|
Posted by Ben Huber on Dec 6, 2014 in Videogames 
It leaked out a little early, but there were some rumblings about it anyway: Street Fighter 5 has been confirmed. Surprisingly (or not?) the game will be coming “exclusively to PS4 and PC,” which is certainly intriguing. Who knows how they’re using the word “exclusively,” though. We’ll be sure to get more details soon, but for now you can check out the promotional trailer below, which features footage of Ryu and Chun Li duking it out interspersed with clips of the fighting game community and various tournaments. Visually, it looks similar to SF4, but there’s definitely some changes and it looks better overall. Exciting! Read more…
Tags: Street Fighter
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 4, 2014 in Tech, Videogames 
It’s been 20 years since the PlayStation first launched in Japan on December 3, 1994. To celebrate that important date, Sony is producing a special gray PS4, just like the PS1. The gray extends to the DualShock 4 controller, which brings back even more memories of gray controllers, as well as the vertical stand and camera accessories. There’s no mention of the cost, but if you’re a collector, you’ll want to pay whatever they’re asking: only 12,300 units will be made available worldwide. US gamers should watch the PlayStation Experience keynote on Saturday, December 6 at 10AM PT to learn how to buy one of these rare systems. For the rest of us, we’ll have to settle for the detailed video below, which shows off details, such as etchings of PlayStation button symbols. Hey Sony, how about a gray controller for those of us who already own a PS4? Read more…
Tags: PS4, Sony
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 3, 2014 in Videogames 
Out of nowhere, Steam has decided to enter the game-streaming arena currently dominated by Twitch and Ustream. They’ve announced the beta of Steam Broadcasting, which allows you to watch your friend’s game as they’re playing it. When someone starts watching, the player automatically starts broadcasting, with the broadcast ending once no one is watching. Naturally, there are privacy settings, which range from only sending invites to allow viewers to letting your friends actively creep on you. The highest setting lets anyone watch and shows your broadcast on the game’s hub, allowing built-in streaming with no need for extra software/hardware. Lowering barriers always results in more people streaming, which is always great for the activity. Read more…
Tags: Steam
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 2, 2014 in Videogames 
With the New 3DS and New 3DS XL out in Japan (and for some reason Australia), it was inevitable that Nintendo would eventually discontinue the original 3DS and 3DS XL models. But surprisingly, Nintendo has already announced that it was soon ending production on the 3DS XL (actually called the 3DS LL in Japan). In the past, Nintendo has left previous models in production, as a low-cost option for consumers. (For example, at one point the DS Lite, DSi, and DSi XL were in production, partially because the larger DSi XL didn’t truly replace the previous models because many consumers want a smaller device.) But with the New 3DS systems effectively replacing the old 3DS systems around the same price, it’s not surprising that the previous models would disappear much quicker. The only thing strange about this is that Nintendo is still keeping the original 3DS in the marketplace. It’s a strange choice for what was easily the weakest design of them all, with small issues that suggested it was rushed to market. Get that thing out of here! Read more…
Tags: 3DS, New 3DS, Nintendo
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 2, 2014 in Videogames 
Double Fine may have helped pioneer game development funded by fans, earning over $3.3 million back in 2012 for Broken Age, then titled Double Fine Adventure. After making much more than they originally expected, the studio were able to increase the scope of what they had planned, even hiring voice actors like Elijah Wood. But as a result, the game was split into two halves, so they could sell the first half to finish funding the second half. Now even Act 2 has been pushed back to early 2015, but at least the game looks to have its alpha done by the end of 2014, as both characters’ stories are in alpha and only the finale remains, with one character already on the way to beta. It’s been a strange release process, but at least Broken Age is finally getting out there, even if many later crowd-funded games have already released in the interim. Read more…
Tags: Broken Age, double fine
Posted by Ben Huber on Dec 1, 2014 in Videogames 
