Injustice: Gods Among Us Battle Edition Unboxing & Review - PS3

It's finally here! I usually do not go to midnight releases because of the fact that I love my sleep and typically struggle staying up late. Injustice garnered my respect to bite the bullet and take one for the team. (Little did I know I would stay up until 4:30am playing.) Between the early morning and late evening of yesterday, I am currently about 60% complete on story mode with a little bit of time spent dabbling in S.T.A.R. Mission Labs and online multiplayer. So far, so awesome.

The story is carefully crafted with superb storytelling and top notch voice acting. This is partially due to most of the Justice League Animated cast making their efforts on Injustice. I really haven't cared about a story in a fighting game since Mortal Kombat (2011). Let's face it, it's not the genre's strength. The pacing is what makes things very interesting throughout. Also, I really like how Injustice rewards you for playing all modes. You will be unlocking lots and lots of goodies. This all ties into the leveling system too. Story mode level progression will roll over online. You earn cards that you can spend on your hero card, costumes, art, music, etc. It seems everything you do earns you points to unlock something you haven't discovered yet. I really like this aspect.

As for the game itself, it's a downright blast to play. For me, the stick makes all the difference. Each character is so unique, it's going to take a while to figure everyone out. I am currently digging on Green Arrow, Raven and Aquaman. They're are just some nifty zoning options and combat opportunities with these three that captured my attention. All in all, I can't wait to dive in deeper! If you are a fan of fighters and a fan of comics, pick this up ASAP. Be sure to check out my latest review and unboxing of the battle edition above!

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Release Tonight & Demo Impressions On Xbox 360 & PS3

For those that don't know, I have a soft spot for comics, especially DC. I also have a soft spot for fighting games. They have always been a huge part of my gaming history and when a game called Mortal Kombat entered the scene, I was more than intrigued. My days of spouting bouts with my buds on the couch started with Capcom's gem, Street Fighter II, along with its many iterations. However, it was Mortal Kombat that really sealed my love for fighting games. I really wasn't allowed to play the MK series until MK 4, but that doesn't mean I didn't. I guess mom didn't mind the "sweat" on the SNES version, but everything else I had to sneak. Man that was lame.

In the pre-NetherRealm days of 2008,  MK vs. DC Universe made an attempt to gain some ground after the previously successful release of SFIV. MK vs. DC Universe wasn't a bad game, I just felt that it lacked some pizazz and polish. It seemed to be trying too hard and I think the game was slightly hampered because of it. Flash forward to 2011. NetherRealm released their new rendition of Mortal Kombat and the crowd went wild. I truly am loving and still playing it to this day. The game captures all the atmosphere and brutality of what truly is and should always be Mortal Kombat. I was very proud to see it taken onto tournament level at EVO. Let's hope the community does the same with Injustice.

During EVO 2012, a rough build of Injustice: Gods Among Us was presented by Ed Boon himself. Seeing the game in action got me all giddy and excited. From what was shown, I could immediately tell the resemblance to the updated 2011 MK. I was also very glad to see that the game was solely focused on the DC Universe. I think having a more focused effort towards one universe is the way to go. I followed the game ever since and here we are at the night of release.

My impressions from the demo are definitely positive. Everything from the menus to the level design is superbly polished. The ebb and flow of each fight is very natural. I enjoy the exchange the fighters display as they interact their own unique way with the interactive backgrounds. Fights will lead you from one place to another as you pummel your poor opponents into a transition. These are nuts to see. The wager system is a neat feature as well, adding a gamble of odds to the mix when activated. Each player will cough up chunks of their meter against the other. Whomever gave the most up wins the wager and gets an edge of combat opportunity or health regen, albeit at the cost of your wager. Super moves are specific to each character and are absolutely over-the-top. A great answer to MK's fatalities. You never know what's going to happen next.

It's this kind of unpredictable outcome each round offers that plays seamlessly into the comic universe of DC. It's just really fun to watch a match unfold.

Playing on both PS3 and Xbox 360, I really don't see much of a difference graphically. Honestly, there shouldn't be. The game is beautiful and runs at a very solid framerate on both. The PS3 seems more crisp and a little brighter overall. The Xbox 360 seemed darker, but shadows were more prevalent. You could argue the adjustments could be made within the game and/or on your television. However, I think it just comes down to preference when choosing systems. I am personally getting it on the PS3 due the near full hard drive of my 360. I don't typically play fighters on control pads unless I have to, so that's not a factor for me. This time, there isn't a Kratos situation either. Everyone is getting everything.

