Batman Arkham Origins TV Spot: Every Story Has A Beginning…

It’s almost here, so hopefully it’ll follow in the footsteps of the previous installments when it comes to delivering the goods. Of course, my take is even if it’s not quite as stellar as the two Rocksteady-developed Batman games it’ll still be the best Batman game you’ll play this year and one of the better licensed superhero titles to date. Naturally, Lego Marvel Super Heroes will have something to say about that, but to me, those Lego games are quite different in tone and content than what’s here. On the other hand… if TT Games ever got to making a serious game in the vein of the Arkham titles, they’d be a force to be reckoned with if they nailed everything they aimed at.

And yes, if you’re a tablet user you can grab Batman Arkham Origins – Mobile for your iOS and Android devices this holiday season.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Game Teaser: A Bit Early For That Bug in Your Ear, But…

I didn’t like the Spider-Man movie reboot at all for too many reasons to list here, but the game was actually pretty decent stuff. Although this teaser for the game based on the upcoming sequel (also set for a 2014 release) isn’t showing anything at all on the actual gameplay front (it’s still in production just like the film), I’m gathering the dev team is planning to stick to what works well as opposed to going too far out on a limb to be “innovative”. Granted, there’s only so much you can do in a super-hero themed game (even one set in an open world NYC), so I’d say the best way to enjoy this one (as well as the new film) is to go in with no expectations whatsoever and come away surprised when you do get hit with something more fun than you thought. Of course, given the cast of villains in that movie sequel, I’m not expecting much anyway, har har…

SOMA Update: Freaky Friday Nets You Two New Videos. Or Three…

Frictional Games’ upcoming hybrid sci-fi/horror game, SOMA gets two nice new trailers in the form of another live action update and a gameplay teaser that’s popped up on Frictional’s YouTube channel and Sony’s PlayStation channel. That the game is coming to the PS4 as well as PC makes me smile because this may mean we see Frictional perhaps bring Amnesia: The Dark Descent to Sony’s new console or something all new and scary as hell to put horror fans under their couches.

And innnterestingly enough… the PS$ trailer is a WHOLE two seconds shorter than the PC version. Oooooh, creepy! OK, not creepy at all, folks – I have the window open and it’s chilly in here! Anyway, my eyes are peeled for this one to be a big fat sleeper hit. We’ll see. Of course, getting this on a DISC along with some of Frictional’s other games would be perfect, but we’ll see what happens with that soon enough…

A Little Remider From AMC: Sundays Are For Zombie Lovers…

And not those of you who lounge around the house in your jammies chilling in front of football games until your arteries lock up. The Walking Dead is back for a fourth season and this one looks to be even more grin than previous ones. That’s a refresher on what happened last season below in case you’ve forgotten already. I don’t know about you, but after that Breaking Bad finale, Sundays have been DEAD in terms of good TV. OK, well, there are a few things I do watch, but yeah… Ol’ Walt is definitely missed!

Oops. I Forgot Some Adventure Time 3DS Screens Last Month…

Title_ScreenOK, this is a sort of filler post, but I did forget to add these to that Adventure Time: Explore The Dungeon Because I DON’T KNOW! screenshots for the Nintendo 3DS in that preview I wrote up not too long ago. I’m still flipping a coin about whether to buy a new 2DS or a bigger and more expensive 3DS XL to play this on.

On one hand, cheap is always good and that 2DS and its kid-friendly design (it’s targeted to 5 and 6 year olds!) will make me the envy of the playground parent set (er, not that I hang out at playgrounds or with parents, mind you). On the other hand, that more expensive XL is MUCH better for my eyesight thanks to the nice and big screen. Decisions, decisions… well, it’s not exactly earth-shaking in importance at all, so worry not your pretty little heads about me this time. I think I’ll work it out just fine…

Candy_Kingdom_Hub Cinnamon_Bun_and_Skeletons Lumpy_Space_Princess

Guillermo Del Toro Makes The Simpsons More Than Interesting This Year…

OK, since the great burnout I had from this show a while ago, I haven’t watched an entire episode of The Simpsons in a few years. However, I’ve always made time to catch a bunch of the Treehouse of Horror shows over the years just to see haw far they go on that one night the Fox censors get tossed in the closet (or sent a bit further back than they usually get thrown). This year’s show is a must watch just for these awesome Del Toro-designed and directed titles, but now that I’ve seen them, it probably means I’ll be disappointed by the show that won’t live up to the eyeball riot on display above. I was playing “pick out the references” and yes, even got (and LOVED) Maggie driving THE CAR from that goofy 1977 film. From what I’ve read on a few fan sites, Del Toro has a custom built replica of that rolling purple/black bathtub, which also cracks me up as I’d rather him have that replica and drive it around any time he feels like it than go remake that stellar turd of a “horror” flick.

