Looking forward

Since we are only a couple of weeks out from E3, let’s go over some of the few new releases coming up that have already been announced.

I’ve been griping about not having any games just jump out at me and totally enthrall my senses since the beginning of the year. Final Fantasy XIII has turned out to be a bit of flop (more on that in another post), and I’ve been bored out of my mind trying to find a game that just really hits home as a full out winner. Of course, I still haven’t played anything more than the demo for Dante’s Inferno, either. ;) I was piddling around on the Xbox Dashboard last night and found a couple of release trailers that made my fanboy giddy with oodles of excitement.

Crackdown 2. I wasn’t a huge fan of the first game. Like many, the only reason I bought it was to have my in to the Halo 3 Beta testing (*facepalm*: “Sucker!”). I don’t know if they are basing the game’s popularity on sales (uh, duh. Halo 3 Beta was included) or actual documented playing. Now, I will admit that I eventually got in and played for a little while, but it wasn’t something I would call a headliner as far as most awesome games are concerned. But, apparently, a new Aussie company has given this release a work over with a new story, better graphics, even more stuff to just destroy and blow up, and a hugomongus multiplayer experience. Sheer curiosity will have me adding this one to my rental queue in just over a month (July 6). Eh, who knows. I may even pull my old copy back off the shelf and play it a little more.

Laura Croft and the Guardian of Light. As I mentioned Tuesday, Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix (Eidos’ new parent) are bringing Laura back for some XBLA action. No release date yet, but keep an eye on Xbox Live Arcade this Summer.

Halo Reach. After Monday’s post, you already know my feelings for Halo (probably more than you care to know). The release date has been announced. Get ready to drop September 14. I’ll be in line at midnight waiting on my copy. Work will just have to get over the fact that I won’t be in that day. ;)

Call of Duty Black Ops. I had no idea a new game was even in the works. Well, if this was a real analytical blog, I would be doing more reading keeping up with the gaming world. ;) Based on the trailer (uncut version available on their website), which is mostly FMV sequences, this one has received a huge overhaul in the graphics department. I’m wowed… impressed… no, flabbergasted! This looks awesome!! The Call of Duty series has pretty much controlled the World War era and set the standard for the historical (mostly fictional) FPS. I think I might actually be ordering this one without doubt. I’ve always waited on these, but as I’ve played through the series (and am in love with each one), I’ve slowly added them to my collection. I’m still working my way to the Modern Warfare series (don’t kill me). November 9th. Keep your eye on this one! ;D

Castlevania Lords of Shadow. The Belmonts are back! The Castlevania series has to be one of the longest running storylines in gaming rivaling even Mario’s plethora of adventures. I’d even be willing to bet that it’s cultish fan base even rivals the Browncoats (Joss Whedon’s Firefly/Serenity TV/Movie for all you non Sci-Fi-nerds). On the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) in the 80s, Simon Belmont first appeared with his trusty whip to battle the menace you all know so well, Dracula. Yes, THE Dracula. Ever since then, the Belmont name has been cursed throughout time to ever be haunted by the vampiric pain in the butt. Castlevania has been one of Konami’s major cash cows ever since. Stories have split, moved forward and backward in time, and taken on alternate timelines. This will be the first entry into “next-gen” graphics. And from what I saw in the trailer (yes, they did show gameplay!), this is going to blow your mind! Konami’s not releasing a whole lot of info on the the promo site, so I can’t tell you too much about the game other than the Belmont this time is Gabriel. Just go watch the trailer and mark your calendars for this November 13 release. If you need some catching up, check out the Shopping Channel on your Wii for WiiWare and NES Castlevania classics.

Now of course, Cliffy B’s announcement of Gears of War 3 on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last month had me checking my pants for puddles, but it’s another year away. Watch next April for that one.

Although E3 is not the presentation spectacular it used to be, tune in to G4TV June 15-17 for updates from the Expo floor and get ready for a wild ride.

 

l8rz!

Zombies… phttt….

Nothing provides as good of an enemy as a Zombie. Well, maybe a Nazi Zombie, but Zombies nonetheless. The Left 4 Dead series has earned a happy place of instantaneous love in my heart. But, it annoys the hell out of me.

