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...