But of course, if he DOES go there at some point in the not too distant future… I bet it’ll scare the crap out of too many folks (me included)…

Gravity “Now Playing” Spots 1 & 2: What Are You Doing At Home Reading This?

Yeah, YOU. get out there and go see this one before somebody you know does and blabs out the ending or whatever. Amusingly enough, I can’t even see it if I wanted to in a non-3D version as the movie theater near me closed down (!) with no notice. Which stinks as there used to be three or four within walking distance many years back and they’re all something else now. BOO. If I want to go to the movies now, it’s a few miles walk or a bus trip (but I’m a cheap bastard and I’d probably hoof it on a nice day). So go see this and if you run into me on the way to the movies, don’t tell me a damn thing, grrr…

Your Friday Evening Slight Freakout, Courtesy Frictional Games

Hmmm. It looks as if Frictional Games is working on a new horror game and as this slow burner of a live action teaser shows, it will have a sci-fi angle. I’m a huge fan of the developer’s three Penumbra games and Amnesia: The Dark Descent and while I’ve yet to play their latest, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs (developed by The Chinese Room), the mixed reactions I’ve seen and heard make me more intrigued because it seems some were expecting one thing and got something else entirely that stands up on its own for the most part. Anyway, the new game (which seems to be titled SOMA) already has a teaser site up that’s intentionally designed to look a bit glitchy, so don’t freak out if you click on that link and see some garbage on your screen for a spell.

As for gameplay and screens? Well, I guess I’ll keep an egg peeled on my inbox and see what pops up in there. Back in a bit with more on this one once that happens…

Gravity “Experience the Third Dimension” Featurette: Your Wallet Will Be Lighter, That’s For Sure…

Ooh, look! it’s future home video commentary (I’ll bet you a whole dollar on that, dear readers). While the film is getting some VERY solid scores across the board so far from early screenings, I still can’t justify paying close to $30 for a movie ticket, transportation and food to see this ONE time. It’s definitely the first 3D film I’ve been interested in seeing, but IMAX seems to be the way to go based on the gushing reviews. I’m not that guy who follows mandates like this, so I’m hoping the upcoming Blu-Ray/DVD looks great projected on the wall in the DAF living room. That or my pal George Clooney spots me some ticket money. Hell, I’ll even chase Sandra Bullock around like a nicer paparazzi without a camera if she’ll get me in to see this. Hmmm. perhaps an IMAX “Lite” theater needs to be created for us cheap bastards that aren’t into “experiences” and more into movies for their stories and acting. Of course, where I live, that Lite theater would be a couple of guys with sledgehammers knocking a hole in the wall of whatever IMAX theater is closer and charging less for a ticket, but MORE for a pair of used 3D specs. Ugh.

Eastbound & Down 401: Old Habits Die Hardest…

So, yeah… Kenny Powers is back for what looks like one final go-round on life’s rollercoaster and he’s still a total mess. HBO has gone and posted the first of the final shows online already (thanks, folks!) so if you don’t have HBO or HBO on Demand or don’t want to get it you can at least check it out and see if it’s up your alley. Of course, Kenny doesn’t give a crap if you like his show as long as you watch it. And even if he did, he sure doesn’t care now that he’s fallen off the wagon in such a big way. Yeesh. WHO keeps a tackle box full of drugs in their garage and how old is that stash, anyway? Er, not that I take a lot of drugs mind you (one or two aspirin a day for me is all!). Anyway, is KP is going to flame out on his road back to some small success or will he be redeemed at the last minute? Hell, the answer to that isn’t even the important part – it’s the road to that answer that’s going to lure in fans for this last ride…