Fist of the North Star 2: Kenshiro's Rage Trailer: Heads Will Roll Again... or Explode (Your Choice)...

I'm one of the few reviewers who liked the first game, so I'm looking forward to this sequel quite a lot. Granted, developer Omega Force isn't reinventing the wheel here, but the level of depth here will be outstanding for fans of the anime and manga, that's for sure. The combat has been made smoother and faster, I'm liking the visuals a lot and overall, I'm locking this down as a sleeper when it hits the PS3 and Xbox 360 next year. If there's anyone out there who doesn't like this, well, I'd say some Fist fans would say "You are already dead." or something close. Of course, those are the annoying fans with too much time on their hands who SHOULD be enjoying the games they like without letting others get in the way of their enjoyment, but hey - everyone needs a hobby, I suppose...

GTA V Trailers 1 & 2: Yeah, You Know You'll Be Playing This One For A While...

As usual, Rockstar is set to impress gamers worldwide with another incredible Grand Theft Auto experience. As usual, it's hard to take your eyes off of the amazing visuals (feel free to pause the videos to check out the hilarious signage the art team is putting up all around. As usual, the game is still in progress, so don't expect to play this until next spring. That said, as usual , expect awards galore, some fantastic voice acting and a soundtrack absolutely packed to the max with some great and varied music and talk radio chatter we'll all be grooving to. It's going to be a fine 2013, that's for sure...

BioShock Infinite "Beast of America" Trailer: A Delay of Game Is All For The Better, I Say...

 

Some gamers are irked that Irrational Games isn't rushing this out the door this year, but I say leave them be so they can make a great game even better. Of course, it has a LOT of hype to live up to, so let's hope all the team wants to do as far as the story and gameplay go get DONE and done right. That and hell, i want to see the developer get tis finished so they can perhaps do something cool with the Vita one of these days...

Dishonored Interactive Video - Choose Your Path to Revenge

 

Lovely. Pop this open as a full screen video and "play" it a few times for best results. Yes, yes, as good as this looks, the actual game will be a great deal more compelling and fun, but this tiny taste of what's coming next week should have your wallet lighter within a few clicks. Arkane and Bethsoft have one of the sleepers of the year, i say. Don't disappoint them by not buying the game, as they have a masked assassin on the payroll and you don't. Even if you did, I bet he or she couldn't transform into a swarm of rats or toss a wire trap that could slice you to jerky within seconds...

Hitman Absolution "Introducing The Kill" Trailer: Making An Assassin For The Masses...

 

I've been quietly keeping an eye on Agent 47 for a while now and his latest bit of not quite silent but deadly antics are very slick indeed. Developer IO Interactive has been taking some flack from the uber-core fans who want everything the same as it was in the earlier games down to almost no innovations or breathing room for newbies. While that may work in keeping sales down to that base who wants a game only they can play, this IS a business and all the people working on the game would probably want to see it do well among more types of gamers. Sure, it's "catering" to the masses on an epic scale, but hell, if you're bitching about this, you're not a REAL assassin anyway and if you are, you're certainly not sitting on your ass playing a game all day, right? That said, some new players with zero attention spans and no idea about how to dive into a game that's not telling you how to do everything will be left staring at the crowds and crying because they haven't a clue what to do or where to go (even after the briefing and otherwise well-done hint system).

Feh, you can't stop those folks from gaming at all - you can only hope they snap those unused areas of their brains into action with a great game like this.

Dishonored: The Tales from Dunwall (Episodes 1 - 3) - Graphic & Novel

And here you go - all three Tales From Dunwall installments to get you all set for Dishonored when it hits stores on October 9, 2012. This is one of the games I've been looking forward to because of its single player focus, fantastic art direction and overall fresh take on some familiar gameplay elements.

 

PS3, PC or Xbox 360, folks - definitely give this one a shot. Arkane Studios isn't yest a household name amongst gamers (unless they happen to have been around for Arx Fatalis and loved it as much as I did), but this is a game that will definitely be remembered (and copied) for years to come...

XCOM: Enemy Unknown Interactive Trailer: Decisions, Decisions....

Firaxis has pretty much silenced anyone doubting they could bring XCOM back as a solid tactical reboot, and this "Interactive" trailer is just a brief taste of what's in store for the hardcore RTS/RPG fan looking for a good reason to camp out in front of the PC for too many hours at a time. I'd actually LOVE to see this get onto the Vita at some point, as that console needs a much better class of strategy game than what's currently available for it. Army Corps of Hell? Yuck - give me this game and I'm a happy camper (as will be a LOT of other Vita owners.

Dead Space 3 Eudora Gameplay: Almost 17 Minutes of Pure Hell (In A Good Way, Silly!)

I'm absolutely NOT one of the whiny crowd crapping on Visceral's decision to add OPTIONAL co-op play to this sequel. I'm a fan of all the Dead Space games (yes, even Dead Space Extraction on the Wii and PS3, which did an excellent job at making an on-rails game really compelling, thrilling and scary). Hell, it will make me a lot less freaked out If I know I can have someone else to hind under the damn couch with when things get a wee bit too frightening. Anyway, this one's on track to be a big smash, provided the dev team can overcome the hurdle of dealing with that pissy part of the fan base that just doesn't like anything changing in their favorite games. Granted, if multiplayer is shoved in and makes for a bad time for all, then yes, you can indeed bash both SA and Visceral all you want - I'll be one of the first to wave the flag if they blow it.

TGS 2012: God of War: Ascension Trailer: Kratos Is A Badass In Any Language...

 

I actually got a chuckle from this trailer because the narrator sound like Linda Hunt, but speaking fluent Japanese. How do you find someone to do that voice work, i have to ask? I'd imagine SCE Japan had assorted actresses listen to Hunt's performances from the other God of War titles and try to emulate her scholarly tone. Or perhaps there just so happens to be one voice actress in Japan who just so happens to have that dark voice all nailed up? Stranger things have happened, folks... like multiplayer coming to a Gad of War game. Which, by the way, I hear is surprisingly great in a few areas. A I've said elsewhere, Sony's not going to let the PS3 die a crappy, quiet death with no games of note filling up store shelves as they push the console aside for a newer, more expensive upgrade.  2013 is going to be a key year for PS3 on a number of fronts, I say...

