Incoming: Lost Planet 3 Arrives (It’s Winter In August!)

Posted on August 31, 2013 by geelw

Cool. As I was strolling home yesterday right past his truck, the UPS guy beckons me over to sign for a package I wasn’t expecting. It’s good that all the delivery guys know me around here, as I sometimes get stopped in the street or waved over from across the street if they’re working that side of the block.

Anyway, I’ve got some homework to do, it seems. I did play for about two hours yesterday and the game is quite good (definitely Spark Unlimited’s best game to date) with a few quirks (that Unreal tech is showing its age, but the characters and environments are lovely to look at). I’ll dive back in after I take care of that late dinner I started cooking a little while ago – the pot has stopped rattling, so I’ll assume that means that clawed thing I had to shove in with a baseball bat and the long tongs must be done by now…

Back in a bit…

Batman Arkham Origins Blackgate Is “Under New Management” (So Watch Your Step!)

Posted on August 30, 2013 by geelw

In other words, the inmates have taken over the asylum and yes, Bats needs to do some darknight detecting and with due diligence at that or he’s not getting out in one piece. This 3DS/2DS and Vita game (set to launch with the console and PC versions on October 25, 2013) brings things down to size in “2.5D” form, but manages to look pretty cool and should feel like a classic side-scroller with a nice Arkham twist. Sure, you can get cranky and say the Vita game should be closer to the PS3 version, but here’s a case where I’ll defer to the dev team over at Armature because they’ve done a really good job with the visuals on both handhelds.

New Grand Theft Auto TV Spot Is 60 Seconds of “Well, There Goes The Neighborhood…”

Posted on August 29, 2013 by geelw

Well, that was… educational. Every time I see footage and screen shots from this upcoming wonderful time stealing enterprise called GTA V, I have to wonder how Rockstar Games keeps pulling this off, as each title in the long running series has been setting and raising all sorts of bars in terms of interactivity and storytelling. Yeah, yeah, I know many of you buy in for the mayhem you can cause, but when you get to the story and let it play out, they’re always extremely well written (and easily beat much of what Hollywood has to offer to death) and highly enjoyable. September 17th, people – start practicing that fake cough for that telephone call you’re going to make saying you’ve a bad case of the “flu” so you can get that week off to dive in and play around… you KNOW you’re going to…

Rayman Legends: Your End of Summer/Jump Into Fall Platforming Masterpiece…

Posted on August 29, 2013 by geelw

This former big deal Wii U exclusive getting delayed from launch window status to September 3 just so it could be ported to other platforms as an equally big deal release (and all launched simultaneously) seems to be well worth the wait, although it also seems that Nintendo’s console is the best way to play this one based on what I’ve heard from a few folks. Nevertheless, the combination of outstanding visuals, breakneck pacing and an amazingly wacky and varied soundtrack make this one a must buy for anyone into “old school” gaming bliss. I hear the game is also pretty challenging if you have terrible reflexes, but that’s par for the course with games such as this. Well, that’s another one for the library once I get around to getting it. That Wii U library is slowly getting better, folks…

KILLER IS DEAD: Your “Shut Up and Play Me” Game of the Week…

Posted on August 28, 2013 by geelw

Hmmm. I knew some of the critics would be harsh of Suda 51’s new game, but yeesh. When did a bunch of juvenile puritanical prudes get in the entertainment reviewing business? Granted, I’ve only read an industry site post that had a few links to other reviews and some quotes that ranged from complimentary to downright baffling, but still. Between the hand-wringing about the game’s overuse of sexual themes (as if one needs to defend a work of OBVIOUS fiction and offbeat fantasy from a creator well known for his bizarre games) and this latest trend for critics to take on the mantle of defender of feminism or whatever whenever there’s a side-boob in a game, I’m getting tired of hearing the latest paid persecution of a game creator by some who should just quit writing and maybe go join an abbey or convent.

