E3 2014: Cuphead Makes Quite An Impression (Again!)

Posted on June 9, 2014 by geelw

I was wondering what was up with StudioMDHR‘s lovely retro platformer/shooter hybrid Cuphead and thanks to the Microsoft press conference, more people know know what’s in store for them when the game releases at some point. My oNlY issue with this one is currently, it’s scheduled for PC via Steam and Xbox Live, skipping the rather obvious choice of Wii U, Vita, PS3 and PS4 (for now). I’m hoping this is one of those “timed exclusives” as I really want to play this on a portable or on something I already own here. Eh, we’ll see what happens, but I’d love to be bouncing up and down in my seat when I hear this is headed my way how I want to play it…

E3 2014: Too Much On A Monday & More To Come…

Posted on June 9, 2014 by geelw

So, it’s E3 week and already, Microsoft has thrown a gauntlet down of exclusives, reboots and otherwise decent game content that should keep their fan base very pleased. In other words, they actually listened to complaints about their previous media briefings and focused solely on GAMES and not boring the crowd with service announcements and other news best left for an investors meeting. I’ll have more on the lineup later, but Sunset Overdrive, Forza Horizon 2, Phantom Dust, Halo: The Master Chief Collection Crackdown, Project Spark and a few others all look to be big sellers when they land in stores and/or digitally online. PlatinumGames Scalebound will get other console owners who love their work complaining (again) that they’re left out on this exclusive and there are a bunch of indies and non-exclusives that look pretty awesome.

Back later with more “sort of news” on a too newsy day. Today is a mess of press conferences and ogling stuff and my brain is already overloaded. next up, Electronic Arts!

E3 2014: Alphadia Genesis: So It’s A Mobile Port. For Now, It’s The Sole JRPG on the Wii U…

Posted on June 9, 2014 by geelw

Well, until Monolith Soft’s “X”(or whatever it will be called once it’s completed) gets an actual release date (which should hopefully be announced at the Nintendo Direct broadcast later today), that is. Somehow, Nintendo’s home consoles have slipped a bit on the JRPG front since the Super Nintendo days, although there have been a few outright classic (and not so classic) titles released for every home system from the N64 up to the Wii. Natsume is publishing this former iOS/Android game later this summer as a digital-only eShop release and I’d say it’ll do well among those gamers who have a Wii U sitting at home and miss playing these games on a big screen. Sure, the 3DS family has PLENTY of JRPGs and more on the way and yes, is the preferred handheld for millions of users. Nevertheless, old farts like me who prefer playing games we can actually see that won’t have our backs going out from being hunched over a screen and our poor eyeballs swelling in our skulls will be welcoming Alphadia Genesis with open arms. Thanks, Natsume!

Enemy Front Launch Trailer: “Into the Black” And Hopefully On A Few Fronts At That…

Posted on June 6, 2014 by geelw

Okay, I quite like the song in this trailer… but to me, it’s just NOT proper at all for a World War II-based game. Granted, I’m not expecting this tune to be IN the actual game, but I’ll slightly dread watching the game credits because I can just hear this popping up at some point during however many minutes it takes to spool them all out. I’ve never seen a short credit roll in a modern game unless it’s an indie title made by one person or a tiny team where all is revealed in less than a minute. Anyway, that’s my sole complaint with Enemy Front until I actually get some hands-on time with the final version (PS3, please!). The game isn’t out until June 10, 2014, but I guess using the D-Day anniversary to push a game set during that period isn’t the worst thing that could happen today, right?

E3 2014: Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel Trailer: In Space, Everyone Can See You Dance!

Posted on June 6, 2014 by geelw

At this point, I expect nothing but serious FPS action, super stylized cel-art visuals and plenty of oddball humor from any Borderlands game (well, except Telltale Games’ upcoming soon to be mega-hit adventure take on the franchise that may have only two of the three elements mentioned, Tales From The Borderlands), so it’s good to see that Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel isn’t going to disappoint at all on the crazy front. This is one of those “old reliable” evergreens that’s good when you start playing and still packing heat months and years down the road thanks to it hitting that sweet spot between fun to play and “one more hour” addictiveness. It’s the bottomless pint of ice cream of games, folks! That’s how I’d describe the experience to someone wondering what all the fuss was about. That and argyle patterned weapons as an option? Yeah, that’s a win right there, although it does make for really crappy camouflage (unless Moon monsters can’t see argyle, of course)…

Oddworld New ‘n’ Tasty E3 2014 Trailer: Escaping The Food Chain, Now Greatly Enhanced!