TGS 2012: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Trailer: A Few Too Many Cuts Above The Rest

 

Fan favorite developer Platinum Games has really gotten the hang of making anything they do quite the killer experience, but Revengeance looks to take them to new levels of action and excitement. With not a Snake in sight, this might be one of those games that convinces some of the Raiden haters out there that he's not just a throwaway joke character. I still remember laughing for too long at the grand joke played on us back when Metal Gear Solid 2 went from Snake's story to the Raiden show (to interesting results, to say the least!), but unlike a lot of die-hards, I gave Kojima a break because it was clear what the man was up to. In any event, I'm looking forward to diving into this plsu the upcoming Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes when that one gets some sort of showing here in NYC. Hey, Konami... don't forget about me this time!

TGS 2012: Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 Trailer: Pow! Wow! (Ow!)

 

I really loved the first game, warts and all because it captured the tone a spirit of the film and anime perfectly. That familar Sengoku Musou gameplay slowed down deliberately, the loads of extra characters to unlock and the ridiculous replay value made this a great guilty pleasure worth going back to multiple times. The game obviously sold well enough to get this sequel made, so I say give it a try if you're looking for something really out of the ordinary in a beat-em-up. Of course, some critics won't "get" this game one bit, but fans of the show of manga should be all aboard this particular post-apocalyptic train, I say...

No, I'm Not Dead - Just Otherwise Occupied...

That said, things will get back to more regular posting here shortly. I'm wrapping up a big project (non-gaming) and working on some reviews for the newer DAF blog, so that's been keeping me from adding as many videos and such. Also, I'm working on a few things for the new blog that will do a bit better at linking to this one, as I can definitely use more traffic here. As Google seems to think that all blogs with "mature" content aren't worth their time to promote, I'm more or less beating a dead horse until I get the other DAF a bit more fully functional. Plan A is definitely in motion, folks - stay tuned for future updates...

Sleeping Dogs Gameplay Updates: Don't Mess With Mrs. Chu + More Action Stuff

 

Here are some more peeks at United Front's upcoming action game set to hit stores on August 14. As you can see, that Mrs. Chu is no lady to trifle with on any level, that's for sure. While I'm really liking the level of polish the developer has put on their baby, I'm not thrilled with the whole "Gun Fu" thing used as a terminology, as it reminds me of that awful movie Equlibrium (sorry, kids, it really stinks despite all the action scenes) and the stupid "Gunkata" that reminded me too much of the even more awful film, Gymkata, but with a hell of a lot more swords and firearms. Fortunately, it looks like the game will defy the silly stuff an old fart like me remembers too much of, so yeah - you should probably buy it no matter what I say. Just avoid those movies I mentioned and you'll be all right...

Deadpool Trailer: Really? Well, It BETTER BE Good, Then...

 

Hoo Boy. Well, now I've seen everything, kids. As I said HERE, I'm not sure the character can hold up an tire game, but we shall see...

Dishonored Golden Cat Walkthroughs 1 & 2: Taking It Low & Slow or Loud & Proud

 

One game, two decidedly different ways to play, same outcome in the form of both your targets fleeing this mortal coil in nicely amusing manners. And there are a few more ways to go through this single level from Arkane Studios' upcoming game. I have the feeling the dev team will be really pleased with the ways people try to "break" their game by attempting things that not even the QA team has come up with to dink around with. Then again, I did hear some funny stories from Harvey Smith and Raphael Colantonio about some of the things the testers DID find that the dev team hadn't intended. This one's going to be fun as hell, I say...

E3 2012: ZombiU Gameplay Trailer: Ubisoft Whips Up A Winner For Survival Horror Fans

Can you say "system seller", dear readers?  I can. What works for me are a few things: The arcade-like aspect to the gameplay where you have a single life and need to survive as long as possible along with the goals of trying to make it to the game's end using as few lives as possible, as each time you die, you restart as a different character. There's also the need to track down and kill your previous (and now undead) character in order to get back your survival gear, making this one tension-packed instant buy for Nintendo's new console. Based on this and the bunch of other games they showed off, it's clear that Ubisoft is behind the Wii U all the way, even though they're also going to be releasing some games they make for it on touch screen devices in order to make a bit of coin to cover development costs. Welcome to the new world, I suppose... but as long as the games are innovative and fun, I'll be around for the long haul...

E3 2012: DmC Demo: Dante Does Demons!

 

Capcom and Ninja Theory finally got the chance to show off DmC live at E3 and while I was already on board with the reboot, this footage made me smile even more. I do find it HILARIOUS that some people out there are complaining about swearing an a game made for adults where you're killing demons for crying out loud, but oh well, prudes play games too. That said, Ninja Theory is on track to surprise some of these haters and all the rest can go eat a shoe because Capcom isn't listening to your crying any longer. Unless you're going to set yourself on fire in front of a Gamestop because you're not getting the same old game you've already played, shut it and let those of us who have some respect spend our money on this one.

E3 2012: Watch_Dogs Gameplay Demo: 2013 Is Definitely Going To Rock...

As far as unfinished works with no concrete launch date, Ubisoft's upcoming PC and console game tied with Quantic Dream's PS3 exclusive, Beyond: Two Souls for my game of the show. It wins hands down for the biggest surprise game of E3 and makes me wonder what else the company's many studios are working as as far as anything else we haven't heard about. If there's any publisher out there that has a consistent set of goals for today and tomorrow along with the games to back it up, it has to be Ubisoft, hands down. Sure, not everything is perfect or fits the "hardcore" category you'd like them all to. That said, you can't deny that the company isn't clear on what they want gamers to experience in each of their products.

