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Geekscape Games Reviews ‘Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc’

by Josh JacksonMarch 7, 2014

Oh, high school. For many of us at one point or another, it was a place that we couldn’t wait to escape. But whether it was because of our waning popularity, our dread at the thought of another test or the rejection of the cool kids that flip your burgers nowadays, it’s safe to say that these reasons pale in comparison to the motivations held by the Hope’s Peak Academy student body. After all, the only way to graduate is by murdering a classmate!

In Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, gamers take control of Makoto Naegi, an average teenager who was chosen at to attend this elite campus. Known for educating the “ultimate” students, Makoto’s peers range from the “Ultimate Pop Idol”, to the “Ultimate Fashionista”, and even some bordering the ridiculous, (The “Ultimate Fanfic Writer” and “Ultimate Biker Gang Leader say hello). The students are… Unique to say the least, which is brought to life thanks to some laugh out loud funny dialogue using plenty of nerdy references to get the point across. After blacking out once stepping on campus, the students are introduced to their headmaster, the demented Monokuma. This monochrome colored (not teddy) bear looks cute on the outside, but what he has in store is something far more sinister, initiating this “killing game” that pits friends against each other in a deadly game of detective. But will the students really resort to killing each other? And how can they work together to escape when knowing that they could be stabbed in the back at any moment?

Class is in session.

This is where most of the tension comes in for this point and click adventure game. Makoto must explore the school, communicate with his peers and discover clues to find out exactly what’s going on in this school of despair. Traveling from room to room while looking for clues and hidden coins that can be used to buy presents, (which will be touched on later,) never feels as relaxed as you would expect, especially since you never know who may get attacked next. As the story unfolds, the core of the game revolves around class trials, where Makoto must examine statements made by the others, eliminating contradictions and taking steps closer to the truth in each chapter.

But Phoenix Wright this is not. Danganronpa has unique trial mechanics that make the game play more than just presenting evidence, (as rewarding as that can be.) Each questionable statement is highlighted within moving text, which players have to shoot with their “truth bullets”, to destroy the contradiction. Shooting becomes more difficult over time thanks to “White Noise,” inner thoughts that block potential targets, reducing the time limit if shot. To mix things up, some crazy game mechanics work their way into the court, all of which you’d never expect to see in a game like this. “Hangman’s Gambit” has players shoot letters to spell out words that prove Makoto’s arguments, “Bullet Time Battle” brings rhythm game play into the mix by having us tap buttons to music in order to quickly target lies, shoot them down and reload truth bullets, and the “Closing Argument,” where blank comic book panels must be filled in to retrace crimes from beginning to end. Surprisingly, this strange mix of game play styles work well, keeping the game moving at a faster pace than we’re used to with Visual Novels while blending different genres.

Hangman’s Gambit is one of many unique game play features.

With a “combat” system as ambitious as this, there’s bound to be issues that come up along the way. Since only targeted words can be contradictions, your choices are narrowed down quite a bit. Add that to the fact that only a few pieces of evidence are loaded as truth bullets, the game essentially spells out what to do, which is unnecessary since most of the mysteries are easy to solve anyway. Also, some of the comic panels for Closing Arguments are incredibly vague. I’ve lost plenty of health because I placed two similar looking panels in the wrong order, or because I couldn’t tell what was going on in them. A short description of what each one represents without giving away the whole thing would’ve been nice. Either way, this game is VERY forgiving, so failing doesn’t have any real consequences outside of temporarily missing a trophy or two.

I have no idea what’s going on.

Outside of trials and investigations, Free Time gives us the chance to talk to Makoto’s classmates and win their affection the best way we can. And what’s the quickest way to make someone like you? Buy them stuff! Yup, the game goes into full on date simulation mode. For the most part, each one is portrayed as some kind of typical anime stereotype, but these moments allows the player to dig into their motivations to learn that there is some real depth under the surface. Paying attention to each character’s personality traits while giving them the right responses and presents will make them confide in you, which uncovers their backstories while unlocking special abilities that make trials easier, (such as extra health, or more focus to slow down targets.)

