By: Joshua Pruett
Well that was a pretty intense week of announcements. Between WWDC and E3, good God, it didn't seem there was an end in sight. Not that this was a bad thing, I ate all of the information up as I would a heaping tower of waffles buried under a monument of bacon that lived in it's own atmosphere of syrup. That said, you can now check out my impressions of E3 2013 over at my YouTube channel. Let me know your thoughts! I want to hear what your highs and lows of the show were, so take a gander and share them with me!
Showing posts with label E3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label E3. Show all posts
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Best Upcoming Games of 2011 (Xbox 360, XBLA, PS3, PSN, PC) - Part 4
This seems to be one of the most active years in downloadable arcade titles. I swear, they just keep lining up and coming out. Here are some more games for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on the brink of release to checkout! (Continued from our ongoing list of the Best Upcoming Games of 2011 series.)
_________
Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition - XBLA, PSN
Genre: Fighting
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Release Date: August 24
EVO 2011 has me all amped up to FIGHT! Fighting games have always held such a big chunk of my video game sentiment. I remember the amount of triumph as I launched my first "HADOKEN!" with Ken in SFII. This was back in the day where almost every game coming out was a fighting game and the market was saturated with both good and bad titles. As people lined up left and right to plunk their hard-earned tokens, fighting to be the next champion, the Street Fighter series always seemed to hold dominance in the genre. Street Fighter is an iconic part of my childhood for sure, which is why I am very excited to see this port of Street Fighter III: Third Strike hit XBLA and PSN. To be honest, I really didn't play III, but have heard great things. This entry will feature online play, chock full of challenges and a new tournament mode for up to 8 people. Lag / delay has always been a huge problem with fighting online. Hopefully everything will remain smooth and free from chugging. Graphics are getting some enhancement due to the HD foray and from what I have seen, it's looking silky. When SFII HD Remix hit, I was blown away, so I am excited to see SFIII with some polish. Looking forward to sinking my teeth into the core dynamics of this very well received fighter from the fighting game staple that is Capcom.
_________
X-Men Destiny - Xbox 360, PS3
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Silicon Knights
Release: September 27
As great as X-Men:First Class was, I am happy to say that this is no movie tie-in game. Usually, those games never transfer over to anyting but absolute rubbish. Luckily, our friends over at Silicon Knights (Too Human, Eternal Darkness) are creating what appears to be fun Action RPG experience in the X-Men universe. You start by choosing between three mutant characters, each brand new to the universe and written for this game. This is where you are given a clean slate to start with. Finding X-Genes (the fuel behind fantastic powers), you will be able to customize your power set, enabling new abilities and actions. The cool thing is, once you meet classic X-Men characters, you gain access to there X-Genes, which you can then utilize. Pretty freaking rad! This is an RPG, so expect to see some interesting conversation trees with choices a la Mass Effect style, or at least we've been told. The story should be pretty solid, with Mike Carrey (ongoing X-Men:Legacy writer) manning the guns. From what I have read, there are some concerns with gameplay and graphics, being slightly sluggish and bland, respectively. Regardless, it's on my radar and hopefully they'll have enough time to add polish and shine.
__________
NeverDead - Xbox 360, PS3
Genre: Third Person Action / Shooter
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Rebellion
Release: Q3 2011
You're wife was murdered. You were left for dead by Astaroth, a head honcho Demon King who cares nothing of you but that you are out of the way. But alas, in your death you are granted immortality. You play as Bryce Boltzmann and you are never dead. This third person action game looks to offer some pretty interesting mechanics. Since you are immortal, you can't die. Well, kind of. If you are reduced to just your head, you are susceptible to being killed by certain enemies. Otherwise, you have plenty ways to dispatch carnage at your disposal to prevent this from happening. However, you have with you Arcadia, a woman of the organization NADA to watch your back and make sure you are sticking to your mission, offering help where she can. The thing is, you have to protect her from death. It's unclear if she is with you for the entire game, but I am a bit leery of a full story escort mission if that's the case. On the flip-side, you do have some nifty abilities being immortal. You can rip your arm off and use it as a detonation device. Can't get to a certain area? Well why don't you just rip your head off and toss it up to the desired location, teleporting the rest of your body to it? It also looks to bring dual welding guns and a sword for melee, bolstering your arsenal. Co-op and versus look to offer unique challenges for those wanting to take it online. I am curious to see the strategy behind the online modes. With the mechanics of the game, it may be unique enough to turn some heads.