OK, I'm really just babbling on here to fill space, as I absolutely HATE speculation and won't write up anything more about the game until I know some actual facts about it. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. 2013 is going to be a hell of a year for gaming if they start getting this interesting. Go, Ubisoft!

E3 2012: Resident Evil 6 Gameplay: Everything AND The Kitchen Sink (Plus Zombies!)....

Yikes. Capcom is throwing every possible threat at poor Chris Redfield in this chunk of gameplay from the RE6 demo. It almost as if the dev team watched a bunch of action and disaster flicks, played some recent Call of Duty games to brush up on non-stop pacing and whipped up a game that based on this slice, looks to be the most action-packed RE game in the franchise. Hey, as long as the story's good and the game doesn't force a co-op mode down our throats, I'm all in.The demo goes live on the 360 next month, and if this footage is any indication, I predict a server crush for a few hours that keeps Xbox Live hopping (and some griping) until the demand drops off. Don't forget to BUY a copy of Dragon's Dogma, folks - the game is fantastic AND allows access to the demo on July 3 (you'll be playing DD until then, fear not - the game is MASSIVE)...

E3 2012: The Last of Us Gameplay: Whatever it Takes To Survive

Naughty Dog is clearly working magic with the PS3 and The Last of Us looks to be yet another potential Game of the Year candidate from the developer when it's finally released (I'm guessing in 2013). This gameplay clip features some surprising violence and also shows this isn't a simple "zombie" action experience at all. I love that Ellie's AI works so well, the sheer brutality of the battles (every fight is a fight for life) and the fact that this is only ONE way to play through this encounter. You can sneak by the hunters and avoid all that death-dealing, but I'll have to see the alternate route for myself and find out what sort of obstacles await along that particular path. As I keep saying, if you don't have a PS3 yet, now is about the time to grab one.

E3 2012: Dead Space 3 Trailer: Frozen Properly, Keeping It Fresh Works...

It's hard as hell to keep a franchise going after a second installment because there's a damn good chance you've used up ALL your best ideas in coming up with the sequel. That said, the team at Visceral Games seems to have done a decent job in mapping out a timeline for their sci-fi horror franchise, and here you go. Co-op play (drop in/drop out) is the deal this time out, as is a frozen planet (which means outdoor environments!) and more Necromorphs than you can shake a stick at. Not that shaking a stick will do any good, mind you... 2013 is going to be a killer year for gaming, so you better hope those Mayans were way off in their "prediction". Me, I don't believe in that stuff, so I'll be waiting patiently for the release date so I can jump in and enjoy the ride being cooked up by Visceral and EA.

E3 2012: Ubisoft's Watch_Dogs: Prepare To Get Paranoid And Be Thrilled At The Same Time...

During Ubisoft's fantastic press conference, they had my jaw bouncing off the floor at least four times, but then Watch_Dogs was unveiled, it dropped and stayed down for the duration of the outstanding demo. The game starts off as one type of game and turns to something entirely unexpected, with a twist at the end that sent my hard spinning. While I initially wasn't sure about the "lead" character and his motivations (he's "obsessed" with violence and loves to pore into people's lives by hacking into their devices to reveal personal details), the way the demo ended made me wonder just where this game will go, meaning yes, I want to see MORE. I love it when new IP does what it should: surprise and shock while it innovates and moves a normally generic genre forward. I'm not at all sure what the mobile or social content will be, but I'm SO glad I don't have a smartphone or use a device that has all my personal info on it. I got more paranoid watching this than I did the Far Cry 3 demo!

Inversion Multiplayer 101 Trailer: Another Angle On The Usual MP Modes...

 

Did you get that pun in the title? No? Ah well, I tried. Anyway, Saber Interactive wants you to flip out over Inversion's genre-bending gunplay and level designs, so check out this developer diary for what to expect in this upcoming shooter. It's definitely NOT what some of you are expecting, but I'm betting once the game is out, it'll be getting a lot more appreciation from the skeptics. I liked what I saw from the first demo a while back, so I'm sure that things have gotten a lot better in the time since. Namco Bandai is putting out some really fun titles and like a few other publishers, stretching their wings where it counts...

Sleeping Dogs Combat Video: Definitely NOT Hong Kong Phooey...

Man, that trailer looked painful, but that;s how United Front Games wants it. Fast-paced and very much like a Hong Kong action flick, Sleeping Dogs looks to grab gamers by the you-know-whats and slam them into their seats for the long haul. As long as the game is fun and never drags, had a great story and actors that can deliver their lines as well as the game delivers the action, I'm sold. Square Enix deserves a lot of credit for rescuing True Crime from the ashes and having it remade as what's looking like a much tighter game experience.Hmmm... I wonder if this will actually become a film at some point? That would be pretty funny in a wild way...

E3 2012: Lollipop Chainsaw "Killer Moves" Trailer: Where's The "Double Rainbows!" Guy?

 

It's almost here and I know James Gunn is laughing his head off along with Suda 51 and everyone at Grasshopper Manufacture that their dream project is all done and about to get its big day in the sun.WBIE is going all out  in promoting this hilariously campy yet not quite family-friendly horror action game, and I say it's an automatic "shut up and buy me!" experience just for the sense of fun oozing from everywhere. OK, I know you're not EVEN reading this because you're busy ogling Juliet, so i shall shut up and let you do so...

E3 2012: Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition PC/DLC Announce Trailer: From Brings It To Everyone!

I figured after all the fan flames and rage about the PC version of Dark Souls getting "exclusive" new content we'd see that same content show up on consoles, but I'd also bet that Namco Bandai and From Software had this planned from the get-go. Granted, I'm one of those folks who hopes the PC version does well even though I won't be buying it because I prefer my games simple to drop in and play as opposed to dealing with potential trolls mucking up the online experience. That said, I'm also hoping we get a Game of the Year RETAIL disc with the original game PLUS all that new content in the Artorias of the Abyss expansion just for those of us who can't access DLC, but I guess we'll see how smart the publisher is, I guess. Anyway, it's coming out August 24 for Windows via Steam and sometime this winter in North America for consoles. And yeah, I'd buy the whole game again just to get the new stuff if it's not going to be released as an expansion disc...

