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Posted by Ben Huber on Jan 11, 2014 in Videogames 
Yoshi is finally back! Nintendo has announced that Yoshi’s New Island will come out in the US on March 14th. Thankfully that’s not too far away. The game is a new addition to the Yoshi’s Island series featuring Yoshi once again rescuing baby Mario. The art style attempts to recreate the classic original’s visuals, but I’m not sure it’s quite there. It still looks alright, but I feel that one more pass might’ve made it pop a bit more. I love the idea of soft, painted graphics though. It’ll be available in stores and digital download via the eShop. Read more…
Tags: 3DS, Nintendo, yoshi
Posted by Ben Huber on Jan 10, 2014 in Videogames 
If the name Turtle Rock sounds familiar, it’s because they’re the crew that originally made Left 4 Dead. Once they were acquired by Valve, they made Left 4 Dead 2 and its accompanying DLC, but then split off back into their own company (some staff stayed at Valve and others returned to the original studio). Now, after dealing with the hassle of the THQ (their original publisher) bankruptcy mess, they’re now being published by Take-Two and 2K, and are back with a brand new multiplayer game: Evolve. Four players act as hunters on one team, and one player gets to be the monster they hunt. There’s a variety of classes and monsters to play as, and it sounds like a great twist on what made Left 4 Dead so much fun. Check out some images below or visit Game Informer’s page for the game that’ll have frequent updates with more details. Read more…
Tags: Evolve, Turtle Rock
Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 9, 2014 in Videogames 
WayFoward’s take on Double Dragon, Double Dragon Neon, was an awesome beat ’em up game with a rocking 80s soundtrack. Now it’s coming to Steam, with online co-op to boot. For $9.99, you can punch bad guys in the head, which is better than getting hit yourself, as this trailer illustrates with science. It says “coming soon,” so there’s no date, but I’d imagine it won’t take long for it to come out. Now PC gamers can enjoy this old-school game too! Read more…
Tags: Retro Games, Steam
Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 9, 2014 in Videogames 
We all know videogame graphics aren’t as important as gameplay, but having some good graphics generally can’t hurt. The Farm 51 is making an FPS called Get Even, and it certainly won’t be out until 2015. But in the meantime, we have a trailer that shows off their use of Thorskan, which allows them to scan an environment directly into the game. The walls and floors look really pretty (or should I say ugly and gritty?), though I noticed the camera quickly flies over the faces on those bodies, so maybe all they’ve got are pretty environments. The studio promises a game that “subtlety [sic] removes the classic division between single-player and multiplayer” and focuses on the memories of the main cast. The trailer doesn’t show any of that, but it does include a few live-action shots, so try not to get too confused when you watch it. Read more…
Tags: Videogames
Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 8, 2014 in Videogames 
When showing off the PS4, Sony shared its desire to be able to stream PS3 games from their servers to the PS4 since the PS4 couldn’t play PS3 games due to its different chip architecture. The console launched, but the game streaming wasn’t ready yet, as we had been told from the start. But it seems we’ll have game streaming soon, as Sony has announced PlayStation Now. The streaming service will work not just on PS4, but also on PS3. Streaming is also planned for PS Vita, as well as most 2014 US models of BRAVIA TVs, and in the future tablets and smartphones. Sony is using the Gaikai tech they purchased to help stream across multiple devices, even keeping your save progress in the cloud. Read more…
Tags: Playstation Vita, PS3, PS4
Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 8, 2014 in Cinema, Videogames 
The most recent game based on Alien/Aliens was 2013’s Aliens: Colonial Marines, one of the worst games of the year that failed to live up to any of the apparently-false advertising and press demos. Everyone’s rightfully wary of any future games in the franchise, but let’s give Creative Assembly (known for Total War) a shot. They’re making Alien: Isolation, a survival horror game about Amanda Ripley — the daughter mentioned as having died of old age at the beginning of Aliens — exploring a space station to find info on Ellen Ripley and the Nostromo. Instead of hundreds of xenomorph enemies that are treated like cannon fodder, there’s only one, nine-foot-tall, formidable xenomorph that hunts Amanda throughout the game; they’re clearly aiming more for the horror of Alien than the action of Aliens with this game. Read more…
Tags: Alien, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 2, 2014 in Videogames 
