Yakuza: Dead Souls Mini-Games: Bringing Sexy Back... In That Weird Japanese Way...

Ah, memories... no, not of any secret trip to Japan I've made, silly (hell, not on my budget!) - just of Playing Yakuza 4 last year and getting a chuckle over the assorted geisha-themed mini-games. You really can't take them too seriously (like a few game critics and prudish did) because at the end of the day, you're playing a GAME that pokes great fun at what actually goes on inside these leisure lairs. That and hell, this time out, there are packs of zombies standing in your way, so even getting to the club will have you wading through a few dozen or so undead out to chew your face off. After all that hell, a little relaxation will be very much needed, I say.

Syndicate Launch Trailer: Corporations Are People... That Hire Other People To Kill More People...

It's just around the corner and yes, it's going to make some folks really happy. From what I got to play last week, The single player is tight and four player co-op is old-school challenging (in a good way - TEAMWORK will win the day, folks). Add in a killer soundtrack and some fine voice acting (Brian Cox and Rosario Dawson for starters) and this one's a sleeper and a keeper in my book. EA is also doing the smart thing by letting players jump into multiplayer with no online passes or DLC scheme locking out content, so this makes the game an automatic BUY in my book. SYNDICATE hits stores on February 21 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC - make sure to give it a look if you're still on the fence and you'll be truly surprised at how it's turned out...

Dragon's Dogma Livestream Gameplay: It's NOT Monster Hunter, Folks!

Capcom answers a lot of questions about its upcoming action/RPG in the only (and best) manner possible: a super-long gameplay demo that shows off a nice chunk of what's coming your way this May. I'm impressed so far and happy that the game goes for a "western" look ad feel in spots while still remaining quite the Capcom game. I did get a chuckle because DD looks like it'll be Maximo hard if you get too careless and think you're playing God of War or something similar. Anyway, mark your calendars and set aside some quality time for this gem, I say...

Twisted Metal University: Weapons Training (Part 1)

Eat Sleep Play's car combat masterwork is hitting stores on Valentine's Day, so here's some very helpful hints to keep you on the road a bit longer.PS3 owners will be eating this one up for sure with or without the Twisted Metal Black bonus available in first-run copies. More videos to come as the drop into my inbox...

Lollipop Chainsaw Valentine's Day Trailer: There's A Joke In There Somewhere...

Courtesy of GameSpot, here you go, a look at a very special lovey-dovey message from Lollipop Chainsaw that's deeply inspirational and... oh, who am I kidding. It's a really awesome new trailer for the upcoming PS3 and Xbox 360 game from  Suda 51 & grasshopper manufacture - enjoy!

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Is Out Now (And You Should Be Playing It)

Well, after spending a chunk of time with the game at EA's press event yesterday, I can very safely say that it's definitely much better than I thought it would be, particularly the fast-paced combat and level of challenge from some enemies. Yes, the demo was solid, but I never judge a full game by a demo - and neither should you. I'm not going to say something silly like "Skyrim-killer!" here, as both are completely different games in terms of visual style, gameplay and (of course) story. Nevertheless, if you find combat in Western RPG's too intentionally "realistic" and combat in most JRPGs too slow (or dislike turn-based combat in general), the mighty meaty world of Amalur is for you.

Update: Dragon's Dogma Mage/Ranger Class Skills Videos: Get That Stick Shaking Again...

Six more of these short gameplay videos to pore over from Capcom's upcoming action/RPG set for a May release. I'm all aboard this train, as I really want to see where the dev team has taken their baby and if it's going to be a keeper or a weeper at retail. My money is on the former, but I'm hoping RPG fans give this one a fair shake even if it's not a flawless victory.

The Darkness II: Now With Even More Executions!

So many ways to kill (and about as many ways to be killed), but you know the drill by now. One hand over the eyes and peeking through the fingers if you're squeamish. Otherwise, enjoy the gory comic genius provided by Digital Extremes. Good thing these clips are so short, right? The game is out on Tuesday for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. Pick a platform and have a blast, I say...

