There are a couple of interesting games hitting store shelves this week. As a sci-fi nerd, I’m excited to see what Digital Extremes delivers with the new Star Trek game, which is based on JJ Abrams’ Star Trek universe. I loved the first movie and I’m a fan of the developer, so I have high hopes for the game. Survival-horror fans will want to check out Dead Island: Riptide for another dose of tropical frights. If you missed out on Dragon’s Dogma then you ought to consider Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen, which is a re-release of the original with loads of new content.
It looks like the only noteworthy game shipping this week is Injustice: Gods Among Us. Comic-book fanboys and fighting-game aficionados will definitely want to keep their eyes on this one. One of my videogame writer friends was raving about the game last night, saying that it’s lots of fun and comparable to the most recent Mortal Kombat game. As a mark from DC Comics (Nightwing rules!) and one of the people that actually enjoyed Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe, I’m excited for this…but really, I’m excited for any game that features Nightwing. The dude rules, like Ben Affleck in Phantoms.
Square Enix has released the trailer for Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster. Both games will be available in a single-disc set for PlayStation 3 and available individually for PlayStation Vita. The release date is a vague “in 2013.”
I’m completely psyched for an updated version of Final Fantasy X. The game worked for me on so many levels. I loved the sphere grid system, the music was outstanding, and unlike most of my gamer friends, I found Yuna to be completely adorable. (I have a thing for women with stunted speech patterns and heterochromia iridum. Sue me.) Many longtime Square fans feel that FFX was the last great Final Fantasy game and I’m sure hundreds of thousands of them, at the very least, will snatch this remix up.
While it wasn’t nearly as good as the original, I remember having fun with Final Fantasy X-2. It was a cute “girl power” adventure that used some gameplay elements of its predecessor in a more lighthearted game. It was fun in a Final-Fantasy-meets-Spice-Girls way.
Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’re planning to pick up Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster.
Here are a bunch of screens from Way of the Dogg starring Snoop Dogg/Lion/Potser. Since it stars a man with many names, the game is appropriately a mix of many genres. There’s fighting, rhythm, and music for you to deal with. While I’m still digging up information on whether this game is best played under herbal influences, here’s a lovely third-person quote from the D-O-Double-G himself:
Everyone knows that Snoop is down with the biggest and best video games whether it’s droppin’ my hits on the soundtrack or showing the world I can go toe-to-toe with the best fighters on the street but Way of the Dogg is the first true gamification of my music. It’s the way you live, it’s the way you do what you do and captures the beat, the rhythm and the spirit of my music. It’s not just about who you are or where you’ve been but where you are headed to. This game shows how we evolve as individuals and they’ve incorporated the journey of my own personal reincarnation as Snoop Lion into my character, the environments and the path that players have to follow.
While I believe that Snoop is one of the people that’s allowed to refer to himself in the third person, I’m fairly certain that the word “gamification” isn’t in his vernacular…but that’s just conjecture. That aside, there’s something strangely alluring about a rhythm/fighting game starring Snoop Dogg. It appeals to me…and I don’t know why.
Way of the Dogg is coming to PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and mobile platforms. It will be released in conjunction with Snoop’s Reincarnated movie and album, set for release on March 15, 2013 and April 23, 2013, respectively. Do any of you find the game appealing? Or have I been inhaling strange vapors?
Here’s a batch of new screens for the upcoming Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. When I saw the game last October, I was impressed by its art style, unique yet simple gameplay, and non-verbal storytelling. It reminded me of Ico, with a bit of Heavy Rain thrown in. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is coming to PC (via Steam), PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 in Spring 2013. It will be available for $15 or 1,200 units of make-believe Xbox Live currency. Check out the screens below and let me know what you think (please!). Continue reading “Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Screens”
The latest trailer for the Deadpool videogame by High Moon Studios has been getting strong reactions from comic-book fanboys. Some people love it and some people hate it. As expected, the action is big and loud and obnoxious. As expected, Deadpool is also loud and obnoxious. Some feel that he’s too much of an idiot in the trailer, while others feel that Wade Wilson is, in fact, an idiot and acts appropriately in the clip. What do you think? Check out the trailer below and let me know in the comments section (please).
