Tag: Xbox 360

This Week’s Videogame Releases

After several weeks of boring releases, mid-May delivers with authority! The Xbox 360 exclusive Alan Wake is out this week and numerous critics have compared it to Sony’s Heavy Rain, but with broader appeal. On the multiplatform kick there’s Red Dead Redemption, Split / Second, and Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands. Last but not least is Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow for Nintendo DS.

With all the great games available this week, I want to know if you’re planning on picking anything up. Please let me know!

Is Final Fantasy XIII More of an Adventure Game Than an RPG?

BioWare writing director Daniel Erickson made lots of noise yesterday in an interview with Strategy Informer by stating that Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XIII is not an RPG. It’s an interesting stance and a great starting point for discussion. Before I get to that, here’s the exact quote:

You can put a ‘J’ in front of it, but it’s not an RPG. You don’t make any choices, you don’t create a character, you don’t live your character… I don’t know what those are — adventure games maybe? But they’re not RPG’s.

I agree with two of his three points. You don’t make choices or create characters in FFXIII, but I definitely enjoyed viewing things from the characters’ perspectives. The characterization is one of the game’s strongest points. That said, is FFXIII more of an adventure game than a true RPG? Or has the definition of what an RPG is evolved over time? I’d love to hear your thoughts on that matter!

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NPD Hardware Sales Figures for April 2010

NPD Group released its console sales data for April 2010. This is the first time that I didn’t see any numbers for the PlayStation 2. Is the sun finally setting on Sony’s ridiculously popular console? How did the boys and girls at Microsoft and Nintendo fare? Digest April’s numbers as I digest a Cadbury Creme Egg in honor of Easter month.

  • Nintendo DS: 440,800
  • Wii: 277,200
  • Xbox 360: 185,400
  • PlayStation 3: 180,800
  • PSP: 65,500

It was a slow month for all systems except for the Nintendo DS, which continues to shatter records and sell like MacDoubles. Four months into the year and the PS3 is holding its own against the Xbox 360. Unless it has a killer Q4 — which is certainly possible — I don’t see how the PS3 overtakes the Xbox 360 in North America, as some analysts have predicted.

Now it’s time for you to play Jesse Divnich and Michael Pachter. What do you think of April’s console sales numbers?

NPD Console Sales Figures Top 10 Games of April 2010

Here are NPD Group’s console software sales figures for April 2010. It was a slow month for the business and the list is full of old releases. Check ’em out!

  1. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction (Xbox 360): 486,100
  2. Pokemon SoulSilver Version (Nintendo DS): 242,900
  3. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii): 200,300
  4. Pokemon HeartGold Version (Nintendo DS): 192,600
  5. God of War III (PlayStation 3): 180,300
  6. Wii Sports Resort (Wii): 179,000
  7. Battlefield Bad Company 2 (Xbox 360): 166,000
  8. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board (Wii):
  9. Just Dance (Wii): 144,000
  10. Super Street Fighter IV (PlayStation 3): 143,000

Unless my eyes are broken — which is entirely possible after way too much Scrabble — Splinter Cell: Conviction and Super Street Fighter IV are the only new games on the list. Again, there weren’t that many big releases in April so  seeing the usual suspects makes total sense. It also makes this month’s list kind of boring. The one thing that makes me happy is seeing Pokemon trounce the world. Tell me again that Pokemon is dead. Tell me!!!

Check Out My Nier Review (Please)!

My Nier review is up on Machinima.com. Please check it out if you get a chance. This was a tough one to write. Some aspects of the game were cool, but others were frustratingly annoying. It added up to a middling experience. It’s easy to write reviews on games that suck and games that are awesome. The ones that are mediocre…not so much. I’m going to quote myself for amusement:

While some aspects of the gameplay are good, there are several facets that are poor and annoying to the point where it detracts from the overall experience. The incessant backtracking and frustrating minigames are enough to turn off many gamers.

So yeah! Kindly read it, let me know what you think, and leave a comment (on Machinima). If you do leave a comment, please include “RPadtv” in the handle so I can keep an eye on it and reply to you directly (yes, it also helps me market this site). For example, on Machinima, smartguy would be RPadtv_smartguy or something like that.

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Win a Limited Edition Lost Planet 2 T-Shirt

It’s contest time boys and girls! Up for grabs is a super cool Lost Planet 2 t-shirt. It’s a limited edition print from the excellent people at I Am 8-Bit. As some of you know, I picked it up at Capcom’s fine LP2 launch party last week. The shirt is an American Apparel XL, which is a tad small for me (American Apparel runs tight). I could diet for the next six months so that I could fit into it or I could give it to one of you. The second option is easier.

