Q & A!

Posted on September 29, 2009 by geelw

How’s this for fan service? Just in time for today’s launch of the Wii-exclusive Dead Space Extraction, Visceral Games is hosting an hour-long live webcast featuring gameplay demos of the cinematic sci-fi horror/action hybrid along with a Q & A session with members of the game’s development team that you (yes, you) can be a part of. The fun begins at 12 noon, PST (that’s 3pm Eastern Time if you’re in New York), so click away on that link above and enjoy the show.

We’ll have a full review of Dead Space Extraction after our review copy arrives.

Review: Bleach: The 3rd Phantom

Posted on September 28, 2009 by geelw

Platform: Nintendo DS/DSi

Developer: Tom Create

Publisher: SEGA

# of Players: 1 (Wi-Fi: 1-2)

Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: B

I may not know much about the Bleach anime, but I have enjoyed the different US localized games from Sega I’ve played over the last few years. Being a huge Strategy/RPG fan, I was surprised to find that the series has ventured into that well-traveled territory with a fun to play, albeit pretty basic turn-based game experience. Bleach: The 3rd Phantom mysteriously showed up via Fed Ex with another bunch of games, so out went Dirt 2 and in went this new game for a good chunk of review time. While what’s here won’t topple the giants of the genre, there’s more than enough solid hours of gameplay, over 50 potential party members and even a bit of Wi-Fi action if you’ve a friend who happens to have a DS and a copy of the game.

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Risen Teaser Trailer #1

Posted on September 28, 2009 by geelw

Here’s a thrilling, nicely edited ad that has parts of the opening cinema. Makes you want to run out and buy this, huh? Trailer # 2 gets posted on Thursday, by the way. Risen ships out to retail shortly for an October 2, 2009 release. The Xbox 360 version is coming early next year and nope, there is no PS3 version as far as I’ve heard (unless that’s the reason for the delay… but I doubt it).

Gallery: Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble

Posted on September 28, 2009 by geelw

In case you didn’t know it yet, Atlus really wants all your money… and they know how to get it while making your gamer grin grow wider in the process. This year has been especially prime for the publisher, thanks to everything from the wacky fun of 101-in-1 Explosive Megamix to the upgraded classic RPG Shin Megami Tensei: Persona to the upcoming instant classic for the ages masterpiece Demon’s Souls (which is so spectacular, it’s worth buying a PS3 for).

Another cool-looking game headed your way (on November 10, 2009, to be more precise, so go pre-order the game!) is Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble for the PSP, a portable beat ’em up that should remind a few of you classic gamers out there of the good old days of River City Ransom and other non-stop knuckle-fest titles. I have a couple of these sort of high school beatdown games in my Super Famicom collection, but I’m too buried under new games and such to go dig them out. Anyway, seeing these screenshots made me laugh, but for all the right reasons – this one looks like it’s going to be hilarious. Take a look for yourself…

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Review: DIRT 2 (PSP)

Posted on September 26, 2009 by geelw

Platform: PSP

Developer: Sumo Digital

Publisher: Codemasters

# of Players: 1 (Wi-Fi: 2 – 4)

Rating: E 10+

Official Site

Score: B–

You’d think the portable versions of the stellar console and PC rally racer DIRT 2 would cater more to novice players and in regards to a good chunk of the Nintendo DS version, you’d be right on the money. PSP owners, however, get quite a challenging bit of off-road action in their version of the game thanks to Codemasters and developer Sumo Digital. If you go into this one expecting a total cakewalk, you’ll be wanting to turn your PSP into a Frisbee-SP after about ten or so minutes of smashing into walls and cars at breakneck speed. However, take time to master the controls and the game becomes quite a bit of fun. The overall presentation could have used an extra coat of polish, but we’ll get to that later.

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Review: DIRT 2 (DS)

Posted on September 26, 2009 by geelw

Platform: Nintendo DS/DSi

Developer: Firebrand Games

Publisher: Codemasters

# of Players: 1 (Wi-Fi: 2 – 4)

Rating: E (Everyone)

Official Site

Score: B+

While the portable versions of DIRT 2 couldn’t be more different from each other in terms of content and overall level of difficulty, the Nintendo DS version of the game actually outstrips the more powerful PSP by miles in terms of bang for the buck. Both games are solid, thrilling arcade racing experiences with the PSP definitely beating the DS code in terms of challenge and overall learning curve. On the other hand, the ability to create your own tracks, customize and upgrade cars gives DS owners endless variety long after they’ve completed the main game. Firebrand Studios has put together one of the best DS racers to date that comes highly recommended whether or not you’re a rally fan.

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Now Shipping: Twice the Horror (or Obscure, Meet Dead Space)…

Posted on September 25, 2009 by geelw

Two horror-themed titles have shipped for next week’s big release hoedown doozy of a game avalanche. There are also a ton of cool games in other different genres coming as well next Tuesday (and onward), so here’s a quick heads-up for you on some of what I’m looking forward to:

Dead Space Extraction (Wii) and Obscure: the Aftermath (PSP)are headed to retail on September 29th (as are Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga (Wii) and a bunch of other stuff I’ll post once I find time to compile the listing). Anyway, here’s a bit more on both titles (and a nice trailer for the Obscure sequel)…

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Dragon Age: Origins Update: Meet Zevran!

Posted on September 25, 2009 by geelw

In this latest Dragon Age: Origins character reveal, we meet up with one of the game’s more interesting personalities and yes, he can be part of your party, i hear. Check out the bio on this guy and check to see if you still have your wallet afterward…

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Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising Goes Gold

Posted on September 25, 2009 by geelw

Just a little bit longer… Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising has gone gold and is set to hit retail on October 6, 2009. Naturally, Codemasters is going all out with a bunch of cool stuff happening on the game’s official web site. Peek below for a few screens, boogie on over to the game’s site and go pre-order what’s looking to be one of the best modern tactical military games to date.

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Fallout 3 News: Broken Steel + More DLC on PS3, GOTY in October for All

Posted on September 25, 2009 by geelw

PlayStation 3 owners can now commence with the dancing around the room stuff, as they finally get to catch up on what’s happening in the Wasteland their 360-owning buddies have been bragging about for some time now. Bethsoft has released the first in a series of download content packs for the PS3 version of Fallout 3, Broken Steel, for a paltry 10 caps (or $9.99).

In addition, the next few weeks should be a regular beefsteak mine bonanza for PS3 owners as more content becomes available. For those of you who’ve never played the game, have no broadband access or just want a physical product you can hug as you sleep or send off as a gift to your favorite person (Hey, I’m your new friend, right?), there’s also the upcoming Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition, set to hit retail on October 13, 2009. Details you want, Details you got – (cut, paste):

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