The Last of Us Is Looking Like Naughty Dog's Best Work On the "Aging" PS3...

Okay, okay... I was a bit wrong about Game of Thrones being a great, grand epic from what I've been hearing (the story is solid and meorable, but the presentation and gameplay seem to be suffering. I'll see for myself in a bit, though), but Naughty Dog won't disappoint me at all. Here's a look at a cinema from their upcoming survival action game set to hit the PS3, The Last of Us, which not only looks fantastic, it's bound to be one of the best PS3 exclusives ever made. Expect to see a lot of this at E3, as I'm expecting Sony to come out swinging (rather than go down fighting) at this year's show. I can't wait to see what else is on the way...

Game of Thrones "Behind The Wall" Trailer: Cyanide Studios Shows Its Dedication To Detail And Then Some

Well, well, well... you learn something new every day! I had no idea that Cyanide Studios started working on their own game based on the popular books seven years ago with the blessings and assistance of creator George R.R. Martin, long before the TV show was set to go. That means anyone worried about this being some rush job made to cash in on the series is a bit dead wrong. I'm even more intrigued now, especially with the two playable characters and the storyline adding to the rich world Martin has already created. I'm also liking the element of choice, which will hopefully add to the replay value as well as perhaps get a few people still on the fence to want to see how everything fits together. Color me wanting to review this one after it hits stores on May 15....

Hitman: Absolution Sniper Challenge - Pre-Order & Play Early, Play Often...

 

Square Enix and IO Interactive have whipped up a really cool way to get in some Hitman action as well as get IN the upcoming game, provided you've a Steam, PSN or Xbox Live account and want to pre-order. While Hitman: Absolution isn't out until November, starting May 15 for PSN and XBL users (and August 1 for PC users, sorry!) you can go play the cool Hitman: Sniper Challenge game, a stand-alone experience only available to fans who pre-order a copy of HA. Leaderboards and being at the top are key here, as winners will get monthly prizes and the top sniper gets packed away on a jet to Copenhagen, Denmark to meet with the dev team and get his or her likeness in the game. Or maybe a future Hitman game, as the press release was a bit vague. I'm gathering the team isn't going to delay the game just to get some smug winning mug in there for all to see as a playable character, but hey, I'm not going to stop them from trying. You'll probably be some random victim of Agent 47's anyway, so be proud that your virtual corpse will be stuffed in a closet somewhere in a level and your clothes taken for a disguise, I say!

Anyway, stop reading this, do some clicking, polish up your sniping skills before you hop online to play and good luck!

Max Payne 3 Launch Trailer: He Shoots, He Scores!

May 15 is right around the corner, and yes, indeed, Rockstar has been getting the word out about Max's new adventure for a bit now, keeping the entire story under wraps save for some basics. In true Rockstar fashion, I expect this one to be big on solid dialogue, offbeat humor that makes for quotable lines and plot twists where least expected that make an overall memorable experience worth playing a few times through. I'm sure the multiplayer modes will be a smash as well, given the new Social Club aspect to things and enough changes to the formula to keep things fresh for a decent enough chunk of time. Is GTA V coming out this year? Maybe, maybe not. All I care about is what's hitting stores next week...

Lollipop Chainsaw Double Trailer Smack. Juliet's Got Sisters (!) Plus A Chat With Suda 51 & James Gunn

 

There's not much else to say here other than to ask if you've pre-ordered this yet. The teaming of Suda 51 and James Gunn is sheer genius, and the results are bound to become a cult classic that NEEDS to move in large numbers in order to succeed (and hell, I want to see this become as big as Buffy did on TV, maybe as a cable movie or even animated series for a season or two). Being biased against this game because you don't play games with female characters (you're a sexist dolt), think there's too much cursing (what, you're an altar boy or something? It's not a kid's game - grow up!, want a PC version (if you can afford a rig to run this game on, you can also afford to also own a PS3 or 360, silly) or not enough medically accurate gore (Um, OK... is that why you have no pets and fewer friends?) are all lousy reasons to overlook all this happy, funny well-made insanity.

Just a thought...

 

Hitman: Absolution Gameplay Trailer #1: IO's "Oh, Wow" Engine Shows Off Its Greatness...

 

Well, "Oh Wow" was the first reaction I had to IO's engine and the first reaction I heard when a friend of mine saw some footage, so that's what I'm calling it from now on.The team is definitely doing its best work to date here and yes, as they've tweaked the Hitman formula a bit since the last few games, whiners on assorted message boards are going haywire on what they haven't seen yet in a game NONE of them have even played. One of these days, some dev team lead with a pack of talented folks working on something really cool is going to snap and let these disrespectful dopes have both barrels, but I don't thing it'll happen anytime soon. Yell at a baby and it''l just cry louder, I hear. GO, IO!

Mortal Kombat Vita Arrives At Retail: New Modes Keep It Fresh And As Bloody Good As Ever.

 

"FINISH HIM! Expect to hear that coming out of Vitas on public transportation for the next few weeks or so, as MK is finally in stores and packing all the fun and gore of the console versions PLUS more content. The NetherRealm team has done a stellar job with this "port" and the all-new mini-games that take advantage of the Vita's features also show off the dev team's sense of humor, as a few of the games are riffs on popular casual mobile titles. Right now, it's definitely the best 3D fighter on the handheld, so make sure you check it out if you're a Vita owner looking for something to keep you busy for a while...

Max Payne 3 Weapons: The M1911 Is In. "You're Welcome," Says Rockstar...

