Watch_Dogs “Out Of Control” Trailer: Still Off The Charts, Yet On Everyone’s Lists…

By now you know that Ubisoft has a definite system seller and absolutely killer app with its upcoming multiplatform release Watch_Dogs (set for a November 19, 2013 launch), although I’m predicting a little “problem” of sorts coming when the game does ship out. I can see a segment of potential players of the eye candy diabetic variety NOT buying the PS3 or Xbox 360 versions at all because they’re getting a newer console and want to show off that new game on the best system possible. Of course, PC owners will be pooh-poohing THOSE gamers as losers because they’ll be upgrading THEIR gaming rigs with new cards that can run the game at 200 frames per second with all the latest shaders and effects up full blast. Me, I don’t care how I play this other than I’d prefer not to patch anything and get up and running no less than five or ten minutes after installing the game to my (flips coin) PS3’s hard drive. As I have the feeling that this is a game that requires a few play-throughs in order to experience everything, I don’t mind at all playing it one one console and then another.

GRID 2 Cote d’Azur Gameplay: Sightseeing At 140 MPH (Or So)…

Another day, another GRID 2 video, which is always a good thing to see. Of course, as the release date rolls up, the not so good thing to see is just as the amount of interest is rising, also rising as are the obstinate flame-throwers who still want a dashboard view despite Codemasters stating from the beginning that it wouldn’t be an option. Blah, blah, whine, whine. Just don’t buy the game, I say. Or buy a real car instead if you want a dashboard in your face. The game DOES support a number of steering wheel peripherals, so hopefully that’s a consolation to some of that crowd… we’ll see, I suppose.

Resident Evil Revelations “Atmosphere” Case File: Remember to Breathe At Some Point…

I’m probably the only person I know who thinks that there should be a Resident Evil game where you don’t put a single bullet through a zombie or other mutated monster. Nope, in fact, almost the entire game would take place at some sort of control center where all you did was send out agents into the field and they’d do the dirty work while you sat back and collected all that information from the files, videos and other intel that makes up a good deal of lore and used it for assorted research purposes. Granted, this sort of management simulation has been done to death in other genres, but I think it might be interesting as a side game in a new Resident Evil game at some point down the road…

Hmmm, perhaps I didn’t get enough sleep last night or something? Where the heck did I put that rocket launcher again? Resident Evil Revelations hits PC, PS3 and, Wii U and Xbox 360 on May 21, 2013. My goofball game idea? Well, that’s shipping out never (much to the delight of the most dedicated RE fanatics out there)…

GRID 2 Gameplay: Algarve and Brands Hatch Laps To Lap Up…

Just about a month to go, so Codemasters is getting these GRID 2 gameplay trailers out like clockwork. Of course, the curse of the Internet Troll is still hitting the developer, as rants from the “no dash cam, no buy” crowd are still popping up (like clockwork as well). Well, I like the game as is, and I don’t thing threats of not making a purchase, begging for a patch (which would take a while if you add in the number of cars and other changes to the engine) or other complaining will fly right on over the dev team’s heads until they decide to re-implement the viewpoint into a different racer. As I’ve played bits of the solo and multiplayer modes, I can safely report that you really won’t miss the viewpoint (much) because the speed and handling are still there. But, whatever to those who still are screaming to the heavens. Tantrums like these keep me off message board sites and wondering if anyone bitching so loudly about ANY game they don’t plan on playing actually has a hobby outside of being a human soapbox…

Gallery: Raven’s Cry

RCLogo_withRaven

RC_Pass3_1280x720_Shot28I’m not sure exactly when TopWare Interactive is releasing Raven’s Cry other than that nebulous Q3 2013 launch window, but I’d say it’s worth a look if you’re into the whole pirate-themed video game (and want to see how this stacks up to Assassin’s Creed IV, I guess). The game looks to fill a more “realistic” niche other pirate themes have teased, but have yet to deliver on. The story is pretty interesting and in combination with developer Octane Games’ promise of real-world locations and historical accuracy in some of the game’s elements, should make for quite a game experience that’s hopefully not just action-oriented.

As Christopher Raven, who as a young boy saw his family slain by pirates, players will hop into his boots as an older, vengeance-fueled pirate as he sets sail to do in those who ripped his life apart. yes, indeed it’s a completely single-player RPG, which means the developer is concentrating on delivering a rich story, character and hopefully, game world to interact with.

