Silent Enemy: Minority Media’s New Game Tackles Bullying

Posted on May 1, 2013 by geelw

Bullying certainly isn’t new, nor a “phenomenon” at all. Hell, I was bullied over 40 years ago and a few times after that in a few schools, but I managed to overcome the stress of those incidents over time thanks in part to an immersion into gaming, art and a few other hobbies. Living is the best revenge against the evil ones out there, I say. Sadly, technology has actually greatly enabled those who make the lives of millions of others miserable on a daily basis and in fact, access to it has allowed some of the more daringly deluded types who pick on others to use the Internet as a means of spreading their misplaced rage and energy in every direction. Is there a way to stop this by making them see the errors of their ways or is fighting back never a decent solution? Questions, questions. Hopefully developer Minority Media has at least part of an answer… Continue reading →

Star Trek: Into Darkness Trailers: Good Things Usually Come in Threes, Therefore…

Posted on May 1, 2013 by geelw

You’re welcome. I’m actually hoping to heck that this film is closer to two hours or so than shorter, as it seems pack a ton of story in between all that stuff falling apart and exploding (and people leaping off high places). Yeah, I think a lot of movies are too short or over-edited so more screenings can be run during an average day and those of us who like what we see have to end up buying a DVD or Blu-Ray to see what we paid for earlier.

Granted, that’s not a big crime by any means… unless you don’t like buying or renting movies and keep hoping that the trend of “Unrated”, “Uncut” and “Director’s Cut” films all vanish in the same time loop or something. Of course, given that there have been some great films that didn’t get additional footage tacked in just to sell a few million more copies, but hell, not every director can be a Kubrick, right? Wait, I’m mentioning J.J. Abrams and Stanley Kubrick in the same breath? Well, it’s not too far of a swing for genre fans, so I’m not worried one bit…

Anyway, Star Trek: Into Darkness hits a theater near you on May 17, 2013.

XCOM Remake Goes From FPS to Tactical Third Person. Change Is Good (Hopefully)…

Posted on April 26, 2013 by geelw

I actually didn’t mind at all that the initially announced (and formerly Xbox 360 exclusive) version of this was going to be a first-person experience, but some really stubborn hardcore fans of the classic PC game as well as misguided message board denizens who think ANY game with a FPS viewpoint is going to be a Call of Duty retread didn’t like the new direction at ALL. While all that turmoil was going on, veteran developer Firaxis was tapped to create a new tactical game in the series that followed and enhanced the gameplay of the original and as expected, it did quite well critically and (it seems) commercially. During all this, a poll was taken about the other game and fans basically asked it to be pretty much as similar as can be to what they “expect” and so, here we are… Continue reading →

Defiance 1:3 Preview: “The Devil in the Dark”

Posted on April 25, 2013 by geelw

Short and longer previews of next week’s episode, anyone? I like that the show picks bits and pieces from all over and cobbles them together into something entertaining that makes those who get all the references nod and wink at their TV screens. I’m not tracking the ratings at all, as that’s a useless thing to do for any show that SHOULD get a full season and story arc to find its place. I hear that the game has been having some bumps that are being ironed out through patches, but that’s the online space for you – nothing ever goes THAT smoothly even if that’s the best intention of all involved. It’s a really good thing the show is so much fun to watch and both products can stand alone while enhancing the overall experience if one has the means and connection speed to play.

Do We REALLY Need A Ratchet & Clank Movie? I Guess We Do. Maybe.

Posted on April 25, 2013 by geelw

OK, I know I’ll get beat up by the more cranky fans of this franchise, but I’d much really rather see whatever money that’s going into this otherwise SPECTACULAR looking new film (set for a 2015 release, mind you) go into a new game (or games) instead starring these characters. Or even better, a game that combines this look (which the PS4 can handle with no trouble, I’d bet) in a game that’s packing movie-quality looks and gameplay flawlessly. Sure, this will absolutely rake in the megabucks as soon as it hits theaters, but I know that there’s an audience for CG animation that automatically shows up and buys into that first weekend or two just because it looks cool. I know that if the film references the older games too much, most of those jokes will soar over the heads of that non-gamer crowd while those who DO know what’s being talked about will be falling into their buckets of popcorn laughing.

