Gaming | Geekscape

SDCC 2014: Getting Acquainted With The Trap Masters Of ‘Skylanders: Trap Team’

by Josh JacksonAugust 9, 2014

As with the previous iterations of the Skylanders series, the upcoming fourth game in the series, Trap Team, is bringing a brand new type of character in the form of Trap Masters. While not as big as giants, yet still dwarfing the Swap Force and regular Skylanders, the Trap Masters do increased damage to bosses, as well as using their translucent, Traptanium weapons to break through obstacles that only they can open. Since we played the game at E3, even more playable figures have been put on display. Naturally, that meant we had to give them a spin at Comic Con, bringing a few surprises along the way.

Snap Shot

Everyone should get well acquainted with Snap Shot, since he will be the default Trap Master to come with every copy of Trap Team. This water Skylander uses his giant bow to shoot water arrows at enemies from afar, dealing big damage in the process. When up close, he uses his brute strength to knock back enemies with the bow, becoming effective at both long and short distances. You didn’t think the weapon was just for show, did you?

Wildfire

The fire lion that proves a flame shield can be used for more than just fending off Internet hate. Coming packaged with the Dark Edition, and having what is easily my favorite Skylander design thus far, Wildfire imposes his will by rushing down foes by charging through them with his shield at the ready. Otherwise, he dominates with his powerful punches, making the villains wish for the safety of a trap.

Wallop

Wallop seems like the typical Earth Skylander, using a pair of Traptanium hammers to pound away at enemies and the environment alike. Somewhat resembling a more humanoid Tree Rex, Wallop was the first one to look a little more friendly, and not deathly serious like the previous two. While powerful in his own right, he didn’t show off too much in the demo that hasn’t been done numerous times with other characters. Between other Earth characters like Rubble Rouser and Granite, I think we’ve pretty good in the hammer wielder department. Still, the figure itself looks pretty sweet!

Gearshift

If you’ve been anywhere near a Skylanders section in your favorite electronics store, you’ve surely heard of Gearshift, with a pre-order drive that’s nearly as aggressive as the one for the game itself. After playing with her, it’s more than worth the deposit. She’s easily the most fun I’ve had with an individual Skylander, and I’ve played them all! This Tech Trap Master uses her giant gear for attacks, but it can transform into three different forms. The standard one is like a hula hoop, attacking enemies in her immediate radius. From there, the gear can break off into twin blades, inflicting damage to enemies in front of her, or transform into a whip, giving her mid range attacks. With such versatility, it’s no surprise why she’s the most exciting Skylander to arrive in a long time.

Gusto

The rotund genie of the Air Element brings a level of strength not typically seen with characters of this element. His oversized boomerang works in multiple situations during battle, allowing him to either swing or throw the weapon, (obviously, since, you know… Boomerang). These options more than make up for his slow speed, and his charming design will surely make him a favorite when he’s released.

Krypt King

With a name like Krypt King, was there any doubt that he would be the Undead Trap Master? Looking like Chop-Chop on steroids, Krypt King battles with his giant sword to subdue the villains, which makes since considering he’s a giant suit of armor. While his design is all kinds of awesome, his slow speed and the secondary haze ability that seemed all but useless made him my least favorite of the set on display. Upgrades in the later game will surely alleviate this, but so far, I’m not ready to bow down to the king just yet.

That’s it for the Trap Masters, but that doesn’t mean that there weren’t more standard characters on display to collect. Figures like Chopper, (a tiny T-Rex with propellers attached to his back), Funny Bone, (a skeleton dog that resembles a dead Hot Dog), and Food Fight, (living lettuce with a tomato bazooka who will be included with starter packs), will continue to add so many more game play options… As well as figures to buy. And that doesn’t even include the villains to trap, like Sheep Creep, a heinous foe who is literally a sheep with rockets strapped to his back. But of course, they need trap figures to capture. Oh, our poor, poor bank accounts.

Will you be ready to join the Trap Team when the latest Skylanders title arrives on October 5th?

SDCC 2014: Hands-On With ‘Professor Layton VS. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney’

by Josh JacksonAugust 7, 2014

Literally years have passed since the initial announcement for Professor Layton VS. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, one of the most unexpected crossovers in recent memory. After tons of speculation and a fear that the title might never get localized, those thoughts were put to rest when an official announcement was made confirming its impending release earlier this year. Now, we find ourselves about a month away from being able to play it for ourselves, but we got a small taste of what’s to come, courtesy of the Nintendo Lounge at San Diego Comic Con.

Divided into two sections, the game features both Professor Layton‘s trademark puzzles and Phoenix Wright‘s trial sections. On Layton’s side of the equation, his game play is essentially identical to his native titles, leading him and his assistant, Luke, to examine environments via the touch screen for hint coins and puzzles. Ranging from logic tests, math based scenarios, mazes, and many other challenges in between, a certain amount of puzzles need to be completed before progress can be made. While these challenges can range from insultingly easy to frustratingly difficult, the demo was kept on the simpler side of things, allowing progression to flow smoothly.

SDCC 2014: Hands-On With The ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ Play Set From ‘Disney Infinity 2.0’

by Josh JacksonAugust 6, 2014

After playing the Avengers and Spider-Man Play Sets at E3, we were already confident that the campaigns would easily surpass the level of freedom and fun offered by its predecessor. As if these two open world sets weren’t already enough, a post launch Guardians of the Galaxy story was revealed just in time for the film’s big release. At Comic Con, we got some time to play within the confines of Knowhere, and found that despite being part of the same game, this Play Set manages to stand out as its own, unique experience.

Unlike the open world sand box games that the previous two sets play like, the Guardians set plays much more like an action/platforming title, facing off with waves of enemies while you traverse the mechanical environments. Featuring large scale battles that will pit you against everything from foot soldiers to enemy space ships, there’s no telling how much crazier the full set will actually be, all the way up to the inevitable showdown with Ronan The Accuser.

Each of the Guardians plays distinctively from one another, which is further showcased by the huge skill tree that has become one of the cornerstones of the upcoming sequel. For example, Star Lord uses a mix of his pistols and jet boots for a variety of attacks, Gamora relies on her sword to cut down the opposition, Drax displays his strength and battle prowess with his twin knives, Rocket fights with his arsenal of explosives and automatic guns, while Groot’s slow, lumbering movement balances out his immense power and long reach. In addition to their standard combat abilities, special moves also come into play, which charge up as enemies are defeated. Gamora’s increased speed and Drax’s power boost, for example, further distinguish each character, which will surely lead to sibling fights when the game is available for purchase.

Rounding out the cast in the demo version were Yondu, (who also appears as a temporary support character through his Marvel Sidekick Power Disc), The Collector, and Cosmo the Dog, who all provided missions for the team to tackle as the adventure progressed. Sadly, Howard the Duck was nowhere to be found, but there’s still time between now and this holiday to squeeze him in. What do you say, Disney? It has to be done!

