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...

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: 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.

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...

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...

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...

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)...

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...

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.

Shinobido 2 Launch Trailer: Tenchu! (Geshundheit!)

Lame sneezy title commentary above aside, Aqcuire's new Vita game made me think of two things. One: Wait, there's a Shinobido 1??? I definitely missed that game. Two: Wait, this looks like a new Tenchu game and, hey, I loved most of them, so I'll feel right at home here! Sure, it's not a visual showpiece at all if you compare it to WipEout 2048 or Uncharted Golden Abyss. On the other hand, it's got that stylish something Acquire gets when they do their feudal Japan games (hey, I liked those Way of the Samurai games as well). In any event, I'll need to get some playtime in and get back to you guys and gals with a verdict at some point. Between this one and Touch My Katamari plus a bunch of other winners, Vita owners are off to a very decent start...

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.

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...

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...

Yakuza: Dead Souls Trailer: Undead vs Gangsters? This Could Get Bloody...

Yakuza 4 was one of my favorite games of 2011, but Sega's got more plans for some of the cast in this truly offbeat upcoming side-story that brings zombies into the mix and tasks you with dispatching them by any means necessary. I'm super interested in this one because it's one of those games that's absurd if you stop and think about it, but it also works because the source material is also completely bizarre. Japanese mafia goons heroically taking on waves of undead in a quest to clean up their city? Mmmm-kay - where do I sign up? This one arrives exclusively on the PS3 on March 13, 2012. Looks like I've got my next vacation spot all lined up... now where's my spiked baseball bat?

House of the Dead: Overkill Extended Cut Hospital Level Trailer

That PlayStation Move will be getting a workout again as Sega brings this HD update of its Wii game to the PS3 this October. Expect some awesomely gory shooting action, plenty of "grindhouse" aesthetic and replay value galore like any good light gun game. I may have to get a second Move controller just to play this with double guns. Too bad this one isn't coming to Kinect, but then again, Xbox 360 owners have Rise of Nightmares, so I guess you could call it "even" in terms of horror-themed on-rails games, right? Of course, if Sega decides to do a Move-enabled version of RoN, that would be pretty cool as well...

Rise of Nightmares Now Available (Get Ready To Beat Down Creepy Stuff, Kinect-Style!)

Looks as if the Kinect isn't all about dancing games, fake fuzzy petting zoo action, exercise simulations or jumping around and trying not to get a heart attack in a family-friendly smash hit*. Sega has shipped its creepy horror game to stores and while the reviews are mixed, it might do well enough among Kinect owners craving something a bit more gory than your average game in the growing library. Here are three trailers Sega has released over the past month or so to promote the game - enjoy!

*(Yeah, yeah, I know all about the Gunsmith feature in Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, Crytek's hack & slasher, Steel Battalion and a bunch of other 2012 titles. But none of these really count until the games actually ship...)

God of War: Origins Looks AMAZING on the "Big" Screen

Between the gorgeous upscaling and the amazing use of 3D, both GOW games look like first-gen PS3 titles and REALLY solid ones at that. Even if you've played these on the PSP, this collection is well worth the money because it's so well produced and hell, you even get a great bunch of bonus content that seals the deal. If you're new to Kratos' uber-violent ways, this collection, plus God of War Collection PLUS God of War 3 should get you up to speed. It's too bad SCEA didn't see fit to include the cellphone game from a few years back, as it was pretty darn impressive back then in all its 2D goodness...

Twisted Metal Gets February 14, 2012 Release Date (Oh, Say Hello To Dollface!)

Excellent. Dropping TM in stores on this date will no doubt tick off some guys and gals expecting all lovey-dovey stuff for 25 hours straight, but what says "I Love You" more than some side by side car combat with lots of red stuff gushing all over. Awwwwww! Smooch! Well, that's what's going on in MY house, as I'll be playing single player alone before testing the waters (or getting shot the hell up) in multiplayer. Thank you Eat Sleep Play!

SOCOM 4 Sharpshooter Walkthrough Video

Just in case you thought that new peripheral was a one game deal, here's a look at the Sharpshooter in action in Zipper Interactive's upcoming PS3 exclusive, set to storm into retail on April 19, 2011. Yeah, it's pretty slick, isn't it?

Yakuza 4 "Hostess Club" Trailer

Yes, they're back. A little downtime in downtown Tokyo from all the ultra-violence. Relax with an ice cold Suntory beer and some conversation with the lovely ladies of Sega's upcoming PS3 exclusive Yakuza 4. Or something like that. Just watch the trailer - I'll leave the catchy copy to someone else!