E3 2013 Press Conferences: Final Thoughts

I've compiled some quick thoughts on the E3 press conferences this year.  These were my thoughts immediately following each press conference:

The Knight is Still Young...

After the fairly recent release and phenominal commercial success of Injustice Gods Among Us, there is very little down time before WB games set loose the trailer for Arkam Origins, the third installment in the Arkam game franchise.  The CG trailer is awesome, take a look for yourself below.

Xrd is Absurd

Finally something truly exciting for the fighting game genre.  A fresh new Guilty Gear title has been desired out of Arc System Works for quite some time.  I mean...a LONG time.  Finally they have decided to honor us with a new title.  Not only is it stunning, but the character models are in 3D!?!  Not 3D like Tekken, but closer to 3D like Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Strom.  They are trying to maintain that anime look and feel that has brought the series as far as it has while still taking steps in a new and interesting direction.  We don't have much but this small teaser to go off of, but from what we can see, the game is very pleasing to the eyes.

Your Dick Need a Hand?

Looks like it didn't take long for me to pump out a video showcasing Nightwing in all of his glory.  This is a simple video that focuses on grounded easy to execute combos that are perfect for online play.  These combos aren't necessarily flashy and definitely not max damage, but they work and I use them online all the time with great consistency (rollback or otherwise).  You can mix and match any most of the stages of the combos to create one you are more comfortable with and start to utilize your own style.  Some combos can be altered to create better sets ups and such as well.

Excersizing Injustice Without Prejudice

Its closing in on the month mark for the initial release of Injustice Gods Among Us and my Dick (Grayson) is getting it done.  I've been having some serious fun experimenting and fine tuning my tricks for online play.  It isn't all that often that I have fun with a fighting game in the manner that this game provides.  Not only do I get to put punks online down, I get to do it with my Dick.  There are tons of fighting games out there, but only a select few get to be considered competitive. I think Injustice has it where it counts, and since NetherRealms promises to keep fine tuning the game as each DLC character is released (link to the most recent patch notes), I think we can see the evolution of another contender in the tournament scene. I love SSF4AE2012, but after 4 or so years of it, I like to see a fresh game get hyped up.  Especially after the disappointing showing of SFxTK amongst the community.

Nostalgia Mode Initiate: Looking for Modern Gems vol. 6

Okay, so this isn't traditional older ps3 or 360 title.  In fact, it's the first time i've reviewed a game that didn't have a hard copy available.  But after playing it, I feel that it deserves a slot as a true gem of a game released to the public via PSN.  I believe it is an exclusive game to PSN and if you act now, you can get it for the low low price of $0 if you are a PS+ member.  Fret not, it's only gonna run you $10 if you aren't so endowed.  Malicious is a ridiculously stylized adventure based in the genre of hack-n-slash centered around absolutely menacing end world bosses.  This game is not easy, but it isn't so challenging you can't pick it up.  Still curious? Click below and read more about it.

Injustice Has Never Been So Justified

Another day, another fighting game release to the community.  This time around we have a Mortal Kombat style romp in the DC universe of Injustice: Gods Among Us.  The last time MK joined DC for a title we ended up with some complete garbage.  A fighter that was barely playable and most certainly didn't have any competitive hopes.  Alas, it is a new dawn, and another chance has risen, and with NetherRealm Studios having just come off of their last successful MK endeavor of 2 years ago, there is a lot to look forward to with this title.

Finally, Something to Look Forward To?

Capcom vs. SNK 3 has possibly (April fools in mind here) been recently announced as a launch title for the PS4 sometime in 2014.  As a member of the fighting game community I am most certainly excited for this game, and since Capcom vs. SNK 2 was such a huge tournament hit, there is little wonder why someone might be excited for the next (hopefully competitive) step for the franchise.  Its been a while since I've talked about a fighting game so I'm pretty excited.

In case you aren't familiar, heres something to give you an idea of what to expect.

Other fighting game staples that have received next gen upgrades have changed fairly drastically. Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Street Fighter 4, etc. so it wouldn't be surprising to find out that CVS3 would end up being slower and with new systems.  The previous KOF feel with exchangable grooves was a fun and unique system, hopefully as more details give way, we will be able to get a better handle on what to expect, not to mention what fighting games on the PS4 can handle. Of course, all of this could just be a not-so-elaborate April fools joke. Wouldn't be surprised either way honestly.

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Infinite Undiscovery

Anybody who is anybody who has played the Bioshock series knows what to expect.  1960's America, magic, steampunk, an unfathomable environment, and some ridiculously creepy/unique story elements surrounding a plethora of mysterious characters.  Basically, sheer awesomeness.  Bioshock 1 kicked some serious ass, the game turned heads and made a huge impact on the industry showing how unique FPS games really could be (looking at you COD).  Bioshock 2 was still fun, but no where near as innovative or cool really, it felt more like an expansion pack for the first game, but it isn't the worst experience.  Now Bioshock Infinite is in stores and it promises a new look on the old feel.  Feel like a trip to see a whole new world?

Judgement is Upon Us

Gears of War has never really held a large place in my heart.  I mean, I have always enjoyed the games, but not the the extent that garnered its immeasurable success and adoring fans.  To me, it had always been an enjoyable action title that could steal a few hours of my day.  I had never been a huge fan of the multiplayer, and I definitely didn't care for the characters.  They seemed to be throw away action heroes that had little impact on the world of gaming.  Gears may be a staple in the industry, but Marcus really shouldn't be. 

