Update! A4Tech G11 Wireless Mouse: From Simple to Super (With a Click of a Mouse)…

Posted on January 30, 2013 by geelw

Oops. Since I was so crazy last year with suddenly having to move the site to a new host between November and December, I had a bunch of posts cooking that didn’t run in all that chaos and ended up saving about 15 completed and incomplete ones as drafts on a USB drive that I misplaced (I thought I’d left it at the library or a Starbucks nearby). Once I’d gotten word that I didn’t need to leave WordPress (whee!), I had to redo a bunch of those old posts, but with too much other new stuff flying in, I missed out on a few including this one (Oops).

As noted in my earlier mini-review, I’m pretty pleased with the A4Tech G11-570HX overall for general usage, art (yes, I draw with a mouse sometimes – so sue me) and gaming purposes (primarily RPGs, if you have to ask). While the G11 looks pretty simple when compared to more expensive mice out there, it’s comfortable to use for hours at a stretch and quite a surprisingly versatile peripheral once you download and install the Office Shuttle Software that turns what looks like a plain ol’ wireless mouse to Super Wireless Mouse, adding a wealth of functions that definitely justify the price point.

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Sony “Game Day 2013” Trailer: Hey, That’s Not A Cheerleader!

Posted on January 29, 2013 by geelw

Ah ha ha. OK, for those scratching their heads, GameDay USED to be the name of Sony’s first-party NFL game before Electronic Arts wrapped up the license for their very own. While most of the original PlayStation GameDays were quite good, things slipped a bit when the series hit the PS2. Usually, you’d ONLY buy a GameDay game when the other bunch of football games were sold out, you were really drunk or didn’t know any better (according to a friend I asked about the series, as I haven’t played a football game in ages). ANYWAY, I think this teaser with the pretty lady is for the upcoming (and eagerly awaited) God of War: Ascension, as the costume gives it away from the beginning of this too short clip. I guess we’ll see what’s what soon enough, correct? As in February 1, 2013… stay tuned.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen Trailer: Once More (But in Japanese)…

Posted on January 29, 2013 by geelw

Hey, I can do this all day, Capcom. You run a trailer for a Dragon’s Dogma game and yep, it’ll get watched and maybe posted here or elsewhere. That what you get for making a game so much fun to play, scary as hell in spots and quite challenging for almost anyone (save for some hard-case blowhards who consider it “too easy” because they’re going at it and chewing through content like a hungry pet being fed a nice big chicken dinner. Anyway, I’ve got my new PS3 controller coming and I’m doing a few extra sit-ups (like that will help against that Ur-Dragon), so yeah, bring it…

Review: Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable

Posted on January 20, 2013 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation Vita

Developer: SANDLOT

Publisher: D3Publisher of America

# of Players: 1 – 4

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: A (95%)

Much more than a straightforward “port” of the former Xbox 360 exclusive, Earth Defense Force 3 Portable comes screaming onto the Vita as the game developer Sandlot most likely wanted to make in the first place. The return of Pale Wing and her energy-based weaponry (from EDF 2 on the PS2 and EDF 2 Portable PSP) adds a new way to experience the game while an up to four-player co-op mode, rebalanced and all-new weapon drops, new enemy types, trophies galore and seven new levels makes this an absolute must-buy for anyone with a Vita. For those who’ve played the 360 version to death, there’s definitely enough new content there to get you equally obsessed (and yes, perhaps it’s finally time to get that Vita if you’ve been on the fence). Don’t let that $39.99 price point for a download put you off one bit, as there are dozens, if not over a hundred hours of gameplay here, especially if you’re looking to grab one really hard to obtain Platinum Trophy.

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The Cave Full Character Trailer: The Gang’s All Here (and Ready to Play!)

