Random Film of the Weekend: The Racers

Posted on March 15, 2014 by geelw

Henry Hathaway’s 1955 potboiler The Racers isn’t exactly the best Kirk Douglas vehicle out there, but the actor gives it his usual all in this zippy yet easily forgotten melodrama that features some excellent real life races in gorgeous European locations race fans will approve of highly. Unfortunately, mixed in with these lovely tracks are some of the worst laughably out of place front, rear, and side screen projected driving scenes outside of a slapstick comedy. In fact, these projection sequences are so obvious that they give the otherwise slickly made movie more of an odd comic tone today than they probably did back in theaters in 1955. Then again, I can’t imagine anyone being fooled back then either.

Granted, it’s more than obvious that the otherwise wise filmmakers didn’t want Douglas whipping around in uncontrollable circles in an open cockpit roadster or flying off a track because of a stray poodle to crash through some hay bales and a stone fence (the first hilarious wreck in the film). On the other hand, given the character he plays is a bit of a jerk as he steps on a few toes on his way to the top of the auto racing heap, I guess a little less fake looking fakery may have made this more memorable a time killer… Continue reading →

GOG.com’s Luck of the Irish Sale: Get A Pot ‘O Games For Very Little Gold

Posted on March 14, 2014 by geelw

Ha. The folks overseas at gog.com must think Saint Patrick’s Day is a federal holiday here or something (as in a day where people don’t have to go to work at all). How else would you explain this insane sale? Up to 90% off a BUNCH of games and there’s even a random Pot of Gold picker button that has some invisible leprechaun pick random games for you. Cool! Unless you get a copy of Elf Bowling or something. But I don’t think that’s going to happen at all. Maybe. Anyway, take a chance at two bucks a pop or just use that nice ling list of picks to choose your game(s). Calling into work on Monday sick is up to you, but if your boss happens to also have a gog.com account and reads your braggy posting in the forums there about the deal(s) you got there, well… it’s your move I guess. If you get fired, look at the bright side – you’ll now have time to play all those games you just bought!

If Arnold Has A Crush On You, You’d Better Run For The Hills…

Posted on March 14, 2014 by geelw

(Thanks, Arnold)!

Yikes. Well, at least he’s smashing stuff with that tank he owns for a good cause, so it’s not as if he’s gone completely nuts like the time he got me in a choppa to take me somewhere and left me there when he went to go get some cigars from the nearest corner store. Which just so happened to be 147 miles from that jungle hell I had to cut my way out of with a rusty machete. Of course, Arnold acts as if he’s forgotten all about it, but he knows I had to live on assorted insects, plants and half a Little Debbie cinnamon bun (yuk!) I had in my pocket. Anyway, check out the rest of the Let’s Crush videos HERE and get a little chuckle on a fine Friday afternoon, I say…

Cloudbuilt Gets An Official Website (And A SUPER Fast Teaser)

Posted on March 13, 2014 by geelw

Seriously, that was WAY too short, but it gets the job done. Coilworks‘ gorgeous looking and tough as nails free-runner/shooter/platformer Cloudbuilt arrives on Steam in a week, so go check out the official site and the Steam store page to see what all the fast-paced fuss is about. Fast trailer gets a quickie post – there, I’m done!

Alien Isolation “Creating The Alien” Trailer: Shaping Your Fears Is Tough Work…

Posted on March 13, 2014 by geelw

So, that’s how it’s done, hmmmm. Okay, now we need to see the underwear factory churning out adult-sized diapers with the Alien Isolation logo on them that will be packed in that Collector’s Edition of the game along with a pocket defibrillator and smelling salts. The folks at The Creative Assembly seem to be making the Alien game to end all Alien games because it’s closer to the first Alien film than a few of the more action-packed sequels ever were. Granted, there’s something to be said for those awesome Rebellion-made Alien vs. Predator PC games and yes, a few of the other games in this long running franchise have been quite well done and thrilling. But this may be the first game that feels frightening thanks to it looking to capture what made the original work all too well. Pre-alpha footage means there’s a long way to go before this one’s all wrapped up, folks. I’m betting it’s a big fat face-huggy surprise when it’s all done.

