Syndicate TV Spot: The Corporate Wars Are Getting Closer…

Nice. I’m sincerely hoping Starbreeze Studios and EA have their collective fingers in their ears and (their bulletproof vests on) when it comes to the silly trolling their baby is getting in some online circles. As noted on the other blog, once you try out the Syndicate demo and things start clicking into place, you’re hooked in and set to roll with whatever the final version packs. Me, I’ve been aboard since last year when I played the demo, so I know the game proper will be outstanding. To those still making Deus Ex: Human Revolution comparisons… well, you’ll just have to see for yourselves that while yes, there are some visual similarities, it’s not even close in terms of a few other key points. Well, there’s not too much longer to wait, so you’ll get the chance to see what’s up shortly… provided you can uncross your arms and look down at a controller instead of sticking your noses in the air…

Dragon’s Dogma Coming In May (With A Resident Evil 6 Demo Along For The Ride…)

Well, well, well… we have a release date! Capcom as announced that Dragon’s Dogma will hit retail in the North America on May 22, 2012 and will include a playable Resident Evil 6 demo (excellent) which will HOPEFULLY be on the disc and NOT some download-only nonsense that’s used to track new copies of DD or something like that. I’m actually happy to see a demo actually come out before the game, as it’s been an unfortunate trend over the last few years to ship out a demo too close to the release date (or well after in some cases). Then again, a lot of developers dislike making demos for a number of reasons (as you’ll find out if you get a chance to talk to a few every so often).  Of course, I’m already reading about the usual skeptics who think Capcom is sticking a RE demo on DD to automatically sell a ton of copies of a game that might not be that great. But I’ll be the first to go after those naysayers with a rolled up newspaper if they said that without laying a finger on the actual game.

Anyway, another one for the radar – Thanks, Capcom!

London’s East End Gets Treated To SoulCalibur V Graffiti

Graffiti isn’t a crime EVERYWHERE in the free world and it’s good to see it used to promote what’s looking like a pretty cool game. Of course, London gets a lot of other cool stuff we don’t here in the states, but I’m not Anthony Bourdain and this isn’t the Travel Channel, so you’ll have to get over there and see for yourself at some point. Anyway, enjoy the video and make sure to check out SoulCalibur V when it hits stores tomorrow (or February 3, if you happen to be in the UK or Europe).

SoulCalibur V Update: A Terrible Trio Trailer

Here’s another look at SoulCalibur V in action, this time featuring Algol and Edgemaster plus Soul of Devil Jin, a custom character cooked using the beefy edit function. I can;t wait to see how many other new fighters the game’s user base whips up, as the possibilities are endless and the game looks to be one of those that gets played to death for the next few years online as well as off. SoulCalibur V arrives in the US on January 31 and in Europe on February 3.

Dragon’s Dogma Story Trailer Teaser

Capcom’s been cooking this one up for a while and while the full version of this trailer won’t be revealed until 1/31, they’re releasing this short tease to get you all worked up (and rightly so). I’m also gathering they’ve been tightening up the gameplay significantly from the demo versions I played last year, as there were a few issues that needed ironing out. Then again, a demo is just that, and in no way signifies the quality of the final build. PS3 and Xbox 360 owners will get to see that for themselves as Capcom is promising a “flood of Dragon’s Dogma info on the way!”

Well, that means I’ll be posting it when it splashes around in my inbox…

DiRT Showdown Update: “Nevada 8-Ball” Gameplay Trailer Shows Off The Bash & Crash

Funny. Just as I was restoring the post with the announcement trailer to Codemasters’ upcoming hybrid racer, I see that a new trailer has been posted, so here you go. This new (and extremely impressive) in-progress demolition derby footage reminds me a bit of Monster Games VASTLY underrated PlayStation 2 and Xbox title, Test Drive: Eve of Destruction. Granted, the amazing EGO-engine wasn’t around back then and that game didn’t have any actual drivers nor some of today’s top US rally racers doing donuts and taking risky driving to all new heights (pun intended). Anyway, I predict this one will be the biggest DiRT to date. One suggestion, though – PLEASE offer the option to turn OFF any and all video upload prompts when offline! They were a big pain in DiRT 3 for solo players (like me) who were trying to concentrate on winning a stretch of tough races and didn’t need the constant prodding for a feature we had no plans to use.

