If there's one thing I'm a sucker for in pop culture, it's new takes and redesigns of one of the oldest things we know; religion. More often than not, reimaginings of religious lore turn out to be half baked and sad attempts, but for some godforsaken reason, I dig it anyway. So that brings us to this game, El Shaddai, created in part by the dudes who brought you such games as Devil May Cry, Okami, and Viewtiful Joe. Nice resume.
El Shaddai casts you in the role of Enoch, out doing Lucifer's bidding, who in turn is doing God's bidding; having you round up fallen angels. Yep, Lucifer is still an angel. And there goes the plot: last boss battle pits you against a fallen Lucifer, calling it now! But really, this game looks like an acid trip, meets Okami, meets the Old Testament. And that is totally a good thing. The trailer is on the long side as it's pretty story heavy, but I promise the dreamy and tripped out visuals will keep you entertained for the duration.
So let's recap; we have an interesting plot based upon religion, trippy graphics, smooth platforming, a flowing battle system and Lucifer wearing a two-piece suit. Hmm.. Move over Katamari Damacy, I think recreational drug users have just found their new game of choice.
18 June 2010
17 June 2010
NeverDead(pool?)
What if we told you that there's this game in which you take control of a wise cracking protagonist who John Woos two pistols, keeps a sword on his back, and can regenerate from apparent death? You'd say "holy shit, Deadpool: The Game!" Yeah RIGHT! Who are you kidding buddy? Too good to be true. No, this game is NeverDead, a new story from the guys at Konami, who by the way had a pretty nice E3 showing this year. NeverDead has quietly generated a bit of buzz for itself, because we love (most) things that aren't sequels or reboots.
Seeing the initial screenshots for the game, I thought it looked pretty neat. Now after watching the trailer, I gotta say this protagonist seems like he'd get pretty annoying after a few hours. And the gameplay footage left a little to be desired. Third person shooter has now become synonymous with Vanquish. Sorry NeverDead, but you do have a promising future. We will not pass by with disinterest next time you appear, and that is a good start for you, amongst the expansive crop of crap.
Seeing the initial screenshots for the game, I thought it looked pretty neat. Now after watching the trailer, I gotta say this protagonist seems like he'd get pretty annoying after a few hours. And the gameplay footage left a little to be desired. Third person shooter has now become synonymous with Vanquish. Sorry NeverDead, but you do have a promising future. We will not pass by with disinterest next time you appear, and that is a good start for you, amongst the expansive crop of crap.
John Carpenter says 3D is Bullshit
Thank you John Carpenter for bringing some publicity to what we've been saying all along. 3D is stupid. An article on Destructoid quotes:
"I was around for the first wave of 3D in the 1950's. In my opinion, against a lot of the industry experts who have said recently every movie will be in 3D very soon, I think it's bullshit. I don't think it will. It's a way to take more of your money. It's a way to separate you from a lot of bucks. It's cool, but it's gimmicky, I think."
We couldn't have said it any better ourselves, John. You hear that Kirk Cameron? 3D is bullshit and so is Titanic. And Avatar.
"I was around for the first wave of 3D in the 1950's. In my opinion, against a lot of the industry experts who have said recently every movie will be in 3D very soon, I think it's bullshit. I don't think it will. It's a way to take more of your money. It's a way to separate you from a lot of bucks. It's cool, but it's gimmicky, I think."
We couldn't have said it any better ourselves, John. You hear that Kirk Cameron? 3D is bullshit and so is Titanic. And Avatar.
NBA Jam Puts the Nail in the Coffin
I want to share with you a secret; I don't like the new generation of basketball games. You know why? Too hard. I miss the golden age of arcade cabinets in the deli and pizzeria, when basketball games were as easy as putting a quarter in the slot and bricking threes with Charles Oakley in your face all day, son. So, after not feeling the need to own a console basketball title since NBA In The Zone for PSX (when the announcers pronounced Spreewell as Sprule,) I think I'm gonna give this NBA Jam a shot.
