E3 2014: Nintedo Direct – Surprises Galore With Some Wait Times Involved (But Well Worth It)…

Posted on June 10, 2014 by geelw

Of all the three big game company media events, Nintendo had the most to prove, mostly to non-fans and journalists who believe the Wii U is “dead” when the console has yet to show off all it can do. Well, Nintendo’s showing was pretty impressive on a few fronts as you’ll see above, below and later on when I run individual videos. The new (and untitled) installment in the classic Legend of Zelda with its open world and lush visuals was the biggest surprise to me, but Bayonetta 2 packing the full version of the first game enhanced with Nintendo-themed outfits for the character (and coming in September on a single disc). Hyrule Warriors looks spectacular, Yoshi’s Wooly World activated my “D’awwwww” gene (dormant for a while) and will be the first stupidly cute game I’ll pick up in quite some time.

The big JRPG X, now officially known as Xenoblade Chronicles X has slipped into 2015, but this is a good thing at the end of the day because it gives Wii U owners time to get through a few other big releases. I’m not normally a Smash Bros. fan, but the newly announced ability to use custom Miis in the game makes my eyebrow tingle (which means I’ll at least TRY this one out). A few new IPs like Mario Maker, Splatoon and others kept me grinning and overall, it was a successful show, closing with Miyamoto teasing his Star Fox game without actually showing it up close. Anyway, enjoy the show – back in a bit…

E3 2014: Star Wars Battlefront: DICE Is Still Working Away On A Guaranteed Winner…

Posted on June 9, 2014 by geelw

Yeah, that classic John Williams music got me as well, as did all the work in progress footage that’s way too early, but looks fantastic. Every gamer drooling over this one seems to be holding out for 60fps, but I’m not sure that’s possible with the multiplayer modes in this one. I’ll take a rock-solid 30 with no pop-in or other annoyances, the best visuals the developer can bring to the table, a solo offline mode and whatever multiplayer madness they can add to the mix, thank you much. Of course, I’m a patient guy, so that nebulous Spring 2015 teased at the end can creep up on me and I won’t bat an eyelash. I suppose I could just get myself frozen in carbonite until then, but then someone would forget to thaw me out and I’d miss more than this game when it finally ships…

E3 2014: Cuphead Makes Quite An Impression (Again!)

Posted on June 9, 2014 by geelw

I was wondering what was up with StudioMDHR‘s lovely retro platformer/shooter hybrid Cuphead and thanks to the Microsoft press conference, more people know know what’s in store for them when the game releases at some point. My oNlY issue with this one is currently, it’s scheduled for PC via Steam and Xbox Live, skipping the rather obvious choice of Wii U, Vita, PS3 and PS4 (for now). I’m hoping this is one of those “timed exclusives” as I really want to play this on a portable or on something I already own here. Eh, we’ll see what happens, but I’d love to be bouncing up and down in my seat when I hear this is headed my way how I want to play it…

Orphan Black S4:9 Preview: Another Clone? Oh Brother, Things Are Getting Sticky Here!

Posted on June 8, 2014 by geelw

Yikes, that last episode was QUITE a doozy, huh? That new clone being a shady guy with a mullet and hipster beard (and deftly played by Tatiana Maslany at that!) threw me for a loop, but that ending was a shocker. Then again, Cosima’s condition was always going to be an issue, so now there’s a week’s wait to see if she’s okay. Another twist? Donnie actually got a sympathetic scene that worked, but he and Alison are quite the messed up couple for sure. Anyway, Rachel’s cranky for a good reason, the other clones have issues popping up that will hopefully get ironed out with two shows left and I’m glad I’m a fan of this show. Whee!

(Actually, this is a test post to check on some issues I’m having posting on the site, so wave if you’re reading this and I’ll wave back!)

Orphan Black Season 2: As In Season 1, Poor Vic Never Knows What Hits Him…

Posted on June 7, 2014 by geelw

Vic MAY have big crush on Alison, but he had a BIGGER crush on that end table and that relationship was over with a BANG. Wow. One of the funniest moments last week was Vic getting knocked out loaded on some spiked tea and SLAMMING into that table like a champ. Thanks to the sound effects team, prop department and makeup crew, the results were shocking but hilarious and even funnier as his unconscious body was banged around while on the way to where it eventually ended up. Ouch and ouch! Pooooor Vic. Let’s hope he has a better show tonight!

Game of Thrones 4:8 Recap: Mountain Always Beats Melon!