Bonus abilities are all well and good, but the biggest impression free time leaves is the feeling of attachment that these moments create between characters. While a few of them are painfully annoying, most of the class is well developed, easy to like and sympathize with. Some well done voice acting in both English and Japanese bring them to life, which is why I wish more of the game could have been voiced. Only the trials are fully acted, so you’ll get a ton of repetitive grunts, phrases and sighs during free time, which gets annoying REALLY quick.

Nonetheless, if the goal of the school is to spread despair to its captives, it does an excellent job of spreading it to the player too. Growing attached to each of my favorites, only to feel way more anxious than I should have been every time a new page of the story unfolded out of fear of them killing or being murdered was the biggest memory I took from the game. To make matters worse, each chapter concludes with the guilty party being “punished” in the form of a gruesome, stylized execution that have that car wreck ability to make you watch even if you don’t want to.

Getting attached to your friends is easy thanks to their interactions.

And that style is where the real brilliance of Danganronpa lies. The majority of the game, from the flat, 2D cutout style the characters are given, to the executions being presented in a way that reminded me of a low budget school play, the fluorescent pink blood and Monokuma himself, everything is presented with such an innocent, childlike quality. But having friends stripped away, finding corpses and being trapped against your will is anything but. It took a real sick group of people to come up with this concept. And I loved every second of it.

Aside from some investigations dragging on way too long, (especially the first one,) the confusing closing argument panels and the grating non-voice acting during free time, Danganronpa is one of the best reasons to own a Vita right now. Its creative use of multiple gameplay styles combined with the tried and true point and click formula deliver in ways I couldn’t have imagined, while building a strong supporting cast that are easy to get attached to. With enough content to play into the 20 hour mark, (not including the bonus post story “School Mode” that has the class digging for materials and going on dates in scenarios that feature some of the funniest dialogue in the game,) tons of unlockables, creative gameplay and an incredible story, Danganronpa is a game to die for.

tl;dr

+ Creative game play that brings fresh ideas to the point and click detective genre.

+ A sick, demented setting that draws players in to the world for hours on end.

+ The unforgettable story, characters and scenarios leave a strong impression long after the game is complete.

+ Excellent voice acting in English and Japanese.

– Mysteries are far too easy to solve

– Some of the investigations drag on for too long and feature repetitive, one phrase voice clips.

– Certain gameplay mechanics could be more clear or executed better.

Final Score: 9/10

‘Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc’ Is Out Now For PS Vita!

by Josh JacksonFebruary 12, 2014

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc has hit store shelves for the PS Vita courtesy of NIS America this week, as we all hear the joyous cries of Vita owners everywhere. An adventure game taking place in Hope’s Peak Academy, a school that forces its students to spend the rest of their lives within their walls, the trapped youth only have one path towards freedom… But they’ll have to commit murder first.

In the style of visual novels like Phoenix Wright that are growing in popularity, Danganronpa tasks players with solving murders that take place on campus, but what do you do when the killers are your peers?

Watch the launch trailer below and keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming review. Until then, check back regularly for all your geek news and updates!

Slimmer Playstation Vita Finally Coming To North America!

by Derek KraneveldtFebruary 10, 2014

Briefly: It’s already out in Japan, and will be releasing soon in Europe, but Sony just made the slimmer, lighter Playstation Vita official for North America.

The Vita 2000 will launch exclusively in a Borderlands 2 bundle this Spring. The 2000 is about 20% thinner and 15% lighter than the previous model, and it also has 1Gb of built-in memory (up from 0), and about an hour of extra battery life. The only downside? It uses a standard LCD over the gorgeous OLED from the original model.

The bundle actually sounds fantastic. It (of course) includes Borderlands 2, but it’ll also come with a decently-sized 8Gb memory card. I’m running an 8Gb in my Vita right now, and it’s been enough for about 3 full Vita games, plus some download-only titles like Spelunky, OlliOlli (which I’m still obsessed with, check out my review here), and Lone Survivor.