RC_3DBox_PC RC_3DBox_PS3_US RC_3DBox_Xbox360

Continue reading

Capcom Arcade Cabinet 1984 Pack: The Hits Just Keep On Coming…

Three more classics are now here for your downloading and playing pleasure. I definitely remember 1942 in the arcades and I think I recall playing SonSon down at an arcade back in the day. Pirate Ship Higemaru will be new to me, but I hear it’s pretty damn challenging right from the get-go. For me, it’s actually been a bit amusing listening to the folks who HAVEN’T played these yet saying they can get the same games for free on the internet and so forth and so on. Well, yes… you can grab a ROM from all over the place, but the higher resolution visuals, bonuses and most importantly, fact that supporting a game company that still owns the damn IP is a lot more of a nice thing to do to show your support means you’re not such a dick at the end of the day.

I’m just sayin’… people who spend money help gaming at the end of the day more than those who don’t…

Orc Attack: Casual Brothers Cooks Up A Cool-Looking “Gas & Slash” Game…

OrcAttack Box Art With SO many indie developers getting so many games out there and not enough time in the day to cover them all, they need to be either really innovative or really amusing to catch my attention. Orc Attack isn’t innovative at all, but seeing it in action made me smile because it reminded me of some of the classic arcade beat ’em ups I spent way too much money on back in the day.

This may be developer Casual Brothers Games first project, but it certainly looks as if it won’t be their last if the right audience snaps this one up. It’s already getting interest as a potential Steam Greenlight candidate )go vote if you’ve an account there!) and is coming to PS3, Vita (yes!) and Xbox Live Arcade soon. I’ll have to check this out once it’s out because my retro sense is tingling, shiny 3D visuals aside. Alrighty, then – my work here is done. For now… Orcs, I’m coming for you (and holding my breath, you gassy brutes)…

Lost Planet 3 Multplayer Interview: Szymanski’s The Man, See…

OK, either Capcom read my mind and had this prepared a while back or they read my post yesterday and cooked this up in a hurry. Probably neither of the above and more like it’s been in the works just to explain the upcoming game’s MP modes as I hoped they’d do. From what I got to try of the campaign, the game is solid and quite enjoyable in that “Ah, this is MUCH cooler once you give it a play” way that’s supposed to happen. Hopefully, some of the louder, lazier skeptics who love to knock anything fun if it’s not what they THINK they want will shut it and put some time into trying this one out. I’ve been sold since last year and that was without any multiplayer.

XCOM Remake Goes From FPS to Tactical Third Person. Change Is Good (Hopefully)…

I actually didn’t mind at all that the initially announced (and formerly Xbox 360 exclusive) version of this was going to be a first-person experience, but some really stubborn hardcore fans of the classic PC game as well as misguided message board denizens who think ANY game with a FPS viewpoint is going to be a Call of Duty retread didn’t like the new direction at ALL. While all that turmoil was going on, veteran developer Firaxis was tapped to create a new tactical game in the series that followed and enhanced the gameplay of the original and as expected, it did quite well critically and (it seems) commercially. During all this, a poll was taken about the other game and fans basically asked it to be pretty much as similar as can be to what they “expect” and so, here we are… Continue reading

Gallery: Resident Evil Revelations

revelations_logo_r

Jill_Porthole_ArtworkJill Valentine certainly isn’t on The Love Boat this time out and this creature-packed cruise from hell she’s stuck on will surely make her long “OK, let’s NOT do that again” list along with her every other appearance in a Resident Evil game where she’s put through the virtual wringer. But where would you fans be if she wasn’t always in some sort of peril with half a clip left and something really ugly closing in for it’s dinner? Granted, if she’s out of ammo and on her last legs, that’s actually more your fault than the game, right?

Anyway, Resident Evil Revelations looked fantastic as a Nintendo 3DS game last year, but completely redone for consoles and PC, it’s definitely a visual showstopper for the long-running franchise. With a May 21 release date set Capcom has announced that yes indeed, a demo for the upcoming multiplatform game will be released soon over Steam (PC), PSN (PS3), Xbox Live (Xbox 360) and eShop (Wii U), so you’ll get to try this one out and see the horror for yourself. Or not see it, because you’re too damn scared to tiptoe into the next room. Hmmm… I wonder if there’s even a tiptoe animation in the game. I guess that’s my winning suggestion to Capcom for the next installment in the series…

Below the jump are a boatload of screens and a part one of a great developer diary that looks at how RE’s of the past have shaped this installment – do drop in and check it out, please… Continue reading