I really like the idea of transforming vehicles (even though it’s been done before in games since the Spy Hunter days), the brief gameplay shown here looks great and the first game was a ton of fun. But what’s up the the total lack of Sega in the title this time out? Hopefully it’s a misprint, or perhaps we’ll be seeing some non-Sega All-Stars in this follow up? Whatever happens, I’m hoping to see Sega be a bit prouder of itself despite a bumpy year so far. Go, Sega!
Sooooo… it looks as if pirates are the new zombies this year, huh? Between this game, Risen 2, the new One Piece game and a few other pirates appearing in games lately, it’s looking like “Yo, Ho, Ho” and “Arrrrrr” will be popping up on review sites as well as too many lame pirate jokes that even I won’t be able to stand with my pun-laded ways. That aside, Raven’s Cry does look quite good so far. Octane Games and publisher TopWare just may have a nice niche RPG hit on their hands that won’t get the hook (arrrr!) when the finally game hits PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 at some point.
For me and many other gamers, adding multiplayer modes to a game that’s best known for its solo play and cinematic storytelling is the sign of the beast, a franchise running on fumes begging for cash from a crowd focused on massing up kill counts with no regard to narrative structure or hell, enjoyment of all the hard work it takes to make a story driven game flow from start to finish. Sony Santa Monica Studios obviously realizes this as well as a few other negatives and positives about MP and is forging ahead with an intriguing multiplayer mode in Kratos’ next adventure.
From what I’m reading elsewhere, you won’t have twenty Kratos’ running around the screen at all. One aspect of the mode will feature players representing warriors selected by the gods to do battle over territory, so at least my first fear has been quelled. As for the rest, well, I’ll need to see the game up close and personal to judge more fully what’s coming. All I’ll say is I’m looking forward to the single player story FIRST and foremost over any multplayer modes, no matter how good they are. Color me cautiously optimistic…
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.
Here’s a look at another “making of” featurette for Firaxis’ upcoming reboot of the classics tactical sci-fi RPG. I have to hand it to the team for not jumping on the retro bandwagon in terms of the visual style. As much of a fan of the original X-COM and a few of its spin-offs and sequels, the fact is going too old school would have been a bad idea unless the team was doing a portable version that implemented a rotating camera like Rifts: Promise of Power on the N-Gage (one of those games that needs to be redone for handhelds or consoles just so gamers could see that, yes, there were some great games on the much-berated device). I don’t think 2K has anything to worry about other than a few cranky fans who never even plan to buy the final version still going ape about stuff they don’t like (even if it’s well implemented and make the game more enjoyable)…
Atlus is one of those smart publishers keeping the PSP alive and kicking and PACKED with stellar import RPG/SRPG experiences like this one. I’m not a huge anime fan, but I’ve always loved Satoshi Urushihara’s lovely game artwork since the Langrisser and Assault Suits Valken days (two more favorite games of mine). Anyway, GWoT is set for a “Summer 2012” release, so I say start saving up those pennies if you still have a PSP around the house and want a pretty cool strategy game experience that packs a hefty amount of content and challenge.
Hmmm. I guess you can file this one under “OK, now I’ve seen everything (again)”. Yes, it’s a blatant Super Smash Bros. clone with a ton of popular Sony franchise characters and maps in place of Mario and company (in lovely HD, unlike Nintendo’s mega-hit). And yes, it’ll probably be the same addictive and competitive party game fun, provided you’re not some fanboy rolling on the ground laughing ’til you pee yourself and drown in it or get so pissed off that you can’t see straight (and that usually misspelled weekly online rant/petition you’re re-drafting to Sony instead of Nintendo or whatever other game company you hated last week is actually spelled correctly because of it). I say deal with it by playing or not playing the game and move on. If it’s fun, it’ll be fun. If it stinks, well, see you at the discount bin. One big saving grace here is Sony can one-up Nintendo by making a Vita version that’s either a standalone experience with online multiplayer (good!) or connects with the PS3 version in some way (better!).
My take? Well, I’m not sure I completely approve of SCEA trying to be “family hip” and “fan hip” in the same product (it always turns out forced and stale when game companies do this wrong), but I really need to pipe down and HOPE someone at SCEA’s PR division doesn’t forget to invite me to another press event so I can play this upcoming game. C’mon guys, Help me do my job here!
With Dragon’s Dogma a mere few weeks away from going gold, here’s a look at some cool “making of” videos that spell out what it takes to bring the game to life on your PS3 or Xbox 360. IT certainly looks as if anyone expecting to have an easy go at it will be in for a royal surprise when they find out that these beasties in the game all bite back hard. As to all the “better than Skyrim” stuff I’m reading about from the usual suspects, I just snicker and smile, as that’s a totally different beast, particularly if you’re a PC gamer with a solid rig and some of the better mods for that game. Still, Capcom does have the makings of a hardcore hit here with their baby…
When Sorcery dropped off the radar for a bit too long, I initially thought it was canned or worse, being changed around into a standard Dual Shock game. However, it looks as if the game just went into the shop for some nice tuning and based on this gorgeous trailer, it’s going to be worth dusting off that Move wand and Navigation controller for. I’m also betting it’s going to be a lot more intuitive than Kinect Star Wars (sorry, Terminal Reality! I love you guys, but…). Anyway, I’m psyched for this just because I won’t mind flailing away at my TV for once and at least the 1:1 controls the Move brings to the table means a lot less actual flailing. Nice…
Hmmm, I was wondering why the price dropped so quickly on Arkham City (it’s about $29.99 or less in some spots) and now I know. The Game of the Year Edition set to arrive on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC will feature the complete game with every updates and all the previously released DLC packs, along with an all new DLC pack: Harley Quinn’s Revenge AND the Batman Year One animated film (the latter for USA and Canada only). I wish the ENTIRE deal was on the disc instead of forcing users to grab the extra content off PSN, XBLA or whatever download services the PC version will be available from, but again, game companies are a bit stubborn about not understanding that not EVERY gamer has a decent internet connection or even a console account.
Ah well, one of these days they’ll get it (and perhaps actually start making money from those folks who feel so shut out because they just can’t get that content they want to pay for how they prefer it)…
"DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!" 