 

Armored Core V Walkthrough: From Keeps It Familiar (& Doesn’t Breed Contempt)

Nice new visuals aside (go, From!), there’s just something supremely “old school” about this Armored Core V gameplay footage that made me think a bit of all the fun I had with the original game and its sequels back on the PlayStation. Granted, AC V’s more multiplayer-centric approach will make this latest entry a big draw for those who like their mechs going at it in team-based combat. But I’m keeping my fingers crossed that there’s enough of a single player campaign included for those of us who want to dive in and not have to deal with folks who make you want to throw a shoe (and a controller) at your TV…

The Darkness II Launch Trailer: Early, But Makes Its Point…

No gory gameplay or expletives not deleted here, so I can run this without an age gate. Here’s the short but excellent CG trailer for Digital Extremes’ upcoming FPS. As noted earlier, 2K has quite the lineup for genre fans from this one, to BioShock Infinite to Borderlands 2. It’s definitely going to be a busy year for genre fans, so hopefully all of these games will do well across each platform they appear on. The Darkness II appears in stores on February 7, 2012 (US) and February 10, 2012 (everywhere else).

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning/Mass Effect 3 Demo Bonus Gear Revealed

Personally, I’d have preferred to see this cool gear made available on the game discs (for those folks who can’t try out the demos thanks to no/slow broadband access), but I guess that crowd will have to suffer without the cool swag unless it pops up on a reprint down the road. Granted, none of the gear in this trailer is probably necessary to clear either game, but it all sure looks cool, doesn’t it?  As for that demo, it’s really excellent. The game absolutely is NOT trying to be “realistic” in a Skyrim or Dark Souls manner where carry weight, proper blocking or balance when swinging a weapon comes into play. Hell, you’re running too fast for wearing armor, the colors pop in a more graphic novel/fantasy art manner and overall, the gameplay owes more to faster-paced action games more than classic RPG’s.

Still, these will be major selling points to those gamers who disliked the games mentioned for their pacing and general overkill in a few areas. As for me, I can make the distinction between many types of games, so I’m all in for Amalur as well as anything else that comes down the pike as long as it’s well done. EA, 38 Studios and Big Huge Games have a big, huge hit on their hands, so don’t pass it up when the game hits retail on February 7, 2012. I’ll need to flip a coin to decide which console version to pick up, but I’m leaning towards the PS3, as it’s the system that’s given me the least (as in NO) troubles over the long haul.

The Darkness II Demo: Not For The Squeamish, Kids Or Anyone Not Expecting A Load Of Not-So-Nice Stuff

If ever a game earned its Mature rating, it has to be this one. Let’s just say that Digital Extremes has done a mighty fine job taking the reins from Starbreeze Studios for this upcoming sequel and they pull no punches when it comes to the game’s content. What works is the overall dark tone of the demo, the beautiful color palette (gory bits and swearing set on staccato aside, the game is quite striking to look at) and the bits of humor in the midst of all the violence. While the sequel will ship with a 4-player co-op mode, I’m all about the single player campaign and getting into the story. The demo has been out for a few days now and it comes highly recommended for those of you out there interested in the game, but on whatever fence folks who don’t run out and snap up quality games hang out on.

February 7, 2012 is the launch date and although I don’t expect any midnight launch parties or massive roll-outs for this shooter, it absolutely deserves a wiser audience than the first game got. Of course, between this game, BioShock Infinite and Borderlands 2, 2K Games has a great chunk of the FPS market sewn up very tightly, I’d say.