Those lovable Servbots from Mega Man Legends are always getting pushed around, but in this short, at least one of them finally gets a fighting chance. Animator ultimatemaverickx has imagined a scenario in which a Servbot gets a hold of the Model X armor from Mega Man ZX. He transforms, gaining a Mega Buster, and can take on enemies himself! It’s a cute animation, but it reminded me of something: why don’t we have Servbot LEGOs yet? It seems like a no-brainer! Read more…
Tags: Mega Man
Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 2, 2014 in Videogames 
The first bit of “story” DLC in Batman: Arkham Origins wasn’t that impressive, since it was just Bruce Wayne training with ninjas in what are basically just challenge rooms. The next campaign looks more interesting though. We don’t have a name yet, but Warner Brothers is “inviting” gamers to Gotham’s Humanitarian of the Year Awards at Wayne Manor. We’ve got an award statue, a diamond, and a lot of ice, which means Mr. Freeze might be involved. Senior Producer Ben Mattes hints that this DLC “focus on one of the most key relationships in Batman canon,” so maybe it’s Freeze’s relationship with his wife, or his relationship with Batman. Either way, hopefully it’s more interesting than that last DLC. Read more…
Tags: Batman, Batman: Arkham Origins, Warner Brothers
Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 1, 2014 in Fandom, Videogames 
Pokemon are usually a bit more cuddly thanks to their cartoon style, but I love attempts to show what they’d look like in a realistic-looking world. Sam Yang tried reimagining Mewtwo, already one of the cooler pokemon, if he was actually made by scientists in our world. Not only is he more buff, but it seems that he needs some cybernetic enhancements just to function, as they’re sticking out of him in various places. Maybe he can’t live without the enhancements because the scientists weren’t talented enough to make a fully working clone of Mew? Whatever the reason, this is a version of pokemon I’d love to see in action. Read more…
Tags: Pokémon
Posted by Ben Huber on Dec 30, 2013 in Videogames 
After a series of heated votes, a heroine design has been picked for the Mighty No. 9, Keiji Inafune’s wildly successful Kickstarter video game. They had been leaving voting to the community to determine the most popular design for Call, the heroine of the game, and after a heated session, they’ve picked the above design. Granted, she looks pretty similar to Roll from Megaman, but given that this game is a spiritual successor to that series, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Check the second and third place designs below! Read more…
Tags: Kickstarter, Mighty No. 9
Posted by Ben Huber on Dec 29, 2013 in Cinema, Videogames 
Now there’s a title you don’t see every day. Clancy Brown, most famously known as the voice of Spongebob Squarepants’ Mr. Krabs, has join the World of Warcraft movie cast. No word on what part he’ll play, but he did voice Scourgelord Tyrannus in Wrath of the Lich King. Also announced was Daniel Wu. Previously, we had also heard that Travis Fimmel, Ben Foster, Toby Kebbell, Rob Kazinsky, Dominic Cooper, and Paula Patton had been cast as well. And remember how it opened on the same day as Star Wars Episode VII? Well, no longer! It was moved to March 11th, 2016. A smart move. Read more…
Tags: Warcraft, World of Warcraft
Posted by Ben Huber on Dec 28, 2013 in Videogames 
I love goofy in-universe ads for fictional products, so seeing this new trailer for Titanfall presented as an ad by Hammond Robotics is pretty cool. It’s got a 23% lighter frame! Obviously! I’m pretty interested in Titanfall, not because it’s another multiplayer FPS, but because it introduces a lot of verticality into the game. Most of my favorite multiplayer FPS games (or at least the ones I keep coming back to) have an emphasis on being mobile and getting vertical space between you and your opponent. Titanfall isn’t far away now: it’ll arrive March 11th. Read more…
Tags: Titanfall
Posted by Ben Huber on Dec 27, 2013 in Videogames 
Another returning character has been announced for Smash Bros., and it’s Zelda! This is really no surprise, but her upgraded look and (seemingly) some new moves involving the Phantom Armor from Spirit Tracks. Just recently we had gotten news of Rosalina being included in the game, so I’m glad to see more female fighters in the game. Especially when it’s called Smash Bros. I will say, I really like her design, as she looks even more fierce than before. Now we just need to wait for the inevitable Sheik reveal, eh? I’d also like to see Ganondorf get a more original moveset, ok Sakurai? Thanks. Read more…
Tags: 3DS, Super Smash Bros., Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 26, 2013 in Videogames 
Nintendo’s “Year of Luigi” — celebrating 30 years of both the original Mario Bros. and Mario’s younger brother Luigi — was a great success. With Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, New Super Luigi U, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, Luigi Bros. in Super Mario 3D World, Dr. Luigi on December 31, and tons of merchandise, I’m almost Luigi-ed out. Nendoroid finally revealed their Luigi Nendoroid, and it’s adorable. It won’t be available by the time 2013 ends, but I suppose Club Nintendo’s Luigi statue won’t be available either. It comes with a Goomba, Bullet Bill, warp pipe, dust cloud, 2 extra faces, and running legs. Plus, look at his big head! Read more…