I haven’t been a fan of the Vita for most of its life (though I did buy one on launch day), but with the myriad of indie games now available on the console, an astonishing Playstation Plus collection, and Remote Play for PS4 (and Playstation Now down the pipeline), it’s really becoming a decent system (though memory cards are still far too expensive).

Will you be picking up a Vita? Check out the announcement video below, and let us know!

Geekscape Games Presents: The Games of 2014

by Josh JacksonJanuary 13, 2014

If our list of the greatest games of 2013 taught us one thing, it’s that last year was a fantastic year to be a gamer. With that said, 2014 will mark the first full year that all of the now current gen consoles will be available. In addition to the continued stream of solid software for the 3DS while we STILL cross our fingers for the Vita to have a strong showing, there are plenty of games across the board that are worth getting hyped for. With that said, there are some that just can’t be ignored, which is why we’ve compiled the games you should look out for in 2014.

Watch Dogs

Starting off as one of the most anticipated games of 2013, a packed holiday season and the need for some extra development time shifted Watch Dogs into 2014. The ability to essentially hack an entire city promises to bring some fresh ideas to the sandbox genre, and with all of the videos and screenshots shown so far, this one’s looking like it’ll satisfy that action craving too.

Watch Dogs is coming to Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, PS4, Xbox One and PC in mid 2014.

Metal Gear Solid V

Buried under all of the controversy surrounding MGS V, (including long time Snake voice actor, David Hayter, getting the boot in favor of Kiefer Sutherland,) is another potential must own from the developers at Kojima Productions. Promising to delve deeper into the motivations of Big Boss and further detail his eventual creation of Outer Heaven, this fifth game will be the first to take the signature stealth of the series into an open world setting. Split into two parts, Ground Zeroes will come to the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One on March 18th with Phantom Pain’s release date still listed as TBD.

The Elder Scrolls Online

After much rumor and speculation, The Elder Scrolls Online was finally confirmed to be a thing last year. Scheduled for a summer release, gamers will finally be able to combine their love for the environments, lore and abilities of The Elder Scrolls franchise with their slightly higher enthusiasm for berating each other in an online setting with their “vast” gaming knowledge. Get ready to pwn some n00bs starting on April 4th for PC and Mac users, while PS4 and Xbox One owners will soon follow suit in June.

Destiny

As the first outing for Bungie since breaking away from Microsoft and the Halo franchise that put them on the map, Destiny has a lot to prove. Thankfully, looking at all of the information we know about the game, it seems like it’s on the right track. Combining their FPS know-how with customizable characters, co op missions and a desolate environment, and we’re looking at what could be considered a marriage between a game like Halo and Borderlands. Destiny will land on September 9th for the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

InFamous: Second Son

The first InFamous set the stage for being a super powered conduit with a city as our playground. The second allowed us to combine and expand our powers while fighting in a world where we weren’t the only one with powers anymore. Second Son is looking to build upon the legacy that Cole and company left behind with new powers, upgraded visuals and a new cast that’s truly looking to put the PS4 on the map. InFamous will release on March 21st.

Titanfall

As one of the most talked about games at last year’s E3, Titanfall seems to be the reason to make it to another year for FPS fans. Part arena shooter, part mech fighter, the game has some serious potential in the sense that it can bring a ton of new dynamics to the multiplayer shooter playground. As the first game from Respawn, the team consisting of the scorned devs formerly of Infinity Ward, (the core Call of Duty team,) Titanfall is another title that has a lot to prove, yet doesn’t seem like it will have much of a problem doing so come March 11th, exclusively to Windows, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

Project Spark

One of the most impressive pieces of tech shown off at E3, Project Spark is part world builder, part action/platformer and all gorgeous. Using Smartglass technology, players can alter the world, interact with characters and mold their experience with a touch of their finger. Scheduled for a 2014 release barring any delays, Windows, 360 and Xbox One gamers can look forward to put their god playing skills to the test.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Another title that got pushed from the end of last year, Donkey Kong Country appears to be well worth the wait. Considering that Donkey Kong Country Returns was such a fantastic display of what the 2D platforming genre can do, the addition of Dixie and Cranky can only give the good people at Retro Studios even more ideas to squeeze out of the old ape. DKC: TF is coming exclusively to Wii U on February 21st.