The most recent Steam sale is wrapping up, so now is your chance to pick up any deals on games you might’ve wanted this year! The Steam Exploration Sale doesn’t have any collectables or trading hooks like the (eventual) winter sale, but you can grab games like Far Cry 3, Gauntlet, Legend of Grimrock II, and Dishonored for really cheap! Plus, even newer games like The Binding of Isaac Rebirth are discounted! However, make sure to come back on the final day of the sale to see if anything you wanted will go up as a daily deal, which is when it’ll be at its cheapest! Happy shopping! Read more…
Tags: sales, Steam
Posted by Bob Muir on Nov 27, 2014 in Videogames 
My backlog is getting too big, because I haven’t even gotten around to playing Dark Souls II yet, and here we are getting a newer version. Namco Bandai has announced that they are porting the game to the PS4 and Xbox One, as well as a new DirectX11 PC version. The new releases will feature enhanced graphics, the three previously-released DLC chapters, and additional content. Both the new and previous releases will also get a patch with a new quest, additional story, balancing, and online improvements. It sounds cool, but it’s an odd choice. The first Dark Souls is considered the better game, and From Software’s spiritual sequel Bloodborne will be released a month prior on PS4. I’m curious how many players will be interested in this rerelease. Read more…
Tags: Dark Souls, PS4, Xbox One
Posted by Bob Muir on Nov 25, 2014 in Comic Books, Videogames 
It’s one thing to hear about Batman: Arkham Knight, the final installment (supposedly) of the series from Rocksteady, adding the Batmobile seamlessly into gameplay. It’s another thing to see it in action, but this trailer shows how awesome it could be. Imagine Link’s ability to summon Epona anywhere in Hyrule Field in Ocarina of Time, but with the ability to hop on and off the horse at a moment’s notice, even in mid-combat. That’s what the Batmobile looks like, and it seems like a joy to use. This is only half of the ACE Chemicals sequence, with the other half being released next week, so stay tuned! Read more…
Tags: Batman, Batman: Arkham Knight, Warner Brothers
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 22, 2014 in Videogames 
You might know Tom Francis as the fellow behind the fantastic game Gunpoint. Well, he’s been hard at work on his next game, titled Heat Signature. In it, you pilot a small ship through a vast sea of space, sneaking onto other ships, assassinating people on board, hijacking their ships, and more. It has a really fun, flexible-looking gameplay style, in which things just happen, and you have to react quickly. The idea of stowing aboard other spaceships while flying around is a cool idea! Francis recently uploaded a video of him playing the game, and also teased a testing phase for enthusiasts. I can’t wait to see how Heat Signature turns out! Read more…
Tags: Heat Signature, Tom Francis
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 22, 2014 in Videogames 
Kingdom Rush is one of the best, most polished tower defense games available. It has a charm that’s a step above most other mobile games, plus, it’s just plain fun. You defend your exit with a cavalcade of towers and upgrades, along with a hero that you can direct around the field. The unique tower upgrades and the changing landscape help keep things feeling fresh even after you’ve killed your thousandth gnoll. I’ll be honest: I’ve sunk tons of time into the previous two games, so the same thing will probably happen with this one. Check out the trailer below, then download the game on iOS or Android! Read more…
Tags: Android, iOS, Kingdom Rush
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 21, 2014 in Videogames 
Telltale, the folks behind The Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us series, have a new Game of Thrones game coming out “soon.” They won’t say what date yet, but before the end of the year. So, December sometime. This game will follow House Forrester, a family of loyal bannermen to House Stark, from five different perspectives. It’ll feature characters from the show, too, and Telltale has announced that they’ve gotten several of the actors to reprise their roles as well. Peter Dinklage (Tyrion), Lena Heady (Cersei), Natalie Dormer (Margaery), and Iwan Rheon (Ramsay). Not too shabby! It’ll be out on basically all platforms soon. Steam pre-order page here. Check out the very short teaser below! Read more…
Tags: Game of Thrones, HBO, Telltale Games
Posted by Bob Muir on Nov 19, 2014 in Videogames 
BioWare knows it has to make up for Dragon Age 2 after a mixed reaction from fans. From all that we’ve got to see of Dragon Age: Inquisition in preview form, it feels like BioWare is really swinging for the fences, manically working to make an epic game that everyone can enjoy. This launch trailer looks pretty great — not just the game itself, but the beautiful graphics. It makes me kind of sad I’m behind on these games; I never finished Dragon Age: Origins, so maybe I’ll be returning to that one in an attempt to catch up to Inquisition.