 

Although Max's go-to guns in the original game were twin Berettas, the more punchy power of the M1911 should please fans of the original game who happen to want to swing a heavier shooting iron about as they blow away the bad guys. Rockstar is really showing of that game engine to its fullest (the 360-degree renders here are amazing) and I expect MP3 to be dissected by the more core (and sane) gun-owning gamers out there who can talk your ear off about every type of firearm imaginable. You guys are fun to have a few beers with, but I'm not going to get you mad about anything regarding sports, women, politics or even where to get good BBQ, that's for sure...

Spec Ops: The Line: 2K Games' Answer To The Usual Suspects In the Military Shooter Genre.

 

Like Rebellion's Sniper Elite V2 (being published by 505 Games), Yager's spectacular-looking Spec Ops: The Line (headed your way in June from 2K Games) aims to bring a fresher face to a genre packed to the gills with blockbuster first-person games that some feel are going for the motions in terms of delivering a solid single player campaign. The team at Yager (responsible for the underrated Xbox game call Yager - go look it up, it's a pleasant surprise) has done a superb job at making a game where the story and environment are as important as the gameplay. Based on Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness (itself the inspiration for Apocalypse Now), Spec Ops' story puts you in control of a small squad as they infiltrate a sandstorm ravaged Dubai in order to take down a rather not so nice former ally. The game also has a multiplayer component that looks pretty solid and from what I can tell, won't detract or distract from the story's overall impact. Of course, the true test is getting the jaded gamers out there who only judge new titles against their favorites rather than on their own merits to get up off their asses and give this one a shot. I'll try my best to do my job and promote this potential game-changer, but at the end of the day, it's all up to you folks reading this to TRY something new that might throw you for a loop in a good way once in a while...

Dishonored Trailer: This Embargo is KILLING Me, But The Trailer Is Quite Spectacular

So, I saw Dishonored in action yesterday, but I can't write about it (or more accurately, post impressions) until next week. Meanwhile, Bethesda rolled this amazing trailer out just to taunt those of us who were floored at the press event yesterday and can't write anything (or more accurately, post impressions) until next week. I will say this, however: those jaded games who complain about all sorts of things not being doable by their character will be knocked off their feet when they get their hands on this one. Let's just say Arkane Studios knows and loves what they're doing and this one is doing it RIGHT.

More once the embargo is lifted... enjoy the trailer!

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Editon Launch Trailer: Your Game of the Year Candidate (#1)

 

After playing a small chunk of this last week at the WBIE press event and seeing this trailer yesterday, I'm putting in my first choice for GOTY. This game is massive, mature and definitely a must-play for any genre fan who won't mind some content being a bit too racy when compared to similar titles. Personally, it's about time, I say. The storytelling here is incredible and while the game on the 360 is a few steps down visually from the PC version cranked up to the highest settings, it's still an amazingly detailed and downright spectacular looking achievement for Microsoft's console. CD Projekt RED has a winner here, so don't miss it.

MORE Dragon's Dogma Gameplay? OK, Got An Hour And A Half To Spare?

 

So, you wanted to see how the game looks and plays in a more extended session? Well, here you go, thanks to Capcom Unity at PAX last weekend. I'm even more impressed with it and while I'm not crazy enough to run around screaming "It's Game of the YEAR!!!" all over the internet, it's pretty clear that Capcom has a winner here that's going to please a few different types of gamers. Hopefully, not one of them will be nuts enough to sic the Better Business Bureau on them if they dislike the ending or feel that any DLC that MAY or may not be on the disc violates some rights they think they have that aren't in the EULA...

Dragon's Dogma Captivate 2012 Videos: It's Getting Better And Better...

Capcom REALLY isn't playing around here with all these lovely Dragon's Dogma videos. Sure, they're going more for a "western RPG" look and feel rather than just making a Monster Hunter clone (like some crazed fans are wanting). But for me, that's a good thing, as I intend to explore every nook and cranny of that game world and get the most bang for the buck rather than blow through it for a quickie review that's going to miss all the fun stuff. Provided it's not packed with showstopping bugs and there's enough land to travel to keep me dialed in, this looks like the action/RPG of the summer once I finally get through with The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings on the 360. It's going to be one big, fat indoor party for me, that's for sure. Sunlight? What's that again?

Max Payne 3 Design & Technology Video Update: Stop, Bullet Time!

 

The latest MP3 D & T video shows what it's all about when it comes to Max' signature time-stopping gunplay. I like that from the beginnings of the series, there's never been a logical explanation for his talents (he's a mutant, I tell you!), but it's all good because it's done so well (and has been copied multiple times since in other games). Yeah, yeah, The Matrix sort of did it first, but as far as games go, it's been Max who was the pioneer.

Resident Evil 6 Captivate 2012 Trailer: Capcom Loves It More When You're Frightened Than When You're Cranky...

 

As usual there; some absolutely lovely stuff here, but Capcom can't seem to catch a break from some haters who continually knock them for one thing or another. I have to wonder if some of the louder voices out there actually buy any of the games the company publishes given their penchant for threatening boycotts, living in the past and generally being completely unhelpful to any innovations that the series tries for. Granted, not EVERY change the franchise has gone through has been for the better. But I'd rather have Capcom's dev teams go all out and try new things rather than keep shoving the same thing out the door year after year so all the zombies can go through the motions of playing and enjoying the same old thing year in and year out. Say YES to change, ladies and gents - your gaming life will be all the better for it...

Max Payne 3 Weapons Update: Shotguns, Anyone?

 

Rockstar is really making sure fans know that Max is on point and on target to become a huge hit, so you'd better be respecting all this hard work they're putting out. I'm in for the story, the amazing attention to detail and the refined gameplay more than any multiplayer antics, but I like that the dev team is making the MP mode a bit evolutionary in a few respects. Keep it up, guys and you'll have some Game of The Year nominations from a few places and maybe even win a few more awards. We shall see...

Game of Thrones Trailer Updates: Late, But Still Worth Watching...