Tags: Mario Brothers, Nendoroid, Nintendo, Toys
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 25, 2013 in Videogames 
Living in Los Angeles, I can attest to the fact that we barely get any sort of bad weather, much less snow. But Grand Theft Auto V‘s similar setting, Los Santos, is getting a winter make-over, along with various holiday treats. If you’re reading this on Christmas Day, you can hop into Grand Theft Auto Online and see the snow, which will also affect driving conditions. There are now special holiday items to buy such as Santa hats, snowman masks, and elf jackets, but they’re only available until January 5. There are new filters to use on your camera as you take selfies, as well as other additions like facial expressions, depth of field, and the ability to add text for easy meme pictures. And finally, some items like weapons and vehicles are up to 50% off, if you need to buy a gift for your online character or a friend. Read more…
Tags: Grand Theft Auto, Rockstar
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 25, 2013 in Tech, Videogames 
The Legend of Equip Pants is a retro-styled adventure game that usually doesn’t feature any player death. But for Christmas, there’s a new episode called Panta Claus where you can die. The developer tracked some data about where players went and where they died, then compiled it into this animation of the level’s layout. It’s a Christmas tree! The green lines are where 2000 players went in the level, and the red lights are where they died 6000 times, or about 3 per playthrough. If dying over and over in order to give a faux-Christmas tree twinkling lights doesn’t fit the spirit of Christmas, then I don’t know what does. Read more…
Tags: Christmas
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 24, 2013 in Videogames 
Sega bringing back Typing of the Dead with Typing of the Dead: Overkill (and including the original House of the Dead: Overkill as a bonus) on Steam was a pleasant surprise. Now that Lab Zero has to put out Skullgirls Encore to replace the version delisted by Konami, they’re including a typing mode too. Plug in a keyboard and you can play The Typing of the Skullgirls Encore. Type well to deal super moves with bonus damage, then type well to defend against an opponent’s super move. I love when companies toss in weird extra modes like this as a way to reuse a game’s assets while offering a different experience. Read more…
Tags: Skullgirls
Posted by Ben Huber on Dec 23, 2013 in Videogames 
Get ready to be sucked back in again: Co0kie Clicker has returned with a new holiday update. It adds a bunch of Christmas cheer, holiday upgrades, and a little elf that you can upgrade in the bottom corner. I’m not sure what this elf will do, given that I haven’t upgraded him the whole way yet, but it seems slightly nefarious. If you haven’t played the addictive web game Cookie Clicker before, it’s basically all in the name. You click, you get cookies. Once you click enough, you can spend those cookies on devices that will auto-click for you, thus netting you more cookies, which allows you to buy even more auto-click items. Suddenly, you’re opening portals to hell and generating millions of cookies per second and it all becomes quite terrifying. Try it! Read more…
Tags: cookie clicker
Posted by Ben Huber on Dec 21, 2013 in Videogames 
It’s the time of the year, when everyone gathers around the warmth of the computer screen and buys games for cheap on Steam. The holiday sale has started now and will run until January 3rd. There’s a lot of really great games on sale, so be sure to check out the full list for everything. Konami also has the PC port of Metal Gear Rising up for pre-order… and on sale! Jump on that ASAP if you’re interested. In other Steam-related news, you can get items for your favorite free-to-play games by participating in the sale. And, as part of that, Team Fortress 2 has just gotten a holiday update that adds new Smissmas-themed items and more! Read more…
Tags: sales, Steam, Team Fortress
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 19, 2013 in Videogames 
Everyone’s excited for the next console installment of The Legend of Zelda, which is in development for Wii U. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD was a great holdover while the game is in production, but it seems that there will be at least one more console Zelda in the meantime before we get to that game. Nintendo has announced Hyrule Warriors, a collaboration with Tecmo Koei, that is basically Dynasty Warriors, but with Link fighting classic Zelda enemies. It looks a bit more fluid than the usual Dynasty Warriors games I’ve played, though it’s still clearly a similar game. The name is tentative right now, and I’d imagine a lot could change, but not too much: the game is due out sometime in 2014. If it takes most of the year to be released, does this mean that we won’t be seeing the next main Zelda installment for Wii U until 2015? Read more…