From what we’ve played, it looks like we have three varied campaigns, a nearly limitless world creator with the Toy Box, and numerous ways to customize our favorite characters. The first game had six Play Sets by the time it was all said and done, so it’s safe to say that there will be even more in store for us as the game ages. Perhaps an X-Men Play Set?

What other Marvel worlds are you hoping make the cut? Disney Infinity 2.0 will hit stores as both a standard, and incredibly awesome collector’s edition, on September 23rd.

http://youtu.be/ncIACV_Q17A

Three Mercedes-Benz Vehicles Coming To ‘Mario Kart 8’ As Free DLC!

by Josh JacksonAugust 6, 2014

To celebrate the 22nd anniversary of Super Mario Kart‘s release, Nintendo has announced that three Mercedes-Benz vehicles, based on real models that have been developed by the car maker, will arrive as free DLC on August 27th.

Consisting of the Silver Arrow of the 1930’s, the 300 SL Roadster from the 1950’s, and the modern GLA, (which comes with its own special wheel options), this DLC pack will kick off a “Mercedes Cup” tournament. Taking place between August 27th thru September 23rd, players from all around the world will be able to put these new vehicles to the test, and prove their luxury car supremacy.

In addition, the game will receive a new update, with a plethora of fixes and enhancements that will surely improve the game. According to Nintendo’s official press release, they include the following:

Drivers will now have the option to display the course map on the TV screen during races.
The order of the menu after each race will be changed to “Next Race”, followed by “Watch Highlight Reel”.
The game will remember the most recent kart options that were selected, even if the Wii U system was powered down.
Users will be able to change options of other players’ Mario Kart TV downloaded highlight reels, such as changing the focus to different characters or actions.
A score screen will be added so players can see how many coins they’ve collected, the win-loss record of their online battles and their frequently used characters.
Improved the stability of the online connection to enhance user experience during online battles.

Free DLC and a ton of fixes? Not too bad if you ask me! Of course, you can always show your appreciation for all the free stuff by downloading the original Super Mario Kart, which hit the Wii U eShop today for $7.99. Or not, if soul crushing difficulty and a wall-less Rainbow Road isn’t your idea of a good time.

Now that Mercedes-Benz in Mario Kart is officially a thing here in the States, is there anything else you would like to see come to the franchise? And who else will be participating in the tournament? You’ll be sure to spot me in your rear view mirror, assuming they go back that far.

‘Hyrule Warriors’ Gets New Modes, Characters, Costumes!

by Derek KraneveldtAugust 5, 2014

Nintendo held a fantastic new Direct Presentation last night. This time around, the video focussed on the upcoming Hyrule Warriors, which will hit stores on September 26th, and should be very different from any game we’ve played starring these classic characters before.

If you’re interested, you can watch the entire direct in the player below… Or you can read further for all of the info conveyed in the presentation.

Here’s the gist of everything that Nintendo talked about during the presentation:

–Adventure Mode: Players are faced with a grid of challenges that looks like the map from The Legend of Zelda on NES. Completing each challenge unlocks a new region of the map, and with it, a new level of Adventure Mode. Certain characters and weapons can only be unlocked in Adventure Mode.

-Costumes: Club Nintendo members who buy and register Hyrule Warriors within four weeks of launch will receive a set of alternate Ganondorf costumes as free in-game downloadable content. More details will be made available on http://club.nintendo.com. For certain other characters, Nintendo will make downloadable alternate costumes available as pre-order bonuses from select retailers in North America. Nintendo will announce more information about how to get these cosmetic add-ons in the future.

-Playable Characters: In addition to Ganondorf, players can opt to play as various characters from The Legend of Zelda universe. Each character carries his or her own specialty weapons: Link (Hylian Sword), Princess Zelda (Rapier), Impa (Giant Blade), Midna (Shackle), Sheik (Harp), Agitha (Parasol), Darunia (Hammer), Princess Ruto (Zora Scale), Zant (Scimitar), Fi (Goddess Blade), Ghirahim (Demon Blade) and Lana (Book of Sorcery).

-Weapons: A Chain Chomp will make a guest appearance as a weapon. As the story advances, new weapons will become available to some characters, such as the Magic Rod for Link, the Baton for Zelda and Spear for Lana. Weapons have special abilities called Skills that increase attack damage, or perhaps increase the chance of finding Hearts. Filling the Focus Spirit magic gauge will temporarily increase a character’s abilities and help to mow down huge numbers of enemies. And Bombchus are back, just bigger and more explosive.

-Game Play: Players can level their characters up to increase HP and attack skill, or they can grab materials dropped by defeated monsters to craft Badges to increase a weapon’s number of attacks, create longer combos or extend Focus Spirit time.

-Co-Op Mode: Two players can play a local co-op match, with one player looking at the TV and the other looking at the Wii U GamePad controller. Single players can also play on the TV, or using only the GamePad in off-TV play.

-Locations: Players will face down hordes of enemies in familiar locations, such as Skyloft from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Lake Hylia from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Twilight Field from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
Classic Zelda Elements: Players will recognize items from their favorite Zelda games, including bombs, arrows and a Hookshot. The game is filled with familiar Zelda staples, such as Cuccos, Rupees, Gold Skulltulas and plenty of grass cutting.

A lot of great stuff here, huh? I, for one, cannot wait to grab those costumes, and I absolutely love the idea of the multiplayer being split between the two screens.

A new trailer for the game also debuted last night, so take a look at it below, and let us know if you’re looking forward to Hyrule Warriors!

Eon’s Elite Reintroduce The Best Of ‘Skylanders’ To ‘Trap Team’

by Josh JacksonJuly 31, 2014

San Diego Comic Con played host to the latest Skylanders panel, featuring new details on the upcoming Trap Team. A questions that’s been asked since E3 is, if Trap Team won’t have any new Lightcore figures, (variants that would light up and feature different poses), but is planning to release about 50 new figures, how will they fill up that huge number? Will, it looks like we might have got our answer, thanks to Eon’s Elite.

Essentially reprints of select characters from the original game, Spyro’s Adventure, complete with the same poses as the figures that started it all, Eon’s Elite will consist of eight figures, each designed with metallic paint, a gold base, and a 3D background, which looks a lot like a themed screen behind the character. This premium line is likely to add even more incentive for collectors and gamers alike to open their wallets. Gotta buy ‘me all!

When in game, these variants will earn upgraded and grow three times as fast as regular characters, making them easier to level up again if you already maxed out the standard versions. Or you could just take advantage of the boosts they offer and plow through the enemies of Skylands! While Spyro and Chop Chop are the only two revealed so far, it’s almost a sure thing that fan favorites like Stealth Elf and Cynder will make the cut.

Love it or hate it, Skylanders continues to find ways to entice the kids, (and the kids at heart), to want to keep on collecting. But with current figures ranging between $9.99 and $15.99 at retail, even at the low end, a full Trap Team set will cost $500 on top of the game. Between this, Amiibos, and Disney Infinity 2.0 appealing to the Marvel fan in us, this is shaping up to be a very expensive holiday season.

Does anyone else plan in picking these up? While you mull that over, check out our E3 impressions of the game here, then check back for our first look at some of the new Trap Master characters that were on display.