It looks EXACTLY like the NBA Jam I remember. Easy, fun, addictive, flashy, silly. But wait, you know what was one of the things that kept us playing NBA Jam? Codes. What we haven't seen of this NBA Jam thus far are the codes! Finally, a game that wont lock achievements and trophies because we're using codes! I want big heads, small bodies, Bill Clinton, George Clinton, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Arsenio freakin' Hall! I don't need to see the codes in action though, because I trust that there will be plenty of code mods to keep the game fresh and funny for ages.
You're dead to me NBA Elite (if that is your real name,) and NBA2K11 (I always hated Jordan anyway.) Bring on NBA Jam!
It looks EXACTLY like the NBA Jam I remember. Easy, fun, addictive, flashy, silly. But wait, you know what was one of the things that kept us playing NBA Jam? Codes. What we haven't seen of this NBA Jam thus far are the codes! Finally, a game that wont lock achievements and trophies because we're using codes! I want big heads, small bodies, Bill Clinton, George Clinton, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Arsenio freakin' Hall! I don't need to see the codes in action though, because I trust that there will be plenty of code mods to keep the game fresh and funny for ages.
You're dead to me NBA Elite (if that is your real name,) and NBA2K11 (I always hated Jordan anyway.) Bring on NBA Jam!
16 June 2010
E3: Vanquish
Vanquish, is a very cool sounding word. Say it with me, Vanquish. I think we sound noble, yet deadly. Vanquish. Vanquish is more than just an awesome word. It's Sega and Platinum Games answer to Gears of War. And that answer is on just about every amphetamine you can imagine. This thing is pumped! The voice acting is a concern, as is the story, but it looks like the action could quite possibly make up for those flaws. Look at the vibrancy, the frantic pace, the weaponry, the giant baddies, and the swarmer missiles. Gods, I fucking love swarmer missiles. Watch the trailer. If you're not excited to sit down and play this game, watch the trailer again. If you're still not excited to get your hands on this thing, you're quite possibly deaf and blind.
Vanquish!
Vanquish!
E3: Bulletstorm
Out came Cliffy B to the E3 stage to show off Epic's latest offering, Bulletstorm. And then I retched. Not at Cliffy B's ever-increasing smug douchiness, no, I retched at Bulletstorm. Sure, the graphics are nice, and the over-the-top gameplay is something you and I should like, but.. Argh, the voice acting is awful! That is a forgivable sin, but argh the script is fucking AWFUL. Those in a pair can be just barely forgivable, but ARGH, an enemy just made fart noises upon being shot in the ass. Fart noises? In my game? It's more likely than you think. And more annoying too. We're not 12 anymore, Cliffy. I understand you're making this game over-the-top, but that doesn't mean you have to go all Terrance-and-fucking-Phillip on us.
What say ye, o faithful readers of OBG? Yay or nay on Bulletstorm?
What say ye, o faithful readers of OBG? Yay or nay on Bulletstorm?
E3: Assassin's Creed Brotherhood
I haven't played Assassin's Creed since the first installment. Stop judging me for being a game blogger and not having played a ton of good games!
Ahem.
I haven't played Assassin's Creed since the first installment. Ubisoft just won me back with the Assassin's Creed Brotherhood multiplayer. The following extremely well crafted trailer illustrates the game of cat-and-mouse we can expect. If the multiplayer isn't really your switchblade up the sleeve, try this trailer instead. Of course, neither of these are showing any real gameplay, but regardless.. I'm a sucker for trailers that fuse cinematic action seamlessly with a dope track. Ubisoft did it once before with Massive Attack's Tear Drop, and now they do it again with These New Puritans' We Want War.
Ahem.