Yeah, yeah - I forgot to run these earlier, but I've been busy doing way too much stuff again. Anyway, it's all good because the second season of the show has arrived and is even going to be better than the first based on the fantastic first episode. Cyanide Studios, Atlus and Focus Home Interactive are taking a nice gamble here with this action RPG, but the solid visuals make it look as if it'll be pretty decent as far as capturing the overall grim tone of the HBO series. As for the gameplay, well, it's not Skyrim or The Witcher 2, but again, without some hands-on time, it's hard to say how this will play. But I trust everyone working on the project, as I'm sure they're all fans of the books and show and they don't want the hardcore GoT fans to unleash hell on them if they get it wrong. We shall see how well Winter hits on May 15th when the game arrives foe PC, Xbox 360 and PC...

Playing Dead Q & A Part 3: More About Telltale's Must-Have Zombie Adventure Game

As promised, here are some more details on Telltale's upcoming The Walking Dead game which is sure to be a hit amongst fans of all ages of the comic and show. I say Telltale is pretty damn smart, figuring out over the years through a bunch of very cool episodic games just the perfect formula to get a wider demographic playing their games. Cranky old goats like me LOVE that adventure gaming isn't dead as a doornail while younger players get to see content spread out in chapters good enough to make you want to wait on the edge of your seat until the next part is released. Now about that disc version or perhaps a console version of this one...

Lollipop Chainsaw's Soundtrack Will Shake Your Bones More Than A Little...

 

The soundtrack of Lollipop Chainsaw features Jimmy Urine from Mindless Self Indulgence and the great Akira Yamaoka. I've never heard of Jimmy before, but as a huge Silent Hill fan, Yamaoka's work has soaked into my brain ever since the first game. Anyway, here's a cool behind the tunes video to watch. I get to see (and hopefully play) the game tomorrow as well as meet Suda 51 (finally!), so I'll be a happy camper (with a slightly sore back that I won't even feel once I get my hands on a controller)...

Max Payne Multiplayer Trailer (Part 1): Rockstar Brings The... Er, You Know The Rest....

 

Yes indeed, this is looking pretty solid so far and with Rockstar's rather innovative multiplayer coming into play here and the upcoming (whenever that is) Grand Theft Auto V, I'd say even the dopiest naysayers will want to clam up and support the company with two game purchases once they see how well it all functions. Just a thought (and a hope - in the words of Rodney King: "Can't we all just get along?")...

BioShock Infinite Heavy Hitters # 4: That Siren You Hear Isn't An Ambulance. You'll Need One Afterward, Though.

I've been so busy working on a ton of stuff that I'd been running the other Heavy Hitters videos here, stupidly posting them without watching them completely first. They're really not scare the kids out of the room "Mature" stuff that will turn little Johnny into a psycho within seconds of viewing, but informative bits of info about some of the more annoyingly creative enemies you'll come across while playing BioShock Infinite. Oops. Nevertheless, "rules is rules" and 2K wants them tucked away safely, so here you go. I love the idea of a foe that revives deceased enemies to do her dirty work while being a huge pest herself, so I'm imagining the first encounter will be a memorable "kill it before it make the whole room of pain I just took out come back!" battle worth babbling about to friends without the game...

Lollipop Chainsaw Voices and Bosses Videos: Listen Up Plus Duck and Cover

 

Whee! I get to FINALLY play Lollipop Chainsaw next week, as WBIE is coming to town with it and a few other awesome titles (Mortal Kombat for the Vita and The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings for the Xbox 360) Anyway, in case you still haven't seen these videos elsewhere, here's a peek at the voice cast and some of the hideous (and amusing) bosses you'll face off against. I can't wait to see how this one is turning out, as you can't go wrong when it comes to weird with a Grasshopper Manufacture title.

Yakuza: Dead Souls Controls Tutorial: Not Your Average Third-Person Experience...

 

When you have to have a video that teaches you about the controls in a third-person game, that's not a good thing most of the time. However, given that Yakuza: Dead Souls is a bit "special", I'll cut Sega some slack. Pay attention, grasshoppers and you'll be shooting down undead Tokyo denizens with relative ease as you hoof it to the geisha lounge for some fun times. Or don't pay attention and die a lot - it's your move...

Playing Dead Q & A: The Dev Team Tells Tales (Plus More...}

 

Here's the first two in an ongoing series of excellent Q & A sessions about Telltale's upcoming The Walking Dead game. I'm gathering from some of the questions asked, a few folks were expecting the game to follow the comic and/or TV series rather than bring an all-new storyline to the table. Again, for someone like me, a NEW plot and characters is a lot more appealing that stretching out a story that's already been told twice (and in two VERY different ways, at that). Let's hope some of the more stubborn fans get this point as well... 

And Now, A Message For The Guys From Yakuza Dead Souls: Be Nice To Your Hostess (Or Else)...

 

Sega's latest entry in the Yakuza franchise (which has so far stayed exclusive to Sony systems) isn't a sequel at all, but a funky chunk of zombie slaying set in the same Tokyo locales as previous installments. I haven't had the chance to play this one yet, but a few friends seem to like it, flaws and all. I like what the dev team has done with the humor from all these trailers, but nope, in no way, shape or form is this one for the kids.  While I have no clue as to if Sega plans to ever get the series out on the Xbox 360 or any other console, I'd really love to see the all the games get the HD remix treatment with ALL the chopped content restored. C'mon Sega, we're all adults here and wacky Japanese trends won't make us crazy. Well, those of use who understand cultural differences and can see how our own views on certain things are twisted to even more extremes...

Activision & Radical Have 11 More Reasons You Need Prototype 2, A Few Too Many Other Folks Have One Or Two Reasons You Don't...

Every time I see new footage of Radical's vastly improved sequel, I just have to smile. The team has pulled out all the stops and the game should definitely please fans of the original thanks to all the changes and improvements. Sure, some folks are complaining quite vocally about having to pre-order a premium edition of Prototype 2 to get that cool bonus DLC, but that's how things have worked for a while and as far as I'm seeing, it's not changing anytime soon, Still, it's kind of funny that no game publisher out there seems to have predicted any sort of major backlash against locking out disc content or only allowing those who have broadband connections to access "the good stuff". Me, I've been predicting a certain segment of would eventually have enough of this deal for years now, but no one listened back then. Now, it seems that anyone angry about DLC gets not an word listened to by those that can (and should) make things better for EVERYONE who wants to spend their hard-earned money on a new game.