Posted on January 16, 2013 by geelw

Ahhhh… Smell that, kids? It’s the scent of ADVENTURE! Well, adventure gaming to be exact. Wait, you don’t have a “Sniff” key on that keyboard? Hey, it’s 2013 – where have you been? OK, I’ll try and describe what adventure games smell like. It’s sort of a rainy weekend, hot cocoa, graham crackers and recently laundered blankets. A touch of pet hair (*achoo!*) and if you’re really lucky, the lingering scent of tomato soup (not from a can) and a grilled cheese sandwich can be detected. You may only get a hint of that overall aroma, but it’s all in there if you close your eyes and lean back…

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time Gameplay: Your Wallet Was Stolen While You Were Reading This…

Posted on January 12, 2013 by geelw

2013 is shaping up to be a pretty darn good year for the troubled Vita, what with the excellent Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath closing 2012, Earth Defense Force 2017 hitting this past week and a few other key niche to “A” quality games on the way. Sanzaru’s upcoming PS3 and Vita-bound Sly Cooper game looks to bring home and portable Sony fans one more reason to shell out a premium for games they can’t get elsewhere. Dedicated consoles will never die out as long as there are gamers loyal to the cause. Granted, a price drop on that hardware and those expensive memory cards would help the Vita do even better, as it seems that it’s the only thing holding some off from committing to the system.

Earth Defense Force 2025 2nd Trailer: Five Minutes of Everything You Wanted to See (and Then Some)…

Posted on December 31, 2012 by geelw

More vehicles (at least two types of tanks and a heli that allows three players to blast bugs AND motorbikes now? Nice!) and what’s looking like a larger scope to things means Sandlot isn’t screwing around, ladies and gents. EDF 2025 is going to be their best game to date and features a ton of changes and improvements that look to make it as great a multiplayer game is it already is for solo and co-op play. The new classes get some nice introductions and there’s even some humor here as the video ends on a pretty hilarious bad-ass note borrowed straight from too many action flicks. Anyway, yep, I’m importing this once news of a Japanese release date come out and hopefully, D3Publisher will get the word that fans want to see this game as a DISC release in addition to a download on the PS Store.

Star Trek: Into Darkness Trailer #2: A Few Pros & Khans

Posted on December 18, 2012 by geelw

Checklist time! OK, let see now: handsome guys glowering into the camera? Check. More jumping off high places than in the first film? Check. Literally splashy CG effects all over the place? Check. Possible plot spoilers in the trailer just to get butts into seats to confirm it all (even though the obligatory script leak is coming soon?) CHECK.

OK, I’m sold, but I still have a few pesky problems. Why the Uhura smooch? What’s up with that too damn bright Enterprise Bridge? Damn thing looks like a new fast food restaurant. Can’t anyone keep the ship from getting knocked out of the sky (if that IS the Enterprise hitting the water in that impressive shot)? Is everyone running all the time because the teleporters aren’t working (again)? Did the swooning Benedict Cumberbatch fans (who seem to primarily be 15 year old girls who write some really saucy fan fiction) actually go see him in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (OK, not a Trek-related question, but I’m curious about their viewing habits). Actually, none of these are important questions at all – I’m just killing time until the next trailer comes out. I need to go re-watch the first film J.J. directed anyway, as I’ve only seen it once and I think I missed a few things…

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time Story Trailer: There Goes Your Wallet!

Posted on December 16, 2012 by geelw

So, it looks as if Sanzaru definitely has the programming chops to whip up a great Sly Cooper adventure. Sly’s original creators (and powerhouse development team, Sucker Punch) have gone on to bigger (and it seems better) things for Sony, so some fans have been a bit anxious as far as what sort of quality to expect in this new entry in the series (especially after so long between installments). Me, I don’t care who makes a game in any series as long as it’s a good one. I suppose this will get Cross Play for the Vita as well (hopefully), as it looks perfect for some long road trip action.

If The World IS Going To End, I’m Goin’ Out Watching Cartoons…

Posted on December 11, 2012 by geelw

NO, I’m not one of those doomsayers who’ve managed to mix up a bunch of ancient religions, useless superstitions and poor scientific knowledge into some crazy idea that the world will be no more thanks to a misread stone calendar, a planet we’d have seen for many years about to crash into us or some other scenario cooked up by people who shouldn’t watch so many bad movies late at night. But, whatever. All I know is I’ll be charging my laptop up just in case SOMETHING does happen and the power goes out so I can relive some childhood memories on the supposed day of dooms. If we all go up an a ball o’ fire, I’ll die with a smile on my face. If we don’t, I’ll still be smiling while others are demanding their money back from those folks who’ve raked in a mint from suckers who should know better. Anyway, if you hear some chuckling while people are jumping out of buildings screaming, that’s not me laughing at fools taking themselves out of the gene pool – that’s just me in front of the TV having a blast (and a big bowl of cereal, most likely)…