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.

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...

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...

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: 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: 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...

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...

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...