Posted on June 5, 2014 by geelw

Sure, New ‘n’ Tasty is a remake, but it’s definitely not looking exactly the same as the older version of Abe’s Oddysee. Oddworld Inhabitants and developer Just Add Water (JAW) have put a lot of work into this game and as you can see in the trailer, it looks spectacular. Granted, players who’ve played the original to death may think this one isn’t worth their time, but I’d disagree completely. Oddworld: Strangers Wrath was excellent on the original Xbox, but even better on the PS3 and Vita as a very enhanced remake, so I’m expecting New ‘n’ Tasty to be equally or even more of a pleasant surprise when all is said and done. We’ll see soon enough, of course. The Vita version is calling out to me because mine needs more games that will make me happier I bought the handheld and get so much use from it…

GRID Autosport Open Wheel Trailer: The Beatings Continue (And You Still Come Back For More)…

Posted on June 4, 2014 by geelw

I see you’re here again, checking out the straps and leather in preparation for your hard ride. GRID Autosport will do you up right as rain as it puts you through your paces in a few racing disciplines where you’ll probably lose a lot until you learn the ropes and can keep your eyes on the road where they belong. Oh, you’ll be spanked and whipped and otherwise punished before you figure out which way is up, but you’ll love every minute of it whether you play along or with others. Figure out that safe word and get your rear in gear down to your nearest game emporium and place that pre-order. That big and special Black Edition isn’t going to buy itself, you know…

Dark Souls II “Crown of the Sunken King” Trailer: Some Buy To Die DLC To Keep You Busy…

Posted on June 4, 2014 by geelw

Oh, the places you’ll go to die a horrific death in this upcoming Dark Souls II DLC. Three new locations filled with death coming at you at some point from almost anywhere may SOUND like no vacation, but for the game’s fans, this is paradise with a free buffet on the side AND adult beverages. Anyway, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC players can get theirs on the following dates:

The Crown of the Sunken King – July 22, 2014
The Crown of the Old Iron King – August 26, 2014
The Crown of the Ivory King – September 24, 2014

Everyone else can just keep an ear to the sky and listen for the screaming and occasional victory yell…

The Walking Dead Pinball? Believe It Or Else, I’m On Board With This One…

Posted on June 4, 2014 by geelw

Yeah, soooo… this is a thing that’s actually happening, but as that post title says, I’m completely okay with it. Thankfully, it’s coming from Telltale Games, Skybound and the digital pinball geniuses at Zen Studios, so it’ll at least be familiar and faithful to fans of the episodic game series. The funny thing is I believe this is the only Walking Dead game to NOT get a Mature rating. Pinball isn’t inherently “violent” at all… unless you’re the type to get into fist fights over who gets to go first. Er, anyway… Press release below the jump – the game ships out his summer, but will be shown at E3 this year if you happen to be attending and need something a wee bit different and unusual to play around with.
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The Desolate Hope: You’ll Respect Your Coffee Pot Even More After Playing This Game…

Posted on June 4, 2014 by geelw

A few years back, I downloaded and played a bit of a game called The Desolate Room, a sci-fi adventure/role playing game starring a sentient coffee machine (named Coffee!) with nicely surreal visuals and hybrid gameplay that made it one of the more unique games I’d played in a while. A bit later, I stumbled upon Iffermoon, another game by talented creator Scott Cawthon and I was even more impressed with his work. This week I find myself staring at his latest game, The Desolate Hope with a grin on my face because it’s probably his best game to date. More or less a remake of The Desolate Room with improvements to the visuals and RPG combat system, TDH is Part retro platformer, part turn-based RPG and all bizarre (in the best possible manner), this is one of those indie games that you’d pay top dollar for if it were on a cartridge back in the day or a disc of some sort now. At a measly five dollars of Steam, it’s one of those games where the price just seems too low for the quality of the visuals and very polished gameplay you’re getting. This isn’t a full-on review (yet), but I say go check this out and prepare to be amused and amazed by what’s here…