I haven't played Assassin's Creed since the first installment. Ubisoft just won me back with the Assassin's Creed Brotherhood multiplayer. The following extremely well crafted trailer illustrates the game of cat-and-mouse we can expect. If the multiplayer isn't really your switchblade up the sleeve, try this trailer instead. Of course, neither of these are showing any real gameplay, but regardless.. I'm a sucker for trailers that fuse cinematic action seamlessly with a dope track. Ubisoft did it once before with Massive Attack's Tear Drop, and now they do it again with These New Puritans' We Want War.
E3: Metroid Other M
Sweet merciful Zebes, what the fuck happened to Metroid Other M? When we last heard from the Team Ninja and Nintendo collaboration, it's mix of stylistic gameplay and fly cinematics was getting me hard. Now we have.. This shit. Two solid minutes of in game action which produces 45 seconds of ball rolling, and another 30 seconds of first person visor-views. What the fuck, really?! Where is the Metroid meets Ninja Gaiden action we saw in the first trailer?
SMH, Team Ninja, SM-effing-H. If Tomonobu Itagaki were still at the helm of Team Ninja, this trailer would be a minute and thirty seconds of Samus backflipping and wave-ray blasting and missile launching and Ridley DDTing and running through Metroids leaving a trail of pureed jelly in her wake. And then her boobs bouncing for a good thirty seconds more. SIGH, I think I have a crush on Itagaki-san.
Here's the trailer. I dare you not to fall asleep.
SMH, Team Ninja, SM-effing-H. If Tomonobu Itagaki were still at the helm of Team Ninja, this trailer would be a minute and thirty seconds of Samus backflipping and wave-ray blasting and missile launching and Ridley DDTing and running through Metroids leaving a trail of pureed jelly in her wake. And then her boobs bouncing for a good thirty seconds more. SIGH, I think I have a crush on Itagaki-san.
Here's the trailer. I dare you not to fall asleep.
E3: Fallout On-Line?
Fallout Online is happening. As a fan of Fallout 3, I'm mildly interested in seeing what this has to offer. Click the link above for a disgustingly slow loading webpage. Seriously, Interplay you guys need to speed that load up. Did I just say Interplay? Yes, Bethesda seemingly has nothing to do with this title, it's back in Interplay's hands, who were responsible for Fallout and Fallout 2. Good or bad? You tell me. No really, can you tell me if that's good or bad? I've never played either of the first two Fallouts.
Here is that horribly slow loading website again. Click it. Then go make love to your woman. Then come back to see that the website is still loading. Once it's done loading, bask in the ambiance. Caps, a pistol, some Polaroids, old time jazz, the whole shebang. It'll ask you to sign up for their mailing list, which I normally wouldn't suggest, but doing could grant you access to the beta. So, you might wanna do it. And really, would I ever steer your wrong, dear reader?
Here is that horribly slow loading website again. Click it. Then go make love to your woman. Then come back to see that the website is still loading. Once it's done loading, bask in the ambiance. Caps, a pistol, some Polaroids, old time jazz, the whole shebang. It'll ask you to sign up for their mailing list, which I normally wouldn't suggest, but doing could grant you access to the beta. So, you might wanna do it. And really, would I ever steer your wrong, dear reader?
E3: Dead Space 2
I never played Dead Space. It looked intriguing, but time and money constraints just didn't allow me to give it a shot. After I saw this Dead Space 2 gameplay demo.. Holy hell. I need to buy Dead Space and get into this series, because this sequel looks absolutely ridiculous!
Just watch it. Both parts. It's about 7 minutes of gameplay, and every second of it is worth your valuable time. Let's be honest, you're probably reading this at work or school, so I'm sure you have nothing better to do anyway. But I digress, watch it now!
Just watch it. Both parts. It's about 7 minutes of gameplay, and every second of it is worth your valuable time. Let's be honest, you're probably reading this at work or school, so I'm sure you have nothing better to do anyway. But I digress, watch it now!
E3: Portal 2
The original Portal was a game that snuck up on a lot of people last year. When I first saw the trailer, I knew it had some serious potential. If fact, I purchased The Orange Box strictly for Portal, and hardly played anything but that (HL2 and TF2 purists can bite me). As brilliant as it was, the game wasn't without it's faults. Mainly, it was too damn short!
