Review: R-Type Dimensions (PSN)

Posted on June 1, 2014 by geelw

Developer: Southend Interactive
Publisher: Tozai Games
# of Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Official Site
Score: A (95%)

Some things never change, and in the case of R-Type and R-Type II, this is a great thing even if you’ve always hated both for being so incredibly brutal to play through. Developer Southend Interactive has put together a neat little retro package with a few great modern twists for you arcade shooter fans as well as anyone looking for a true old school challenge that’s finally flown onto PSN after appearing on the Xbox 360 last year. R-Type Dimensions is an absolute must-buy if you like your games tough, tricky and full of replay value. Sure, both games combined only total a mere fourteen stages, but just like back in 1987 and 1989, both games will test your reflexes to the maximum. And if you take what’s here for granted, how far you can throw a controller.

If you’re terrible at these types of shooters, terminally lazy or just want to see the endings of both before you flee this mortal coil, Dimensions includes couch co-op play and a new Infinite mode that gives you multiple lives, allowing anyone to blow through the game no matter how many times you’re blasted into space dust. Of course, purists will want this because the classic games are intact and perfectly presented in terms of gameplay and even the terrible “Get me a proofreader!” text that spells out the rather minimalist story… Continue reading →

CD Projekt RED Has Got Some Summery Surprises In Store Soon…

Posted on May 31, 2014 by geelw

Well, well… it looks as if a few more developers and publishers are stepping outside the usual confines of E3 to show what’s cooking to fans directly as opposed to having news filtered through assorted outlets. CD Projekt Red is joining the club with this upcoming June 5, 2015 conference that will no doubt be a showpiece for the PC and console versions of its eagerly awaited RPG The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. As you can see from this teaser below, I must be psychic or overstating the obvious (or both):

I also just NOW realize from watching that video that I’ve been pronouncing gog.com incorrectly for YEARS. Oops. Oh well, I bet a lot of others have been too, so I don’t feel bad at all. I do wonder how massive that Collector’s Edition will be for TW3, as the one for The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Extended Edition was pretty hefty from what I recall. Well, we’ll see in a few days, right?

Among The Sleep Launch Trailer: Baby Steps Better Be Big Ones In This Unique Horror Game…

Posted on May 31, 2014 by geelw

Krillbite Studios creepy horror game presented from the viewpoint of a two-year old, Among the Sleep is now available for purchase on Steam, gog.com and the Humble Bundle Store, so if you’re a fan of horror-themed video games and want something that’s fresh and shows off indie development at its finest, well… you know what to do. While it’s not the only game like this out there (Baby Blues has been on Desura for a while), Krillbite’s game takes a more colorfully stylized and surreal approach to its visuals and story. That talking teddy bear kind of freaks me out (even if he’s supposed to be friendly!). Naturally, you’ll want to NOT let your own two-year old anywhere near this game unless you like changing diapers three times as much as you normally do during the average day. Then again, I bet a few adults would pee or poop themselves if they played this just because they jump out of their skin at the drop of a hat…

The Order: 1886 Update: The Narration & Revolution Will Be Televised…

Posted on May 30, 2014 by geelw

Hey, look! An new behind the scenes video on Ready At Dawn’s PS4 exclusive, The Order: 1886. If I were a total idiot, I’d say this video arrived so quickly because someone at SCEA read my last post on the game and decided to help me out in covering this game, recently pushed forward into 2015. But I’m not that silly and know Sony is only getting more information out on this because they’ll have even more when E3 rolls around as well as a ton of other news and such on many other first and third party releases. I’ve been doing this long enough not to be so gullible – now, I just need to PLAY the game at some point at an actual media preview…

Surprise! Nintendo Gets The Jump On Super Smash Bros. Wii U Fans With A Game Cube Controller Adapter

Posted on May 29, 2014 by geelw

Well, this is quite cool. Earlier today, Nintendo dropped a little video about the upcoming Super Smash Bros. Invitational Tournament they’re holding at (or near) E3 this year and at the end of that video, BOOM! you’ll see that there’s a Game Cube Adapter coming for the Wii U, price and release date TBA.