__________
Crimson Alliance - Xbox 360
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher: Certain Affinity
Developer: Certain Affinity
Release: Q3 2011
Just when I thought there weren't enough Action RPG's, we get slapped with one after the next. Certain Affinity is a fairly new developer that brought map packs via Halo and CoD. They are branching out and adding to the Summer of Arcade on Xbox 360 with Crimson Alliance. Choosing between three separate classes (Merc, Wizard and Assassin), players will be able to team up online with their buddies in this dungeon crawler. Just like most RPG's, you'll be able to level, spec and equip your toon to become a powerful force. Comes complete with 4 player online co-op. (Dungeon Siege III, if an arcade game can get it right, why can't you?) Graphics aren't too complex, but display a fun, fantastical style similar to WoW or Torchlight. Being the final game in the Summer of Arcade lineup, if you're planning to purchase the previous games, you'll get Crimson Alliance for free! Check it out!
__________
Orcs Must Die! - XBLA, PSN PC
Genre: Third Person Action Strategy Shooter / Tower Defense
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Robot Entertainment
Release: Q3 2011
Ha! This game could only mean one thing: killing orcs and lots of them. You play as a WarMage with both benefits of magic, melee, range and traps at your disposal. Using your sword-staff, you can combo into knocking the snot out of orcs while quickly switching to your force back magic. This helplessly launches the suckers into the spikes you laid earlier set to spring on any sorry sap meandering about. Don't forget to pick'em off with your crossbow. Headshot! Just by watching some footage, you'll see how flawlessly fun it is to chain combos to your kill multiplier by getting creative with your arsenal. Hordes of orcs will make their way through your defenses, so you had better strategically plan exactly where to best fool your foes. The aforementioned pop-up spikes, spring floor catapults and archers are just some of your disposable preventions available. I am very excited about this game. It just looks downright awesome. The blending of third person action and strategic planning looks so well done. Give it a look and see for yourself!
__________
By the way, here's what I'm currently playing through:
Bastion - XBLA
Dungeon Siege III - Xbox 360
L.A. Noire - Xbox 360
Trine - Xbox 360
Mortal Kombat - Xbox 360
Gears 2 - Xbox 360
----> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 1 HERE!
----> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 2 HERE!
----> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 3 HERE!
Be sure to "like" us on our facebook page to keep up with us, and other projects, articles, and videos we are working on!
_________
Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition - XBLA, PSN
Genre: Fighting
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Release Date: August 24
EVO 2011 has me all amped up to FIGHT! Fighting games have always held such a big chunk of my video game sentiment. I remember the amount of triumph as I launched my first "HADOKEN!" with Ken in SFII. This was back in the day where almost every game coming out was a fighting game and the market was saturated with both good and bad titles. As people lined up left and right to plunk their hard-earned tokens, fighting to be the next champion, the Street Fighter series always seemed to hold dominance in the genre. Street Fighter is an iconic part of my childhood for sure, which is why I am very excited to see this port of Street Fighter III: Third Strike hit XBLA and PSN. To be honest, I really didn't play III, but have heard great things. This entry will feature online play, chock full of challenges and a new tournament mode for up to 8 people. Lag / delay has always been a huge problem with fighting online. Hopefully everything will remain smooth and free from chugging. Graphics are getting some enhancement due to the HD foray and from what I have seen, it's looking silky. When SFII HD Remix hit, I was blown away, so I am excited to see SFIII with some polish. Looking forward to sinking my teeth into the core dynamics of this very well received fighter from the fighting game staple that is Capcom.
_________
X-Men Destiny - Xbox 360, PS3
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Silicon Knights
Release: September 27
As great as X-Men:First Class was, I am happy to say that this is no movie tie-in game. Usually, those games never transfer over to anyting but absolute rubbish. Luckily, our friends over at Silicon Knights (Too Human, Eternal Darkness) are creating what appears to be fun Action RPG experience in the X-Men universe. You start by choosing between three mutant characters, each brand new to the universe and written for this game. This is where you are given a clean slate to start with. Finding X-Genes (the fuel behind fantastic powers), you will be able to customize your power set, enabling new abilities and actions. The cool thing is, once you meet classic X-Men characters, you gain access to there X-Genes, which you can then utilize. Pretty freaking rad! This is an RPG, so expect to see some interesting conversation trees with choices a la Mass Effect style, or at least we've been told. The story should be pretty solid, with Mike Carrey (ongoing X-Men:Legacy writer) manning the guns. From what I have read, there are some concerns with gameplay and graphics, being slightly sluggish and bland, respectively. Regardless, it's on my radar and hopefully they'll have enough time to add polish and shine.