Read more…
Tags: BioWare, Dragon Age, EA, RPG
Posted by Bob Muir on Nov 18, 2014 in Anime, Videogames 
Since Pokemon Black 2 & White 2, new Pokemon games have received anime teasers to sell what the game is like, but prettier. To be honest, I think they’re pretty cool, with lots of action and a tantalizing overview of some of the game’s moments. But invariably, I realize that they look too good; we’ll never get anything that cool in the Pokemon anime with dopey Ash Ketchum, the world’s least-capable Pokemon protagonist. Why can’t Nintendo do something cool with the anime like these game ads? Tell the animators to get on it! Read more…
Tags: 3DS, Nintendo, Pokémon
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 17, 2014 in Fandom, Videogames 
We don’t often shine a spotlight on popular YouTubers, because hey, they already get lots of eyes on them. But Matthewmatosis’ fantastic reviews of Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine caught our eye. He breaks down exactly why Mario 64 was so revolutionary at the time, pointing out clever game design and tricks the developers used. He even mentions faults the game had, going into plenty of detail. His Mario Sunshine review is equally interesting, praising the strong elements of the game while also examining why so many people didn’t like it and the possible reasons behind that. Check out the videos below, and then check his channel for more! Read more…
Tags: Mario Brothers
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 15, 2014 in Hobbies and Collections, Videogames 
LEGO Ideas has been delivering some great stuff recently, but this one really stood out: a Plants vs. Zombies playset. This particular one designed by Jin Kai Soo on LEGO Ideas blows all other PvZ sets out of the water, in both design and presentation. From the moveable plants to the collection of zombies, I’m really impressed by the cohesiveness of the whole set. The best part: it’s not overly ambitious like most LEGO Ideas sets and aims directly for the right size LEGO usually approves. Now it just needs the votes! Head on over to the Ideas page to see more images and vote! Read more…
Tags: Lego, Plants vs. Zombies
Posted by Bob Muir on Nov 12, 2014 in Videogames 
It’s been a while since Just Cause 2 came out, way back in 2010. For those who played Grand Theft Auto just to bounce from one mad encounter to the next, it was the epitome of a great sandbox game. Fans will soon be pulling more crazy stunts, as Game Informer has revealed their latest cover story, Just Cause 3. Developed once again by Avalanche Studios, Square Enix will publish the game in 2015 on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Further details are for subscribers, but I can already imagine what this sequel will be like with the added power of modern systems. Read more…
Tags: Just Cause, PS4, square enix, Xbox One
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 10, 2014 in Cinema, Videogames 
Duncan Jones, who made the fantastic sci-fi film Moon, is making a Warcraft movie. You may have heard about this! At Blizzcon, Jones debuted some early imagery for fans, such as the first posters for the film, images of the actors, and costumes used in filming. They’re currently deep into post-production on the film, mostly doing CGI. In fact, the film doesn’t come out till March 11th, 2016, so it’s still quite a ways off. Still, it looks like Jones has a huge love for the world and wants to do it right. Check out the posters (featuring both the Horde and Alliance weapons) and the costumes below. Read more…
Tags: Blizzard, Duncan Jones, Warcraft
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 9, 2014 in Videogames 
Blizzcon is going on as of this writing, which means there’s tons of news from Blizzard about all their upcoming games and projects. The biggest announcement from Blizzard was of their new game, Overwatch. It’s a cartoony team-based multiplayer shooter with lots of characters to play as. A few elements remind me of a certain other team game with fortresses, but this is pretty unique in its own regard. I love the variety in character design, especially. Blizzard has unleashed a bunch of gameplay videos that you can see here. The lead gameplay trailer is below, along with the CGI announcement trailer, which is mighty impressive and feels like something out of a Dreamworks movie. Check it out! Read more…
Tags: Blizzard, Overwatch
Posted by Bob Muir on Nov 6, 2014 in Videogames 