SDCC 2014: Grab Link’s Stuff In ‘Monster Hunter 4: Ultimate’

by Josh JacksonJuly 31, 2014

With anticipation building for the upcoming 3DS exclusive, Monster Hunter 4: Ultimate, Capcom revealed some information in regards to its upcoming title that will surely please the Nintendo faithful.

Hunters will be able to don Link’s legendary equipment from the Legend of Zelda series, complete with his trademark green tunic, Master Sword and Hylian Shield. As you can probably guess, the items act as a sword & shield weapon type, with which players will be able to channel their inner hero while they take down the game’s most ferocious beasts.

As someone who is highly anticipating MH4‘s release, and a HUGE Zelda fan, I can’t wait to start putting the Master Sword to good use in this type of game. Of course, crossovers with other franchises aren’t new to the series, with InuYasha’s Tessaiga coming to Japanese copies of Monster Hunter Tri and 3 Ultimate, as well as some of the game’s most iconic monsters appearing in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. It’s great that Link’s gear is actually going to make it state side. All we got last time was some generic sword in place of the fuzzy anime blade. Oh, how I loathe licensing deals.

But it begs the question, will the equipment be good? Usually with themed gear such as this, its strength is so low, that it’s not worth using. Even if this is the case though, being able to play dress up as one of gaming’s greatest icons can only be a good thing.

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is planned for a January 2015 release.

‘Disney Infinity 2.0’ Gets Evil With Its Villains Pack!

by Josh JacksonJuly 31, 2014

In the latest of many trailers for the upcoming game, (including the Guardians of the Galaxy and Gravity Falls Power Disc reveals), Loki, Ronan The Accuser and Green Goblin have been revealed as the latest playable characters coming to Disney Infinity 2.0.

Using Loki’s magic, Ronan’s superior combat skills and Green Goblin’s pumpkin bombs will now be possible in the game’s Toy Box mode, showing that heroes aren’t the only ones who get the spotlight. While it’s assumed that each character will be usable in their respective Play Sets as well, don’t expect Green Goblin to show up in Knowhere, or Loki invading Ultimate Spidey’s universe. As mentioned in the past, only certain heroes will be able to cross sets after certain collectables are retrieved, but at least we’ll get the chance to wreck havoc on the world. Just not all of it.

This should come as no surprise to fans of the first game, considering a villains pack consisting of Davy Jones, Randy and Syndrome was released when the game released. However, they were implemented a little sloppily, allowing Syndrome to fight himself during story missions with no mention of how it’s even possible. Hopefully, there will be some kind of recognition of this improbable scenario when the bad guys are plugged in. The small touches go a long way.

Are the villains coming home with you when the inevitable triple pack releases, or are the many figures already on the way too much off your wallet to take without them? Disney Infinity 2.0 will release as a standalone title, a Disney starter pack, a Marvel starter pack and a Playstation exclusive collectors edition on September 23rd.

The ‘Disney Infinity 2.0’ Collectors Edition Is Finally Revealed

by Josh JacksonJuly 25, 2014

Remember during Sony’s E3 press conference when they announced that Sony consoles would get an exclusive Disney Infinity 2.0 collectors edition, featuring The Hulk? Well, after over a month of silence since, the package has finally been revealed, and it includes a lot more than just angry Banner.

Included in the package is the entire Avengers team from the film, including the three standard pack ins, (Iron Man, Thor and Black Widow), in addition to Captain America, Hawkeye, and of course, Hulk. The green giant will only be accessible through this package for the first month, at which point, he will be released in stores for everyone’s consumption. But who really wants to wait a month to complete the team?
And yet, that’s not all that the collectors edition has in store for us. In addition to the three extra figures, every box will come with a huge Infinity Base that doubles as a display, featuring a humongous Frost Giant in the background. Said to glow when plugged in, this base is the perfect way to both play, and display your new Marvel figures in style.

Retailing at $149.99, paying double the price for a game that already promises to eat through your wallet with its numerous characters to buy is a bit of a hard sell. Yet, if you’re planning on buying all of the characters, and they continue to retail for $12.99 each, it seems like a good idea to plunk down the extra thirty bucks or so for the base too. Plus, I’m already imagining displaying a super team to take down that giant. Frost Giant vs. Snow Queen, anyone?

In addition, the announcement also detailed a new PS3 bundle, featuring the standard starter pack and a 12gb console for $249.99, so if you have kids who want the game, but no PS3, this seems like the way to go. Too bad there aren’t any console bundles that include the collectors edition.

With so many games fighting for your dollar this holiday season, are the Frost Giant base and early access to play as Hulk enough of a reason for you to pick up this deluxe edition?

Watch Rise, Yukari and Junpei Tear Through The Competition In These ‘Persona 4 Arena Ultimax’ Teaser Videos

by Josh JacksonJuly 24, 2014

Fresh off the heels of another Persona related announcement, here comes Ultimax with a batch of new videos that show three of its newcomers in action.

First, Persona 4’s Rise Kujikawa has abandoned her damsel in distress role in the original Persona 4 Arena in favor of doing the ass kicking all on her own. Usually known for her support role in the core games, her teaser video shows off her ability to inflict status effects, her long range, Persona based attacks, and her idol experience leading her to dance all over her opponent’s face.

Second, Yukari suits up in her Feather Pink Phoenix Ranger costume to blow the opposition away. Largely using ranged attacks with her bow, combined with her lightning fast speed, and her wind based Persona that can push or pull opponents depending on her need, and you have a formidable fighter on your hands.

And lastly, Junpei steps up to the plate with his unique baseball based fighting style. His bat gives him better physical range than most of the characters on the roster, building up towards a huge power boost with every successful swing he lands. And don’t worry, based on the animated portion of the trailer, he’s just as bit as much of a clueless dope than he was in Persona 3. Yet, that’s why we love him.

Interested in jumping into Persona 4 Arena Ultimax? Check out our E3 hands on preview, and don’t forget to snag your first print, which includes a Teddy bag, a half set of tarrot cards, and Adachi DLC which will be free for one week? What are you waiting for?

Ultimax arrives on September 30th.

Buy ‘Skylanders: Trap Team’ On Wii, Get A Free Wii U Copy! No, Really!

by Josh JacksonJuly 24, 2014

When you think of Skylanders, you’re likely to think about the second mortgage you have to take out to buy each of the new figures every year. Especially with yesterday’s Dark Edition announcement, it’s clear that Activision is still finding new ways to keep the interest, (and the cash), of the Skylander faithful. But what if the series actually found a way to save you money? Preposterous!

Yet, that’s exactly what’s happening with Wii versions of the upcoming Trap Team, because anyone who purchases the game for Nintendo’s last generation console will be able to redeem a FREE digital copy for the Wii U. And yes, since the news was made public, it has since been confirmed that this will include copies of the Dark Edition as well, making this an easy decision for families who either own a Wii U, or are looking to upgrade.

