|
Posted by Bob Muir on Apr 9, 2015 in Videogames 
Funny enough, I’ve been watching my girlfriend play Deus Ex: Human Revolution lately. It’s been pretty cool, and now Square Enix has announced a sequel: Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. It occurs two years later in 2029, so still well before the original Deus Ex. Eidos Montreal is returning to make this one, so let’s hope they don’t outsource the boss fights this time. There’s no release date announced, but the game is set to release on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Check the trailer and tell yourself “Yes, I did ask for this!” Read more…
Tags: Deus Ex, PS4, square enix, Xbox One
Posted by Bob Muir on Apr 1, 2015 in Videogames 
If you haven’t purchased a PS4 yet for Bloodborne, here’s something that may entice you. When Batman: Arkham Knight comes out on June 23, you’ll have the option of getting a jet black PS4 bundle with the game for $400. But if you toss in a bit extra, you can have this cool steel grey limited edition bundle for $450. I already own a system, so I’m not biting, but otherwise, I’d be very tempted. I guess I’ll just stick with the somewhat less expensive limited edition. Read more…
Tags: Batman: Arkham Knight, PS4
Posted by Bob Muir on Mar 12, 2015 in Videogames 
I like my PS4, but in terms of exclusives, it’s been fairly weak. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End was an anticipated game this fall, but it seems that won’t be helping the PS4’s holiday sales anymore. Developer Naughty Dog has shared their decision to delay the game to spring 2016, based on their need to give the game some extra time to make sure it’s as good as it can be. While many modern games come out buggy and need patches, Naughty Dog’s games have all run smooth enough at launch. If this is what it takes to keep that standard, I reckon I can wait a few more months. I’d rather have a quality game later than a troubled game sooner. Read more…
Tags: PS4, Sony, Uncharted
Posted by Bob Muir on Mar 4, 2015 in Videogames 
Full disclosure: I backed Harmonix’s Amplitude reboot on Kickstarter, for more than the retail fight of the game. But considering the game only barely got funded, I like to think I helped get the game exist at all. Obviously this won’t be for everyone (and since Sony owns the rights, it’s only on PS3 and PS4), but if you’re a fan of music games and never played the original (or its predecessor FreQuency), you’ve been missing out. It might not end up as easily accessible as Rock Band Blitz and its no-fail states, but Amplitude is a proven design that’s really fun, especially on the higher levels. Check out this first trailer to see what the modern version looks like. There are only a few licensed tracks, with the majority of the music to be made by in-house musicians who have done great work in the past.
Read more…
Tags: Harmonix, PS3, PS4
Posted by Bob Muir on Feb 26, 2015 in Videogames 
Where do you go from Street Fighter IV? It would be simple for the upcoming Street Fighter V to change direction to differentiate it from IV (and II, since IV was so similar to it). The current footage looks like a graphical improvement to IV (that’s strangely slower), so what sets it apart? Capcom’s answer is to bring back an old character from Street Fighter Alpha. Charlie Nash is Guile’s best friend who was supposedly killed by one of M. Bison’s helicopters. Obviously, he didn’t completely die, but it looks like he has some modifications, so maybe he’s out for revenge. Hopefully we’ll see some other obscure characters pop up as fun additions. Read more…
Tags: Capcom, PS4, Street Fighter
Posted by Bob Muir on Feb 18, 2015 in Television 
Last June, PlayStation announced their plans to enter the non-TV TV market occupied by companies like Netflix (House of Cards) and Amazon (Transparent). Their first offering is Powers, an adaptation of Brian Michael Bendis’s superhero procedural comic. The ten episode series is produced by Sony Pictures, which previously did Breaking Bad. Of course, since this is a new market for Sony, it’s not a bad idea that they finally put out this behind the scenes overview of the series before its March 10 premiere. Three episodes will go up on the PlayStation Store, with a new episode following each Tuesday. Powers has caught my interest, so I might as well check it out with my PlayStation Plus account. Read more…
Tags: Powers, PS3, PS4, Sony, Superheroes
Posted by Bob Muir on Feb 10, 2015 in Anime, Videogames 
The first One Piece: Pirate Warriors was a fairly enjoyable game, but certain story arcs from the manga were conspicuously absent. Some of those characters and areas were included in the sequel, but that game had an original story. So now we have One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 for PS3, PS4, and Vita, which adds in a lot of those missing elements, most notably Thriller Bark and the fight against Gekko Moriah. I’m interested in playing a more complete version, and I know there are other improvements, going by this trailer. But seeing as so much of this stuff was in the first game, it’s hard to get as enthusiastic about its release. If I find more interest in it, the game is coming out in Japan in March, in the US sometime this summer, and in Europe before the end of 2015.
