Why Steam’s Big Picture Interests Me Not One Bit (Mostly)…

 

Actually, I’m positively thrilled at the leap Valve is making, but like a “few” forgotten ones out there, a cold reality sits heavier here than it does where the folks who cook up these products live and work. For the record, I do have a Steam account but barely use it (no high speed internet), so obviously, I’m not at all intrigued about bringing an expanded (and YES, helpful) service I can’t currently use to my living room. Maybe if Valve designed that potential Steam Box so that folks like me could transfer some or all of our PC games (no matter the age) into memory and play those games on a bigger screen somehow? That would get me more into this news. Granted, the millions of Steam users who fall over backwards praising the service will be pleased, but for me, it’s yet another digital divide in an industry grabbing money where they can without heed to every consequence. Yes, EVERY. If you don’t even bother to think about what could happen (no matter how far-fetched), then you’re only caught pants-down when it DOES happen, I say.

 

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Divine Divinity Finally Drops Onto Steam (Yes, You Know What To Do)…

It’s here, it’s a mere six bucks and you should be playing this NOW. Although, gog.com users are probably chuckling away at this news because they’ve had access to the game for a bit longer as a DRM-free download, this is great news if you’re a dedicated Steam fan who’s always wanted to give Larian’s first RPG a shot. What’s it like, you ask? Well, go see for yourself, I say. If you like gorgeous artwork, a lengthy, challenging quest and want to play a game where you can lose yourself for too many hours in. That and it’s pretty funny in a few spots and some of the hidden areas and secrets are quite cool.

Xseed Games Has Been Busy, As You Can See Here…

In case you’ve missed them, here are some rather nice trailers for four new or incoming titles from the publisher. First up is Mistwalker’s epic JRPG, The Last Story, which is looking to be one of the last, great Wii RPGs (and another good reason to own the console). Given that it’s a summer release, it looks as if I won’t be getting much son when it drops into stores.

Next up is FuRyu’s Unchained Blades, another PSN download for the PSP that JRPG fans should be thrilled about. Featuring character art from a wide range of top Japanese illustrators such as Pako (Shining Force), Toshiyuki Kubooka (Lunar), Shinichiro Otsuka (Summon Night), Kazushi Hagiwara (Bastard!!) and more. I’m thrilled about this one because it’s an old-school dungeon crawler in the Wizardry vein, which usually means plenty of great fun and challenge. There’s a 3DS version coming as well, but I’m not sure if it’s a retail package or download-only title like the PSP game.

 

Finally, two games from Nihon Falcom’s long-running Y’s series: Ys: Oath in Felghana and Ys Origin, both coming to Valve’s Steam download service with some great visual updates and running at a lovely 60 frames per second. Buy them, I say. Still, I also have to ask if Xseed can make these available as direct downloads or set them up as DRM-free on gog.com or some other site. While I do have a Steam account, I can’t use it on my terminally slow connection at all because of the update process that slows everything to a crawl. My gog.com account, on the other hand, is pretty smooth going and I haven’t had any major issues with it. of course, I’d prefer these on a UMD or even better, a Vita card as part of an Ys Collection with an art book that happens to fit inside a Vita case and perhaps a soundtrack and wallpaper on that game card, but that’s just my wishful thinking that SOME publisher would maximize that over-sized case Vita games come in.

 

OK, enough reading – go play (or pre-order) some games!

Clan of Champions Update: PSN, Steam Bound This Summer in NA & EU.

So, Clan of Champions still isn’t getting a budget retail release? Boo. Still, it’ll be worth a buy or try if you’re a fan of the underappreciated Gladiator Returns on the PSP or Warriors of the Lost Empire, another PSP game that’s got visual similarities as well as some of the same game mechanics, menus, options and even typefaces as Gladiator Returns. Well, all three games are from the same developer, so I don’t mind this sort of recycling, although Warriors was one of those games that you had to get used to (and actually only really got great after you beat it once). Gladiator Returns was better in some respects, but had some of the same flaws as Warriors. That said, both games had more than enough going for them to keep me playing and CoC looks to hit that same spot.

Of course, I still have my fingers crossed that NISA gets back to doing more with retail as well as DLC so MORE people can play these games, as not EVERYONE has the ability to or hell, even likes to download ALL their game content. Getting this game and perhaps some of their other upcoming PSN-only content on a disc at some point (together in one package deal) would indeed be sweet… but I’m not holding my breath. It’s kind of hard to type when you’re blue in the face, you know…

Tiny & Big: Grandpa’s Leftovers Launch Trailer (It’s Here And Yep, You Should Buy It!)