__________
NeverDead - Xbox 360, PS3
Genre: Third Person Action / Shooter
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Rebellion
Release: Q3 2011
You're wife was murdered. You were left for dead by Astaroth, a head honcho Demon King who cares nothing of you but that you are out of the way. But alas, in your death you are granted immortality. You play as Bryce Boltzmann and you are never dead. This third person action game looks to offer some pretty interesting mechanics. Since you are immortal, you can't die. Well, kind of. If you are reduced to just your head, you are susceptible to being killed by certain enemies. Otherwise, you have plenty ways to dispatch carnage at your disposal to prevent this from happening. However, you have with you Arcadia, a woman of the organization NADA to watch your back and make sure you are sticking to your mission, offering help where she can. The thing is, you have to protect her from death. It's unclear if she is with you for the entire game, but I am a bit leery of a full story escort mission if that's the case. On the flip-side, you do have some nifty abilities being immortal. You can rip your arm off and use it as a detonation device. Can't get to a certain area? Well why don't you just rip your head off and toss it up to the desired location, teleporting the rest of your body to it? It also looks to bring dual welding guns and a sword for melee, bolstering your arsenal. Co-op and versus look to offer unique challenges for those wanting to take it online. I am curious to see the strategy behind the online modes. With the mechanics of the game, it may be unique enough to turn some heads.
__________
Crimson Alliance - Xbox 360
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher: Certain Affinity
Developer: Certain Affinity
Release: Q3 2011
Just when I thought there weren't enough Action RPG's, we get slapped with one after the next. Certain Affinity is a fairly new developer that brought map packs via Halo and CoD. They are branching out and adding to the Summer of Arcade on Xbox 360 with Crimson Alliance. Choosing between three separate classes (Merc, Wizard and Assassin), players will be able to team up online with their buddies in this dungeon crawler. Just like most RPG's, you'll be able to level, spec and equip your toon to become a powerful force. Comes complete with 4 player online co-op. (Dungeon Siege III, if an arcade game can get it right, why can't you?) Graphics aren't too complex, but display a fun, fantastical style similar to WoW or Torchlight. Being the final game in the Summer of Arcade lineup, if you're planning to purchase the previous games, you'll get Crimson Alliance for free! Check it out!
__________
Orcs Must Die! - XBLA, PSN PC
Genre: Third Person Action Strategy Shooter / Tower Defense
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Robot Entertainment
Release: Q3 2011
Ha! This game could only mean one thing: killing orcs and lots of them. You play as a WarMage with both benefits of magic, melee, range and traps at your disposal. Using your sword-staff, you can combo into knocking the snot out of orcs while quickly switching to your force back magic. This helplessly launches the suckers into the spikes you laid earlier set to spring on any sorry sap meandering about. Don't forget to pick'em off with your crossbow. Headshot! Just by watching some footage, you'll see how flawlessly fun it is to chain combos to your kill multiplier by getting creative with your arsenal. Hordes of orcs will make their way through your defenses, so you had better strategically plan exactly where to best fool your foes. The aforementioned pop-up spikes, spring floor catapults and archers are just some of your disposable preventions available. I am very excited about this game. It just looks downright awesome. The blending of third person action and strategic planning looks so well done. Give it a look and see for yourself!
__________
By the way, here's what I'm currently playing through:
Bastion - XBLA
Dungeon Siege III - Xbox 360
L.A. Noire - Xbox 360
Trine - Xbox 360
Mortal Kombat - Xbox 360
Gears 2 - Xbox 360
----> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 1 HERE!
----> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 2 HERE!
----> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 3 HERE!