Tags: Legend of Zelda, Nintendo, Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 19, 2013 in Videogames 
It seems Nintendo is taking inspiration from the fan-game Super Mario Crossover with their latest digital Wii U game. NES Remix offers short challenges based on classic NES games; it’s sort of like a longer, more expanded version of the retro segments of the WarioWare series. But besides regular challenges, they’re mixing it up with weird versions of the games, like Super Mario Bros. in silhouette, or playing as Link from The Legend of Zelda in the first level of Donkey Kong. It’s available now, right after it’s announcement, on the Wii U eShop. NES Remix will set you back $15, which seems a little steep for what is basically a series of creative ROM hacks, but knowing Nintendo, they probably put enough content in there to justify the cost. At least, I hope! Read more…
Tags: NES, Nintendo, Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 18, 2013 in Videogames 
It’s a shame that Lab Zero’s Skullgirls has had so many problems. Being an indie fighting game designed by fighting game players already seemed risky, since it’s hard to launch new fighting games from unknown companies and get a community going. But of course, there are more and more problems. The latest one stems from co-publisher Konami, who Lab Zero dropped to only be published by Autumn Games because Konami was dragging their heels on additional DLC characters funded by fans on IndieGoGo. Because they’re no longer the publisher, they arranged to have it delisted from Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network by December 31 because their name is on it. But there’s still some good news. Read more…
Tags: PS3, Skullgirls, Xbox 360
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 17, 2013 in Videogames 
I’ve only had my PS4 copy of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag for a month, so it’s easy to forget that the game was out a bit earlier for last-gen systems. In that context, I suppose it’s not too strange that it’s getting its first story-based DLC today, after some previous multiplayer content. The DLC is called Freedom Cry, and it follows first mate Adewale in his quest to free slaves 15 years after the main game’s events. There are nine missions, and as a reminder, you get them for “free” if you purchased the Season Pass. The game is getting a great reception, so more content is good, but I’m more curious if they’ll make a sequel to this game, perhaps even separate from the Assassin’s Creed series proper. Read more…
Tags: Assassin's Creed, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 16, 2013 in Comic Books, Videogames 
People keep asking me why I prefer physical media in an increasingly digital world. Today, I get to give another reason why. Though they didn’t give a specific reason, Capcom has announced that Marvel vs. Capcom 2 and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will soon be delisted from Xbox Live and PSN, along with all related DLC. You won’t be able to purchase them digitally after December 17 (North American PSN), December 19 (European PSN), or December 26 (global Xbox Live). Anyone who has previously purchased the games and DLC will still be able to redownload the games from their download history if need be. While there are still physical copies of UMvC3 out there, there will be no way to buy any extra characters or costumes for it, while the HD version of MvC2 will disappear completely.
And this is the reason why I not only prefer having physical copies of games, but also am wary of DLC and digital-only games. I recognize the boon digital releases have been for indie developers or smaller games from big-budget publishers, because many of those games might never be made and released at all if they needed a physical release. But the idea of this content becoming inaccessible in the future due to whatever reason — I’d imagine that Capcom can’t justify the cost of renewing Marvel’s license — just plain sucks for consumers who may want to purchase these games in the future after hearing about them from a friend.
And even if you have already purchased the content and downloaded it to your hard drive, what happens down the road when this iteration of Xbox Live and PSN are taken offline? After Microsoft shut down Xbox Live for original Xbox consoles, any DLC for those games became forever lost and no longer available to redownload. What happens when your hard drive inevitably fails in the future and you need to redownload unlicensed content from a service that is no longer running?
Many gamers probably won’t care and might put down money for a future rerelease, such as the soon-unavailable HD version of MvC2, which made the game affordable and accessible to those who couldn’t acquire a copy of the original releases from 2000 to 2003. But for those who care about the preservation of these works for future generations to enjoy, the whole thing is nothing but a headache.
Source: Kotaku
Tags: Capcom, Marvel, PS3, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Xbox 360
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