As for me, I understand both sides of the argument. The trailer has some of the qualities people want and expect from Deadpool. As a longtime fan of the comics and character, I can see how some people feel that some of his wit and charm are missing. Yes, he’s supposed to be juvenile, but he’s also supposed to be a clever, fourth-wall breaking, and parodic character. You don’t get that from the trailer, but hey it’s only a trailer, right? Writing should be a huge part of the game and I need to hear more dialogue before coming to a conclusion. Besides, Deadpool feeling up Cable negates any of the trailer’s shortcomings.
What do you think of the Deadpool trailer? Fire away!
March is going to be a great month for videogames, with loads of great franchises coming in like a lion. Kicking things off is Tomb Raider. Lara Croft’s return has been getting some great reviews and there’s just something comforting about having her back in the gaming world. MLB spring training is underway, so baseball fans will want to pick up MLB 13 The Show and MLB 2K13. Since my beloved Yankees are old and broken down, the videogame version of the team is probably the closest they’ll get to the world series. If you need to get your ninja on, then Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 is your game of the week. Has a recent overdose of Twilight given you the urge to slay bloodsuckers? Thankfully, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Mirror Fate is here. Lastly, Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk will bring a smile to those of you that miss quirky Japanese RPGs with turn-based combat.
Here’s the latest trailer for Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. What makes this video special is that it was cut by Hideo Kojima himself! Normally, legendary videogame designers let their minions assemble trailers, so this is a special treat. Check out the video below and let me know what you think of Kojima’s latest and greatest. Are you itching to play this game?
Bungie recently unveiled details on its upcoming MMO space-shooter Destiny. There are loads of previews out there full of hyperbolic preview-y text — so much so that several videogame journalists are having preview-event backlash. (I don’t want to get too into the issue. I believe that readers are thoughtful enough to figure things out on their own.) Thankfully, Gamasutra was at the Destiny event to provide a smart and balanced look at the game. I highly recommend reading the sage words of my former coworker and roommate Christian Nutt. Here’s the Cliffs Notes version:
Most of Bungie’s resources are being allocated to Destiny
The game is way, way early — Christian pointed out that the press didn’t receive screens or videos, only concept art
It’s an MMOFPS (Try pronouncing it. It’s almost as fun as duct tape.)
It’s for current and next-gen systems
It has several mobile and social features — An iOS app mockup was shown, while the social features of the game were heavily harped on
So please give Christian’s article a read when you get a chance. I believe it’s the best Destiny preview out there, even though it wasn’t written for consumers. After that, please let me know what you think about the game. Would you play an MMOFPS? Do you see yourself using the game’s iOS app? Do you think Destiny will reach Halo heights?
The latest PlayStation 4 rumor is that Sony’s upcoming console will stream PlayStation 3 games using Gaikai technology. Some of you will recall that Sony Computer Entertainment purchased Gaikai in July 2012. The Wall Street Journal broke the story, noting that the streaming service will likely be used only for old games. That isn’t to say that new games won’t be available digitally; those will likely require a full download, rather than streaming.
For those of you with large PlayStation 3 videogame libraries, the news is probably disconcerting. The PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 offered backwards compatibility with games from the previous generation. Some pundits believe that the PlayStation 4 will not, since it uses a considerably different AMD architecture and many presume that it won’t include a second chipset to support old games (especially if that $400 price point rumor is on the mark).
The answers to numerous PlayStation 4 questions will (again, presumably) be answered on February 20, when Sony has its big press event. Until then, let’s have fun with the WSJ rumor. What do you think of streaming PS3 games on the new console? Is not having PS3 backwards compatibility a deal-breaker for any of you? Also, can you feel that? That’s the heat from the flames of a brewing console war. Fore!!!