 

Finally done up fresh, hot and ready to serve, Black Pants Game Studios’ eagerly awaited PC game hits a few download sites (Steam, gog.com,  Gamersgate or directly from the developer) and if you’re lucky enough to live in Europe, you can (*gasp!*) actually buy a retail version on Amazon. Which makes me wish I lived in Europe as amusingly enough, it’s easier for me to play a game from a disc these days!  Anyway, with its quirky art style, innovative gameplay and very cool soundtrack (which you can also buy if the tunes agree with your ears), there’s a lot to love here. Translation: No matter how you get this game (legally, silly!), GET THIS GAME. You can thank me later. Or more precisely, thank Black Pants – me, I’m just the messenger…

Humble Indie Bundle Out NOW (And it’s The Best One Yet!)

 

HEY! You’ve only 11 days left to snap up one of the best deals in gaming (ever!). Pay what you want, get five amazing games which would normally run you $110 if you bought them separately. Yes, your brain is hearing that correctly and YES you can and should do this, I say.  If you’ve never played Amnesia; The Dark Descent, Bastion, Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery, and LIMBO, the deal is already a must buy, but add in Psychonauts and well, you’re getting not only one of the best games this century, you can also probably fire your therapist. Or at least, cut down visits to once a month (or less). Anyway, head over the the Humble Bundle site and download these awesome titles. Did I mention your purchase helps out the Child’s Play charity?  Well, I just did, so there! Still, it’s too bad this deal isn’t on a disc or consoles, as I’d see it selling VERY well indeed at around $40 with some nice artwork and maybe a PDF manual for every game on that disc (or disc set).

Orcs Must Die! 2 Announced: Now With Co-Op Play For Twice The Fun!

 

Packed full of all sorts of big changes and tweaks to the already winning formula plus a new playable character, Robot Entertainment’s upcoming sequel looks to be a huge time eater fans of the first game will want to grab as soon as it’s released. THis will also be playable at this year’s PAX, so if you’re going, line up and get ready for a blast. Hmmm, still, why this team doesn’t justdo a full-on action RPG using this great mix of humor and gameplay is beyond me, but perhaps its in the cards one fine day. Hell, this would even make an EXCELLENT Vita game, that’s for sure. Hey Robot! Get on that ASAP (and add the first game as a bonus)…

Dear Esther Update: Official Trailer/Steam Store Link

It’s too damn bad that a game as great as Dear Esther is going to be limited to being a download-only game when it launches on February 14. This is exactly the sort of game project that needs as wide an exposure as possible so as many people can play it without any restrictions on how they can get it. I’m not at all for ANY sort of piracy, mind you – I’m talking about a disc version with the game plus some sort of in-depth feature on how this beautiful yet haunting mod remake was put together, perhaps with the original mod as a bonus. Oh well, Steam is huge and popular, and it costs too much to get packaged games into shops these days, so that’s that, I guess. Unless someone ponies up the bucks for a retail version perhaps distributed exclusively through a few online stores or something…

Dear Esther: Mystery No More (And Let The Waiting Begin)…

Sometimes, you see a game that makes you smile and nod knowingly, not for anything amusing, mind you, but because it’s a solid case where a developer gets things down perfectly and the project is coming together like a dream. Dear Esther is one of those games and with its February 14, 2012 release date coming up, here’s a quick look at two work in-progress trailers that show off quietly spectacular detailed visuals powered by  Valve’s “ancient” Source Engine (which goes to show it’s not the years, it’s the mileage a great developer gets out of it). It’s hard to believe that this game started life as a Half-Life 2 mod back in 2008 before a major reworking, but that’s the wonder of inspiration for you, folks… Continue reading

Trine 2: FrozenByte’s Instant Platform/Puzzle Classic

The original Trine was a blast of fresh air, mixing action, platform jumping, puzzle solving and fantasy elements almost flawlessly in a solid, engaging PC (and later console) experience. The sequel, Trine 2, has just hit PC and Mac courtesy of Atlus and is a must buy game whether or not you’ve played the original. Just take a look at the trailer above and try not to reach for that wallet… See? Me, I’m holding out for a retail release like the first game that doesn’t tie me to a download service, as I’m not a big fan of losing that much privacy. Anyway, PS3 and Xbox 360 versions are coming soon via PSN and XBLA, so keep an eye peeled for those soon!