Cloudbuilt Now Available: Scaling New Heights Of Spectacular-ness (And Quickly, At That!)

Posted on March 20, 2014 by geelw

Yeah, yeah – it’s a rerun, but hey – this one’s worth the double vision. Coilworks’ awesome and super challenging Cloudbuilt is now LIVE on Steam and already there’s an update out that addresses some issues a few players have been having. While I’ll need to go play this this weekend at a friend’s place who has Windows 7 still running fine on his PC (all of mine here use XP and proudly, grrr!), my time with the demo (also at his place) revealed that the developer is onto something with this insane, fast-paced run/shoot/parkour hybrid that’s brilliant, tough as hell and extremely rewarding when you find that perfect line and start smashing records (and progress-killing enemies in your path). This NEEDS to be on a few consoles so more people can dive in and see what all the fuss is about.

Child of Light Making of #1: Dream, Draw and Drink In The Delicious Results…

Posted on March 19, 2014 by geelw

Ubisoft is making game making an even more “magical” process these days thanks to its UbiArt Framework tech that allows for artists to see their work come to brilliant life while remaining unchanged from how it was created. The upcoming multiplatform role-playing game, Child of Light (April 30, 2014) presents the gorgeous storybook world of Lemuria and allows players to dive in and explore it using some tried and true gameplay along with some nice new features sure to bring on the raves from an audience hungry for new original properties and not more of the same old same old.

Given that the game is set ti launch on PC, PS3/PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Wii U (so far!), it looks as if anyone with a home console or decent enough gaming setup will be seeing what the fuss is all about soon enough. Yeah, I know you Mac and Linux users are all cranky right about now, but I guess there will be a version of this for you folks at some point down the road. In the meantime, I guess you could always make friends with someone who has one of the systems the CAN play on when it launches next month…

Metal Gear Solid V Ground Zeroes: Demo As A “Luxury” (For Better Or Worse)…

Posted on March 18, 2014 by geelw

So, it’s here and even though it’s been known for a while it was going to be what amounts to nothing but a brief demo with a $30 price tag (and similar to Gran Turismo 5 Prologue in its cost versus brevity factor), some critics have been punching away hard on poor Big Boss/Solid Snake. As I’m not made of money, I’m going to wait for a used copy or trade from a friend to pop up, but I really want to play this just to see that Fox Engine in action, how Kiefer Sutherland works as the voice for Snake (taking over from David Hayter) and the ability to tackle that single (and large) map as many ways as possible. Granted, the one to two hours maximum play time I’m hearing about IS a bit pesky, but I’m gathering most reviewers played through just to complete their posts and aren’t fully appreciating that demo for all its worth. On the other hand, this is a Hideo Kojima game, so perhaps that and the Metal Gear name are carrying that price point into “Hmmmmm…” territory for some writers and players.

That said, the full game (Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain) is still underway as far as development goes, so I do hope the cost of this slice is offset in some manner, be it some exclusive content available to those with save files (on-disc and not DLC so EVERYONE who bought in can see/play it) or something else Kojima and publisher Konami can think up to keep the angrier folks down off their soapboxes. Eh, we’ll see, I suppose. I’m just glad to see a new MGS on a home console after all this time…

Godzilla International Trailer: All You Need From Me On A Tuedsay Is A Big, Mad Lizard…

Posted on March 18, 2014 by geelw

Yeah, I’m kind of taking the day off to rest because my overtaxed brain has needed it for a bit and I didn’t listen to the signals for a few weeks, so here you go. Of course, after that toy reveal yesterday, I figured we’d HAVE to see a new trailer that shows the big radioactive lug doing his stuff. Nice, huh? I’m tempted to break my travel almost 24 miles both ways boycott to check this out, but we shall see. At this point, seeing new movies when they land in theaters is low on the totem pole unless I get preview passes. I’m not at all averse to holding out for the soon to be released home video version (which as I’ve noted previously, takes less than eight months for most films these days).

Karate Master Knock Down Blow 2: Old And New Hit The Mats In This Upcoming Sequel…

Posted on March 17, 2014 by geelw

Okay, so the title is a bit unwieldy in that manner some import games are, and sure, to some of you this looks straight out of 1989 or so. However, there’s a lot going on here in Crian Soft’s in progress fighter that’s worthy of attention, especially if you like your fighting games attempting at least a little “realism.” It seems that the developer is focusing on actual moves and save for the bear fight (!) and car jumping (Okay, I’ve seen it done, but it’s NOT for your average karate student), this one might be a solid little sleeper when it’s finally let loose upon the world.