This isn’t the first time the Skylanders franchise has thrown a bone to the Wii U. Just last year, an exclusive, golden Swash Buckler figure was included with special Swap Force console bundles just in time for the holiday season. Between this news, last year’s support, and the many titles that have been made available in the past year and a half from Activision, it’s looking like the company is one of the few third parties to continuously support the Wii U, which in my humble opinion, is great for everyone involved.

What does everyone think of the news? Has it affected your console of choice when Skylanders: Trap Team launches on October 5th?

‘Persona Q’ Gets A Release Date To Go With An Adorable Opening Cutscene

by Josh JacksonJuly 23, 2014

Atlus has announced that the upcoming 3DS exclusive, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, will become available on November 25th. Bringing together the casts of Persona 3 and 4 for the first time in an RPG setting, (and also marking the first Persona RPG in six years, the team behind the Etrian Odyssey series is bringing their expertise to this first person dungeon crawler.

But for those wondering if the core experience we expect from the series will remain intact, don’t worry. Atlus is promising that Q will retain the combat and character development of the core titles, which will be interesting considering these are established characters in a “what if” scenario. Something tells me it won’t take itself so seriously.

All initial prints will come with special packaging and a half set of tarot cards, but you’ll want to pick up the limited edition if you want all the goodies, including a handy 3DS XL case imported from Japan! Too bad we can’t get that amazing Q themed 3DS to go with it…

But enough wishing for what never will be. Check out the opening movie and let us know if you plan on picking up Persona Q this November!

Red Hood Is Coming To ‘Batman: Arkham Knight’ Thanks To Pre-Order DLC

by Josh JacksonJuly 23, 2014

If a recently leaked ad from GameStop is to be believed, then it looks like crowbar boy himself, Red Hood, is coming to Batman: Arkham Knight by the way of pre-order DLC.

In the past, bonus characters like Deathstroke and Nightwing have been contained to side modes, never getting a real chance to explore Gotham in the same way that Batman could. But as mentioned with the Harley Quinn DLC that every retailer will give out when pre-ordering the bat’s next game, Red Hood’s content will be a side story, giving him his own time stage to shine on once the highly anticipated final chapter of the Arkham series is finally released.

With this announcement, part of me is hoping that this isn’t where the extra story content comes to a close. Who wouldn’t love to play as Nightwing, Robin, or so many other members of the Bat Family in a full fledged Gotham City? Normally, I’m a staunch opponent of absurd amounts of DLC, but the Arkham games have earned the reputation of being full, rewarding experiences without extra content, so I would trust Rocksteady on this one. One thing is for sure though, the chances of me finally getting my Huntress DLC are looking slim.

Can’t wait to play Arkham Knight? Who else are you hoping will get added to Batman and Rocksteady’s final chapter? Tell us in the comments, then get back to impatiently waiting with the rest of us for its 2015 release date.

Source: ign.com

Sheik, Darunia and Princess Ruto Join The ‘Hyrule Warriors’ Cast

by Josh JacksonJuly 23, 2014

Famitsu’s latest scans have revealed three new characters coming to Hyrule Warriors, the Zelda spin on the Dynasty Warriors franchise, and one thing’s for sure. Whoever chose the latest reveals must have been huge on Ocarina of Time!

First, Darunia, the Goron leader and the Sage of Fire will roll through swarms of enemies when he hits the battlefield. Second, Princess Ruto must have gotten tired of being carried around everywhere, because the Zora princess / Sage of Water is looking to bring the fight herself. And lastly, Sheik finally puts those ninja skills to good use, being the first time that the character has been playable outside of Smash Bros. We always knew she LOOKED badass. Now it’s time for her to prove it.

This brings the playable roster up to 10, including Link, Zelda, Impa, Midna, Fi, Agatha, and newcomer, Lana. It’ll be hard to claim that the Zelda doesn’t have strong female characers now! I wonder how much restraint Team Ninja had to use to actually clothe them all?

Who are you most excited about playing with? Hyrule Warriors will launch on September 26th, exclusively for Wii U.

Harmonix Reveals Release Date And Pricing For ‘Dance Central: Spotlight

by Josh JacksonJuly 21, 2014

Today, Harmonix has announced that Dance Central: Spotlight, the fourth game in the only series of Kinect games that actually work, will make its Xbox One debut on September 7th, along with a $9.99 price tag. In addition, the last five of the ten song playlist has also been unvieled, bringing a mix of club bangers and top 40 hits to the dance floor.

The playlist is as follows:

Avicii – “Wake Me Up”
Cher Lloyd – “I Wish”
David Guetta ft. Sia “Titanium”
Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz – “Talk Dirty”
Kid Ink ft. Chris Brown – “Show Me”
Lorde – “Royals”
OneRepublic – “Counting Stars”
Pharrell Williams – “Happy”
Rihanna – “Diamonds”
will.i.am ft. Justin Bieber – “#thatPOWER”

In addition, the following songs will be available for download when the game releases, with more on the way, (including DLC from past games, which will be available at no extra charge if you’ve purchased them in previous versions).

Capital Cities – “Safe and Sound”
Emeli Sandé – “Next To Me”
Icona Pop ft. Charli XCX – “I Love It”
Lana Del Rey – “Summertime Sadness (Cedric Gervais Remix)”
The B-52’s – “Love Shack”d”

When Harmonix officially unvieled Dance Central: Spotlight back at E3, details were scarce. Aside from learning that it would be released digitally for Xbox One with half of the ten song playlist being revealed, there was little to go on as far as whether or not it would be worthy of our precious hard drive space. But now, at only $10 for ten songs, that sounds like an incredible deal to me!

As far as I’m concerned, the Dance Central series is the best motion controlled title on any platform, and will finally give us a reason to want to use our shiny new Kinects when Spotlight arrives this fall. I’m just confused as to how I’m supposed to dance to Royals…

What songs are you hoping get added to the game? Any favorites you’re hoping make a return? Check out our hands on preview from E3 this year, and let us know how excited you are to show off your moves once again!

Activision Announces The ‘Skylanders: Trap Team’ Dark Edition; Snatching Wallets In The Process!

by Josh JacksonJuly 21, 2014

In a move that will likely surprise absolutely no one, Activision has announced that the upcoming Skylanders: Trap Team, the fourth game in the title that started the “toys come to life”, craze, will receive its very own limited edition.

Titled the “Dark Edition”, Trap Team seems to be following very closely in the footsteps of its predecessor, Swap Force. Each package contains Raider colored versions of the standard pack ins, which include Snap Shot and Food Fight in addition to a Life and Water trap. Coming exclusively to this version however, is this badass looking fire lion, (appropriately named Wildfire), and a black Kaos trap, designed to capture the longtime series antagonist. The package will retail for $99.99.