Mario Kart 8

The success of Mario Kart Wii and MK7 prove that this series is a gaming juggernaut, selling millions upon millions of copies every time a new entry in the popular racing franchise is released. Every new version brings something new to the table, with 8 being no exception thanks to the anti gravity tracks that were shown off during its reveal. It blew us away at E3, and now we can’t wait to get our hands on the steering wheel again in a few short months. Look for Mario Kart 8 in Spring, also exclusively for Wii U.

Hyrule Warriors

At the end of 2013, Hyrule Warriors went from being completely unknown to being one of the most talked about games heading into the new year. Combining the characters, environments and weapons of The Legend of Zelda with the hack and slash game play of Dynasty Warriors did more than just raise a few eyebrows, but watching the game in action was an incredible sight that turned most of us into believers. Hyrule Warriors has a loose release date of 2014.

Bayonetta 2

Speaking of controversy, the memory of Bayonetta 2 being announced as a Wii U exclusive is still vividly burned in my memory. Despite the outcries of disloyalty, (despite the fact that the game would’ve reportedly never been possible without Nintendo’s funding,) Platinum Games seems to be providing what it’s gained that loyalty with in the first place; tight, refined game play with over the top enemies and characters. Action games don’t get much better than their offerings, and after trying out Bayo 2 myself, I’m comfortable in saying this tradition will carry on strong. Bayonetta 2 is set to arrive sometime in 2014.

Super Smash Bros.

Easily in the running for the most anticipated game of 2014, Super Smash Bros for Wii U and 3DS will bring back the blockbuster mascot fighter to consoles AND will also mark its handheld debut. New arenas, characters, (including Megaman!) and features are sure to make Super Smash Bros a must own on almost anyone’s list. Scheduled for a vague 2014 release, we can calm our excitement with daily updates at smashbros.com… although sometimes I think it makes the wait so much worse!

Chibi Robo: Photo Finder

Another late 2013 surprise, Chibi Robo didn’t get nearly as much fanfare as Hyrule Warriors before it. Nonetheless, for a series many considered all but dead outside of Japan, seeing Photo Finder get a U.S. release date was a high note for fans of the cult Gamecube classic. Once again being tasked with bringing joy to all around it, Chibi Robo must help create a museum of artifacts by collecting your own household items. Photo Finder is available now on the eShop for an insanely low price of $10, so I suggest checking it out. Expect a full review in the coming days!

Bravely Default

As I mentioned in my preview article, Bravely Default hits all the right notes for old school RPG fans looking for a nostalgia trip. Its tough enemies, interchangeable job system and classic fantasy setting blends in well with the new features added, especially the Brave, Default and StreetPass functions. Are you an RPG and a 3DS fan? Then mark February 7th on your calendars, because Bravely Default is looking like a fantastic ride.

Yoshi’s New Island

Produced by Takashi Tezuka, the creative director of the original Yoshi’s Island, Nintendo is looking to bring the modern feel to the classic Yoshi game play in the same way New Super Mario Bros has for gaming’s most popular plumber. Coming this spring, Yoshi’s New Island is looking to kick off a great year for Mario’s noble steed, especially if Yarn Yoshi makes it into 2014 as well.

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy

2014 marks the year of the gentleman with a double dose of Professor Layton. First up, the Professor, Luke and Emmy will head off towards their final showdown with Descole in Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy, which will simultaneously serve as the final game of the prequel trilogy AND the reported final game of the series. With more mysteries, picarats and puzzles you can tip your top had towards, this beloved series will get the sendoff it deserves come February 28^th.

Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney

The second Layton game this year will be the crossover that many have been clamoring over for what feels like forever, (myself included!) After being in localization hell for far too long, 2013 confirmed that we would FINALLY see the Ace Attorney and the Top Hat Professor team up Stateside. Combining the court room drama of Ace Attorney with the puzzle solving challenges of the Layton series, a 2014 release window means we’ll finally get to experience this dream team.

Kirby’s Triple Deluxe

Kirby’s 3DS debut is coming later in 2014 for us, but word out of Japan, (where it just released this weekend,) says that this game is a must own for platforming fans. Bringing back old and new copy abilities alike, with upgraded stage design thanks to foreground and background portions of each level, the long awaited debut of the pink puff ball on the 3DS seems like it will be worth the wait. Plus, the bonus “Kirby Fighter” mode seems like an interesting use of multiplayer, pitting Kirby against Kirby in a fight for copy ability superiority. Keep an eye out as details emerge for this title.

Soul Sacrifice Delta

As one of the better Vita exclusive games last year, it’s no surprise that Soul Sacrifice is getting a follow up with Delta. From the mind of Keiji Inafune, the father of Megaman, this “kind of, but not really” Monster Hunter clone will once again pit sorcerers against various monsters told through the journals of sorcerers of the past, but this time, players will be able to reject the gods by choosing neutral options rather than be forced to sacrifice or save fallen enemies. With a March 2014 release date in Japan, look for it to hit stateside later in the year.

Of course, there are numerous games slated for 2014 that weren’t listed here, but that’s just a testament to how great of a year this is looking to be for gamers across all platforms. Is there a game here that you think isn’t worth mentioning? How about a favorite upcoming title that we missed? Let us know below and let us know what you’re looking forward to in this upcoming year of gaming!

‘OlliOlli’ Will Make You Want A Playstation Vita

by Derek KraneveldtJanuary 9, 2014

Briefly: I’ve never been much of a proponent of the Playstation Vita. I purchased one at launch, only to sell it a few months later (there really weren’t any games at the time), and picked up yet another unit last February, which subsequently sat and collected dust (I expected it to solely become a Remote Play machine), until Media Molecule’s glorious Tearaway debuted in November.

Soon, I’ll have a new Vita game to play, and I feel like it’s one that I’ll be putting many, many hours into. Take a look at the trailer for OlliOlli below, and you’ll see what I mean.

It’s been a long, long time since a good skating game was released (Skate 2 was great, and the last great Tony Hawk title was probably the first in the Underground series), and OlliOlli definitely looks like it will breathe some much-needed life into the genre. It also looks excitingly different from anything we’ve played before, and is a perfect example of a game that fits perfectly on mobile, but likely wouldn’t translate well to a mobile phone, as you need buttons and precision for a game like this.

I can’t wait to get my hands on OlliOlli. It’s a Vita exclusive, and it hits PSN on January 21st.

You may want to pick up a Trigger Grip for this one.

Assemble for the Lego Marvel Super Heroes PC Demo

by MoreLikeAndyOctober 14, 2013

Over the weekend of NYCC 2013, Marvel announced that the playable demo for Lego Marvel Super Heroes will be available later this week for Xbox 360 and PS3. If you’re impatient, like I am, you can head on over to the official homepage at Lego to download a PC trial version right now!

In the demo, you can expect to see heroes such as The Hulk and Iron Man take it to the villains Sandman and Abomination. Demos are suppose to give you a good idea if you’ll end up liking the game enough to purchase when it releases. When Lego Marvel Super Heroes launches on October 22, 2013 for every current-gen system with the PS4 and Xbox One version following in November, you won’t need a demo to tell you that this will be a game you’ll want to play.