Read more…
Tags: Namco Bandai, One Piece, Playstation Vita, PS3, PS4
Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 29, 2015 in Videogames 
Did you ever use Sony’s Music Unlimited service on PlayStation or other devices? It’s okay if you didn’t, not many people did. So it’s not a surprise that Sony is ending the service on March 29, 2015 in all 19 countries it was offered. But don’t worry, people who actually use streaming music on a console: Sony is adding a Spotify app to PS3 and PS4, as well as various Xperia phones and tablets. You’ll be able to stream the music while in a game on PS4, and Sony is promising more exclusive features. And nearly all of those 19 countries that had Music Unlimited will be in the 41 markets that have access to Spotify. Best of all, both free and premium accounts will be able to use Spotify, so if you’re fine with ads, you can add new music to your games for free. Not bad! Could the next step be persuading Spotify to actually pay artists a decent fee for their music? Read more…
Tags: Music, PS3, PS4
Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 28, 2015 in Videogames 
Capcom’s 2012 fantasy game Dragon’s Dogma was surprisingly enjoyable, so it’s good to hear about a new sequel. Capcom is bringing Dragon’s Dogma Online to PC, PS3, and PS4 sometime in 2015. Players can form groups with up to three friends (which can also be AI pawns) in an online lobby towns (up to 100 people) and fight giant enemies. The story will be a follow-up to Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen, with a new storyline, new setting and new characters. The game will be free, but supported by item-based microtransactions, similar to Dragon’s Dogma Quest on Vita. I’d rather just purchase the game outright, but I suppose this is the way a lot of games are going, so as long as the microtransactions aren’t obnoxious, this could be a good sequel. Read more…
Tags: Capcom, Dragon's Dogma, PS3, PS4
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 24, 2014 in Videogames 
Yakuza feels like Sega’s obligation in the West. The games don’t sell that hot, they’re certainly niche, but damn if they are not interesting games with a dedicated fanbase. But it seems like fans have to fight tooth and nail for every release to get translated. (Case in point: 2012’s Yakuza 5 is just getting a translation in Q3 2015.) Most spin-offs or merchandise are destined to remain in Japan. So forgive me for talking about these awesome limited edition Yakuza Zero PS4s when we likely won’t ever see them in the US or Europe. They come in glacier white or jet black, with the choice of a tattoo design from protagonists Kazuma Kiryu (above) or Mashima Goro. PS4s are region-free, so if you feel like importing one, be prepared to part with ¥41,980 on March 12. Read more…
Tags: PS4, Sega, Yakuza
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 18, 2014 in Videogames 
It may be a niche series outside of Japan, but that doesn’t mean Western Disgaea fans will miss out on the next entry. Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance is headed to North America and Europe in Fall 2015. The game is exclusive to PS4, but with a few exceptions, it’s always been a PlayStation exclusive, so no surprise there. Unlike the last game, which brought back characters from the first game, this one once again has an all-new cast. The game is temporarily listed without a subtitle in Europe, so it’s possible the game may receive a different or no subtitle when it eventually releases. Either way, expect quirky dialogue and ridiculously-high numbers as with previous Nippon Ichi games. Read more…
Tags: Disgaea, Nippon Ichi, PS4
Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 16, 2014 in Videogames 
The generation of remasters continues — not that I think that’s a bad thing, mind you. (It’s always a good thing when old games, even more recent old games, are kept available on newer systems.) Capcom has announced that on March 17, 2015, it will release DmC: Definitive Edition on PS4 and Xbox One for $39.99. The port of Ninja Theory’s Devil May Cry reboot will feature enhanced graphics (running at 1080p and 60fps), all previously released DLC, a bunch of new difficulty modes (many of which can be combined with other difficulty options), and other additional content. But for those who still can’t get over the changes to their precious Dante, Capcom is also planning to release Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition in Summer 2015, also on PS4 and Xbox One. Read more…
Tags: Capcom, Devil May Cry, PS4, Xbox One
Posted by Ben Huber on Dec 8, 2014 in Videogames 
The Playstation Experience 2014 also featured the debut of a new trailer for No Man’s Sky. This game has been a bit of an enigma, promising incredible worlds and tons of space to explore, all randomly generated and unique to each player. It’s a pretty bold statement, if you’re a AAA developer, and Hello Games (makers of No Man’s Sky) employ 10 people. So it’s definitely going to be impressive if they pull off all that they’re promising. Visually, it looks pretty good, with lots of neon colors and bright, saturated skies. And spaceships! It all tickles my sci-fi bone, I just hope they can deliver. I want nothing more than for this game to succeed! Read more…
Tags: No Man's Sky, PS4
Posted by Ben Huber on Dec 8, 2014 in Videogames 
At Sony’s Playstation Experience, they pulled out all the stops. Lots of great games to play, see, and announce (of course). One of the biggest items shown that evening was gameplay footage of Uncharted 4, featuring Drake jumping across rocky cliffs and shooting up a bunch of enemies. I’ve enjoyed the Uncharted series in the past, but I’ve grown a bit tired of it since 3. I would prefer more adventuring than shooting, mainly. There’s a lot of cool things going on in this gameplay trailer, especially the gorgeous graphics, but I basically tuned out once gunfire started going off. The new grappling hook does look like a lot of fun, though! Check it out below. Read more…
Tags: PS4, Uncharted
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 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 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 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 Bob Muir on Oct 30, 2014 in Videogames 
Square Enix has constantly placed Final Fantasy XV (or Final Fantasy Versus XIII if you go back far enough) just over the horizon for years now. And while I’m still excited about it, I’d be lying if I wasn’t more interested in Final Fantasy Type-0 HD, a port of a game that actually materialized three years ago on the PSP. The game is coming out on March 17, 2015 (March 20 in Europe), which feels right around the corner now that we’re in the holiday game release period, so this latest trailer (featuring English voices) is very enticing. It captures some of the warring nations angle that Final Fantasy XII tried out, or perhaps Final Fantasy Tactics. Sure, as an enhanced PSP-port, the graphics don’t look that spectacular, but at least the gameplay and art design seem interesting. And really, do we need another game like Final Fantasy XIII that emphasized graphics over everything else?
