E3 2013: Batman Arkham Origins: Rock Steady, Even Without The Original Team Aboard…

Posted on June 17, 2013 by geelw

If there were any doubts that a new development team would sink the Arkham franchise, WB Games Montreal (taking over from Rocksteady) has killed those negative vibes dead and then some. Racking up all sorts of “Best of Show” awards, Batman Arkham Origins looks to takes gamers back to the beginning of the series on consoles PC and portable systems with a power-packed prequel that seems to show a meaner Dark Knight with some nice toys that should make the game a blast to play (although the poor thugs getting knocked together loaded with that explosive grapple gun are probably asking for some hazard pay). As usual, pre-ordering will be the way for those who want it to get that bonus content, but no one is twisting your arm. Unless you know something and Batman wants more info… “WHERE IS IT?!!” (twist!) “Ouch! OK, OK!! Um, Amazon or GameStop?”

– Yeah, that Batman does tend to get a wee it pushy, doesn’t he?

E3 2013: Dying Light Trailer: Seems Those Undead Will Live Forever…

Posted on June 7, 2013 by geelw

OK, it’s officially official: zombies are finally played out in games. But at least they’re getting used in desperately fun and funky ways as fodder in some new hybrid titles. Techland’s upcoming PlayStation 4 and PC title, Dying Light pits your supremely agile character against packs of fast-moving undead in what’s looking like a pretty thrilling “open world” action game that’s part Mirror’s Edge, part Left 4 Dead. This one’s not coming out until 2014, but it’s on my radar as I like a lot of what Techland has done. Hopefully, it will look and play good as well as not disappoint – it’s tough to judge from a CG trailer, but as usual, some hands on time is the best and ONLY way to gauge any game’s potential success of failure.

Batman: Arkham Origins Update: The Riddler Is Back To Drive Bats Nuts…

Posted on June 1, 2013 by geelw

Hoo boy. Those darn Riddler Challenge puzzles were am optional set of very tricky timed action sequences that extended the life of the previous games for anyone up to the task, and WB Montreal isn’t forgetting about them in this next installment. You know the drill, folks. You’re doing your Darkight Detective thing and while on a rooftop or some other otherwise nondescript location, you spy a glowing green “?”, accidentally or intentionally trigger a pressure plate and need to race to hit a few other spots so you can nab something cool before it’s locked away. The first one’s a gimme, but they get harder and harder and the next thing you know, you’re up at 4am consulting an online FAQ or making one yourself. This is actually the ONLY question I had about the game, as I know it’s in mighty fine hands otherwise. Off to look at jumbo-size aspirin, as some of those later puzzles will no doubt require a few…

Gallery: Batman Arkham Origins

Posted on May 20, 2013 by geelw

This recently announced prequel to the hugely successful Arkham series looks quite nice in that CG trailer and really gorgeous screens below, but I see that some fans are concerned that no Rocksteady at the wheel means the game won’t have the same quality. I say give this one a shot, as it’s from the same WB Games Montreal team that converted Batman Arkham City: Armored Edition to the Wii U (and did a stellar job, at that) and I seriously doubt that they’ll deviate much from what made the first two games work so well.

In fact, I’ll predict a few tweaks and improvements to the formula that make Origins an equal or better game (as it should be), simply because going backwards is NOT an option at all. Anyway, BAO is set to launch Oct. 25, 2013 for PC, PS3, Wii U and Xbox 360 along with Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate for Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita. Nope, I don’t have screens or video on that just yet – WB Games just sent one batarang through my window with these images and trailer for the console game, so I guess the other one will come crashing through as soon as I get the window replaced.

Oh, by the way… Deathstroke IS indeed going to be playable in the game’s Challenge Mode and fans who pre-order the game for PS3, Xbox 360 or PC version of Batman Arkham Origins will receive exclusive early access to the Deathstroke pack (sorry, Wii U owners… unless you get yours some other way that hasn’t been revealed yet).

Well, I guess it’s better than getting a strange box from the Joker with who knows what sort of surprise inside, right?

Batman: Arkham Origins Teaser: The Dark Knight Grouses…

Posted on May 16, 2013 by geelw

Man, that Bruce Wayne (er, Batman) sure is a real party-pooper, isn’t he? All that gloom and criminals are the scum of the earth stuff plus what looks like a vinegar and lemon diet make for one grumpy Darknight Detective, that’s for sure. Then again, this is ONLY the teaser for the upcoming game. The actual trailer drops on May 20, 2013… so I’m betting it’ll be even darker and grimmer. Hmmm… that man needs some cotton candy and a fancy paper hat, I think. Either that or he needs to stay in one night and maybe catch up on some old TV shows. Comedies, preferably…

Injustice: Gods Among Us TV Spot: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close…