Be sure to "like" us on our facebook page to keep up with us, and other projects, articles, and videos we are working on!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Best Upcoming Games of 2011 - (Xbox 360, XBLA PS3, PC) Part 1
It’s absurd the amount of amazing games at the forefront of our fingertips. Just when I thought last year was an awesome year for gaming, looks like this one may just top it. Wait until Fall, it's brutal. Check out the first batch of the "Best Upcoming Games of 2011" below:
Dungeon Siege 3 360, PS3, PC
Shadows of the Damned 360, PS3
_________
Bastion XBLA, PC
Max Payne 3 360, PS3, PC
---> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 3 HERE
Warning: Shadows of the Damned and Deus Ex trailers not intended for youngsters.
_________Dungeon Siege 3 360, PS3, PC
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Obsidian
Release: June 21 (Out Today)
For good graciousness, Blizzard, pull the trigger on Diablo 3 already so I don’t have to find a dungeon crawler that will never add up to it! While we wait for infinity to come, I recently played the demo of Dungeon Siege 3 on xbox 360, to satisfy my loot, kill, repeat urges. This game is out today and I am planning on hitting the books with it. I have been hankering to slay endless hordes of all-things-evil to get some new piece of stat molested armor. What is it about leveling up that is so addicting?! Anyways, when I took the demo online for a spin with a buddy, I must say, I had fun. The art does seem a tad generic and selecting enemies was spotty, but overall I am pretty excited to see if this can deliver a fix until Diablo 3. I do at least think the characters are nifty and the graphics, pretty for the genre. I liked the dash of Mass Effect-esque dialogue options, the inventory system was...manageable and the talent trees look fun to tool around with. Whether or not the end product will be polished enough is the question. Let’s see what you can do Obsidian. Gulp. <--(For those who know Obsidian.)
For good graciousness, Blizzard, pull the trigger on Diablo 3 already so I don’t have to find a dungeon crawler that will never add up to it! While we wait for infinity to come, I recently played the demo of Dungeon Siege 3 on xbox 360, to satisfy my loot, kill, repeat urges. This game is out today and I am planning on hitting the books with it. I have been hankering to slay endless hordes of all-things-evil to get some new piece of stat molested armor. What is it about leveling up that is so addicting?! Anyways, when I took the demo online for a spin with a buddy, I must say, I had fun. The art does seem a tad generic and selecting enemies was spotty, but overall I am pretty excited to see if this can deliver a fix until Diablo 3. I do at least think the characters are nifty and the graphics, pretty for the genre. I liked the dash of Mass Effect-esque dialogue options, the inventory system was...manageable and the talent trees look fun to tool around with. Whether or not the end product will be polished enough is the question. Let’s see what you can do Obsidian. Gulp. <--(For those who know Obsidian.)
_________
Shadows of the Damned 360, PS3
Genre: Third-Person Action
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture
Release: June 21 (Out Today)
It’s Shake’n’Bake, and I helped?! Talk about random, over-the-top crazy gaming. When I first saw Shadows of the Damned, I said sneeringly under a crimson sun: “TARANTINO & RODRIGUEZ”. Yes, this has you going to Hell to save your girlfriend, but this time you aren’t Dante. Instead, you are who semi-appears to be John Stamos, or the likes of him, looking to unleash unholy havoc to get your woman back. But you can’t go to the gates of Hell unsuited and outwitted. First, you need a torch. Make that a torch with a flaming skull who speaks to you in an English accent, morphing into new weapons at your whim, all whilst making crass jokes. Sound ridiculous enough? Add buckets of bizarre creatures, funky encounters and gobs of gore. Bingo. Suda 51 (No More Heroes) and Shinji Mikami (Resident Evil) team up to bring you this mesh of mayhem. Really not my cup of tea. It's a bit too bonkers and crude for me, but this level of zanyness will definitely appeal to the hardcore.
It’s Shake’n’Bake, and I helped?! Talk about random, over-the-top crazy gaming. When I first saw Shadows of the Damned, I said sneeringly under a crimson sun: “TARANTINO & RODRIGUEZ”. Yes, this has you going to Hell to save your girlfriend, but this time you aren’t Dante. Instead, you are who semi-appears to be John Stamos, or the likes of him, looking to unleash unholy havoc to get your woman back. But you can’t go to the gates of Hell unsuited and outwitted. First, you need a torch. Make that a torch with a flaming skull who speaks to you in an English accent, morphing into new weapons at your whim, all whilst making crass jokes. Sound ridiculous enough? Add buckets of bizarre creatures, funky encounters and gobs of gore. Bingo. Suda 51 (No More Heroes) and Shinji Mikami (Resident Evil) team up to bring you this mesh of mayhem. Really not my cup of tea. It's a bit too bonkers and crude for me, but this level of zanyness will definitely appeal to the hardcore.