Source [Eurogamer]

Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Killzone: Mercenary’

by MoreLikeAndySeptember 4, 2013

Where there is war, there are emotionless individuals behind the scenes working for both sides. To these individuals, it doesn’t matter who wins in the end, as long as the checks keep clearing. In Killzone: Mercenary, you are one of these profiteers.

Arran Danner is your name, and doing some dirty work for some cold hard Vektans (the currency in the Killzone universe) is the game. The main campaign of Killzone: Mercenary takes Arran through many of the events of the Killzone trilogy. Even if you can’t remember anything from the previous titles, the story is pretty easy to follow since there is not much there to begin with. Trying to make Arran have doubts about what he’s doing is tough when the character never talks. Being a first-person-shooter also means you’ll never see his face, so any emotional tug on the heartstrings the developers want to happen fall flat.

Missions in Killzone: Mercenary are separated into nine areas that all seem fairly short. Completing the campaign in around five hours was disappointing for me, but only because I really wanted to keep playing. There are incentives to go back and replay missions by selecting contracts to complete. Three different contracts for each mission has set goals for you to accomplish. Covert contracts usually have you trying to make it through the mission without getting spotted or racking up a certain amount of stealth kills. Demolition contracts are all about seeing just how much explosions you can cause to the enemies or the environment. Precision contracts are for the speed run folks. Besides doing certain tasks like rescuing hostages, you have to make it to the end of the mission in a set time limit. I wish that the PS Vita had video out for the flood of speed runs for precision contracts we would have on YouTube.

Making an FPS on a handheld device is a task that seems near impossible for any developer to try and create. Guerrilla Cambridge seems to have outdone themselves with just how well Killzone: Mercenary controls as well as how it looks. If you would have told me this was a PS3 game being played on the PS Vita through remote play, I would be inclined to believe you. Killzone: Mercenary is one of the most gorgeous looking games I have seen on a PS Vita, ever. Since it’s using a version of the Killzone 3 engine, it shouldn’t be a surprise that everything from the shadows, the lighting and little details throughout the game are nothing short of stunning.

Despite the awkwardness of playing an FPS on a handheld, Killzone: Mercenary very much feels like a console title. The smaller screen does limit the field of view, thus cutting reaction time down, but I was still able to aim and shoot without any trouble. Running did pose a little problem since there is no clicking of the analog sticks in on the the PS Vita. Having the run ability tied to a button or the rear touch screen was odd at first, though with a little time it became easier to adjust.

I was delighted to find that the touch controls were very unobtrusive and used in a minimalistic fashion in Killzone: Mercenary. Hacking terminals and doors required a matching game on your forearm-mounted computer by tapping the correct symbols on the lock. Having 3 seconds left after going through three levels of hacking on a terminal before an alarm sounds was more fun than I thought it could be. Planting and arming bombs was also a simplistic affair. Following the arrow prompts on-screen, two quick rotations is all you need , but just make sure you’re far enough away before detonating (I learned the hard way just how big the blast radius is).

If you want to earn more Vektan as well as experience (since they are one in the same), you might want to sneak your way around. It felt odd trying to play stealthily when FPS’s are known for their run-and-gun approach. To help in sneaking around, there are weapons, armor and VAN-Guards to supplement you. My main loadout for most of the campaign was a silenced sub-machine gun, a dart gun that incapacitated an enemy long enough to get a silent melee kill, and armor that silenced my movements. Switching between different loadouts is easily done by using boxes marked on the mini-map by the arms dealer, Blackjack. So if stealth isn’t your thing, Killzone: Mercenary gives you the option to tackle the missions with whatever play style you are comfortable with.

VAN-Guards are equivalent to score streak rewards in Black Ops II. An even mix of defensive and offensive VAN-Guards gives you enough choices to pick what is best for you, from a flying drone that shoots down precision orbital strikes to a personal energy shield, there is no shortage of tactics that you can deploy. I ended up going with the stealth VAN-Guard since taking out the guards one by one until the place was cleared ended up being very challenging. I felt rewarded not only in bonus Vektans but in satisfaction of my skill.

