Elevator Action Deluxe: Taito & Square Enix Hit The Right Notes With A Retro Reboot

Wow. This actually brought back a ton of memories and made me laugh at the same time. I can remember spending way too much money on the original Elevator Action, Front Line and many, many other Taito arcade games back in the day, so I’m happy to see EA making a return. Granted, I’m sure some of you would rather have the more realistic-looking Elevator Action Returns make a comeback instead, but I’ve always though that game was closer to a Rolling Thunder clone (and a good one at that). Anyway, after you finish dancing to the beat (Go, Zuntata!), click on over and keep an eye on the currently PSN-only game’s progress HERE.

The Revolution Will Be Televised (Or: I’m Going To Be Pretty Busy)…

I just completed a replay of the PS2 port of the original Deus Ex in record time (well, for me), as my PS3 review copy of Deus Ex: Human Revolution arrived today. Nice. I generally skim through most review guides, but the design plus some of the amusing writing in the guide (sample quote: “DE:HR is not an arcade shooter – there, I said it.”) kept me reading until the end. OK, enough yapping – off to install and play so I can get a review done. This is going to be supremely thrilling, that’s for sure. Oh, PC gfans – skip buying the game at GameStop if they try to sell you an open box without the OnLive code! You’re paying full price for it, so let GS know you should get EVERYTHING that’s supposed to come INSIDE the box.

Tomb Raider: Making Of "Turning Point" Video

Eidos and Crystal Dynamics’ upcoming reboot is looking quite stellar. With a younger Lara, new “survival action” gameplay and scary cinematic moments galore, this was one of the games of E3 that some of us longtime Tomb Raider fans have waited for. Here’s a peek at some behind the scenes stuff (just in case you were curious as to how these game cinemas are created). Square Enix has quite a nice set of worldwide developed AAA games this year that makes them far more than just the guys behind Final Fantasy…

Oh – in case you still haven’t seen it, the full Turning Point trailer is below.


Dungeon Siege III TV Ad Might Be Accidentally Meta…

I’m older than the hills, so hearing the music in this ad zapped me back to my childhood when I’d occasionally plop in front of the TV and be baffled by The Courtship of Eddie’s Father. OK, not too baffled, as I was enough of a clever kid to “get” most of the show. Anyway, I’m not sure if Square Enix’ PR department planned this, but the ad is a bit meta if you know your TV and film history. As for the game itself, it looks mighty darn good and I’m hoping that Obsidian has hit the nail on the head in single player or co-op modes, as I just LOVE a well-made dungeon hack. DS3 arrives on June 21, 2011 for PS, PS3 and Xbox 360…

Tomb Raider Trailer Has Lara All Wet and Dirty

Lovely. I’d say Crystal Dynamics has done it up right (again), although any gal gamers out there expecting to see a mid to late 30’s Lara Croft doing her thing this time out might be a wee bit disappointed. Still, relaunching the franchise with the younger Lara does indeed allow for the dev team to get all new moves, new characters and new environments into the mix. As long as it doesn’t take a full clip to kill some guard trying to beat her head in with a club or a bulletproof monkey, this one should be a smash. Square Enix surely knew what it was doing with that Eidos merger. Between this, the new Hitman and Deus Ex: HR, it’s going to be a HUGE year for them, I predict…

Square Enix’ E3 Lineup: From Assassins to Zombies, You’re Covered Quite Well…

With a determined focus toward publishing more varied games developed around the world as well as keeping its core JRPG franchises alive and well, Square Enix is really pushing “content” this year. In other words, they have more than enough content to keep core gamers VERY content, indeed. Their E3 2011 lineup is pretty amazing overall, featuring a few types of RPG's, sequels that mean something (thanks to a reboot or two) as well as an all-new IP that's been on everyone's radar from its first mind-blowing backward spooling trailer. Full press release below the jump.Read more »

Square Enix to Publish Dead Island In North America

Well, now it looks as if Square-Enix has another non-Japanese created potential mega hit on the way. Naturally, the anti-Square fanatics will be livid and the folks who don't give a hoot in hell will just smile and buy the game in droves when it's released. I'm in the latter camp as long as the PR folks are co-operative in getting assets this way and the game is as good as it looks. Techland absolutely knows what its doing on the graphics front and their games have been getting better and better over the years as far as gameplay goes… Press release below the jump.Read more »

Deus Ex: Human Revolution "Become Adam Jensen" Trailer

Square Enix has a number of key titles coming out this year, but the one I’m most interested in (in terms of their console releases) is this one. This latest Deus Ex: Human Revolution trailer mixes in game footage and some cool CG as it introduces the lead, his life and love all in under two minutes. The team at Eidos Montreal is making a surefire hit, I’d say. The series is in good hands and I’m keeping an eye peeled for any opportunity to get some hands-on time, that’s for sure….

Tomb Raider Trilogy Coming Exclusively to PS3 (What, No Guardian of Light?!)


Annnnnnd the hits just keep on coming, folks. In my second favorite game news of this past week, the latest games to get the HD repackaging treatment come to us from Eidos, Crystal Dynamics and publisher Square Enix in the form of
The Tomb Raider Trilogy, shown here in its US and UK retail packaging. Set for a March 22, 2011 release (as physical media only – yes!), the upcoming compilation features high definition remastered versions of the PS2 hits Tomb Raider Legend (Crystal Dynamics first foray into the franchise, taking the development reins over from Core) and Tomb Raider Anniversary (a remake/re-imagining of the 1996 original) along with the PS3 game Tomb Raider Underworld. Additionally, the game will include cool bonuses such as trophy support for the PS2 games, a PS3 theme and two cool outfits players can use for their Home avatars (all below the jump).

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Review: Front Mission Evolved


Platform: PS3 (also on Xbox 360, PC)

Developer: Double Helix Games

Publisher: Square Enix

# of Players: 1 (online 2-8)

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: B+

While there have been a handful of action-based Front Mission games on older consoles, the long-running franchise is primarily known for its solid turn-based gameplay, large cast of characters and near infinite customization options. Taking the series into the current generation, Front Mission Evolved hits the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC as the most accessible FM to date, provided you don't mind the big switch to faster-paced mech action reminiscent of Armored Core with a dash of Mechwarrior for good measure. The game manages to take familiar locations, mechs and gear from the series, ditch the more tactical grid-based strategic play in favor of offline and online combat while being quite a blast to play in either mode. The campaign isn't anywhere as lengthy as any of the turn-based games (that's a given when you're blasting away at enemies in real time as opposed to planning out your moves), but the game looks and controls great overall. Online play has a few hitches, but is quite a bit of fun when you find the right group of folks to play with.

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