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...

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...

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: 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)...

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...

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!

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...