On the other hand, this COULD be the best thing since sliced hamcheesebread if this is some sort of trial balloon for a future animated series or new game tie in. THAT said, it’s going to be interesting to see if this video game series that got its start on the PlayStation 2 eleven years ago is still relevant two years from now. I’d like to think Insomniac Games would want to move onto better and brighter things, but try and tell that to the rabid fans who want them to churn out the same types of games endlessly and gripe if they want to do something different. Then again… it’s kind of hard to pass up on making more money from something so cool if there’s enough of a demand for it. Ah, the eternal cycle continues, I suppose…

Star Trek: Into Darkness Clips: A Lesson In Undressin’…

Posted on April 24, 2013 by geelw

Hmmm… you know, Paramount… there’s such a thing as TOO much exposure when it comes to some reveals. Now, I love a good tease once in a while, but I say take a lesson from the late, great Sally Rand and not show it all off all at once. Some things are worth waiting for, so a little anticipation goes a longer way than just whipping everything off all at once. Of course, I’m also wanting to see more, so your little ploy has worked out quite well…

That said, it IS a J.J. Abrams flick, so the template is there and easy to pinpoint. That bodes well for the movie, but also makes it a wee bit too predictable to some longtime fans or those who can catch the telegraphing of plot points a few star systems away as the film hits its thematic notes in their proper order. Granted, THAT part is up to the editing team as well as the director’s skills… but I’m not too worried about either.

On the other hand… if Into Darkness gets too formulaic, it means there’s room for improvement and a writing team (or hell, ONE writer) who can deliver the goods fans of the different Trek franchises can approve of. It’s hard to please so many generations of people who grew up watching or have caught the Star Trek bug over time, but the minute that magic moment happens, the person behind that particular wheel will become an intergalactic treasure of sorts…

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Hands-On: Starbreeze Takes A Brave New Direction

Posted on April 24, 2013 by geelw

brothers_cave01 Starbreeze Studios and Josef Fares’ upcoming collaboration: Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (set for a spring launch on PC, PSN and Xbox Live Arcade) is an important game for a few reasons, but it’s also a game you actually need to play in order to understand how and why it works so well. The acclaimed Swedish director and well-seasoned developer have crafted a gorgeous-looking fantasy adventure tale with an innovative control scheme, smart camera system and no GUI to take away from the immersion, all of which make the game unique but accessible once you wrap your head around controlling two characters with a single controller.

There have been many games where players were either followed around by “smart” AI characters or controlled multiple characters on the same screen, but Brothers’ unique control scheme gently demands that both halves of your brain operate in unison right from the start, as many of the puzzles you’ll face require timing and precision in order to progress. Just remember that your left side of the controller is Big Brother and the right side Little Brother and it all clicks into place…
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Defiance Episode 1 Recap/Episode 3 Preview: Fun With The Past, Bugs In Your Future…

Posted on April 23, 2013 by geelw

I like how syfy is poking a little fun at their big hit show in that recap above while keeping things interesting in the more serious preview below. Of course, titling your third episode after a classic Star Trek episode kind of reeks of unoriginality, but I’m betting if there’s a decent homage paid out during that episode next week, it’ll fly right on over the heads of anyone who’s never seen the old Trek show previously. Thank goodness for the Internet, right? Well, unless you’re a classic Trek fan angrily typing out some threats in Romulan or Klingon to send to the network…

Still, it’ll be nice to see which types of Hellbugs pop up in the show on Monday, as the game has a few nasty varieties that are pretty relentless once they start chewing on you. And, nope… that can of Raid on the shelf in the kitchen is NO help at all…

Star Trek: Into Darkness Trailer 2: Jumping Off Tall Stuff Is The New Black (Part 2)…

Posted on April 21, 2013 by geelw

Speak of the devil, here’s another trailer for J.J. Abrams’ sequel, which is still making some old-school Trekkies livid for basically having more action in two minutes than half a season of the original series. I say as long as the plot is solid and the characters well-written and acted, i don’t mind at all. I’m still cracking up at all the shots of people jumping off high places, as it seems to be a hallmark of the director’s style. The funniest thing about these shots is you KNOW everyone jumping in them isn’t going to end up like Wile E. Coyote a the bottom of a ravine at all… it’s just how and where they land that’s going to keep the sequence going. Hmmm… someone needs to make a YouTube video of EVERY Abrams jump-off shot and landing and post it so I can fall out of my Captain’s chair in hysterics. Get on it and get back to me – that’s your homework assignment for the week…

Four Minutes of Next Week’s Defiance Episode: Hey, Time Travel WORKS!

Posted on April 19, 2013 by geelw

Well, not in this clip from the upcoming episode, “Down In The Ground Where The Dead Men Go” mind you, but in the fact that you’re able to (*gasp!*) actually SEE into the future here and catch the first four minutes of the show before it airs ( that footage is below the jump – we’re building suspense here!) PLUS two teasers for the show. Hey, now you can roll home four minutes late and not feel as if you missed anything!

Er, of course, given that the show gets repeated right afterward (and at least twice), you just might get called really goofy by your friends and relatives for pretending that time travel DOES exist. Oh well… dreaming is fine, but reality works much better when you’re in the right groove… “OK, get to the good stuff!”, right? Alright, alright… Continue reading →