Portal 2, hopefully, looks to rectify the length of it's predecessor while keeping the addictive gameplay, stiff difficulty, and quirky humor. GLaDOS wants to put our differences behind her. For science. You monsters.
Shit just got real. I'll consider this a purchase on your part, because if you don't buy it, you're crazy man! The question will be, can Valve give us $60 worth of gameplay, or will they charge us less for another game we can beat in a few hours?
Portal 2, hopefully, looks to rectify the length of it's predecessor while keeping the addictive gameplay, stiff difficulty, and quirky humor. GLaDOS wants to put our differences behind her. For science. You monsters.
Shit just got real. I'll consider this a purchase on your part, because if you don't buy it, you're crazy man! The question will be, can Valve give us $60 worth of gameplay, or will they charge us less for another game we can beat in a few hours?
E3: Super Scribblenauts
I wanted to like the original Scribblenauts. I really did. It was a fun, if not silly romp through the English language with the Nintendo DS. What bothered me about it was that you could not control the protagonist with the d-pad, and the missions seemed way too simple. Thus, the great concept of this game was defeated. The sequel, Super Scribblenauts is looking to correct the issues I had with the first. Yes, the developers called me personally, asked me what my beefs were, and fixed them. How's that for customer satisfaction? D-pad control, deeper missions, expanded dictionary with adjectives, and an incredibly cheesy trailer.
E3: Xbox Live
According to some hotshot at Microsoft, there are a lot of great changes and additions in store for Xbox live. First and foremost, Netflix for XBL is no longer borderline worthless, as you can now search for titles to add to your instant queue right from your Xbox. What a novel idea! Some other things were said, blah blah blah, who cares. The only other thing of interest is probably the ESPN content streaming over XBL. Watching ESPN programming on your 360 is pretty cool. Taking ESPN trivia, declaring team allegiance and polling your online friends about their favorite teams, not so much. But it's the idea that counts, right?
E3: Golden Eye
The remake I have been waiting ages for. Now that it's been announced, I'm not so sure about it. I realize GoldenEye is originally a Nintendo game, but to put this on Wii as opposed to 360/PS3 is a step in the wrong direction. Does anyone even play Wii games online? Imagine having an 8 player slap match over Xbox live? I can't. Well, not anymore, now that GoldenEye has been announced for Wii. And did the trailer just say play as 8 classic Bond characters? Didn't the original GoldenEye have somewhere close to 40 selectable multiplayer skins? I want to play as the dude in the banana-yellow jumpsuit, damn it!
E3: Fable 3
Peter Molyneux talks a good game. A master of hyperbole, his games are always cutting edge, revolutionary, on the door step amazing and uncharted video game territory. While the Fable games have never lived up to the Peter Molyneux Hype Machine, they've always turned out to be very good games. Fable 2's simple three button fighting system proved to be fun as hell; easy to learn, rewarding once it's been mastered. Lionhead Studios has itself a nice thing to build on, and while Fable 3's E3 trailer doesn't show much, it doesn't have to for you to know that the game has some promise.
I can't wait to have a threesome with a whore and my neighbor's wife. Then shoot the whore in the head. And watch as my neighbor's wife's tummy swells with my child. And laugh as my neighbor realizes the child isn't his and divorces his wife. Then stab my neighbor with a falchion, and move into his property to live with his widow. After she births my child, I will raise him to be as evil as I. And after incessant nagging, I will incinerate her with a fire spell, leaving my bastard child as I venture to a new town to complete the vicious cycle again while my son begins his own life of debauchery. Oh, Fable.