Combat was joyous, until you figure out that when the enemies are on alert and hunting you down, hiding in a corner breaks the game. The A.I. will toss an endless supply of grenades to flush you out if there are openings for the deadly explosives to enter. It’s a good thing that there are conveniently placed sealed rooms with just a door to funnel the enemies through. Once the arena was cleared of enemies, you could just waltz your way to the next checkpoint.

Once you’re finished with the single player campaign, carry over anything you have unlocked or purchased to the multiplayer arena of Killzone: Mercenary. Free-for-all, team deathmatch and team objective-based Warzone may seem like a pittance of modes until you remember that these modes are just about what every FPS has these days. As much fun as I had running around and collecting Valor cards that other players drop when killed, I had even more fun using the Mantys Engine to fly around a use its spiked pincher to wreck havoc. At first thought VAN-Guards might seem to be very unbalanced, but when you are down in last place and get that 5-kill streak going and finish in the top 3, you’ll be very thankful to have them. Spawning in the claustrophobic maps is troublesome since you will mostly end up very close to the person who just killed you. It keeps the game moving and gives everyone a fighting chance though I can see some hating to die consistently to bad spawns.

Killzone: Mercenary has beautiful art direction, near perfect controls, plenty of choices in the single player campaign with an engaging, fun-filled multiplayer. With a more fulfilling story and smarter A.I., Guerrilla Cambridge would have solved the perplexing puzzle that so many others are striving to figure out; FPS games on the PS Vita.

Killzone: Mercenary is certainly worth picking up (come on, what else are Vita owners playing these days?), and scores a cool 4/5.

http://youtu.be/mlyRAKPEZqM

Everybody’s Gaming For The Weekend Of August 17th, 2012!

by MoreLikeAndyAugust 17, 2012

With the insane amount of info pouring out of Gamescom combined with three really big games released this week –one of them being Sleeping Dogs which I reviewed, You might not have time for anything this weekend. For those few that have all the time in the world or power through their new games too fast, here are some things you should look at this weekend.

Iron Brigade – PC, XBLA

I can be one of those people who said, “I played this when it was called Trenched“, but that wouldn’t benefit me other than showing that I am a douche. One of the few Tower Defense style games that I really love playing, Iron Brigade comes to the PC with the Rise of the Martian Bear DLC free that console players had to pay for. It’s not as fun protecting your base alone so grab a few of your friends and fire up those mobile trenches for some Monovision stomping fun.

Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack – PC, PS Vita

Everyone that was smart enough to purchase a PS Vita already experienced the wonderful Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack. Using the touch screen controls mixed with some traditional 2-D platforming as a blob makes its way to the PC as well, without the touch controls of course. Getting Steam achievements, cloud saves or new mini-games might not be enough for PS Vita owners double dip but we can at least show the naysayers what a great puzzle-platformer they’ve been missing out on all this time.

Hero Academy – iOS, PC

Hero Academy is a great turn-based, tactics style game that feels so much like chess that it brings me back to my high school days of 5th period study hall. Trying different strategies for your turn in the match before submitting it to your opponent is perfect for when I am in the line at the bank or at the grocery store. Robot Entertainment decide that we all need this kind of distraction in our lives while on the PC. Bringing Hero Academy to Steam, you will see everything that is in the iOS version. You even get the Team Fortress 2 team on your iOS version if you buy the Steam version of Hero Academy. If going through emails in-between writing and playing game for review were’t a distraction enough, with Hero Academy running minimized until it is my turn against someone that could be on their iOS device or Steam, I don’t think I will ever get anything done at all!

Everybody’s Gaming For The Weekend Of August 10th, 2012!

by MoreLikeAndyAugust 10, 2012

With crippling back pain these past couple of days, I won’t be moving much, if at all, this weekend. At least my timing is good since this week there are a plethora of games to play on portable and non-portable devices alike.