As far as the gameplay goes, it falls between the 2011 rendition of MK and the quicker speed of UMvC3. I find the new direction to be quite refreshing. The button layout will take a little getting use to, as well as adapting to some of the new implemented mechanics and meters. With most new fighting game franchises, this is pretty much expected. It will take a little bit for the community to break everything down and see where the loopholes lie. Overall, the fighting system as a whole seems simple enough to pickup, but has the depth for the people who truly want to master it. I really like what NetherRealm is bringing to the table. Interactive backgrounds, level transitions, the wager system, super moves, robust online progression, S.T.A.R. lab missions; the list goes on and on. Between the secrets, unlocks and dlc, we should be pretty busy for a long time.

Injustice: Gods Among Us is offered in multiple flavors on PS3 and Xbox 360. You have the standard, the collector's and the battle edition. The collector's highlight is 13" statue of Wonder Woman vs. Batman which looks pretty freakin' rad. The battle's highlight touts a fight stick made by PDP. With all of the statues and toys that I own and my need for a stick with a normal button layout, I am going with the battle edition. Tonight couldn't come sooner. I can't wait to dig in and get good, or at least think I am getting good. What are you going with? What system are you going to play Injustice on? Make sure to comment and let me know!

For a superbly deep disassembly and breakdown review of the Injustice fight stick, check out Kaihong's post over on the forums on Shoryuken.com @ Kaihong's Incredible Breakdown of Injustice Fight Stick. I was completely floored and so happy to get an in-depth look at the stick. Thank's Kaihong!

Photo credit: Gamestop, Injustice

My Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Thoughts & The First 15 Minutes Over @ IGN

by Joshua Pruett

You had me at that logo. Look at it. It was a sealed deal with "Blood Dragon" in the title. I am just completely enthralled with that hot pink/electric blue gridded terrain and the font that looks like word art from Microsoft Works. (Yeah, I went there.) It's actually what piqued my interest to even look into the game a couple months ago. I loved Far Cry 3, don't get me wrong, but another game in that sandbox would get kind of old for me.

However, if you slap on a coat of paint that layers over-the-top, ridiculously outlandish throwbacks to my favorite '80's action movies/cartoons, then count me the heck in. Speaking of the 80's, the color palette in Blood Dragon makes this a far cry from being Far Cry. Not to say that Far Cry 3 wasn't colorful. Blood Dragon just magnifies the saturation levels to such greater heights.

Crimson red skies and bright cyan lens flares serve as a backdrop to brilliant fiery-orange explosions as you rip your way through the world's firefights. (I couldn't help but love the evil emblem of Colonel Sloan's army being projected from the rooftops. Reminds me of Cobra. Nice touch.)  I mean, you run around with a blade that glows light purple? Okie-dokie! I assume you will see every color within the spectrum. So much as they should have called it Far Cry 3: ROYGBIV. If you are color blind, it should be even more of a wild ride. Sure it's bold and flashy, but it's a world that I would love to explore because of it. Although it probably won't be for everybody, you got to admit it grabs your attention. Everything you do produces the results of rainbows hemorrhaging more rainbows.

This shouldn't deter FC veterans and fans too much. As far as story goes, there doesn't appear to be any correlation with the FC universe. It does take place on a remote island, but it seems like the only familiar thing to Far Cry 3 is that Blood Dragon just utilizes the engine and some of the game mechanics. It's not a rehashed, uninspired ripoff with a new skin either. That's clearly obvious. I am pretty curious to see what kind of surprises unfold, what enemies you will encounter and what weapons you will have access to as the game progresses. Another interesting venture would be multiplayer. I haven't seen anything concerning that, but given the setting, some co-op and/or deathmatch options would be wholeheartedly enticing.

Yes, the picture above actually happens. I loved it so much that I took this screenshot to use for this post. Cut scenes are righteously crafted. Pixel art is the perfect medium to totally capture the cheese factor for this game and to my knowledge, all of the cut scenes make use of it. The beginning shots of Rex being assembled had me rolling. There is plenty of voice acting that is just downright hilarious as well. (Rex is voiced by Michael Biehn from Terminator.) Check out the tutorials and note the animations. They are some of the funniest I have seen in a game. As far as music goes, the band Power Glove takes care of the soundtrack and boy, it really amps up the atmosphere with a Tron meets Terminator vibe. (PC players get the digital soundtrack when pre-ordering as a bonus.)

The most radical thing is, it's a standalone game. You don't have to own Far Cry 3. The asking price is $14.99, which is well worth it if you ask me. Do yourself a favor and go watch the video of the first 15 minutes from the boys over at IGN. You will laugh at this game's awesomeness and you will want to play it yourself. Trust me, if you love any references to action movies and cartoons from the 80's, this should be your bag. Who wouldn't want to mow down evil baddies with a chain gun from your helicopter while Little Richard blares in the background?

So who's planning on playing this?! What are your thoughts?! I want to know what you think!

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is expected to release May 1 on XBLA, PSN and Steam.
(However, PSN says April 30th?)

Photo credits: PC Gamer, IGN

Video credit: IGN