I can't wait to have a threesome with a whore and my neighbor's wife. Then shoot the whore in the head. And watch as my neighbor's wife's tummy swells with my child. And laugh as my neighbor realizes the child isn't his and divorces his wife. Then stab my neighbor with a falchion, and move into his property to live with his widow. After she births my child, I will raise him to be as evil as I. And after incessant nagging, I will incinerate her with a fire spell, leaving my bastard child as I venture to a new town to complete the vicious cycle again while my son begins his own life of debauchery. Oh, Fable.
15 June 2010
E3: Star Wars The Old Republic: Hope
Like I said before, LucasArts knows how to do trailers when it comes to this Star Wars thing. In what is the Yin to the original The Old Republic trailer's Yang, this cinematic entitled Hope is gorgeous. And this time, the good guys win!
E3: Metal Gear Solid: Rising
I haven't played a Metal Gear Solid game since the first half of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Go ahead and hate on that little fact. I enjoyed the hell out of the first MGS, but to me, they just seemed to tail off after that. I was underwhelmed with the first half of MGS2, and decided not to continue for two reasons; 1, because I played it at my friend's house, and 2, because I felt like I had better things to play. I had become disenchanted with the stealth action genre when the action aspect of it took a back seat. That's why I'm so excited for MGS: Rising.
Kojima will do with this game what he does for his other games. Involved story, great cinematics (though hopefully more gameplay than cinematic this time around,) meticulous attention to detail. Add to the Kojima formula for success a few touches of awesome: swords, destructible environments, gore, bullet time. Yes, if Tomonobu Itagaki and Hideo Kojima made love, their child would look something like this.
Kojima will do with this game what he does for his other games. Involved story, great cinematics (though hopefully more gameplay than cinematic this time around,) meticulous attention to detail. Add to the Kojima formula for success a few touches of awesome: swords, destructible environments, gore, bullet time. Yes, if Tomonobu Itagaki and Hideo Kojima made love, their child would look something like this.
E3: Tomonobu Itagaki and Devil's Third
I was deeply saddened when Tomonobu Itagaki was released from Tecmo. It meant that he was no longer helming favorite franchises of mine Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive. Will Tecmo continue his tradition of hyper-violence, gore, and obscenely busty women in his absence?! Who knows. But for the boozin', gamblin', Yakuza lookin' and all around handsome man Itagaki, life continues. That life is his new studio, Valhalla, and his latest game, Devil's Third.
The game looks good. That's it. It's not wowing me like Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Gaiden 2 did when those trailers were released, but it looks like he's on the right track at least. Violence? Check. Stylized action? Check. Sexy women? Check. Okay Itagaki-san, color me intrigued. We'll see how this title continues to shape up.
The game looks good. That's it. It's not wowing me like Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Gaiden 2 did when those trailers were released, but it looks like he's on the right track at least. Violence? Check. Stylized action? Check. Sexy women? Check. Okay Itagaki-san, color me intrigued. We'll see how this title continues to shape up.
E3: Halo Reach.. In Space!
Say what you will about the Halo series.. The story sucks. The improvements from game to game are marginal. The multiplayer isn't as good as Modern Warfare. Blah blah blah. Some of these detracting facts I have no choice but to agree with. Others, I'll argue with you until you're out of breath. 2010 brings another Halo game, and with it, it brings hype and excitement for some, cautious optimism or straight up doubt for others.
Consider me in the latter. I'm ready for Reach! I've always been a supporter of the Halo Series.. Except for Halo Wars, fuck that game. And maybe ODST, that was kinda disappointing. But Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 were sick. And now, the series expands with.. Ready for this? Wait for it.. SPACE BATTLES! Hell yeah.
Consider me in the latter. I'm ready for Reach! I've always been a supporter of the Halo Series.. Except for Halo Wars, fuck that game. And maybe ODST, that was kinda disappointing. But Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 were sick. And now, the series expands with.. Ready for this? Wait for it.. SPACE BATTLES! Hell yeah.
E3: Star Wars The Force Unleashed 2
It's been a few weeks since we've last heard from Star Wars The Force Unleashed 2. Previously, the reveal trailer showed Starkiller, alive and well, unleashing a world of pain on the biggest freaking Rancor I've ever seen. No gameplay. But OH HEY, Starkiller has dual sabers now. AND Yoda got his back.