Nostalgia Mode Initiate: Looking for Modern Gems vol. 5

This time around we have a Double Feature.  Both are games with a "notable" celebrity proceeding the  title, and both are games that you've likely only seen stuck on the used shelves presuming neither would see the light of day.  These games are Vin Diesel Wheelman and Clive Barker's Jericho.

Raiders of the Lost Tomb

So, it has been a really long time since I've played a relevant or recent game.  After such a long and dark road of shitty games I have had to play, it was a nice break from the groove to play something new and exciting.  I have always been a fairly large fan of the Tomb Raider franchise, Lara Croft has always entertained me to a fairly large degree, so when I heard of a reboot for the series, I was a little bit on the defensive.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?  Well, considering the shear number of previous titles, shit was getting pretty stale, luckily Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics figured out a way to keep the Tomb Raider feel while creating a fresh experience all the way through.

Preview: Bound by Flames from Spider Studios

We got a little teaser and a screenshot for a game called Bound by Flame over here at the Vidya Weekly that tickled my adventurer’s fancy with a look at a giant swampthing-boss-monster.  Here is a little snippet from the press release that was sent over to us:

Nostalgia Mode Initiate: Looking for Modern Gems vol. 4

So you might be wondering to yourself by now, "Why does he do it? Just because a game is on the shelf doesn't mean you have to buy it."  You are right, you don't have to, nobody has to buy anything.  But when you dig deep enough, you might end up finding a game hidden under the rubble that has something great, something that you'd miss out on otherwise.  Games like Beyond Good and Evil, Zack and Wiki, etc. might end up passing you buy because you weren't willing to subject yourself to chance.  Finding gems makes all the hunt worth it, when you play a game you were sure was going to be meh and it ends up changing your world makes all of the mediocre and even awful attempts worth it.

Nostalgia Mode Initiate: Looking for Modern Gems vol. 3

I cannot express to you how miserably I am failing over here.  I keep looking for gems for the current gen consoles that you people might not have bothered with or perhaps have even heard of.  So enters Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire.  I...okay first, let me explain a few things.  I know this game was basically a launch title for the ps3, I know that it recieved poor reviews, and I know that it has been under $10 one the used rack since the game was released (and has been sitting on the shelf for that period of time too).  But what I don't know, is why, for seemingly no other reason than self mutilation, that I was willing to subject myself to this torture.

Nostalgia Mode Initiate: Looking for Modern Gems vol. 2

As you may remember from my previous endeavors, I have succeeded in the past at finding a modern day gem of a game.  It was a fun and unique game for pennies on the dollar that anyone can likely find in the used section of your game store.  This latest title however was not nearly the success story of the prior installment of this now established series of Looking for Modern Gems.  This is a tale of tragedy, of lost hours, and even more so, lost souls.  Anyone unlucky enough to even so much as peek into the instruction manual of this title know of the horrors one must endure with this experience.  This is a cautionary tale of unfortunate proportions, so if you are actively looking for a way to ruin your week, have I got the game for you.  

The Flames have Awakened

Fire Emblem: Awakening has finally been released for the Nintendo 3DS this month.  This game series has quite the loyal following and is basically adored all over.  But to the loyalist's dismay, the game has had numerous and back-breaking shipping delays for the retail version.  Anyone looking to snag a hard copy of the game is basically shit out of luck and will have to wait until someone can get their shit together and fix the issues at hand.  If you however do not mind downloading the game off of the Nintendo eShop, then you are in for an engaging and true RPG experience for your handheld system.

The Wrath, the Witch, and the Male Fairy Shizuku

There are few games in this world that can match the charm, wit, beauty, and grand scale that a game like Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch can offer us.  For those of you who read my preview, you probably remember that this game paints a beautifully stylized picture of a world that looks and feels like a Studio Ghibli movie (otherwise known as Miyazaki films).  This game is a port from Japan of a game originally released on the Nintendo DS back in 2009, so remember that while you are in awe of the design and presentation of this invigorating title.  So if you haven't heard of this game before, or haven't decided whether or not this JRPG would be worth a damn, read on and hear what I have to say about the game that charms the world over.

Anarchy Reigns Down On Me

Something struck me as odd from this sort of surprise title.  I had heard nothing of the game until I saw a box for it on the shelf of my local game shack and thought to look it up based on it's art design and colorful cast of characters.  What I found was a game that is half beat-em up and half bullshit.  If you have ever desired a chance to play a forgettable single player campaign and unforgiving online multiplayer modes, then strap yourself in and welcome to the super stylized world of Anarchy Reigns.

FTL: 2012 A Space Oddysey

So far, I've logged about forty five hours on FTL and I have to say, I have loved my time with the game.

FTL operates as a time filler and a comprehensive adventure all in one package for a very reasonable price. This game is best described as Star Trek meets tactical adventure. It occupies much of the same space as games like Binding of Isaac and Don't Starve, so if you've played those games you have a general gist of what this game's philosophy is, even though it has radically different game play. What they share in common is infinite replay value and endearingly addicting game play.