Game of Thrones 'Riverspring" Trailer: Coming Into Focus

Atlus and Focus Home Interactive's tidy little partnership seems to be paying off nicely so far, as this new trailer from Cyanide Studios' upcoming Game of Thrones shows. Click on that link to see even more nice images from the upcoming Action/RPG set to hit the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC on May 15, 2012. The nice thing is the game arrives a month or so after Season Two kicks off on HBO, so I'd bet it does well among console and PC owning fans of the books and TV series. I know I'm interested, now that I'm hooked on the show...

Max Payne 3 Weapons Trailer: That 608 Bull Is No Bull...

Ouch. Good thing this is a game, right? Anyway, Rockstar has launched the official Max Payne 3 website with a bang and a bunch of all-new art and screens plus a lot of other goodies to groove on. Just click above, sit back and enjoy all the media you can shake a stick at... Oh yeah, don't forget to pre-order the game, or Max will come get you (and you don't want that to happen)...

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City Character Trailer: Who's Who (And How)...

Slant Six Games and Capcom just keep making me happier with every new trailer they roll out for their upcoming tactical horror action game, set for a March 20, 2012 launch on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 (with a PC version date TBA). I'm pretty confident that once the final ships out, all that hard work will pay off big time as even the most stubborn fan of the traditional RE games will be on board this ship and not coming up for air until they've seen everything it has to offer. The great thing is (especially for those "core" fans) is that REORC in no way, shape or form breaks any established "canon" at all. In fact, the game shows events from the perspective of a totally new group of peiople who tackle things in a completely different style. Of course, this makes me imagine what sort of game the original Resident Evil would have been had the team stuck together in that old, creaky trap (and dog and zombie and et cetera) infested mansion...

Hmmm. uh-oh... there's money in that idea, I bet... ;^P

Dragon's Dogma Class Skills Gameplay Featurettes Galore!

Overkill, but in the nicest way, courtesy Capcom and its upcoming Action/RPG, Dragon's Dogma. Here are six short looks at the game and gameplay elements in progress, now scheduled for a May 22, 2012 release (with a Resident Evil 6 demo, to boot!). I'll shut up and let you get the popcorn ready. Capcom's got a nice little sleeper here that I hope comes together into a solid game that garners some decent praise.

Prototype 2 RADNET Edition Sparks Interest In Some, Annoyance In Others

Is the anti-DLC backlash a growing movement, a push-back against the now standard business practice the industry has been headed toward since the introduction of console download content or just the usual gang of fact-free "My opinion is the most important because on teh internets I am king!" whiners griping about games they're not that interested in buying in the first place? Perhaps a bit of all of the above and more. Sure, you can criticize Activision and Radical for making sure Prototype 2 has legs that keep the game's lifespan going long past the release and review hype. On the other hand, if you don't want to buy into the bonus content when the game ships, then you've not been paying attention to where the industry has been headed for a while now.

That said, you can also choose to not buy the game when it ships and perhaps wait for whatever repackaging the game will get should it sell well enough to reach Greatest Hits/Platinum hits status. Just keep your fingers crossed that Activision does what Rockstar did with the wonderful Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare (release that content first as DLC then as a standalone game followed by a complete version with every bit of content in a disc). Complain if you must, but at least do it in an informed manner rather than just shaking a digital fist at someone and thinking your insults will get you what you want. Then again, one could also say this business model shuts out those gamers who don't want to deal with download content at all, so there's that...

The House of the Dead III PSN Trailer (Sega, Sega, Sega...)

*Sigh* Well, here's a pickle (again): In my opinion, in addition to a PSn release, the smarter move would be to get all of the HOTD games on a BLU-RAY with Move support enabled and HD visuals (3D optional), sell the package for $39.99 and rack up some major bonus points with those if us who prefer a physical copy.  Oh well. PSN users will be pleased about this download as well as the upcoming HOTD 4, but sometimes it's a good thing to serve as many folks as possible...

The Darkness II: MORE Executions (And Well Executed, Too)...

Digital Extremes is living up to its name with this latest short clip of gory deaths from The Darkness II. Of course, I'm looking forward to the story and where it goes first and foremost over any visceral thrills from flying body parts and splashing blood. Still, it's good to see a developer cut loos (pun intended) and have fun leting players do some creative slicing & dicing...