Windows Update: The Old Normal Returns (Or: “What The What?”)

Posted on May 14, 2012 by geelw

It figures. I go ape online for a few hours redoing passwords and getting used to my files being reorgani-zized by Windows seeming at random, shut down my PC to get out for some air, come back a bit later, turn the damn thing on to resume my stress testing and BOOM. I see ALL my old stuff back where it was before I freaked out. DUH. But still, WTF, Microsoft? ake be bend over backwards, pull my hair out and run around screaming in circles, THEN let me know (silently) that all was not lost after all.

Hmmm… It’s like being married, but without the romance. Er, wait a sec…. Oh, never mind… Feh. OK, let me go glue my hair back on and resume my regular stuff that I was ALREADY behind in getting to! Grrrr…

Risen 2: Dark Waters PC Launch Trailer: Hi, Seas! Adventure!

Posted on April 29, 2012 by geelw

I really liked the first Risen quite a lot, even though it wasn’t the best looking game out there in terms of a PC to console port. Once you got used to the challenging combat system and started exploring the rather large and deadly island, the game was quite a nice surprise (and definitely not a short RPG experience). I’d imagine the first game sold well enough on PC to get this more seafaring sequel, just released on PC and coming in late July for PS3 and Xbox 360. I definitely want to see how the console versions have turned out, as my creaky old rig is on it’s last legs as far as playing any new games.

Sometimes, Overthinking Isn’t Good For Gaming. On The Other Hand…

Posted on April 16, 2012 by geelw

Hmmm….

So, Xenoblade Chronicles’ main character can see into the future AND the game allows players to advance or dial back the game clock at will (well, outside of combat) in order to make some quest solving easier and battle different monsters at different times of the day.

That’s fantastic, but there’s a problem here. Somehow, Monolith Soft didn’t blend these two points together so that the time winding actually affected the story at all (even though it should). This bugs me quite a bit, as the game is indeed excellent. However, by not using the time element in a better fashion, it just makes for a clumsy gimmick that’s only used to save time in finding wandering NPC’s or monsters. Oops.

Slow Day? Not Really.

Posted on April 16, 2012 by geelw

Yeah, yeah – I’m behind in posting, but I’ve been running about tackling a few projects, seeing some great games (put Bethesda’s amazing Dishonored on your radar NOW. Arkane Studios is going to surprise the hell out of a lot of people is all I’ll say).

It’s ALSO hot as hell outside and it’s only April. Methinks summer will be a total roaster, but the folks who think climate change is a hoax are still going along with their own versions of things. Let them burn up first, I say. I’m staying inside with a bucket of ice, a lot of water and too many games…

Lazy Day, But Productive (Sort of. Mostly.)

Posted on April 7, 2012 by geelw

Shhh… I’m supposed to be working on a hands-on preview of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition for the Xbox 360, but I got a bit sidetracked with some Wii stuff to day and my writing took a hit for a bit, I checked my stats and for some reason (hey, I got popular!), a nicely amount of new readers clicked on my Sniper Elite V2 hands-on, so that’s good. I have seven games coming next week (eek), a new controller to replace a busted one and I think there’s a press event coming up I need to bug some nice PR person about, so I’ll be busy. Then there’s that little art project I’m trying to get off the ground, but more on that once it gets off the ground…

Back in a bit, Sunday, most likely…

Asura’s Wrath DLC Packs Quite The Punch (And Needs To Be Put On A Disc)…

Posted on March 27, 2012 by geelw

Wow, It really stinks to be an Asura’s Wrath fan without a decent online connection, that’s for sure. Capcom has launched the first of a few killer add-ons for CyberConnect 2’s manly muscle-bound masterpiece that in the coming weeks will include some pretty amazing content. Starting today over PSN (and tomorrow over Xbox Live), “Episode 11.5” launches, followed next week (April 3) by “Episode 15.5” hitting PSN and XBL. Each episode will sell for 1.99 over PSN or 160 MS Points over Xbox Live. April 24 hits even harder with a four-episode content pack for 6.99 (560 MS Points) and finally, May will be the big killer month for many AW fans. Why? Capcom plans to pit Asura up against two of Street Fighter’s legendary combatants, Ryu (May 9) and Akuma (May 16). Each content pack will be 1.99 over PSN and 160 MS Points through Xbox Live.