Thw Walking Dead "Playing Dead" Blowout: Parts 1 - 3

Yeah, I'm playing catch-up here BIG time, but Telltale Games' upcoming The Walking Dead episodic adventure game just might be their best one to date. I'm running all three of the Playing Dead series here with the two Q & A sessions in a separate post because I'm nuts like that. Actually, I want to break up the posts a bit and squeeze some other cool stuff in between so you don't burn out on zombies all in one go. Me, I'm happy to see the game NOT be focused on the group from the comic and TV series, as there are a million other stories to tell in the world of the Walking Dead that deserve to be heard (and seen, and played). I'd actually LOVE to see this get a retail release just so I can play all the episodes at once and maybe on a console, at that...

More Playing Dead after the jump...

Far Cry 3 Gameplay Trailer: The Definition Of Insanity Is Bitching About Video Quality In An Online Trailer When You Haven't PLAYED The Game Yet...

OK, I know I'm wasting my time saying ANYTHING about people wasting time babbling about how Ubisoft didn't post a super HD video on YouTube that shows off the game engine to its fullest, but it's getting really stupid at this point when a game that's not out yet gets overly criticized for something as ridiculous as this. Given Crytek's OBVIOUS skills at what they do with their own proprietary engines (from day one, mind you) how anyone can say that the folks merely publishing the game aren't posting videos at the best resolution because of some sort of conspiracy or whatever is sheer lunacy. Or insanity. And my friend, do you know what the definition of insanity is? Just keep doing your thing, Crytek...

BioShock Infinite Heavy Hitters 2 & 3: The Big Guy And The Silent, But Noisy Ones Make An Entrance...

Eek. I got caught up in a few reviews and such last week and missed the fun BioShock Infinite Heavy Hitters video posted by Irrational Games, but I'm more or less on time this week with video number three. Great, two more enemies I really don't want to run into at all, but at least thanks to Ken Levine and company being so kind here, I know what to look out for when I'm playing the game.Back next week with a new video (which should be the final one in this series if I'm not mistaken). Oh, by the way, be sure to check out the Irrational Games podcast for some fun interviews that add a little extra cool factor into this whole waiting for the game to finally ship thing...

Dragon's Dogma Gameplay Stream #2: Two Hours Of Questions Answered (Such As: Nope, It's NOT Monster Hunter)

So, yeah, a lot of people (or a few people writing FAR too many of the same posts on forums all over the place)want this to be a medieval Monster Hunter OR they're griping because Capcom isn't making a Monster Hunter game for the PS3 and Xbox 360 and is focusing on this new IP "instead" of "giving  gamers what they want." Hmmm, well, just how many copies of all the US-released Monster Hunter games were actually sold, I ask? Sure, the series has done some incredible numbers in Japan over the years, but I'm gathering Capcom hasn't seen sales close to those in North America to justify creating a current-gen game in the series.  That and hell, we need NEW games, not more sequels shoved out the door so a select few can be happy. Granted, it also takes time and patience to master the controls in a MH game, so that is also something that's possibly an issue here. Whatever, as long as some of the grief crowd actually TRIES Dragon's Dogma out at some point and maybe buys the game if they find it worthy of spinning in their PS3 or Xbox 360 this May.  And don't EVEN get me started on the "make it for PC!" crowd, either...

Max Payne 3 Design & Technology Series "Visual Effects and Cinematics" (And How)

If some of the more vocal whiners out there actually shut the hell up about not seeing any Grand Theft Auto V videos and see what's going on here with Max Payne 3, they might also see that they can buy BOTH games and get two entirely different experiences. Conversely, all the people saying "stop bugging Rockstar about GTA V or they won't finish the game" need to grow up and realize they're partially insane or ALL the way stupid. A game developer isn't a spoiled six-year old who's not going to share his cookies if you tease him too much. The game will get done when it gets DONE, same as any other Rockstar project. Now everyone PLEASE shut the hell up and go play something? It would be REALLY awesome if the internet had ONE day where anyone out there posting on a forum actually knew what he or she was talking about...

Skyrim's New Kill Cams: More Stuff Guaranteed To Make Console Owners Jealous...

Yeah, and I'm one of them. Oh well, I'm hoping we see all this stuff in the INEVITABLE Game of the Year versions of Skyrim, although I'd imagine Bethsoft making the PS3 version of the game work perfectly AND get in all the great content will be a tricky task. I'd be into the PC version if I could afford a PC to run it on and have a connection to get all those patches and some of the cooler mods, but ah well. You go to war with the army you have (or something stupid like that)...

Resident Evil: Chronicles HD Collection Trailer: Wii Shall See The Fear Even Clearer Now...

Capcom is bringing its two Wii games to the PS3 via PSN shortly with Move support and HD visuals and yes indeed, it's another great chance to play a few more games in the long-running franchise you may have missed out on. Of course, I'd prefer a disc version, but what can you do other than wish these days as more and more games go digital. Still, I hope we see as many of the games in the RE series as possible get the multi-platform treatment, as there's almost always something to recommend about each one to folks who've not yet played them...

The House of The Dead 4 Coming to PSN: Move It, Agents!

Ah, Sega... I'm still holding out hope for a disc version with the entire series on it, but I guess this will have to do. Move support is a HUGE plus, as when done right, it's as good as it gets for light-gun gamers. Anyway, April will be the cruelest month after all if there's another PSN hack the kills the service for a while, that's for sure. Here's to a safe PSN launch for this one (and hopes that we do see that HotD collection on a Blu-Ray at some point - retail video game sales aren't going away for a while, folks)...