Collectors are sure to eat this up, and I know plenty of people who wouldn’t mind dropping the extra cash for the alternate colors and bonus figures. Having said that, I REALLY hope this trap isn’t the only way to capture Kaos. The ability to do so has been a big selling point after all. And it’s too bad that they didn’t decide on some other gimmick, since we already got Dark Spyro and Dark Eruptor from the 3DS versions and a Dark Edition of Swap Force. I mean, aren’t there any other ideas other than painting them black? I sense a Rolling Stones song in the distance…

There’s no word as to whether or not this version is a Toys R’ Us exclusive in the same manner the last limited edition was a GameStop exclusive, or if we’ll be able to purchase this from any retailer that we please. But with Disney Infinity brining in Marvel and Nintendo tying their Amiibos to Smash Bros, Skylanders will have more competition than ever when it comes to your toy buying dollar. Let’s hope the game continues to build on its much improved prequel to stay strong in the public eye. See, folks? Competition at its finest!

Do you plan on sticking with Trap Team this holiday, and if so, are you going with the Dark Edition? The Skylanders’ latest adventure will be available for every major platform when it releases in October.

Sting Arrives In The WWE Courtesy Of ‘WWE 2K15’

by Josh JacksonJuly 20, 2014

If 2K wanted to send a message with their first fully developed wrestling title under their name, then message received.

For the first time in his long, storied career, Sting, the icon of WCW, (and TNA I guess…), will step foot in a WWE ring! Only in this case, it will be in the video game realm of WWE 2K15 in the form of pre order DLC.

Featuring both the early 90’s “surfer” Sting as well as the “Crow” Sting that would become his trademark look, the wrestling legend will join a roster featuring many of today’s biggest talent, such as cover boy, John Cena, Daniel Bryan and Bray Wyatt. Nearly any dream match you’ll ever want to put together can now be possible, even the long clamored for showdown between Sting and The Undertaker. Considering recent events, that might be the closest we’ll ever get to actually seeing the match play out!

But what makes this announcement more interesting is that after years of staunchly avoiding the WWE, this is the first official appearence he’s made for the company since becoming a free agent last year. Aside from an unannounced ten second clip about the Ultimate Warrior after his passing, (RIP), seeing new Sting content in anything related to Vince McMahon’s company is sure to excite wrestling fans both new and old. Besides, everyone who’s appeared before signing a contract in the past, (Brock Lesnar, Ultimate Warrior), have returned within that year. Can the same be said for Sting? Only time will tell, but I’m crossing my fingers.

Check out Sting’s reveal trailer below and let us know if this will sway your decision to step back into the ring. WWE 2K15 will release for both current and last gen consoles this fall!

Meet The Leaders Of ‘Pokemon Alpha Ruby and Omega Sapphire’ Or Become One Yourself!

by Josh JacksonJuly 20, 2014

We’ve been treated with a steady stream of Pokemon Alpha Ruby and Omega Sapphire news since the game was innitially announced, but not quite as much as the latest trailer shows off, giving us a glimpse of the many features the game will bring back from the Hoenn region.

Showing off the changes made to the eight gyms we’ll get the chance to revisit, many of the locations, (as well as the leaders themselves), have received huge overhauls since their last appearance on the Game Boy Advance, (which is the expectation when moving to a 3D engine). But OR and AS look to take it a step further, allowing you to challenge countless gym leaders, or even become one yourself, thanks to the revamped Secret Base feature.

Longtime Pokemon players will remember Secret Bases; locations on the map where you can create a small home for yourself in caves or trees. Their biggest draw however, was that your base would be sent to the last person you traded or battled with, allowing other trainers to visit your base and battle you again via CPU for EXP points. Now, the customization promises to be much deeper, allowing you to design your base like a Pokemon gym. By scanning custom QR codes, players from all around the world will be able to solve your gym puzzle and battle your toughest team.

And if these reveals, (including cosplaying Pikachu), weren’t enough, the trailers end revealed Mega Metagross! While not much of a surprise, considering Metagross was the champion’s signature Pokemon in the originals, it was still great to see it confirmed. Now more floaty and with a Metang attached to its bottom, Mega Metagross is said to gain a small boost to all of its stats in addition to a huge speed boost, which was its biggest weakness in the past. On top of gaining the Tough Claws ability, and what’s left is a monster that’s even more powerful than before… And that’s saying a lot considering Metagross was already considered one of the best in the game as is.

What do you think of Mega Metagross and how long do you think it will take to get banned? How will you dress your Pikachu up? And what kind of gym will you create when the game hits stores on November 21st?

Stitch and Tinkerbell Are Coming To ‘Disney Infinity 2.0’… With A Few Surprises!

by Josh JacksonJuly 18, 2014

Disney Interactive has released a new Disney Infinity 2.0 trailer, showing off their two newest character reveals, (which means two more figures we’ll have to throw money at). After teasing Stitch last week, the adorably destructive alien is joined by Peter Pan‘s Tinkerbell, both of which will be able to work their magic in the Toy Box mode of the game.

While two new Disney based additions to the roster are definitely welcomed, the bigger news might be the new vehicles and environments hinted at in the trailer. A Gravity Falls theme? Darkwing Duck’s Ratcatcher motorcycle complete with side car? It begs the question… What else will 2.0 have in store for us when it releases? Either way, it looks like the game is looking to include properties spanning generations to reach the young and the young at heart.

Considering that many people were concerned over a potential lack of Disney with the obvious focus on Marvel, these additions on top of the previously revealed Maleficent and Merida figures ease those concerns a little bit. Even still, we’re yet to see any Disney themed Play Sets, so we won’t know if we’ll be able to take these new characters into their own campaigns until later. With that said, these figures and items are seemingly great additions, especially when you consider Stitch’s blasters and Stitch’s surfboard, (complete with Stitch on the nose), were in the first game, making his inclusion overdue. What if Stitch rides the surfboard though? Stitchception!?

Which characters, items and themes do you want to see make it in? Does seeing The Ratcatcher in a new game hit that nostalgia bone? And who else wants to see some Rescue Rangers content next? Tell us what you want to play with when Disney Infinity releases this fall!

‘Assassin’s Creed: Unity’ Gets A New Gameplay Trailer

by Derek KraneveldtJuly 14, 2014

Officially revealed with a teaser trailer back in March, Ubisoft today debuted a cool new gameplay trailer for Assassin’s Creed Unity.

Here’s what Ubisoft says about the title:

Assassin’s Creed Unity reinvents the franchise, starting with the core gameplay pillars that have defined the series from the beginning: navigation, stealth and combat. Players will carve their way through a stunning, full-scale open-world Paris, thanks to the power of the new Anvil engine, rebuilt from the ground up for new generation consoles. Assassin’s Creed Unity gives players full control parkour mechanics, a reinvented fighting system for a richer combat experience, a new stealth mode, cover system and crowd manipulation techniques. Players can channel their inner Assassin, customizing weapons, equipment, outfits and specialized skills to match their play style.

In addition to the sprawling single-player campaign, players can join with up to three friends and take part in story-driven online co-op missions designed specifically for Assassins to play together. Skills and unique gear acquired in the single-player missions will be accessible in co-op and will define a player’s personalized Assassin’s style, whether emphasizing brute force, agility or stealth. Players also will select a unique co-op skill that will help the team survive, evade or fight more effectively to the benefit of the team.

