Sonic 4 Lights Up Your Life

Growing up, there were some things you could not separate me from. Forging my gangsta by listening to classic hip hop, molding my geek by playing video games, and refining my palette by eating raw dough. Don't front, you know you ate it too. As a hardcore gamer in training, I tried to own, play, and love every system I could, and I did for the most part, but for some strange reason, I was always a Sega fanboy. 

Maybe it's because I didn't need a game to entertain myself with the Master System, or because I didn't need blood codes to indulge in some fine gore, or because Sonic was an infinitely cooler mascot than Mario, who knows, but I miss Sega's heyday. Being a throwback to classic Sega vs. Nintendo days is probably why I'm so excited for Sonic 4. That and the fact that solid hedgehog games have been hard to come across since Sonic Adventure (which coincidentally is available to download on XBLA or PSN.)

Sonic 4 hearkens back to the two dimensional speed, spins, jumps, tilts, and power ups of classic Sonic the Hedgehog gaming, while infusing some elements of the newer Sonic titles, all sexy and high definition. It's really good stuff. Don't believe me, see for yourself in the attached trailer for the Casino Street Zone. It's just like the incredibly designed Casino Night Zone of Sonic 2, except, well, street. I can dig that, streets are gangsta.

So Sega, when are we getting Sonic Spinball HD? I'll just keep my fingers crossed for that one.

Fallout: New Vegas, and The Post-Apocalyptic Sunset

Bethesda Softworks has outed a lovely TV spot for it's upcoming opus Fallout: New Vegas, and when I say lovely I really mean it. I admittedly slept on Fallout 3, having not playing it until maybe six months or so after it's release, but I'm really glad I got around to it. As one of the best games I've played in recent memory, Fallout 3 was not without it's drawbacks, which New Vegas looks to improve on, and add to tenfold. 

The ambiance of New Vegas is a rapid departure from the ruins of Washington D.C. While the awesomeness of seeing our history destroyed and inhabited by super mutants and ghouls blew my mind, traversing from point A to point B got bland fast. If you didn't happen upon a tattered national monument, there wasn't much to be seen in D.C., unless of course you crossed paths with a traveler, or a stray robot, or a super mutant, or some other kick-ass randomness. And even though it was these things that mattered, that kept the game engaging, and that made me want to wander around the wasteland looking for the next random situation my character could become involved in, part of me was still lulled to sleep by the District of Columbia's far-too-typical post apocalyptic snooze-fest of browns and grays.

Enter New Vegas and it's well captured spirit of the old Vegas' panache. Sure, the neighborhood ain't as pretty as she used to be, but the charm is still there. Bright lights, flashing advertisements, exploding buildings, and a vault that looks like a freaking casino! That's a nice touch right there. New Vegas even features beautifully vibrant skies to get your eyes their daily dose of colors. Gone are the two-toned nuclear winters of Washington D.C., replaced with mythological things, like the post-apocalyptic blue sky, and sunset.

Above all else, Fallout New Vegas looks to deliver where it matters: gameplay, story, and the immerse world of throat-cutting and slaver-gutting that Fallout 3 so aptly portrayed. Gambling, shooting, exploring, blowing shit up, and tough moral decisions. Now all I'm left wondering is, will we be able to solicit ghoul prostitutes? 

Fallout: New Vegas releases on October 19th

8BITS Brings 2D to Life with 3D

2D and 3D games, can they coexist? Of course they can. Over the past few years, 2D games have been increasingly shunned in favor of big budget 3D titles. Though 2010 has been a great year for 2D, indie developers, and the downloadable title. With strong showings at gaming conventions this year, it looks like quality 2D games will not go quietly in the night.

The short film 8BITS seeks revenge on those who have forsaken 2D. With beautiful animation, interesting character models, and explosive 2D action sequences, 8BITS brings a whole lot of quirk and old school nods to the the expanding roster of game-related short films. I would love to see this as a full length, in IMAX, where those wide shot action sequences would be a a visual overload for gamers.

But what the hell is up with the hoodie and boxers, main dude? That ain't gangsta.

The Gameplay of Bioshock Infinite

Today, the good folks at Irrational Games have opened to the public that which was only previously available to the press behind closed doors; Bioshock Infinite gameplay. 

As much hype as Bioshock Infinite has been receiving since it's announcement, it would be a damn let down to have anything other than primo in-game action in this reveal, and Irrational knows it. So they went and gave us a huge ten minute chunk which looks to be taken right from the early stages of the game, and man, does it look polished. This is definitely a Bioshock game, as the action and use of 'plasmids' picks up right where it all left off in Rapture. The graphics are silky smooth and beautiful in action. The cartoonish art style, which seems to be gaining some popularity recently, spares no details and is beginning to grow on me. I can imagine the game handling very tightly and responding well to user commands, as the first Bioshock did under Irrational's watchful eye.

I have some concerns with the game that I'll be sure to cover down the line, but right now, gameplay is not one of them. Irrational and 2K Games have definitely served their purpose well today, judging by the good amount of positive press this trailer has gotten. Let the injection of new Bioshock Infinite media continue!

