GTA V Trailers 1 & 2: Yeah, You Know You'll Be Playing This One For A While...

As usual, Rockstar is set to impress gamers worldwide with another incredible Grand Theft Auto experience. As usual, it's hard to take your eyes off of the amazing visuals (feel free to pause the videos to check out the hilarious signage the art team is putting up all around. As usual, the game is still in progress, so don't expect to play this until next spring. That said, as usual , expect awards galore, some fantastic voice acting and a soundtrack absolutely packed to the max with some great and varied music and talk radio chatter we'll all be grooving to. It's going to be a fine 2013, that's for sure...

BioShock Infinite "Beast of America" Trailer: A Delay of Game Is All For The Better, I Say...

 

Some gamers are irked that Irrational Games isn't rushing this out the door this year, but I say leave them be so they can make a great game even better. Of course, it has a LOT of hype to live up to, so let's hope all the team wants to do as far as the story and gameplay go get DONE and done right. That and hell, i want to see the developer get tis finished so they can perhaps do something cool with the Vita one of these days...

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...

Dead Space 3 Eudora Gameplay: Almost 17 Minutes of Pure Hell (In A Good Way, Silly!)

I'm absolutely NOT one of the whiny crowd crapping on Visceral's decision to add OPTIONAL co-op play to this sequel. I'm a fan of all the Dead Space games (yes, even Dead Space Extraction on the Wii and PS3, which did an excellent job at making an on-rails game really compelling, thrilling and scary). Hell, it will make me a lot less freaked out If I know I can have someone else to hind under the damn couch with when things get a wee bit too frightening. Anyway, this one's on track to be a big smash, provided the dev team can overcome the hurdle of dealing with that pissy part of the fan base that just doesn't like anything changing in their favorite games. Granted, if multiplayer is shoved in and makes for a bad time for all, then yes, you can indeed bash both SA and Visceral all you want - I'll be one of the first to wave the flag if they blow it.

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...

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: 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)...

E3 2012: Dead Space 3 Trailer: Frozen Properly, Keeping It Fresh Works...

It's hard as hell to keep a franchise going after a second installment because there's a damn good chance you've used up ALL your best ideas in coming up with the sequel. That said, the team at Visceral Games seems to have done a decent job in mapping out a timeline for their sci-fi horror franchise, and here you go. Co-op play (drop in/drop out) is the deal this time out, as is a frozen planet (which means outdoor environments!) and more Necromorphs than you can shake a stick at. Not that shaking a stick will do any good, mind you... 2013 is going to be a killer year for gaming, so you better hope those Mayans were way off in their "prediction". Me, I don't believe in that stuff, so I'll be waiting patiently for the release date so I can jump in and enjoy the ride being cooked up by Visceral and EA.

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...

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...