It’s been quite some time since I’ve played an Assassin’s Creed title, but I cannot wait to check out Unity, and especially its co-op multiplay, as it looks like it’s exactly what I imagined when the first game released. Take a look at the new trailer below, and let us know what you think!

Assassin’s Creed Unity hits PS4, Xbox One, and PC on October 28th.

These Adachi Screens Make The Wait For ‘Persona 4 Arena Ultimax’ Even Harder!

by Josh JacksonJuly 8, 2014

A few weeks back, Persona 4 baddie, Tohru Adachi, was confirmed as a playable character in the upcoming Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, but only in Japan. Then last week, Atlus revealed that not only would the sadistic detective be coming to the West, but would be available as free day one DLC… assuming you download him during the first week of release.

Free sounds pretty good, right? Especially with all of the pack in extras that first prints of the game are receiving, such as a Teddy bag and a half set of tarot cards, (the other half will be bundled in the 3DS title, Persona Q. Those clever bastards). But if you’re still on the fence, you can always check out Adachi in action in these latest screen shots!

If our E3 coverage was any indication, P4A:U looks like it will be the fighter to beat this holiday season. With free DLC and pack in items on top of a great game, what reason is there not to give it a look? Try to think of one. I’ll wait.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is scheduled to release on September 30th.

Geekscape Games: Hands-On With ‘Kirby And The Rainbow Curse’

by Josh JacksonJune 27, 2014

Nintendo’s E3 Digital Event was full of surprises, but few were as unexpected as the latest Kirby title heading to the Wii U.

As early Nintendo DS adopters can tell you, Kirby’s Canvas Curse was a bright spot on what was otherwise a painful start for the dual screen handheld. But although it used the touch screen as its primary control type to draw paths, tap characters and block obstacles for a a ball shaped Kirby, it wasn’t a mini game collection. It wasn’t a glorified tech demo either. To many a gamer’s surprise, it was one of the most innovative, challenging and fun titles the pink puff ball had been in for a long time. With a sequel on the way nearly 10 years after we all scratched up our handhelds with our frantic drawing, it was time to see if Rainbow Curse could carry over the magic that the canvas left behind.

Instead of using sprite based art, Rainbow Curse has opted to go with a claymation visual style, which gives a ton of charm to an already adorable series while making it stand out from the dozens of Kirby titles already on the market. Like its predecessor, the controls consist of drawing paths for Kirby as he rolls forward on his own. Getting creative with your pathways with tricks like drawing loops often lead towards hidden areas and bonus points that played into my overall rank at the end of the stage, but doing so is easier said than done since there are enemies and traps at every turn.

Tapping Kirby will make him charge forward, defeating certain enemies and destroying blocks in the process. For those times where your foes actually wisen up and use stronger blocks to hinder your progress, holding the stylus on Kirby will charge him up, allowing him to plow through stronger obstacles while doing his best Sonic impression. Keeping a close eye on the stages leads to additional treasure that can be discovered as well, so some well timed drawing is in order to get the most out of each world, especially for the completionists out there.

Eventually, stages get a lot more complex, especially with the water stage shown off in the demo. Using currents to move Kirby in the right direction, the paths drawn act as more of a barrier, keeping the star warrior safe from hazards and enemies that he would otherwise float aimlessly into. And when opponents get too big to fight with conventional methods, Kirby’s new Tank form turns him into a missile firing weapon of mass destruction, switching to an action shooter-ish play style that’s a departure from the standard path drawing. There’s a reason why the pink puffball is considered the strongest warrior in the universe!

Familiar, yet with some new tricks up his non-existent sleeves, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is poised to bring us back to the greatness of its predecessor while making some fresh improvements to the formula. Still challenging, still adorable and still unlike any other game out there, here’s to hoping Rainbow Curse will continue to surprise us when its released in 2015 exclusively for the Wii U.

http://youtu.be/aH9znuWkdbI

Deal Alert: ‘Inazuma Eleven’ Is Dirt Cheap On The Nintendo eShop!

by Josh JacksonJune 25, 2014

The World Cup might be exciting, but can your favorite player summon a dragon with the force of his kick?

To celebrate the start of summer alongside all of the World Cup festivities, Nintendo has cut the price of Inazuma Eleven in half, pricing it at a mere ten dollars! Featuring a group of kids as they work towards becoming the greatest high school soccer team in Japan, this sports/RPG hybrid is one that a fan of either genre should definitely look into.

Developed by Level 5, (the talented folks behind such classics as Dark Could, Professor Layton and Ni No Kuni), Inazuma Eleven is the first of a long running franchise that debuted on the Nintendo DS in 2007. Since then, the game has become a monster, spanning sequels and spinoffs across the DS and Wii, multiple movies and two anime series… only they were only released in Japan and Europe. The 3DS release of the first game back in February was the first time us Westerners have had a chance to play it, and if our review is any indication, (which it is), then this is a no brainer purchase, especially at such a low price.

So go ahead and pick up one of those Target exclusive 3DS AR points cards for ten bucks and throw those points at Inazuma Eleven. The sale is valid until July 16 (when it’ll jump back to $19.99), so you won’t have long to take advantage of this awesome deal!

Geekscape Games: ‘Sonic Boom’ Isn’t As Bad As It Looks!

by Josh JacksonJune 24, 2014

And I mean that in the nicest way possible.

But seriously, when the new Sonic title was unvieled by the former Naughty Dog developers at Big Red Button, I couldn’t remember an Internet hatestorm as big as that in a very long time. Despite the change in appearance for some of our favorite characters, (like whatever the hell happened to Knuckles), some of that anger was quelled when it was revealed that Sonic Boom would be its own series as opposed to being part of the core Sonic universe. Considering we’ve survived the blue hedgehog turning into a warewolf, becoming a medivil knight and falling in love with an underage human girl, I’d say fresh hands on the franchise with no effect on the main timeline can’t be too bad, right?

So when you take away the jarring character designs, all that’s left is the game play, right? Well, game play is king as they say, (who they are I have no idea). After trying my hand at the console exclusive Rise of Lyric, it’s safe to say that Sonic Boom is aiming high where it counts, to the point where I wasn’t even thinking of the hedgehog of old when the controller was in my hands.

During my playthrough, the influence of games like Uncharted was immediately noticable, placing this version of Sonic and friends in the roles of treasure hunters. The demo gave me the ability to switch between Sonic and Knuckles on the fly with both characters on screen at all times. Certain areas can only be accessed by using a particular character’s special ability, (like Sonic’s spin dash or Knuckle’s knuckles). Yes, there are still core mechanics synonymous with the franchise, so each cast member will have a distinctive role in how the adventure proceeds. You might be reading this and think, “Hey, that sounds great for co-op!” Well, I’ve got good news on that front, because full jump in/jump out co-op play is confirmed for the title as well. Now all I need to do is find some friends…

With a much bigger emphasis on exploration and platforming over speed, much of the demo was spent fighting enemies and solving puzzles, most of which needed the crew’s new tether called the Enerbeam. The beam was used for pulling and throwing enemies with a spin of the control stick as well as pulling far away platforms towards you to advance. Combined with actual attack combos that consist of more than just jumping on things and a health bar that’s tied to how many rings you collect, and you’re looking at a huge departure in Sonic’s standard game play to go with the visual change.