Dragon's Dogma Progression Trailer #2: But Wait, There's More!

Part two of four gameplay progression trailers from Capcom's upcoming RPG shows it's not the medieval Monster Hunter some are clamoring for (but I wouldn't be surprised to see an Easter Egg or two in the game referencing MH). I also think the "it's better than Skyrim!" crowd needs to actually play BOTH games in order to see the MAJOR differences between the two titles, but you can't force those folks to face too much reality or they'll have a hell of a lot less to bitch about on those forums, right?

Wait... that just might be a GOOD thing...

Dragon's Dogma Progression Trailer #1: And Then, What Happened?

OK, it's actually the first of a four part trailer series describing aspects of the Pawn Progression system and other gameplay elements, but it would have been funny to see the series begin with the words "Once Upon A Time..." or something similar. As noted earlier, DD is going to be one of those games that surprises a lot of people expecting it to be the same as certain other western-developed RPGs. Surprises them in a good way provided they all go in with open minds and ready to rumble with some particularly nasty creatures, that is...

Yakuza: Dead Souls Pre-Order Trailer: Come And Get It (Or It Will Get You)...

The wait is almost over and this pre-order video is a total hoot, Sega. I'm a bit misty-eyed about this game, as it was a bit over a year ago when Japan was rocked by that one-two-three disaster punch that's still an ongoing reality for far too many people there, but I'd pay full price for this one just to support Sega and Japan in general. If you're a PS3 owner (and of age to buy M-Rated games), yup, you should buy this one too...

BioShock Infinite Heavy Hitters Series Part 1: Motorized Patriot (Not What Some Of You May Think, Redux)

As noted on the new DAF blog, the words "Motorized Patriot" had me cracking up to no end at first, but this guy is serious business as you can see from this trailer. 2K and Irrational absolutely have a hit here and despite some heavy competition, it looks as if this latest in the BioShock franchise could be the one gamers remember the best...

Dragon's Dogma Drake Battle: Defeat That Devil Dragon!

 

Dragon's Dogma is looking better and better each time I see it, but I'm not at all going in "expecting" it to be better than or as good as any other open world RPG on the market. Sure, I'm pleased as punch that the game is coming along swimmingly and the difficulty can be up there with some 8-bit NES games at times. I'm just glad to see another developer take a chance on making a more "westernized" RPG than they probably would have a few years back, which means a bigger game world to explore and meaner monsters that will be more than a match for those who refuse to pay attention to their surroundings...

Resddent Evil: Operation Raccoon City Nemesis Mode Trailer: Xbox 360 Owners Get Lucky (For Now)...

Ah, there's nothing like console exclusive DLC in a multi-platform release to set the internet ablaze with hatred. PS3 owners have gotten their share of console-only or console first DLC (as Batman: Arkham Asylum and Battlefield 3 fans can attest to), so in the grand tennis match called gaming, it's Microsoft's turn to get something cool.  But of course to some gamers, it seems no one is the winner here at the end of the day.  Between the 360 crowd gloating away and no news from Capcom as to if or when this DLC will ever see the light of day on a Sony console, you have to wonder who made the decision to deprive PS3 fans this content in the first place while allowing for it to be paraded in front of them all over the internet... Ah well.

Assassin's Creed III Reveal Trailer: Ubisoft's New 'Half-Breed' Hero Looks To Chop Up Sales

Here's a super nice teaser for this official sequel to AC2 featuring a new lead character, time period and locations to play around in. Fortunately, you won't be getting any overwrought analysis over ever single second of this trailer, as I don't do that stuff here. I just present cool videos and screens for your approval on games I like and let you speculate away. I'm just too busy to get into taking apart carefully crafted work like this only to be proven wrong when the game ships, that's all. I'd much rather spend that energy playing a game instead...

Sleeping Dogs Story Trailer: One From Column A...

United Front Games and Square Enix' retooled revival of Luxoflux' True Crime: Hong Kong just might be one of the bigger sleepers of 2012 provided it irons out the kinks that the older games had while adding enough new tweaks to stand up against whatever else hits the market in the genre. Granted, Rockstar's Max Payne 3 will be tough to beat down and IO's Hitman: Absolution (also being published by Square Enix) also looks quite impressive, but I'd say on its own merits, Sleeping Dogs should be a solid game overall that's worth adding to your list of stuff to play in 2012...

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City "Brutality" Trailer: Well, What Did You Expect?

More nicely gory (and fast-paced) madness from Capcom and Slant Six in this latest REORC trailer.As I've said before, I really think this one will surprise a lot of RE fans who just want more of the same "classic" RE gameplay with an accessible, challenging and FUN multiplayer focused action/shooter that's great as a single player experience, but spectacular with up to three other friends. Remember, folks: March 23, 2012 on PS3 and Xbox 360 in the US. PC gamers here need to wait until May 18 (eek!), but hey, you should have a console in your house anyway just to show you're an actual gamer and not just some elitist who just brags about how much loot you spend upgrading your system as if it's a custom car. Granted, there's nothing wrong with that as long as you're happy, but knocking any console just because it can't run a game too fast or as pretty as you'd like never takes into account how much fun a game is to play no matter what it's played on...

Mass Effect 3 "Take Earth Back" Trailers: Now, That's The Kind OF CGI I Can Get Behind...

BioWare is bringing their epic sci-fi RPG series to a close with Mass Effect 3 (or at least this particularly massive story arc) and over the last week, they've rolled out a few variations of the game's stunning trailer that's worth a look even if you're not into the game. Here are two of the longer versions to pore over in case you haven't yet seen them. I'd actually not mind at all of we saw a Mass Effect mini-series done this way that tells the story through all three games based on certain in game paths. Granted, the fans would fight like hell to see THEIR versions of Shepard as the hero instead of what a team of writers could come up with. On the other hand, I'd actually like to see a narrative that tells the entire saga in an episodic format (which could stretch out for a few seasons if it's accepted by the game's large user base)...