Posted on April 11, 2013 by geelw

Hmmm… STILL no Swamp Thing in this game? OK, that’s a little in-joke there (VERY little), but WB Games and NetherRealm DO have a (wait for it) BIG hit on their hands which should be the go-to game for DC Comics fans for some time. I guess it would have been too much to ask to see that fighting engine get put to use in a more RPG-like setting, but I also guess that one day we’ll see a developer blend those styles and more successfully. There have been a few fighting game influenced role-playing experiences, but it’s been a while since there’s been one that REALLY packs a punch (oh, the puns…. the puns!). Anyway, this looks like a total blast, so I say buy it and grab a few friends for some fun on a rainy weekend. Of course, if I were in charge of the DLC, I’d add in Ally Babble, The Spectre, Madame Xanadu, Deadman, Plastic Man and The Creeper as bonus characters, but hey – my old comics memories can probably beat some of yours to death any day of the week (provided I get enough sleep the night before that big brain-battle)…

Batman: Arkham Origins: Current Gen Still Has It Going On, It Seems…

Posted on April 9, 2013 by geelw

Hmmm… I guess it HAD to happen, but with original developer Rocksteady Games not at the helm, will WB Games Montreal just be retreading the play mechanics from Arkham City in a different version of Gotham City packed full of familiar locations and possibly during different times of the day this installment? We shall see, of course and yeah, I’m too much of an optimist to think this talented dev team (which handled the superb Wii U enhanced “port” of Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition, by the way) is going to muck things up. THAT said, let’s hope they make this a game for the ages and fix a few of the issues even the mighty Rocksteady didn’t quite nail. One positive sign is the game is being made for every current-gen HD platform available, which means we’ll not only see a PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 version, but a new Wii U game as well.

The Vita and 3DS will finally get an Arkham game with Batman Arkham Origins: Blackgate, a “2.5D” action game from Armature Studios. Hopefully, both will be as close visually to the console games as possible and not too watered down or cartoony, as that’s almost always a disappointment in terms of continuity (well, at least in my book). Oh, for those wondering WHY Origins hasn’t been announced for the PS4 and next Xbox just yet, I’m guessing here, but I allow myself to do that once in a while for fun. Perhaps the guys and gals at Rocksteady ARE doing something on those consoles you don’t need to know about just yet, hmmmmm?

I say wait and see… but don’t be too surprised if it’s a new Arkham game or this one but done entirely in house and packed with visual punch to knock a room full of drooling fanboys to the nearest space station. *POW!* Watch this space…

Injustice: Gods Among Us TV Spot: Abbott & Costello Meet The DC Universe…

Posted on April 9, 2013 by geelw

Or something like that. I’ve been following this game, but not those big celebrity filled trailers and weekly battle deals. I’d rather just dive into Injustice cold and play it at my leisure, unlocking characters and goodies as I go. Anyway, I think that Abbott & Costello idea above is the next flick Kevin Smith should consider doing, as he and Jason Mewes certainly aren’t getting any younger and it’s time they did something together that’s NOT another Jay & Silent Bob deal. Well, this ad was a fine enough (and funny) start, so I guess we’ll see what’s what soon enough (or later enough). As long as it’s not that Clerks flick his stuck in the 90’s fans want so much for him to make, it’ll probably be at least interesting to watch. That and hey, someone needs to keep Mewes off the streets – I hear he’s nothing but trouble like a bobcat dropped into a baby shower (er… ha, ha?)…

Transistor: Supergiant Games’ Next WIP (PLUS, Buy Bastion Cheap If You Haven’t Yet!)

Posted on March 20, 2013 by geelw

Transistor_Wallpaper_1920x1080

Transistor_19-mar-2013_01 Meet Red, heroine of Supergiant Games‘ currently in development action/RPG, Transistor. That’s a mighty big sword she’s swinging, isn’t it? Turns out that weapon is integral to the plot, as it was previously used in an attempt to kill the poor gal, but she survived and is out to find out who wanted her dead and why they used such a damn big butter knife when an accidentally dropped piano would have done the job. OK, so THAT piano stuff is probably not part of the plot (I hope), but those of you who played Supergiant’s amazing Bastion on any platform it ended up on know that Transistor will be a spectacular and memorable experience. Keep an eye on this one, folks – it’s going to be one for the ages, I predict…

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Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes Set To “Rescue” Wii U This Spring…

Posted on February 26, 2013 by geelw

Not that Nintendo’s recently released system “needs” rescuing (nope, not at all, folks – it just needs a few less paid industry skeptics and doomsayers, many of which are or seem to be people who’ve yet to touch a controller). Anyway, TT Games’ best work to date was last years super-smash of epic proportions and it’s finally headed to the Wii U with the same stellar visuals and tight, fun (and funny) family-friendly gameplay intact.

I want this for the GamePad playability and the chance to show it off to folks who haven’t seen it yet on the console as a potential system seller. Given the success of the other versions, this one seems to be a total no-brainer purchase for any Wii U owner looking for a fun (and lengthy) chunk of high quality (and laugh-packed) action with style to spare. I’ll run a gallery if for you guys and gals to ogle if and when WB shoots me over some screens…