And as they say, change is scary, but it can also be a good thing. So far, Rise Of Lyric is looking to be a VERY good thing, breathing some fresh life into an on again off again series. I wish I could say the same for the 3DS version, Shattered Crystal, but the brief moments that I had with it made the portable version feel inferior. Developed by Sanzaru Games, (the team behind The Sly Collection and Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time), the 3DS game acts as a 2D side scrolling maze. Four of the playable characters were available to switch between at once with the tap of the touch screen, including series newcomer Sticks the Badger, using their unique abilities to reach areas that the others cannot. Compared to its console counterpart, the puzzles, action and stages felt much more one dimensional, and felt more like a chore than fresh. When you take away Sonic’s trademark speed, you have to have a solid bag of tricks to back the game up. So far, Shattered Crystal has some catching up to do.

With months left before the release though, there’s plenty of time to do just that. When reflecting on my play time, I feel like Sonic Boom just might be the right direction for the franchise to go in after all. The new ideas that the console version introduced made me excited for what the future holds, but we’ll have to wait until November to see if it avoids the Sonic Cycle.

Geekscape Games: ‘Dance Central Spotlight’ Takes A Familiar Stage

by Josh JacksonJune 23, 2014

While everyone was talking about Halo this and Master Chief Collection that after Microsoft’s E3 presentation, all of that was drowned out for me by the announcement of a sequel to the best game for the Kinect in Dance Central Spotlight. After moving on to Fantasia: Music Evolved, (which was great in its own right if our E3 preview from last year has anything to say about it), and publicly stating that Rock Band and Dance Central were on hold for the time being, I was expecting to have to wait A LOT longer before we’d see the dance game take advantage of the Xbox One’s upgraded tech. Though on a smaller scale, I was excited to see the game make a comeback, and was one of the first I took for a spin at on the show floor.

Featuring five songs on the demo version, including Wake Me Up by Avicii, Talk Dirty by Jason Derulo and 2 Chainz, Show Me by Kid Ink and Chris Brown, Counting Stars by One Republic and Happy by Pharrell Williams, (as if you couldn’t escape that song as is), each one has all of the full body choreography you’d expect from the series, with old and new moves alike to put your dance skills to the test. While playing, I didn’t notice any real performance improvements based on the reportedly superior Xbox One Kinect, there were never any points where I felt like the game wasn’t picking up my movements, especially with so much going on in the background.

What I did notice however, was a dip in frame rate compared to its prequels. I get that this is a download title instead of a full release, and is a much smaller game, (promising 10 core songs on top of weekly DLC instead of the 30+ from before), but it was distracting to notice the game looking so choppy in comparison to the fluid animations I was used to. It doesn’t affect game play at all, but its a noticable downgrade compared to the games released last generation. While this game isn’t the only guilty party, this seems to be continuing the trend of supposed “next-gen” games that perform worse than titles released years ago.

Having said that, this may either be the case of a smaller title having a smaller budget or pre-production kinks that need to be ironed out. In the end, all I really care about is solid dancing with catchy songs that get my feet moving, and even with half the songs available on the demo, Spotlight has that in spades. Even with a smaller playlist, a larger emphasis on fitness routines and eight routines per song promises that we’ll get a lot more milage per song than in the prequels.

Get ready to plug your Kinects back in! Dance Central Spotlight is coming exclusively to Xbox One digitally in September.

E3 2014: More Details on the Warhammer 40000 MMO

by S.J. BorgerJune 21, 2014

Warhammer 40000: Eternal Crusades was announced last year at E3 and this year, when we got to meet with a group from Behavior at E3 to talk about Eternal Crusade: Miguel Caron, Head of Studio Online, Brent Ellison, Lead Game Designer, and David Ghozland, Creative Director, they said all the most current E3 buzzwords–“transparency” “community collaboration” “oh my God, I have to walk where now?” (well, maybe not that last one, that may have just been our own internal monologue taking over for a moment)–and they certainly seem committed, with their motto “Be True, Be Fair, Be Transparent” and going so far as to show a gameplay demo (behind closed doors) that was in Gray Box mode.

Based on the hugely popular tabletop game, developed by Behavior Interactive and published by Square Enix, Eternal Crusade has set its sights on being the PvP warfare experience for the next-gen consoles.

Fans of the table-top game and the books, mythos and worlds that it has spawned should find themselves right at home in Behavior’s game, which features four of the more iconic factions: the Savage Oaks, Foul Chaos Space Marines, Mysterious Eldar and Proud Space Marines, all fighting for territory, resources and–eventually–total victory in what Behavior calls “massive PvP warfare.”

The team has some big dreams for Eternal Crusade, including cross-play across all platforms (says Caron: “Sony is the most supportive, Microsoft is almost there”); player elections/promotions within factions that will allow those elected to command armies, give other players (solo or as groups) objectives (read orders), allocate resources and organize the military; battles which will feature over 1,000 players fighting on an instance free world; “Free to Waagh,” policy, where the Orc race will be free for players (no box purchase price, no monthly fee), while all other races will only be free-to-play after purchase of the game. Behavior hopes this will entice players to play the Orc faction, and ensure the iconic Warhammer Green Horde.

The political possibilities of these player elections interested us quite a bit, and while there weren’t a lot of specifics, the gist seemed to be that smaller guilds can join larger ones, and players can be split up into different types of squadrons and platoons (a resource-hunting group, a scouting party, a commando unit, etc.). At some point a player (or players?) can become a member of their faction’s Council, where they are responsible for large-scale tactical planning, resource allocation and an actual budget that they can dispense on requisitions from the previously mention Commanders/Guilds.

Players are promoted based upon quality of their performance, not hours played, says Behavior, but that was about all they said, so how all that will work wasn’t exactly clear. It seems to us that it could be very, very cool or very, very messy, but we’re looking forward to seeing more details on this as the game nears Beta (which is a ways off, since it’s not even close to an Alpha test yet).

Combat will feel, the team promised, more like an action game than a typical MMORPG–more third person shoot-and-slash than key spamming. Fans will have the familiar boltguns, chainsaws, psychic powers (depending on their Faction and class), and be able to dodge, parry, jump and use the environment as part of their battle plan. About 85% of the gameplay will be PvP, though players can focus on non-frontline, support objectives if they like; dungeon-style PvE content will allow players to gain relics, which offer powerful upgrades to individuals, guilds and Factions.

Players will be able to load-out multiple builds on one character, though progressions seems very horizontal and extremely lore-heavy.

Behavior will also incorporate Razer Comms into the game, to allow players to speak to each other without having to install a third-party program like Teamspeak. A cool feature? Razer Comms will modulate a player’s voice so that they sound like the class/race/faction they are playing.

The (admittedly early) gameplay we saw felt very much like Planetside 2, but backed by the Warhammer canon. Behavior even has Graham McNeill–famed Warhammer novelist–writing the narrative for the game.