Hey, Capcom! I’d actually pay a little extra for a expansion disc with ALL that content and I’d bet a lot of others would too. Think about it.

It’s A Reality With a Name: NeoGeo X Coming To North America in Q2 2012

Posted on March 20, 2012 by geelw

Well, that was quick. I’d imagine the rivers of drool and pools of fan sweat have convinced some smart folks at distributors Tommo, Inc. here in the US and Blaze overseas to get to it and get the newly christened NeoGeo X to gamers sometime within the next few months. While no price point has been officially announced*, the 20 games packed into the handheld have been:

ART OF FIGHTING
BASEBALL STARS
CYBER LIP
FATAL FURY
FATAL FURY SPECIAL
FOOTBALL FRENZY
KING OF THE MONSTERS
LAST RESORT
LEAGUE BOWLING
MAGICIAN LORD
METAL SLUG
MUTATION NATION
NAM 1975
SAMURAI SHODOWN
SENGOKU
SUPER SIDEKICKS
THE KING OF FIGHTERS’94
THE ULTIMATE 11
TOP PLAYERS GOLF
WORLD HEROES

*Note: I’ve seen posts on some sites that note Blaze quoting a ridiculous £500 (currently US$785) price tag (!), but I’m hoping that’s the worst typo I’ll see this week or even better, that figure was incorrectly derived on those sites where editor-types who tend to misread important stuff just jumped the gun without getting the FACTS straight. Hell, even the most die-hard NeoGeo collector would balk at the price of a dedicated device that costs more than the home version of the original console…

Back with an update soon (and hopefully, an actual retail price point)…

Armored Core V “DOOMSDAY” Trailer (Plus A GameStop Exclusive… A Pretty Cool One, At That)

Posted on February 15, 2012 by geelw

Usually, I kind of roll my eyeballs around in my skull until they fall out of my head and get all linty from rolling under a dresser when I see these pre-order bonuses. This time, I managed to catch one eyeball and pop it back in just so I could do a proper double-take. Pre-ordering ACV from any GS in North America will get you the Heavy Armor Pack DLC, which features 168 parts you can use to give your Core a big honkin’ advantage over those who just grab the game at retail on day one and have to work harder to get the cool gear.

On the other hand, a GOOD AC player will probably figure out a way to rig up a mean mech without taking the pre-order plunge. Of course, 168 FREE parts are very hard to pass up, that’s for sure…

Hanging Out With Adrianne Curry Will Make You Smarter, Smell Better And More Attractive To Others…

Posted on February 6, 2012 by geelw

How so, you ask? Well, besides being easy on the eyeballs, incredibly friendly and a great conversationalist about all things gaming related, she’ll make even the most fervent non-believer in science WISH human cloning were possible (and legal). I’ll let you think about that for a minute (tick-tock, tick-tock)… ahem. She’s also the spokesmodel for Erox, a new pheromone-based unisex body spray that’s now available online. I got to meet the lady herself last evening at the Eventi Hotel in NYC but actually spent more time chatting with and listening to Sanjay Sabnani, CEO of Crowdgather, who’s behind the development, marketing and launch of Erox.

Continue reading →

Syndicate TV Spot: The Corporate Wars Are Getting Closer…

Posted on February 1, 2012 by geelw

Nice. I’m sincerely hoping Starbreeze Studios and EA have their collective fingers in their ears and (their bulletproof vests on) when it comes to the silly trolling their baby is getting in some online circles. As noted on the other blog, once you try out the Syndicate demo and things start clicking into place, you’re hooked in and set to roll with whatever the final version packs. Me, I’ve been aboard since last year when I played the demo, so I know the game proper will be outstanding. To those still making Deus Ex: Human Revolution comparisons… well, you’ll just have to see for yourselves that while yes, there are some visual similarities, it’s not even close in terms of a few other key points. Well, there’s not too much longer to wait, so you’ll get the chance to see what’s up shortly… provided you can uncross your arms and look down at a controller instead of sticking your noses in the air…