Read more…
Tags: Final Fantasy, PS4, square enix, Xbox One
Posted by Bob Muir on Aug 20, 2014 in Videogames 
For those who were disappointed by Dark Souls II, Bloodborne looks to make everything right. The PS4 exclusive — developer From Software is collaborating with Sony’s Japan Studio — is what Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls director Hidetaka Miyazaki has been working on, which explains why he only supervised Dark Souls II instead of directing. The trailers have been hype-tastic enough, but they’re obviously cut together from various parts, not really showing the flow of regular gameplay. The latest Bloodborne video shows six minutes of a level (cutting out what is presumably back-tracking or fighting some random mooks), and for fans of punishing gameplay, it looks wonderful. The boss at the end is pretty terrifying too. Read more…
Tags: Bloodborne, PS4
Posted by Bob Muir on Aug 13, 2014 in Videogames 
Sony just released an interactive teaser on PlayStation 4’s digital store called P.T., made by unknown developer 7780s Studio. But just like Moby Dick Studios’ The Phantom Pain was a front for Konami’s Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, P.T. is really Silent Hills, a new entry in Konami’s Silent Hill series. While conventional wisdom states that only Silent Hill 1-4, the games made by Team Silent, are really worth playing — or even less, depending on your opinion — this may be one to watch for based solely on the people who are making it. Metal Gear Solid boss Hideo Kojima has teamed up with filmmaker Guillermo del Toro to make the game, and the main character is played by The Walking Dead‘s Norman Reedus. That sounds actually sounds pretty cool! Maybe if we’re lucky, we’ll get to see more at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show. Read more…
Tags: guillermo del toro, Konami, PS4, Silent Hill
Posted by Bob Muir on Aug 12, 2014 in Videogames 
As one of the oldest characters in the series, it was a safe bet that Kano would return in Mortal Kombat X. In the latest video, Creative Director Ed Boon breaks down the new changes to the character. Besides the usual visual overhaul, take note of the glowing circle on his chest. Players can change it to one of three colors, each representing a customized style of combat with different movesets. While I’d imagine the character is mostly the same between versions, each one gives him certain toys to play with. Cutthroat Kano uses knife combos, Cybernetic Kano uses laser eyes and weapons, and Commando Kano is a grappler. I hope each character in the game gets several customization options, since it’s a good way to add variety to the cast. Read more…
Tags: Mortal Kombat, PS4, Xbox One
Posted by Bob Muir on Jun 24, 2014 in Videogames 
While I’m happy with my PS4, I don’t think anyone would say it’s worth buying for its amount of unique exclusives right now. There’s plenty coming up, and I’ve been preferring to buy my third-party games on the system due to the controller and slight graphical boost. But for now, one of the best exclusives is the downloadable indie game Resogun. The Defender-like game just got a big update, adding the ability to play the game in local co-op with your friends. You can now also edit your ship to look however you want (provided it can be put together with voxels). The developers even added the ability to share and download ships online. Read more…
Tags: PS4
Posted by Bob Muir on Jun 18, 2014 in Videogames 
Another World (or Out of This World as it was originally known in the US) is one of those unique, highly creative games that retro gamers look back on fondly. The adventure-platformer has you exploring a strange world that you accidentally teleported to, with many cinematic effects and just a generally high level of craftsmanship, thanks to French designer Eric Chahi. Another World has received various ports and upgrades over the years, but the latest 20th Anniversary Edition is the best looking yet, with a bevy of options depending on how you want it to look. This version is coming to every recent platform this year, but it’s debuting on Sony’s platforms — PS3, PS4, and PS Vita — next week on June 25. I’ll certainly be downloading a copy, and any fan of well-made, atmospheric adventure games should consider doing so as well. Read more…
Tags: Playstation Vita, PS3, PS4
|
|