“Dude, you’re in your 30’s. Why do you still play video games?” For this one reason: stress relief. Pure, unadulterated, bloodsplatteringly, and fantastically violent stress relief. And, yes. Be glad I don’t work for the post office. ;) Left 4 Dead 2 is my most recent pixilated enjoyment that’s become extremely difficult to put down. As Valve’s credit is due, they have created a masterpiece of a game… assuming you have friends to play it with. It presents a masterful play control and amazing ability to track your teammates. If you get lost, you can easily find and catch up with them again. OK, so what about those of us who don’t want to stay up all night playing games with twelve-year olds? The game’s single player mode isn’t so forgiving. Your CPU teammates never (and I mean, NEVER) take the lead. They’ll cover your butt and rescue you all day long, but trying to get the three of them through a campaign is like dragging along a 500 lb sledge hammer. Hello?! The zombie AI shouldn’t be smarter than they are. I’d like to be able to use the sniper rifle occasionally. And, it’d be nice if one of you jokers would throw a pipe bomb every once and a while, too. ;)

The character development, environments, graphics, soundtrack… it’s all astounding. Grab some buddies and at least go rent this game for nothing else if just to listen to Ellis’ redneck twang and quips:

”Did I teell yew abat dis time my kusin Keith drown’d in the Tunnel of Luuve?”

Hilarious!

Well, Excuse me for now. I have an undead clown that requires my assistance with a chainsaw…

 

l8rz!

Laura’s Back!

Oh, hell. More money for me to spend…

Red vs. Blue

It’s been almost a week since the end of the Halo Reach Multiplayer Beta. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a whole lot of time to play with it. I did spend long enough to acclimate myself with the new “loadouts” and weapons, though, so here’s my take:

1. Multiplayers are not for me. I don’t spend hours upon hours on Xbox Live looking for my next human sacrifice. I want story. But we know this already.

2. The grenades have become waaaaay too powerful. Now I get that Master Chief (Spartan 117 – John Smith) was the last of the Mark III Spartans. I get that Reach takes place before those upgrades with the Spartan II series. But what the hell? The Spartan’s are still supposed to be a bunch of bad-asses that make the ODST human soldiers look like child’s play. A well placed grenade in a tunnel or room still shouldn’t KIA you instantly. From what I understand, this was a well known complaint around the Beta.

3. Armor Abilities and Loadouts.

Ok, this is the newest feature that seems to delve further into the Halo universe and what the Spartans were truly capable of. Of the 4, I thought the Sprint was the most tacky ability, but it did provide all those run-and-gunners the ability to move in for some quick kills. And I mean quick. I had my butt handed to me several times by one of these. Cloaking is back. This time the Elites aren’t the only ones hiding in the shadows. This is extremely useful for sneak and slash with the energy sword. Jet packs are… well… jet packs. You get the idea. Burst jumps, limited flight, etc. IMO, they just leave you a really good slow target for snipers. The last was my favorite. Armor Lock. I am the king of getting myself in over my head in battle scenarios. This is why I won’t last a zombie invasion very long. Well, now, when you see that sticky grenade headed for your face, engage the shield, and you may have just saved your hide long enough to prevent a respawn. :) Note, that each of these abilities are limited, as Bungie explains it. They require a “cooling off period” after you use them. Being the non-manual reader, I had to figure that one out the hard way. My own personal speculation and interpretation of the Reach storyline is saying similar to ODST. Your 4/5 advertised Spartans are each going to be specialized with their own favorite weapons (remember, Romeo likes sniping and Dutch likes heavy weapons?). This is where the Loadouts will probably come into play. Your standards are back with a new look: assault rifles, pistols, sniper rifles, etc. The new Elite weapons are always my faves. Pink Mist of Death has been my all-time favorite achievement in the series (i.e., Halo 3 - the Needler). To see the new Needle Rifle… 

oh, it’s on now! Also, there are two new grenade launchers with the Covenant version popping out 4 stickies that will track your butt down and launch you into Reach’s stratosphere. Beware this handful instant death. Even the Armor Lock can’t save you. Especially if Bungie doesn’t do something about that grenade power issue.

So until this Fall (or Bungie’s next round of press releases), we’re left with a taste of the new gooeyness that is Halo. We can only wonder, “who is the ‘Lone Wolf’?”

 

On another note, I finally downloaded the Grifball maps! Anyone up for a game? ;)

 

l8s!

(images courtesy of Bungie.net)