Of course, Nintendo went and posted a picture of this soon to be hot seller on its Twitter feed… and pretty much anyone who still has a Game Cube lying around in a closet somewhere (or hey, still under their TV!) probably fainted dead away, woke up to pinch themselves HARD and promptly fainted dead away again. I think it was that sexy music playing when the Adapter was shown, but that’s probably just me…

Yeah, I want one of those AND more Game Cube games coming to the Wii U on the eShop… which according to rumor, MAY just happen. I’d gather this rumor is true as making that adapter for ONE game is just insane and I know a LOT of people want to buy and play some of those classics from the GC era and have at it for old time’s sake. I’m in that crowd although I still have a Game Cube here and a big stack of games to play on it. That said, I’ll snap this thing up in a heartbeat…

Enemy Front Story Trailer: Resistance Is (And Most Likely Will Be) Futile…

Posted on May 29, 2014 by geelw

CI Games’ upcoming WWII shooter has drawn my interest thanks to its story taking place during a few key points and in a few key places during that conflict. I’m withholding my judgment on this one completely until I actually PLAY it,but color me impressed that it looks to be packing in a LOT of content. As long as it’s not a straight-up linear run to the checkpoint experience (and press materials suggest it’s not at all), I think it will find an audience that likes what they see and may ask for more down the road. We’ll see in a few weeks as Enemy Front hits retail and digital outlets for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on June 10, 2014.

This Humble Weekly Bundle Will Get You Busy Playing AND Making Games!

Posted on May 29, 2014 by geelw

Okay, this one’s pretty awesome. If you’re seriously interested in creating your own 8 and 16-bit inspired role playing or other games, RPG Maker is an excellent tool to get into once you learn how to use it effectively. Of course, with the ton of great games that come in this week’s bundle, you may never get to playing around with the different programs you’ll snap up at a ridiculous price. Pay what you want for RPG Maker VX Ace, a DLC set of graphics and music you can use in your games, SEVEN games ready to play (Skyborn, Sweet Lily Dreams, Legionwood: The Tale of Two Swords, Star Stealing Prince, In Search for Immortality, and The Reconstruction. Each of these is a great example of what can be done with the software, but that’s ONLY the beginning (and if you’re a total cheapskate, you’ve ONLY spent a dollar or two so far!)

Just wait until you see what else is in this deal, folks… Continue reading →

Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare Popping Up On PS3 & PS4 In August

Posted on May 29, 2014 by geelw

Ah, so the trickle-down effect IS fruitful after all! Well, it’s more like a sideways-creeping vine effect as PopCap’s Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare finally makes its way to the PS3 and PS4 as an August 19, 2014 release. The game will also be playable on the Vita via Remote Play, although currently, there’s no direct Vita version you can stroll into a shop and buy or download from PSN.

I’ve not yet played this thanks to my pair of dead Xbox 360’s and my not having committed to buying an Xbox One (yet), but now I have no excuse not to play this one and perhaps drag a few friends along for the ride. I like that it’s not a straight port and Sony fans are getting some exclusive content for pre-ordering as well as in the actual game. Granted, it would be cooler if everyone got the same goodies in that came case or download no matter when they buy the game. But that’s something I’ll grouse about in a future feature. I’m just soaking in the happy rays of this news and can’t wait to give this one a go.

Company line press release below the jump for those of you who feel the need for (more) read… Continue reading →

Sacred 3 Coming To PC & Consoles August 5 (Or: There Goes My Late Summer)

Posted on May 28, 2014 by geelw

As a fan of the Sacred series for about nine or so years since that Sacred Gold box fell on my foot at a GameStop, I turned it over, saw it was an action/RPG and bought it on the spot, I’m completely psyched for Sacred 3. Coming to PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 (yet again, the newest consoles are shut out thanks to the game being developed for what was available at the time), I’m expecting more open world fantasy madness, plenty of quests and side quests, intentionally campy voice acting, LOADS of hidden goodies, and of course, excellent replay value. Screenshots don’t quite do these games justice thanks to the isometric view (although zooming in will likely be in the game, it makes the game much harder), but here you go just for fun:

Personally, I’m a gameplay video guy myself, so I like this better as an example of what’s to come:

I’m trying to figure this one into my schedule so I at least have one or two characters completing their story arcs just in time for that Diablo III expansion to hit the PS3 and I segue from one high quality dungeon crawler to another. Well, in THEORY, that’s what’s supposed to happen. We’ll see soon enough, though. Ancaria

These Humble Bundles Get Bookish And Robotic, But That’s Okay In These Cases…

Posted on May 28, 2014 by geelw

Got an e-reader of some sort? Get the Humble eBook Bundle while you can. Nine books, ten bucks (or more if you like), at least one more unlocked free later. While the fantasy and other fiction stuff comes highly recommended, I’d say ABSOLUTELY grab this for MARCH: Book One by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell.

This real-life account of Lewis’ struggle during the Civil Rights era is not only one of the best modern works about the period, it drives home how important the man himself is as a current voice against those who think race issues don’t matter in America these days.

As for that Humble PC and Android Bundle? Eight games that run on PC or Mac via STEAM or on assorted Android devices, six soundtracks, more games unlocked later, five bucks (or more, as before). You get to read and/or play yourself into a stupor, some charities get your money and everyone’s as happy as un-caught clams doing whatever clams do when they’re not worrying about being tossed in a pot or shucked by someone stuffing their maw in an eating contest. Yep, that’s the way to do it, I’d say…