As usual, we’ll see…

Demon Gaze: NISA Brings More “No School Like the Old School” RPG Goodness to NA…

Posted on March 12, 2014 by geelw

Nice. As a longtime fan of classic PC RPGs such as Wizardry, Dungeon Master, Might & Magic and many (MANY) others, it’s always great to see this style of game making a comeback on consoles as well. Demon Gaze is headed exclusively to the PlayStation Vita stateside on April 22, 2014 and here’s the US teaser trailer (above) and the opening minutes of gameplay (below, thanks to YouTuber Dorarnae). I know some of you more stubborn CRPG players who like a specific (as in non-anime/manga) art style are hating the character designs here and nothing will ever change your minds on that front. Too bad, I say, as publisher Kadokawa games and developer Experience Inc. have done a neat thing with the opening sequence that made me grin because it’s not the usual thing you see when you fire up a game.

The game’s official website has gone live and has basic information on the game world, character creation, gameplay and a few other topics. This one’s on my list of April games to play, as I can see way too many hours spent grinding away with a perfect parry. Or a party that WILL be perfect once I stopped getting stomped by some boss somewhere. I’ve got my eye on you, Demon Gaze (staaaaaarrrrrrre)…

MORE Free Stuff? OK, Win An Earth Defense Force 2025 Prize Pack (via Facebook)

Posted on March 12, 2014 by geelw

Got a facebook account? Good. Like to win free stuff? Even better! D3Publisher of America is giving YOU a chance to win a PS3 or Xbox 360 copy of their epic bug-blasting extravaganza Earth Defense Force 2025, all three DLC packs AND a bunch of EDF 2025 swag (which MAY or may not be some or all of this cool stuff) all for filling out that sweepstakes form. Uh huh, I can hear you bouncing up and down in your seat over there, so stop that before you break that chair (it’s squeaking because it’s old!) and go enter already!

A Friendly Reminder from Rising Star Games…

Posted on March 11, 2014 by geelw

Nine more days until Demi’s debut, folks. Coilworks‘ lightning paced, tricky as heck (but FUN) runner/shooter/platformer Cloudbuilt is going to pop up on Steam and hope you’re smart enough to snap it up. Granted, you’ll need to have decent reflexes and a willingness to ignore that timer and pay attention to the environments, but that’s also good advice for life most of the time. Hurry, but don’t rush, you know what I mean? March 20th is right around the corner…

Dark Souls II Now Available: You Come Up For Air When You’re Good And Ready. They’ll Wait…

Posted on March 10, 2014 by geelw

(thanks, Game Banshee!)

“They” meaning all the things that want you dead, as the AI in the game is set on “pursue to the ends of the earth” and “puree” and not necessarily in that order. Anyway, PS3 and 360 owners get theirs now, PC gamers get a while to wait, but should just feel lucky they’re getting this game at all because a bunch will just hex hack up some cheats before they actually experience this one as it SHOULD be played. Eh, whatever. I take my Dark Souls II straight up and run from the room screaming hard, no chaser, as there will already be stuff coming after me clogging up the hallway. Yaaaah. Prepare to LIE your way out of work if you’re one of those people not playing Titanfall at all (I’m one of those people). Yes, I’ll replace this trailer with Namco Bandai’s once they get around to posting it. They tend to run a bit late with the US stuff. There’s one up now, but it’s unavailable (boo!), meaning it’s probably going to be let loose tomorrow morning around 9am.

Dementium II HD Behind the Scenes: A Whole Lot Of “Nope” Means This Needs To Be Played…

Posted on March 10, 2014 by geelw

So, yeah… Dementium II HD. Digital Tribe and Memetic Games’ PC version of Renegade Kid’s super scary Nintendo DS exclusive looks like an even more complete freak-out, although there’s definitely something to be said for the original game’s defying the hardware it was made for and offering up a frightening portable thrill ride that’s still the best horror game on that old handheld. Anyway, this update looks pretty darn jump out of your underwear freaky on a few fronts, but I’m brave. I can take it. Maybe.

Let’s see it in action (go hide the kids and pets in a closet, folks – this probably isn’t pretty):

Yeah, there’s a whole bus load of “Nope!” going on there, as in “Nope, I’m not going to open that door… TOO LATE! Gyaaaah!” and so forth and so on. Digital Tribe has done well with this frightening little gem and since I missed posting them, I’m going to run all four behind the scenes videos so you can see how the game was made. Pleasant Dreeeeeeams, now…