Halo 4 “Scanned” Trailer: Get Fincher on the Speed Dial!

Posted on October 19, 2012 by geelw

Hmmm… perhaps David Fincher should have been tapped to direct that Halo movie? OK, he only produced this trailer, but still – it’s pretty impressive and actually makes me want to see something a bit longer form. Eh, whatever – the game will still sell millions of copies, great trailers or not. I’m wondering why Microsoft even bothers to spend all this scratch promoting a game that really doesn’t need all sorts of excesses spent on marketing. The hardcore fans will eat it up and spread the word, the pro reviewers who aren’t jaded and tired of Master Chief yet will go on and on about feature after feature that they approve of and overall, Microsoft will be sitting on more piles of cash. Hell, even if critics hate the game for some reason (and other than the stupid shoutcasting in multiplayer, it’s hard to see why, given that 343 has poured a ton of effort into what’s looking like the biggest Halo to date), it’ll still sell like hotcakes.

Defiance Hands-On: Welcome to the Resistance – It’s Going To Be Really Awesome

Posted on October 19, 2012 by geelw

I may have been initially skeptical about Defiance based on mistakenly hearing it was going to be a licensed game (in fact, it’s a tie in set at the same time as the upcoming show), but I knew that if Trion Worlds was involved in it, it would be a game worth playing. After ogling movies and screens on and off these past few months, I finally got some hands-on time with the upcoming third-person Action MMO and yes indeed, it’s absolutely amazing. If the demo I and everyone else I saw walking away from with big grins on their faces is any indication, Defiance will indeed be a genre pushing game changer upon its April 2013 launch on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

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Dead Space Liberation: Something To Read While You’re Too Scared To Play…

Posted on October 14, 2012 by geelw

My hands-on impressions of Dead Space 3 are embargoed for a bit by EA, but they’re definitely not keeping quiet about this upcoming treat for fans who want even more lore. Liberation arrives on February 15, 2013 and yup, is a prequel to the events of the upcoming third installment in the series. The folks at Visceral certainly have a big story to tell and between the new game and this book, I can see a lot of you out there not sleeping much. For a few reasons…

Lost Planet 3 Extended Gameplay (Now With Developer Commentary!)

Posted on October 13, 2012 by geelw

It’s probably a wee bit too late to change the name of this game, but perhaps Capcom should consider it because too many people out there seem to think the game erases everything that occurred in LP and LP2 when in fact, this is a PREQUEL that sets up events to come. Anyway, I’ll keep championing this game until it’s launched and beyond because from what I played, it’s Spark Unlimited at their best and it deserves a LOT more respect. Of course, some out there won’t be convinced, but I think the demo being at NYCC this year will convince some skeptics that the game is indeed quite amazing where it needs to be.

Rockstar Games Collection Edition 1: Instant Gift Idea For The Open World Novice

Posted on October 12, 2012 by geelw

Rockstar does it again, folks. With so much content packed onto a single disc, this set is a pretty stellar deal no matter how you slice it. For the price of one game ($59.99), you’re getting FOUR of the company’s biggest titles spanning this current console cycle. Come November 6, 2012, PS3 and Xbox 360 owners looking to try some great games they haven’t gotten around to just yet (or those who want a great gift for a friend or relative who’s never played an open world game previously) will soon have one of the best deals to date. Here’s what’s in the collection? Just check below the jump for some cut & past action (Hey! it’s late and I need some sleep – been up playing a ton of games again)…

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EA’s Going To Surprise A Few Folks (Me Included)…

Posted on October 11, 2012 by geelw

Most of the games I saw and played yesterday are under embargo for a few days or up to next month, so I can’t spill all the beans yet, but let’s just say some of you naysayers are going to be eating a load of crow when it comes to certain titles in their lineup. I’ll start rolling out previews for each title as their embargoes lift, but while you’re waiting, I’ll keep you posted on stuff I can write about over the next few days on the mobile and console front. OK, I’m off to bed for two hours, as I have a LOT to do and need to hop up and get an earlier start than usual…

Of Orcs & Men Launch Trailer: The Big Guy, The Little Guy And The World Against Them

Posted on October 10, 2012 by geelw

OK, Of Orcs & Men is pretty much here already, so it’s all up to you out there to decide if it’s worth a buy. Tfe concept alone makes me want to drop the money on it, Yeah, yeah, orcs have been in PLENTY of RPGs and other games, but not quite like this and not with a goblin thief/assassin sidekick – and both are the main characters. If Spiders and Cyanide Studios can pull it off (they already have the great-looking visuals), it’s a surefire sleeper hit. If not, it’s a bargain bin special in a few weeks (a sad fate for a game that took a while to make and looks so solid). As always… we shall see…

DmC Preorder Madness: Choose Your Poison (They All Look Tasty)…

Posted on October 8, 2012 by geelw

I’m not a fan at all of the current crazy situation where every major retailer gets SEPARATE pre-order bonuses, no matter how good a game is. I happen to love games where everything is in the package or those where I know I can scoop up every last bit of content in a Game of the Year or other reissue. I know a lot of other gamers who hate this tactic as well, but it seems to be here to stay.

And don’t go hating ONLY on Capcom for this, kids – you can toss a dead cat and hit games from nearly every major publisher that do this sort of thing. That said, from what I’ve played, at least DmC is going to be one of those games that no matter how you buy it, will keep you busy through multiple replays. Continue reading →

Under Defeat HD: The Arcade Shmup Isn’t Quite As Dead As You Think

Posted on October 8, 2012 by geelw

Granted, hardcore fans out there KNOW this, but I always get a chuckle when I hear people wondering why games like this are still made and/or getting attention. Those people are, of course, folks who’ve either never tried shooters or are terminally terrible at them, so they never get listened to. Especially by developers like G.rev and publishers like Rising Star Games (who deserve a big tip of the hat for keeping the flame going). Under Defeat was initially an arcade hit in Japan before landing on the Dreamcast around six years ago (Sega’s console was getting some excellent games in Japan long after it died out everywhere else in the world) and is now headed stateside and to Europe on the PS3 and Xbox 360. The interesting thing here is the game will be made available for the same price point for its digital and retail editions (a mere $29.99), but the retail version will pack in a soundtrack CD, digital art book download,DLC patches and an exclusive letter from the CEO of G.Rev and the game’s executive producer, Hiroyuki Maruyama (no doubt thanking those who got off their lazy asses and walked to their nearest game emporium rather than sit at home and press a few buttons because they’re stuck to the sofa).

Of course, PS3 and 360 shmup fans will be giddy with delight, but where’s the Vita version? That system has a wide screen too, you know…

Need For Speed Most Wanted: Criterion Clearly Hasn’t Burned Out Yet…

Posted on October 8, 2012 by geelw

It’s been a ton of fun playing this upcoming competition-based racer at press events and it’s equally fun watching people play, especially those new to the crazed competition Criterion has created. You’ll be fighting for every challenge, as the game’s non-stop pace, open world and constant need for, well, SPEED n the bulk of the events will keep your fingers on their toes constantly. This could be the perfect party game for many and it’s definitely going to get people obsessively checking their Autolog scores or fearing the updates with their former best times smashed by someone else (probably within seconds or minutes). Naturally, if you hate being beaten, you can always play the game offline against the AI, but this is exactly the sort of game that encourages you to dive in with as many other live players as possible.