Now, a few weeks later, we have another TFU2 trailer. Still no gameplay, but I'll be damned if LucasArts doesn't make some kickass cinematics. I can't imagine the game mechanics for TFU2 being much of a departure from the first. Some new powers, and power combinations, some new melee moves and combos. That's it? The first game got a lot of shit for having a lot of hype and not really delivering, but I will admit I enjoyed it. You can't tell me you didn't get a kick out of charging a storm trooper with force lightning, and flinging him off a bridge into a TIE fighter that's trying to shoot you down. Fuck yeah. Aside from that though, I actually liked the story, call me crazy.
If nothing else, at least The Force Unleashed 2 is giving us an awesome trailer. Oh and by the way, Vader, if you're reading this.. Why would you leave it to stormtroopers to kill a Sith? Idiot.
Now, a few weeks later, we have another TFU2 trailer. Still no gameplay, but I'll be damned if LucasArts doesn't make some kickass cinematics. I can't imagine the game mechanics for TFU2 being much of a departure from the first. Some new powers, and power combinations, some new melee moves and combos. That's it? The first game got a lot of shit for having a lot of hype and not really delivering, but I will admit I enjoyed it. You can't tell me you didn't get a kick out of charging a storm trooper with force lightning, and flinging him off a bridge into a TIE fighter that's trying to shoot you down. Fuck yeah. Aside from that though, I actually liked the story, call me crazy.
If nothing else, at least The Force Unleashed 2 is giving us an awesome trailer. Oh and by the way, Vader, if you're reading this.. Why would you leave it to stormtroopers to kill a Sith? Idiot.
E3: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: a movie, based on a comic book, that features Michael Cera doing martial arts.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: an old styled side scrolling beat 'em up which looks to be two player, with awesome pixel graphics, a sick chiptune soundtrack, and an underlying story of chivalry and love.
When I first heard about the game, I immediately wrote it off. How good could a game with tie ins to a Michael Cera movie be? Then I saw the E3 trailer.
Whoa.
This thing looks good, folks. It's not the most cutting edge in terms of graphics and technology, but it doesn't need to be. In the vein of Castle Crashers, good beat 'em up gameplay, retro styled graphics, and a slamming soundtrack will get you places. And yes, being an XBLA/PSN title, it will cost under $10. UPDATE: Yes, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World has 4-player co-op. Can it get any better?
I'm sold, and you should be too.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: an old styled side scrolling beat 'em up which looks to be two player, with awesome pixel graphics, a sick chiptune soundtrack, and an underlying story of chivalry and love.
When I first heard about the game, I immediately wrote it off. How good could a game with tie ins to a Michael Cera movie be? Then I saw the E3 trailer.
Whoa.
This thing looks good, folks. It's not the most cutting edge in terms of graphics and technology, but it doesn't need to be. In the vein of Castle Crashers, good beat 'em up gameplay, retro styled graphics, and a slamming soundtrack will get you places. And yes, being an XBLA/PSN title, it will cost under $10. UPDATE: Yes, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World has 4-player co-op. Can it get any better?
I'm sold, and you should be too.
14 June 2010
E3 and OBG
Today is a big day for gamers. First and foremost, it's the opening day of E3 (more on that to come.) But more importantly, it's Otaku But Gangsta's first day of existence. If you're a wide-eyed, impressionable geek, gamer, otaku, and/or tech nerd, let OBG be where you come to have hard hitting, unbiased, opinionated news and reviews crammed down your throat. In these days of interwebs and RSS feeds, you need a loudmouth like me to tell you what and what not to like. Stick around, and let me show you why I am the loudmouth for you! And after that, let me show you my pokemans. My pokemans. Let me show you them.
Stay tuned for my impressions on day 1 of E3.
Stay tuned for my impressions on day 1 of E3.