Posted on June 3, 2014 by geelw

Yeah, well… that was an innnnnnteresting fight while it lasted. Of course, even though I didn’t read that far into the books, I knew from the moment all those fancy moves were being displayed and the non-stop banter that sounded half out a medieval Spider-Man comic was droning on that the fight was going to go a particular way. Ouch and double ouch. Still, as noted by a few people, it WAS a tie at the end, so perhaps the Imp can get away on a technicality or something. Hey, with two episodes to go, things are certainly getting really interesting… Continue reading →

Orphan Black 2:7 Recap/2:8 Preview: From Grins To Grimaces At The Drop Of A Hat…

Posted on June 2, 2014 by geelw

I don’t think I’ve laughed more WITH a serious sci-fi show than I have during this season of Orphan Black. Last Saturday’s episode gave poor Vic both barrels, Sarah and Allison didn’t escape without making me chuckle and Donnie? Yeah, he’s even MORE clueless than even I realized. Given the rather surprising end to that episode, he’s in even MORE trouble than I’d have imagined, so we’ll need to see where that bit of story takes him. That said, next week’s show looks to get the dramatic elements to the forefront again now that the other big clone-related reveal has borne some rather unique blossoms.

Oh yeah… it looks as if there’s going to be quite a bit of drama kicking around in next week’s show…

Sony’s PlayStation E3 Experience: Packing Them In Faster Than The Speed Of Pretty Much Anything…

Posted on May 28, 2014 by geelw

So, it seems that game companies are getting a bit grabby as this year’s E3 seems to be one where the gaming public gets to convene in an actual public place to see big announcements as live as can be. Not one to do anything small like a simple online broadcast, Sony has rented out space in big theaters across North America and is inviting folks to grab free seats and free swag for attending. Of course, as they’ve been ignoring little ol’ me, I had to sign up for this as soon as it popped up in my inbox. Double of course, the event was “SOLD OUT” a mere few minutes after I got the email, but I’m on a waiting list (Oh, joy?). If I do get in (wonder of wonders!), I’m predicting minor chaos outside because I know people will want to show up without tickets and try to see if any seats free up (which probably won’t happen given gamers love FREE stuff and the prospect of seeing new games on someone’s dime).

Oh well, time to keep my fingers crossed that I get a ticket and get in in one piece, I guess. I’d make it an all day affair, as there’s no way I’m going to be dumb enough to just show up at 8pm and think that line won’t be circling the block and filled with mostly people who think they’re getting in my some magical means. I generally dislike crowds as well, so this will be a “fun” experiment in terror. The good thing is that theater is about a block from the subway home and it’ll be a mad dash afterwards for me just to get back in once piece to knock out a news story before collapsing in a snoozy heap.

LUCY Poster Gets Me Thinking Of Much Funnier Memories From The Past…

Posted on May 28, 2014 by geelw

Hmmmmmm. I’m sorry, but I laughed out loud when I saw the name to Luc Besson’s new film about a sexy gal (Scarlett Johansson) who gains superhuman powers after she accidentally ingests some of the drugs she’s forced to smuggle. Not because I don’t think Mr. B and Ms. J can pull it off more than ably and not because it’s one more Besson action flick about a killer lady doing her stuff kicking all sorts of butt and getting into serious trouble in fancy locations. Nope, those well-aged tropes make me smile and nod. It’s the title, ladies and gents. Why? Because I think of Lucille Ball making a 20-foot loaf of bread, stuffing chocolates in her mouth on that assembly line, stomping grapes versus a real grape stomper and getting into other mischief that requires “splain”-ing to her harried hubby. Of course, when I get around to actually seeing the trailer, I’ll be expecting a laugh track and a orchestral/bongo back beat. Oh, wait… it was already dropped onto YouTube in April? D’oooooh! (Goes to microwave some popcorn, microwave is busted. *Crap!* Runs out to buy bad of equally nasty cold bagged popcorn… Seven minutes, thirty eight seconds later)…

(thanks, Movieclips Trailers!)

“Luc-yyyyyyyy? I’m hooooooome” (Hee-hee…)

The Evil Within Doesn’t Scare Me (Yet) Because I Haven’t PLAYED It (Yet)…

Posted on May 27, 2014 by geelw

“Booooooo!” (*squeal!*). Meh, I’ve always disliked these “reaction” videos for games and movies because even if they are one hundred percent real, what scares one person won’t affect another and as I get older, some things don’t scare me any longer that made me fly off a chair and up to the ceiling in the past. Or, to quote one Mr. Ray Parker Jr. “I ain’t afraid of no “ghost!”

Now, I’m NOT that jaded that some horror films, reads and games don’t get me wanting a blankie and a hanky every so often. However, some of the scares in entertainment are often derived from other and far more frightening works. That said, I do trust Shinji Mikami and Bethesda Softworks to the point that The Evil Within just may put me on the ceiling if it does what it does right and often. Expect to be scared out of your wits (or not?) when the game hits stores October 21st in North America, October 23rd, and throughout Europe on October 24, 2014.