Splatoon may not look to be as immersive as some upcoming games are, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t look really, really fun. I wanted to play this badly after Nintendo announced it at E3, because a nonviolent shooter that lets you turn into a squid to travel along the paint you spray sounds amazing (and fresh). But it seemed like a multiplayer-focused game, and while it does look fun, I generally seek out singleplayer games. Lucky me, it turns out there will be a singleplayer campaign too! Naturally, you’re fighting evil octopi, since those are the squid’s cephalopod rivals. This is now a must-buy for me, and hopefully for you too! Read more…
Tags: Nintendo, Wii U
Posted by Bob Muir on Nov 6, 2014 in Videogames 
After gamers got finished playing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, the 3DS enhanced port of the classic N64 game, there was one question: when would we get The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D? Though the unconventional sequel wasn’t originally held in high regard, critical opinion has come to hold Majora’s Mask as one of the most creative, unique entries in the Zelda series. This is due to its dark, strange, and often scary tone, as well as tough, weird mechanics that reinforce the setting. Nintendo has played coy about whether they would port the game to 3DS, though fans expected it to be technologically possible. Finally, Nintendo has confirmed that Majora’s Mask 3D would release on 3DS in Spring 2015. The announcement trailer shows just how strange the adventure can be. Read more…
Tags: 3DS, Legend of Zelda, Nintendo
Posted by Bob Muir on Nov 5, 2014 in Videogames 
Despite being associated with violent first-person shooters thanks to media attention, the Grand Theft Auto series hasn’t actually had a first-person option. But that changes with the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto V on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Perhaps to help add value to what is mostly a graphical upgrade — GTAV was already released on PS3 and Xbox 360 last fall — this new version has a first-person mode, as well as various other minor changes, mostly to Grand Theft Auto Online. It’s certainly more immersive, but seeing as the game wasn’t originally designed with this in mind, I wouldn’t be surprised if it works better in certain scenarios, while others feel a bit looser. But hey, it’s a good option to have for those who want to try it. You can check it out for yourself on November 18, while PC gamers have to wait until January. Read more…
Tags: Grand Theft Auto, PS4, Rockstar, Xbox One
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 2, 2014 in Videogames 
…Because, sure, why not, right? This new ad for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare features lots of bullets, explosions, falling from high places, and Taylor Kitsch. It’s directed by Peter Berg, who you might recall directed the Battleship film. The ad itself feels pretty breakneck, but yet hollow. I can’t help but think that I’ve seen this sort of ad several times now? I also don’t really understand why they needed to shoehorn in a “hot babe” scene in there. Definitely seems like pandering, to me! The rest of the ad is selling the action and new armor-suits for the soldiers in-game, which allows you to run and jump faster than before. Plus, you can punch down doors! That’s got to be worth something, right? Read more…
Tags: Call of Duty
Posted by Ben Huber on Oct 31, 2014 in Videogames 
Wow, it’s been six years running now that Team Fortress 2 has done a Halloween special update! Not too bad, Valve. The latest update features plenty of spooky spells, a Halloween-themed map, new hats (of course), and best of all: bumper cars! Playing on the new Halloween map features a section where you can bump and bash into everyone else in a rush to collect points and win. As usual, there’s also a short comic as well, featuring the incompetent wizard of the TF2 universe, Merasmus. Goofiness and spookiness awaits! Check out the update page here. Read more…
Tags: Halloween, Team Fortress
Posted by Bob Muir on Oct 30, 2014 in Videogames 
Halo: The Master Chief Collection is an interesting prospect, a way to look back on the series’ past achievements while looking forward to the future. The centerpiece is easily Halo 2 Anniversary, a graphical update similar to what 343 Industries did for the first game. Part of that are completely redone cinematics by Blur Studio, a graphics department responsible for most of the stunning trailers you likely associate with many recent games. There might be a bit of uncanny valley here and there in this trailer featuring their work, but putting that aside, the work they’ve done is quite impressive. Come November 11 when the compilation releases, I predict the Halo series will get a nice little nostalgic surge that will build some strong hype for Halo 5: Guardians. Read more…
Tags: Halo, Microsoft, Xbox One
|
|
