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.
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.
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.
Here's some new footage for the much anticipated Bionic Commando Rearmed 2. Also, mustache.
Rearmed 2 panders to those of us who need a jumping function in side scrollers. Sure it makes it a little easier, but Capcom reassures that players who want a challenge will be able to complete the game from front to end without using the jump button at all. Aw, Capcom, always thinking about us!
See that monstrosity in the header image? You remember it, don't you? That is an actual control, for an actual game. Steel Battalion for the original Xbox cost a shitload of money, but for the price you pay, you get a piece of gaming history. One of the most complex pieces of game hardware ever made, next to the Atari Jaguar controller.
A hardcore game needs a hardcore controller, and that's exactly what you got in Steel Battalion. A game so gangsta, that as your mech was about to explode, if you didn't flip the safety glass and slam on the flashing red eject button on your control's dashboard, your save file was permanently deleted. Gangsta.
Now that Capcom has announced a sequel, Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor, we're all awaiting the needlessly complex control scheme. Except we're not getting one. I am disappoint. Heavy Armor will function solely with the Kinect system. So, the most complex control scheme ever created becomes the most simplistic in one fell swoop. How do they plan to market the hardcore mech action to the casual gamer Kinect focuses on? Who knows man, who knows.
Rest in peace, Steel Batallion controller. We hardly knew ye.
The rumored Ico and Shadow of the Colossus collection was finally confirmed earlier this week, and gamers everywhere could not be happier.
Fans of both games, created by Team Ico, will finally get a chance to play these beautiful, jarring titles on their PS3, in full high definition glory. The graphics are getting an update to make sure they look as lovely on the PS3 as they did on it's predecessor. And though the visuals wont be completely redone, the games themselves are so good, that even releasing them untouched from their PS2 form would be welcome. Being able to play these two masterpieces in HD is very welcomed.
If you've played neither Shadow of the Colossus or Ico, this two for one package, due in Spring 2011, should not be missed. This is beautiful gaming at it's purest. Enjoy it.
Yakuza, what? The cult favorite has taken a turn for the unexpected by focusing on zombies for the latest entry in the crime drama series, Yakuza Of The End. The news came about a few days ago but I was in too much of a dumbstruck awe to write anything intelligible on the subject. Even now, I'm fighting my hardest not to break down into a Neanderthalistic rage of nonsensical screaming.
The Yakuza series, which seemed more like a prime-time NHK drama than a game, with the addition of zombies and craziness of the sort, now seem more like a Takashi Miike movie than anything else. My first reaction to this marked new direction was a nice, hearty face palm.
Now, a few days later, more information is leaking out and it makes me wonder if maybe Sega is taking Of The End down the zombie route for light hearted purposes. Aside from things like cybernetic Gatling gun arms, you'll be able to enjoy typical Yakuza mini-games, such as batting cages, ping pong with sexy ladies, karaoke, and of course, visiting the hostess bars.
I won't write Of The End off yet, as much as I want to. With the game shifting to more shooter heavy play, and the possibility of four player co-op, there's still hope for this game.
In a final push for your attention and preorders, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow has released a new trailer from Tokyo Game Show. The trailer might as well be considered a short film, as it weighs in at a meaty seven minutes. Fans of Castlevania games will enjoy it though, since it's packed with awesome tidbits to look forward to. Outed primarily for the title's Japanese release in December, of course the western crowd can use it as a decision maker for the game's stateside due date, in a few short weeks.
Needless to say I'm excited for this game. I didn't need the lengthy trailer to make up my mind, it's a day one buy for sure. I still don't know whether or not I can consider it a true Castlevania game, but even out of context, it just looks epic and enjoyable.
As their time with Microsoft neared it's end, Bungie had one last chance to create something great for the Xbox 360 and it's army of devout Halo fans. Off the heels of the entertaining yet disappointing Halo: ODST, Halo Reach attempted to capture the glory and mystique of the first three Halo games, and build upon the marginal story with a prequel, in attempt to make the story's first chapter the best of the bunch. It's awesome trailer was able to Deliver Hope, but does Halo Reach deliver results?
Capcom Japan has enlisted the help of Capcom USA and developers Ninja Theory (Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, Heavenly Sword) to reboot one of their classic series, Devil May Cry.
Devil May Cry's attitude-having star, Dante, has undergone some serious changes from when we last saw him. Notably younger, thinner, a whole lot more beat up, and he seems to have lost his signature white hair. This new Dante, with his shoddy European/Japanese punk influenced attire, badly abused face, and emo flop hair looks to be more suited for a supporting role in Trainspotting than Devil May Cry, but don't let looks deceive you. He kicks ass just like the Leon Kennedy-haired Dante of old, so there should be no real reason for concern. Fanboys, however, will always find something to bitch about.
Change it seems is hardly ever welcome in gaming, so it's no surprise that the new look has DMC supporters taken aback. Who knew the white mop top was such a hit with kids these days? Dante's makeover might not be familiar territory, but come on, it doesn't look bad. Besides, he's much younger than he was in previous titles, so who's to say there won't be storyline to describe why, if his hair turns white?
The bottom line, before all else, should be that Dante plays like Dante. And if the trailer is any indication, it looks like he will. My problem with Heavenly Sword was that it played a bit too wonky and unrefined. It looks like Ninja Theory fixed that problem with Enslaved, but they screwed up the character designs. With Capcom and key members from the original DMC games closely involved in the reboot, I think gamers should feel comfortable knowing that this title will deliver.
Monday, September 20, 2010 at 4:52PM 