Warhammer 40000: Eternal Crusade has no set release date or Beta period yet, however players can register for the Beta on the website, and on June 25th, they can sign up to be Founders as well.

“$40 gets you 40” said Caron, referring both to the games expected price point (it’s free-to-play after that, and, of course, totally free with the Free to Waaagh option) to their Founders program, where you can purchase the game along with upgrades (based upon which level of Founder you would like to be, from $40 to $120) including identity enhancements, weapon and armor skins, decor for your spaceship, vehicles, consumables and accessories along with earlier access to the game and any expansions or dlc.

The Founders program will be available for purchase starting on June 25th–that’s right, next week–well before any actual game play is available. While we’re excited about the possibilities and the potential Eternal Crusade has, it seems awfully early for a fully-funded, yet untested game ,with no actual gameplay available, to start asking for money.

Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think in the comments below. Can’t what? Don’t care? Firmly undecided?

http://youtu.be/CXUEZogALIw

E3 2014: Hands-On With ‘Guilty Gear Xrd: -Sign-‘

by Josh JacksonJune 19, 2014

It was around E3 last year when we brought you the news that a third Guilty Gear was on its way. How Arc System Works finds the time to make so many fighters at the same time, but its undeniable that Persona 4 Arena and BlazBlue both are heavily influenced by the game that put the developer on the map. Not to be outdone, Guilty Gear Xrd: -Sign- brings the series back, complete with a brand new look and the fast, frantic fighting we fell in love with so many years ago.

Featuring popular characters from past versions like Sol, Ky, I-No and Jam on top of a new, powerful character with Bedman, seeing it in motion left me feeling like Xrd just might be the most gorgeous 2D fighter that I’ve seen yet. Using 3D models that are as bright, animated and fluid as a 2D sprite, the game almost looks like an anime in motion. There were a few times that I had to double check to make sure the opening and victory screens were in-engine and not pre-rendered cutscenes.

But aside from the flash and glamour that comes with the updated visuals, Guilty Gear is still as fast, fluid and fun as its always been, and the switch to 3D models hasn’t slowed it down one bit. Playing as the two cover boys, Sol and Ky, it took me back to years ago when the series was making a name for itself in the arcades and on the PS2. All of their moves, specials and instant kill attacks make their return as well as a few new tricks, all of which are faithfully recreated in this new engine.

Fighting fans, if you haven’t seen this thing in motion, you HAVE to check out the latest trailer and be blown away with the rest of us. Thankfully, playing the console version in person proves that the game plays every bit as good as it looks, so there’s no doubt that Xrd will be at the top of my list come this holiday season.

Guilty Gear Xrd: -Sign- is scheduled for a PS3 and PS4 release at the end of the year.

E3 2014: ‘Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call’ Hits All The Right Notes

by Josh JacksonJune 19, 2014

Final Fantasy has seemed eager to hit every genre possible over the last few years, but most of the spinoffs haven’t come close to being as enjoyable as Theatrhythm, the rhythm title that blended RPG elements with touch based music mashing to the beat of the best themes to come out of the legendary series. Now with a sequel on the horizon, Square Enix is hoping doing everything they can to make sure Curtain Call is bigger and better in every way, and based on their E3 showing, they’re on track to do just that.
If you’ve played the original, then game play will be immediately familiar. After creating a party of four characters spanning the entire Final Fantasy series, your team then attacks monsters to the beat of the music. Tapping, swiping the stylus or sliding it along paths depending on the prompt will build up successful combos, which makes your group stronger and results in bigger, better bonuses. Also making their return are the Field Music and Event stages, which involve the character traveling to a new area or tapping to the tunes of popular cutscenes respectively.
While I didn’t get a chance to try them in the brief demo that I played, new features will include a Vs. mode, an Airship Field Music mode, (like the original field stages, only with the fantastic airship music in the background), and a new Critical Hit Trigger power up, which increases the chances of getting critical hits during battle. Think Star Power in Rock Band, only with monster smashing!

With multiple new modes, over 60 playable characters and 200 songs, is there any reason NOT to be interested in the upcoming sequel? If you loved the first one, missed it, but love the music of Final Fantasy, or you’re a rhythm gamer who needs a solid fix, this one is looking like more and more of a no brainer by the day. The Square Enix Store even has an exclusive limited edition for the hardcore fan! But regardless of which version you get, it’s looking like Curtain Call will surpass its predecessor in every way. What more can you ask for?

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call will release exclusively for the 3DS on September 16th.

E3 2014: Will You Become The Hunter Or The Prey In ‘Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate’?

by Josh JacksonJune 18, 2014

Hunters throughout the West have sat back in envy as Japan has enjoyed the latest Monster Hunter title since late last year. While the idea that we’ll never get to see the standard version of the fourth game isn’t a pleasant thought to take in, at least it seems Capcom is cutting the crap this time and skipping straight to the Ultimate version.

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is the updated version of the original game that came to Japan, featuring giant weapons and even bigger monsters both new and old at our disposal. Coming exclusively to the 3DS, weapons like the Insect Glaive and Charge Blade join tried and true favorites like great swords and bowguns to help prove your superiority in the wild. Checking out the action in the latest trailer, it’s definitely looking like a hunt we won’t want to miss. Let’s just hope there won’t be a Ultra Hyper 2016 Edition down the road…

What monsters are you looking forward to fighting when Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate releases in early 2015?

E3 2014: ‘Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney’ Is Ready To Deliver Its Own Brand Of Truth!

by Josh JacksonJune 18, 2014

It’s been over three years since one little trailer brought the gaming community to tears, collapsing in sheer joy over the thought that the impossible was now possible. That trailer would bring two worlds together, more significant than anything that was going on in our collective lives at that moment. This trailer… was Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, a dream team of crime solving, mystery seeking, puzzle loving juggernauts that sent both fan bases into states of shock.

Then time passed… the game released in Japan without a whisper as to when, or even IF the game would be localized anywhere else. It wasn’t until a few months ago that a U.S. release was confirmed during one of the Nintendo Direct presentations, but it wasn’t until E3 that we FINALLY, have our own full fledged release trailer. Spoiler alert: it’s all kinds of awesome.

Taking place in a fantasy world formed by the pages of a magical book, Layton, Phoenix, and their assistants, Luke and Maya, are tasked with solving the mystery of the witch hunts. The trailer shows off tons of animated footage from the game in action. This comes with the territory for Layton fans, but the snippets of footage in Dual Destinies were never at this level of detail, even though the voiceovers are a little iffy for the Ace Attorney crew. Maybe it’ll be easier to get used to once we put more time into it?

Combining game play from both series, players will solve puzzles, seek out hint coins and solve mysteries with Layton, while Phoenix is shown battling witnesses and prosecutors in court as he proves his client innocent during the witch trials. Even the judge looks just like his modern day counterpart! Ah, some things never change.

Even though the game has been completed for awhile, we only have to wait a few more months before we can play the title ourselves and safely tread the Internet without fear of spoilers once again. Check out the trailer and tell us how excited you are about this team up finally finding its way to us on August 29th.