Anyway, to win this shirt, just leave a comment that lists the 2010 game you’re looking forward to the most and why. The winner will be specially selected (Tortoise Brand) and revealed on Friday.

President Barack Obama Warns Against iPods, iPads, PS3, and Xbox

Addressing graduating students at Hampton University, President Barack Obama warned the crowd about the perils of devices like the Apple iPod and iPad, Sony PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Xbox 360 while admitting that he didn’t know how to use any of them. In stead of empowering people with information, modern entertainment devices distract them. The American President said:

With iPods and iPads and Xboxes and PlayStations, — none of which I know how to work — information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation.

I actually think he has a valid point. Obviously gaming consoles are entertainment devices that are meant to distract you from the real world, but I am completely guilty of using my PC, iPhone, etc. to absorb loads of useless information. Sites like IMDB and Wikipedia have made the quest for trivial pursuits even more engrossing. While a lot of people are hating on Obama for being anti-fun, I actually stand by the President on this one.

What do you think? Do today’s electronics make information more of a distraction than an empowering asset? Or does the President just hate videogame consoles and iPads? Does anyone else find it alarming that the most powerful man in the free world doesn’t know how to use an iPod (*kidding*)?

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This Week’s Videogame Releases

There’s a trio of interesting games coming out this week. Leading the way is Capcom’s Lost Planet 2, which is perfect for those of you that like shooting giant alien things. If revisiting insane criminals is more to your liking then check out Batman Arkham Asylum: Game of the Year Edition. In addition to repackaging one of the best superhero games of all time, this version of Arkham Asylum has special 3D features. Last, but not least is Skate 3, which seems like the perfect way to prepare for shredding up concrete this summer.

As always, let me know if you’re picking up any new games this week!

Dragon Age Origins Feastday Gift/Prank Guide

In the spirit of my Dragon Age: Origins character and gift guide for the Awakening expansion pack, here’s a listing of the items for the “Feastday” DLC. I totally missed this one while I was in Asia. It’s an amusing batch of DLC that also adds some in-game items. The gifts and pranks can be purchased separately for $1.99 on PSN or 160 BioWare/Microsoft Points. They can be purchased together for $2.99 on PSN or 240 BioWare Microsoft Points.

In addition to gifts and pranks that will swing character approval by 50 points, there are generic items that let you manipulate approval ratings. The character-specific items can be used in game too. For example, Dog’s plastic cone can be equipped for a hilarious look and Morrigan can use her Alistair doll to inflict voodoo pain on him. Here’s the full list:

Alistair
Grey Warden Hand Puppet (+50)
Compleat Geneaology of the Kyngs of Ferelden (-50)

Dog
Stick (+50)
Plastic Cone (-50)

Leiliana
Fat Lute (+50)
Ugly Boots (-50)

Loghain
King Maric’s Shield (+50)
Orlesian Mask (-50)

Morrigan
Alistair Doll (+50)
The Chant of Light Unabridged (-50)

Oghren
Beard Flask (+50)
Scented Soap (-50)

Shale
Pet Rock (+50)
Uncrushable Pigeon (-50)

Sten
Quanari Prayers of the Dead (+50)
Butterfly Sword (-50)

Wynne
Amulet of Memories (+50)
Cat Lady’s Hobble Stick (-50)

Zevran
Rare Antivan Brandy (+50)
Chastity Belt (-50)

Lost Planet 2 Party Pictures

Last night I went to an excellent party for Lost Planet 2. In addition to drinks and food, there was an LP2 tournament, custom t-shirts from I Am 8-Bit, a Lost Planet ski-ball machine, tons of celebrities I didn’t know, and that Olivia chick from the Iron Man 2 movie. Here are some pictures and goofy comments.

Here’s a shot from the opening moments of the party, before all the kids arrived.

The Lost Planet ski-ball machine was completely awesome. I want one!!!

Here’s a shot from the red carpet. There was dozens of celebs from television shows that I don’t watch, so I didn’t really recognize anyone.

It’s usually awkward running into your ex-fiance, but I’m always thrilled to see Capcom Melody. *sigh* It never would have worked out….

I Am 8-Bit served up some awesome custom-made t-shirts. You’ll have a chance to win mine  soon!

Look, it’s that chick from Attack of the Show and Iron Man 2…Olivia something or another.