of fun make this a memorable launch title. Sure. it’s probably not going to make some of you “hardcore” gamers get all gushy (you’re getting your shooters, don’t worry!). Nevertheless, it’s great to see all sorts of games coming to the Vita that just aren’t the usual ports or other truncated “casual” experiences derived from a social network page. More, please!
thatgamecompany’s fantastic new title, Journey has been a game I’ve wanted to dive into ever since I saw those first screenshots and movies about two years back. Heck, I even started my preview by breaking out in song (well, sort of). Anyway, the PSN/SEN exclusive game finally has a concrete release date, which is March 13, 2012. Without saying too much (other than BUY IT – when has thatgamecompany ever made a bad game?), let’s just say a lot of you reading this with PS3’s (and a PSN account, as this isn’t coming out on a disc) will be amazed and absolutely in love with what the team has crafted. The word “innovation” is highly overused in the game industry, but here’s a case where you’ll get to see, hear and more importantly, PLAY a game that goes above and beyond the call. Hopefully, a Vita version is in the cards, as this is far too great a game to be confined to the home space…
The one constant for every Sony system: A great WipEout game. 2048 looks to continue the trend, this time as a prequel to the long-running franchise that also shows off how powerful the Vita is and as a first-gen title, it’s a total knockout (long load times aside). Provided Sony gets all the support from its dedicated console base PLUS a fair shake form the pure tech dopes who think a dedicated gaming device with standalone games (many available as digital or physical purchases), I think the Vita will be a bigger hit than some skeptics are thinking.
Well, once the embargo is lifted on 3/13, actually. There’s nothing like getting a good game to review on a rainy Friday evening, that’s for sure. I haven’t quite fired this one up just yet, as I’ve been busy with some other stuff today, but it’s absolutely on the agenda for this weekend. As with other Tales games, I expect to get pretty occupied in getting through the game once for the review, then heading back in to tackle stuff I missed out on and whatever other surprises I can find on a more exploratory play through. Alrighty, then – back in a bit with some impressions…
"DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!" 