Fable III Just Got a Little Awkward

Fable is a great series, that for some reason flies under a lot of gamer's radars. The idealistic creator, Peter Molyneux has a penchant for grandiose declarations regarding his brainchild. One of the things developers Lionhead Studios tried shoehorning into Fable II was online co-op. That didn't work so well. Molyneux is on record recently saying the Fable II's co-op was flawed, rushed, and a badly implemented throw in to what was a very solid game.

Enter Fable III, which looks to fix the issues that plagued gamers in the first two series entries, including the botched attempt at co-op. The awesome Fable experience, coupled with a proper online multiplayer will only enhance gameplay and replay value, of course. But, it'll add a whole lot of weird. MyGamerCard.net (minor spoilers within) has outed Fable III's list of achievements, which get a bit on the odd side. Case in point:

• He’s a Woman. She’s a Man Wear a full set of clothing intended for the opposite sex
• Long Distance Relationship Get married to another Xbox LIVE player
• Cross-Dimensional Conception Have a child with another Xbox LIVE player

So, not only can I, but I am rewarded for cross-dressing, marrying, and having children with other human players, who are most likely fat, smelly, pock-marked geeks, just like me? Awesome, sign me up! 

The Fable series has never been without it's quirks, good or bad, so just add these to the list. I'll excitedly pop a copy of Fable III into the ol' box and play for hours. But let's just say I won't be going for the 1000 Gamerscore. 

Fable III releases on October 26th.

Pokemon; Harder, Darker, Edgier, Still Lame

I don't know what it is about Pokemon or why everyone loves it. Yet here we are, 14 years, 13 films, and 30-plus games after it's introduction and for some reason, it's still going strong. It's like the song that doesn't end, except it spans multiple mediums and has Nintendo's infinite funds fueling it.

I could go on and on about my disdain for Pokemon, but a lot of geeks love it, and I can't go against my people. So, in support of the Poke-gangstas out there, I bring you the fairly well done live action Pokemon trailer, which thankfully, does not feature the abused and overused Inception theme. 

Can you spot all your favorite Pokemans? You should be able to, since they stick out like sore thumbs. If you're able to name them all though, you have reason for concern.

Every Day The Same Dream

I like flash games. Every Day The Same Dream is kind of a flash game. I use the term game loosely because it seems to be more of a social commentary than a game. Games are meant to be tools to escape reality and find ourselves a place of enjoyment, or are sometimes used to present education in an entertaining way.

Every Day The Same Dream, feels like more of an independent short film than anything else. The fact that you have control of the focal character, and that you can control the ways in which a few days of his life play out make it a game. However, there is no beginning. There is not much in terms of an end. There is no explanation to why things are happening they way they are in the life of this faceless man, who could be you or me.

Is there even any fun to be had playing this "game?" I don't think so. Yet for some reason, after playing through and figuring out how to complete the very loose story, the experience dwindled in my thoughts as I went through my morning routine. What you've just read may make you want to avoid Every Day The Same Dream, but you should really play through it, from start to end.

Play Every Day The Same Dream

TGS 2010: Deus Ex Human Revolution

I know the Deus Ex games have a nice little cult following, so they must be pretty good, right? To be honest, I've never played one. Why, I'm not sure, but I know I'll probably be playing the upcoming Deus Ex: Human Revolution. 

Eidos Montreal developed title doesn't show any new game play, but if the Tokyo Game Show trailer is any indication, I can say without any reservations: God damn. Awesome trailer is awesome. We'll see if the game can live up to the standards set here.

TGS 2010: Yakuza: Of The End Extended Gameplay

After previously turning a cautious eye to Yakuza: Of the End, this new game play trailer courtesy of GameTrailers.com makes me feel a little more settled with Yakuza's latest chapter. Where the series is dedicated to portraying a realistic crime drama (with the exception of Yakuza: Kenzan!) the developers expressed their interest in trying something new, so they take on the third person shooter genre and add a zombies to the mix.

While past Yakuza games have been dead serious, Of the End seems to take a more light hearted approach, which is something I can't hate on. I shouldn't hold a grudge on a series for trying something new to freshen things up, while retaining many of the elements that have made previous titles in the Yakuzaverse so charming.

As time passes, I'm becoming more comfortable with Yakuza: Of the End. The first news was a little concerning. The story trailer didn't look so bad. And now the game play looks hilarious and fun. I think Sega always knows how to win me over.

Weekend Time Killers

Here's this once a week section for the site, dedicated to some quick and dirty game images, videos, and miscellaneous links found out there on the interwebs. I'll try to have this up every Saturday afternoon, but clearly I'm running a little late with it this week. Anyway, enjoy this weekend's Time Killers.

What old Dante thinks of new Dante

Treyarch announces the follow up to Call of Duty: Black Ops

Mythbusters tackles Halo Reach

It seems the Pope has ties to a familiar organization

Halo Reach's Kat seems to be modeled after a familiar face

Any girlfriend who makes this for her man is an instant marry

Are you a bad enough dude?

Monster Hunter and fried chicken; match made in Heaven

Blasto the Hanar Spectre

The Onion delves into the mind of Solid Snake

Tomopop looks at Toy Story's Woody in a new light