There also seems to be Steam Greenlight status being gone for with this one and I really hope it makes it as this one’s got sleeper hit all over it if the controls are flawless and the action is thrilling. Granted, the game won’t appeal to everyone, but that’s fine by me as every niche has its fans who will appreciate what’s here far more than those who dismiss what they see without even picking up a controller (as usual)…

Ultra Street Fighter IV: Meet Decapre!

Posted on March 17, 2014 by geelw

So, I’m more of a casual Street Fighter player these days, but even I can see that the lovely Decapre is a more or less (okay, more) cyborg-like version of popular fighter Cammy with a more clothed (bit still very sassy!) look. Nevertheless, Ultra Street Fighter IV with its slew of bonus content and features should please any fan of this series thanks to its healthy roster of talent to choose from, additional stages and the usual outstanding replay value Capcom fighters are known for among novice to veteran players.

Yeah, yeah – the haters still have their axes to grind and soapboxes to wobble on, but who has time to read or listen to those feebs other than the ones who agree with them? I say play more games and ignore the bile – you’ll live longer and enjoy yourself more than someone sitting at a keyboard whining away about stuff they really have no idea about. Hey! I wasn’t referring to ME, silly (grrrr!) – I’ve been doing this gaming thing for far too long to know I’m always right (er… okay, MOST of the time)…

Press release below the jump, by the way! Continue reading →

Cloudbuilt Launch Trailer: Three Days To The Condor!

Posted on March 17, 2014 by geelw

I’m up WAY too early this Monday (at 6:31, I popped up and couldn’t close my eyes, sooo), but at least I can kick off this busy day with some good news. Coilworks‘ first game Cloudbuilt is allllllmost here (ignore my hasty facebook post from earlier!). Hmmm. Memo for a Monday: Make sure you’re FULLY awake before you do that posting. Ah well. Okay, let me get that coffee going! Back in a few…

Review: Magus

Posted on March 16, 2014 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation 3

Developer: Black Tower Studios/Aksys Games

Publisher: Aksys Games

# of Players:1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: D+

While playing through the comically wretched (in)excess that is Magus, I kept having flashbacks to the time the late, lamented 3DO’s internal studios were churning out games like Warriors of Might and Magic, Crusaders of Might and Magic, Shifters and most importantly, Godai: Elemental Force (one of the most laughably busted games ever made for the PS2). Magus reminded me of those games and more recent ones where any good intentions were waylaid by questionable execution that ended up sapping anything decent out of them, leaving a residue of fun smothered in layers of glaring badness.

Now, I love my bad games to death, but Magus gets a special place in my library for making me laugh out of confusion and unintentional humor at the same time. If Black Tower were trying for some sort of genre-bending parody they’ve succeeded royally. On the other hand, if this was a serious idea gone south for the duration that couldn’t be salvaged, it’s a bit head-shaking how this game got made this late in the PS3’s life cycle… Continue reading →

Oculus Trailer: Nothing (New) to See Here, Move Along…

Posted on March 16, 2014 by geelw

*Sigh*… I don’t know why I do this to myself, but I figure one of these modern horror films will actually do what it’s intending and actually scare me. Granted, I draw the line at the torture porn genre stuff and some of the repetitive nonsense that templates better films that were more entertaining back in the 1970’s and 80’s. Well, at least this poster variant is REALLY nice (and probably the creepiest thing about the film).

The one fun and funny thing about this trailer is I’m SURE the folks behind the upcoming Oculus Rift virtual reality (or whatever they want to call it) headset probably don’t want the negative stigma of someone slapping on those expensive X-Ray specs and seeing not so friendly ghosts popping up in their faces. Eh, whatever – I’ll be waiting for this one to pop up on cable to see if it makes me even shift a little in my seat. I sure wasn’t at all scared by this two and a half minutes…

Random Film of the Week(end), Too: SHIVERS (They Came From Within)

Posted on March 15, 2014 by geelw

(Thanks, kxkwarriorv!)

SHIVERS (or They Came From Within) is NOT a very good date movie. At all. David Cronenberg’s absolutely unsettling and increasingly relentless genre classic may make you fear all of the following (in no order) sex, sexually transmitted diseases, parasites, scalpels, Canada, quirky (but sexy) Canadians, somewhat secluded apartment complexes, swimming, bathing, kitchen sinks, liquids in general, elevators, upset stomachs, children and doctors with strange hobbies (plus a few other things major and minor).

That said, the film excels at what it intends so well that it’s absolutely required viewing even though if you DO make it a date night flick. Just don’t be surprised to feel your butt muscles getting a workout as they slowly ambulate you sideways away from that sweetie sitting next to you (and his or her butt will be doing the same thing, by the way). On the other hand, this may be a film that brings you closer if only to get in some cuddle time afterwards. “No sex, please… we’re now both as scared as s#!t!”

Continue reading →