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Archive of "Preview" Category
Hands-On at PAX with Split/Second
At PAX Disney Interactive provided gamers with the opportunity to play through a 360 demo of Split/Second. Lasting fifteen minutes or so my time was brief – but when there’s a line of eager gamers behind you it’s best to hit it and quit it. An arcade racer sharing plenty of commonality with Burnout, the daredevil Split/Second should still manage to carve out a niche for itself in 2010. (more…)
Hands-On at PAX with EyePet
The EyePet, the latest game to make use of the PlayStation Eye, is a virtual pet that puts the Tamigotchi days of digital pets to shame. Targeted to the younger set, there’s no avoiding the draw of the little guy, even as an adult-shaped person. Sony’s Alex Armour was kind enough to take EyePet through his paces in a 1-on-1 presentation at PAX. Prior to PAX, I had no doubt that in concept and polished trailer EyePet is very promising; what I came away from the hands-on experience with is the realization that everything EyePet promises, it delivers.
Torchlight: Hands-On at PAX
Just over a year ago Mythos and its company, Flagship Studios, “crashed and burned in spectacular style”, a demise thus described by co-founder Max Schaefer. Mythos, the second game from the start-up, was lost to South Korean Hanbitsoft and Schaefer, having left Blizzard, Diablo and now Mythos behind, ventured onward with a dozen or so teammates to form Runic Games. One relatively short development cycle later and they are bringing Torchlight to fruition, geared up for an October 27th release of the single-player campaign. Like Diablo with a more playful cartoon flavor and a bit more humor it’s the game’s undeniable personality that makes it so engaging. Torchlight is just a world you want to be part of. Fans of action-RPGs will feel at home here, fans of Diablo even more so, with a familiar control scheme even a relative PC noob like me can latch onto, deftly navigating and firing off spells. (more…)
The Secret World is a Little Less Secret
Last Friday at PAX I was ushered into the most ill-conceived meeting booth ever erected on an Expo floor. Yes, room F, allocated to Norway’s Funcom, was adjacent to the Harmonix booth. Thank goodness those guys had mics. In spite of the auditory hardship, Ragnar and Martin persevered, showing off details of their game and swearing me to secrecy until today. The Secret World is intense, rooted in conspiracy theories and covert power struggles, so I was happy to comply. After all, maybe these guys know something I don’t. (more…)
From Dungeon to Dragon: Nexon America at PAX
While at PAX I made time to stop by the Nexon America booth – how could I not, when they had Dungeon Fighter Online, Dragon Nest and Combat Arms for me to play? Of course, that was the morning that Adam (a.k.a. photographer, camera guy and man in charge of recording) was down for the count, so I was bumming it as an old school reporter. Not only is it mighty hard to mouse and WASD while taking notes, it’s extra hard when the games are fun. Really fun.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
A multiplayer component wasn’t on my Uncharted 2 wishlist, and to be honest after the initial “wow” wore off I was just left with that unsettled feeling that comes about when I see a precious single player experience in danger. The Multiplayer Beta hasn’t done anything to allay those particular fears, but it has shown me how very “Uncharted” the multiplayer experience is – and that’s a good thing.
inFAMOUS
inFAMOUS opens with a bang as Empire City is sent straight to anarchistic hell following a blue blast that destroys much of the city, kills droves and sets off a plague. Bike messenger Cole McGrath finds himself emerging from the center of the blast newly electrified if slightly comatose. Regular joe turned superhero – or super villain – he is wholly super badass. The storytelling has the graphic novel style that fans of Sly Cooper will recognize. This comic book approach is more than just a Sucker Punch gimmick, it gives the inFAMOUS universe its superhero frame.
Zenonia
Zenonia, an immensely successful mobile adventure in Korea, is coming to the iPhone this month courtesy of Gamevil. The popular action RPG is combat centered, with plenty of side quests packed into the promised forty-plus hours of gameplay. Looking vibrant and channeling A Link to the Past, Zenonia packs an epic punch.
Fat Princess
“Beta” is a bit misleading, as what we lucky few have been taking part in these last couple weeks is more like a prolonged demo than anything else. With only one level playable in two modes this treat is a mere sample of Fat Princess cake, a tantalizing taste of what is to come.
The beta offers a narrow glimpse at a title that promises much more. The addition of maps, modes and more players can only solidify Fat Princess as a PSN gem. Perfect for multi-player mayhem, be sure to have friends on hand when the game releases this June.
Red Faction: Guerrilla
Red Faction: Guerrilla seems remarkably focused for the array of destruction you have at your fingertips. I’m not fond of direct game comparisons, but in the relatively brief demo of Guerrilla I had more fun plowing through everything in sight than I did in the whole of Mercenaries: World in Flames. No, it is not entirely realistic, but since when has realism gotten in the way of blowing stuff up?
Wheelman
If there isn’t enough Vin in your gaming life Wheelman is here for you, and is even more outrageous than any Diesel movie – think Diehard: With a Bourne Identity Vengeance. You play as undercover driver-for-hire Milo Burik on a mission to expose the criminal underbelly of Barcelona. In the process of taking down multiple gangs you will get to terrorize Barcelona in an open world with game-play hinging on the ability to perform belief-suspending stunts.
World Championship Games – A Track & Field Event
A collection of addictive mini-games, World Championship Games; Track and Field Events is gameplay-centered. In this way, it is not the typical time-killer, though it certainly could make for easy to pick up and play title. The controls require a little dedication, and events with essential action on both screens are the most taxing (I’m talking ’bout you, hurdles!), but it’s this very same level of challenge that will give the game staying power with track and field fans.
LittleBIGPlanet
With only a month left until release many gamers anxious to get their paws on Sackboy had their petulant frowns turned upside down this week as beta keys made their way into the community. Given the opportunity to play Media Molecule’s gift to gaming, I am nothing short of grateful for what is a truly fun and uniquely creative experience. As the build is an old one, this hands-on experience may only hint at what is in store for October and with that in mind the beta truly captures the imagination.
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I’m Community Manager and Admin for the NewsBoiler Network, home to N4G, TechSpy, AnimeShinbun, FilmWatch and 11×2. I also write for network editorial site, ZTGD.
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