_________
Bastion XBLA, PC
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive
Developer: Supergiant Games
Release: July 20
I am a complete sucker for fantasy art and this game has done nothing but make me drool. I am captivated by it’s purdyness. Bastion is an Action RPG that brings some cool ideas to the table. One of those being a narrator that carries you through, voicing what is being penned as you play. Take a look at the trailer and see what I am talking about. I am digging these quality XBLA games!
I am a complete sucker for fantasy art and this game has done nothing but make me drool. I am captivated by it’s purdyness. Bastion is an Action RPG that brings some cool ideas to the table. One of those being a narrator that carries you through, voicing what is being penned as you play. Take a look at the trailer and see what I am talking about. I am digging these quality XBLA games!
_________
Max Payne 3 360, PS3, PC
Genre: Third-Person Shooter
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar Vancouver
Release: August 1
Max Payne 3 has had delays along with the silent treatment from Rockstar. Originally, it was suppose to see the light of day the winter of 2009, then pushed back again. It's now 2011, but don’t lose faith. Pictures have been surfacing and it’s looking pretty promising. At least promising that it still exists. Maybe they had to scrap parts so they could use the same tech that's in L.A. Noire, who knows? If that is the case, I’d be super excited! Max Payne has always had a noir flair to it. Judging by the pictures, it looks to be very gritty and dark. Here's hoping to it being good. Definitely back on the radar!
Max Payne 3 has had delays along with the silent treatment from Rockstar. Originally, it was suppose to see the light of day the winter of 2009, then pushed back again. It's now 2011, but don’t lose faith. Pictures have been surfacing and it’s looking pretty promising. At least promising that it still exists. Maybe they had to scrap parts so they could use the same tech that's in L.A. Noire, who knows? If that is the case, I’d be super excited! Max Payne has always had a noir flair to it. Judging by the pictures, it looks to be very gritty and dark. Here's hoping to it being good. Definitely back on the radar!
_________
Deus Ex: Human Revolution 360, PS3, PC
Deus Ex: Human Revolution 360, PS3, PC
Genre: First Person Shooter/RPG
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Eidos Montreal
Release: August 23
The first Deus Ex: Brilliant. Highly acclaimed for it’s open-ended form (for it's time especially) and engaging story, Deus Ex: Human Revolution looks to adopt conceptually and outdo it’s predecessor. From what E3 footage I have seen recently, I am getting more amped for it’s release. It’s actually a prequel, putting you in the shoes of Adam Jensen, a security official for Sariff Industries. The world is torn between trans-human augmentation and after a tiff, your injuries give you no other choice but to incorporate them so you can live. The story looks very engaging and the gameplay seems spectacular. Players really get a ton of customization not only in abilities, powers and the like, but also in approaching how you play. Stealth it up, snapping necks like no one knows you’re there, or say “Screw that, chew on these guns blazing!” Plus, how can you not like the melange stylings of The Matrix-meets-Blade Runner-meets-Terminator-meets-Bicentennial Man? (Just kidding on that last one.)
The first Deus Ex: Brilliant. Highly acclaimed for it’s open-ended form (for it's time especially) and engaging story, Deus Ex: Human Revolution looks to adopt conceptually and outdo it’s predecessor. From what E3 footage I have seen recently, I am getting more amped for it’s release. It’s actually a prequel, putting you in the shoes of Adam Jensen, a security official for Sariff Industries. The world is torn between trans-human augmentation and after a tiff, your injuries give you no other choice but to incorporate them so you can live. The story looks very engaging and the gameplay seems spectacular. Players really get a ton of customization not only in abilities, powers and the like, but also in approaching how you play. Stealth it up, snapping necks like no one knows you’re there, or say “Screw that, chew on these guns blazing!” Plus, how can you not like the melange stylings of The Matrix-meets-Blade Runner-meets-Terminator-meets-Bicentennial Man? (Just kidding on that last one.)
_________
There are so many rad games coming out, that I am going to divide this "Best Upcoming Games of 2011" list up into multiple parts. Let me know if there are any games you want reviewed, previewed or discussed and be looking for the next parts to this madness soon! ~ Joshua---> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 2 HERE
---> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 3 HERE
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