Hey, Xseed! I know I didn’t request a review copy, but that doesn’t mean I’m NOT interested in this game. I’ll buy this one shortly and whip out a non-biased opinion for you guys. Yes, I’ll poke it in the eye for stuff it gets wrong on a technical front, but as for the content? Hell, Suda and developer grasshopper manufacture together on a game mean you’re getting WEIRD and FUN as well as something NOT for the kiddies who don’t “get” it that’s going to go over the heads of those who play and trade or play and don’t respect because they know no better. Damn kids (and overly skittish adults)…

Lost Planet 3 Now Available: Turn that AC Up Full Blast – It’s Supposed To Be Freezing

Posted on August 27, 2013 by geelw

I’m still working through a ton of stuff here (as in among other things, I’ve piles of old artwork stacked or spread out on nearly every flat surface in the home office), but I’ll need to grab a copy of Lost Planet 3 to play through soon. I haven’t read any reviews (which is helpful when you’re going to write one yourself eventually, in case you hadn’t guessed), but someone sent me an email with two links I didn’t read and noted that one was positive and the other not so positive, which is what I expected from the usual suspects out there in review-land. I liked what I played on the two occasions I got some hands on time, so I know I’ll enjoy the final version warts and all. I’m more of a story guy than a back of the box bullet point person, so I’m in this for the whole package, not just seeing if the game is as good as other games released this year or whenever.

Back in a bit…

Meanwhile, In Los Santos (Yep, It’s a GTA V Update)…

Posted on August 26, 2013 by geelw

Yes, it’s a few more Grand Theft Auto V screens below and below the jump, info on the game’s Special and Collectors Edition extras some of you Standard Edition buyers will want to shake your fists at before canceling your old pre-order to upgrade to either the Special or CE version for all the goodies they’ll has. Or if you’re feeling particularly self-generous (or are naturally that way) you can just buy all THREE versions of the game and make Rockstar even happier, right? RIGHT?

September 17, people…

Continue reading →

INTERVIEW: Half of Twenty Questions With Lost Planet 3’s William Watterson

Posted on August 22, 2013 by geelw

With Capcom and Spark Unlimited’s PS3, Xbox 360 and PC sci-fi action game Lost Planet 3 finally headed into stores August 27 here in the US (August 30 in Europe and Australia), I had the great opportunity to shoot a few questions over to WIlliam “Bill” Watterson, voice and motion capture actor for lead character Jim Payton (who by the way isn’t related to THAT Bill Watterson, which is why he’s called William here). You can probably call him Bill if you run into him in person (just don’t ask him to draw you a picture of Calvin or Hobbes).

Anyway, below the jump he discusses voice acting (with a few tips for you thespians out there), music, LP3’s western influences, booze and how to get social with the man himself in a few places online…

Continue reading →

Gamescom 2013: Murdered: Soul Suspect Trailer: Can I Get A Witness?!

Posted on August 22, 2013 by geelw

Airtight Games and Square Enix are going to be dipping a toe into the supernatural with the upcoming PS3 and Xbox 360 game, Murdered: Soul Suspect, set for a 2014 release. If you’ve been around the gaming block a bit, this one looks like a cross between L.A. Noire, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective and a couple of cool PC adventure games from way back when. I like that the video plays like a little hint book of sorts and there will be more to come that will no doubt aid games who snap this up in uncovering a few important clues as they go through the game. Of course, I tend to avoid spoilers and tips before or while I’m playing, so I’m probably only going to watch each of the rest of these trailers once and hope my short term memory gives out like I’m starring in Memento II or something. Er, pretend I didn’t type that – I can see some lousy straight to video sequel popping up in what, two weeks from now…

Gamescom 2013: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 Trailer: Blood, Right.

Posted on August 21, 2013 by geelw

Every time I see more of this game, I have to run to the nearest closet, get a hat, put it on and tip it in the general direction of developer MercurySteam’s offices. These guys and gals are knocking it out of the park and onto another planet with this sequel to the first LoS and February 2014 can’t come soon enough. What’s all the more amazing is the game is looking so great on what’s considered “old” hardware by many, but that’s been the Spanish developers very strong point since their first game. As noted previously, this is their final chapter as far as their run on the Castlevania series goes, so anyone else taking over in the future will have a hell of an act to follow, that’s for sure. Of course, the diehard fans of the classic 2D Castlevanias who didn’t like any of the 3D games in the franchise are most likely going to miss out on this one as well, but I don’t think Konami needs their approval these days unless they have something more constructive to offer other than hating the LoS games for their success.