Super Stardust HD Bundle – PSN

An oldie but goodie, the wonderful folks at Housemarque decide for the 5th anniversary of releasing the first Playstation Network game to offer trophies, they would put Super Stardust HD in a bundle for $7.99. Getting the game as well as all three DLC items released for it is a great deal for a fantastic twin-stick shooter that is as close to any game could possibly come to the beloved Geometry Wars series on XBLA. If you are one of the few that haven’t bought this in the five years it’s been out, now’s the time to jump on this deal for Super Stardust HD.

Sound Shapes – PSN, PS Vita

Buying once, playing everywhere in the confines of the Playstation ecosystem, is something that I want to happen more. Even if your game is not that good, I would buy it just to have the option of either using my PS3 while at my desk, or my PS Vita while out getting groceries to finally eat something other than ramen noodles. Side-scrolling platformer with a huge focus on the musical aspect of each level. Traversing the levels collecting dots that increase the number of tones playing in the background of the level is the main focus of Sound Shapes as well as user created levels. This musical Little Big Planet-esque gem is a must for PS Vita and PS3 owners alike.

Gasketball – iOS

Tell me this doesn’t reek of late night infomercials:

Even with the 100 pre-made levels, the big appeal here is playing all the user created content. Hopefully, enough people shell out $2.99 for the the complete level-building kit so we have a never-ending flow of crazy Gasketball levels.

Atlus Invites Everyone To Celebrate ‘HOJAEFJAAM’ On PSN

by MoreLikeAndyJuly 4, 2012

Before you gorge yourself on too many beef products and cheap beer this 4th of July, turn on your PS3 and have a look at the 50 percent off sale Atlus has going for most of their catalog of games on PSN.

The “Half Off Just About Everything For Just About A Month” sale has something for everyone here. Here is the list of games on sale:

Class of Heroes — $7.49 (originally $14.99)
Crimson Gem Saga — $7.49 (originally $14.99)
Hexyz Force — $7.49 (originally $14.99)
Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble — $7.49 (originally $14.99)
Riviera: The Promised Land — $4.99 (originally $9.99)
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona — $9.99 (originally $19.99)
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Innocent Sin — $14.99 (originally $29.99)
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable — $9.99 (originally $19.99)
Knights in the Nightmare — $7.49 (originally $14.99)
Yggdra Union — $4.99 (originally $9.99)
Droplitz — $4.99 (originally $9.99)
The Cursed Crusade — $14.99 (originally $29.99)
Catherine — $19.99 (originally $39.99)
Trine 2 — $7.49 (originally $14.99)
Rock of Ages — $4.99 (originally $9.99)

Notable ones on that list are the whole Persona series, Trine 2 and Catherine. This is as good as a time as any for PS Vita owners to get some really good RPG’s. I mean, it’s not like you have anything else to really play on your PS Vita, right?

In case you are already drunk, not to worry. Once you recover in the emergency room at the hospital from blowing your fingers off, the sale will still be around until July 31st. Plenty of time to learn how to use a Playstation controller with your remaining appendages on your hands.

Vita Sales Double With the Release of Persona 4: The Golden in Japan

by MoreLikeAndyJune 21, 2012

When will companies learn. You can’t have a great handheld gaming system without great games. When there are games to actually play at a regular interval on your portable system, people are happy. When people are happy, they spend money on your products.

Case in point, according to Andriasang.com, the PS Vita more than doubled its sales from 13,383 to 34,549 in one week. All this because Persona 4: The Golden was released. Of course, this is in Japan but you can see that if games come out regularly and are good, people will buy your products. Although Gravity Rush came out this month, it almost feels like the US has to wait too long in between releases to really feel like the PS Vita was worth buying at launch. Let’s hope the Fall gaming season has a lot more to offer for the poor PS Vita so I can stop using it mainly as my Twitter feed/Netflix machine.

Want to Attend E3 2012 AND Compete In a PS Vita Themed Scavenger Hunt?

by JonathanMay 22, 2012

My friend Paul Gordon who works in casting just sent me a note that they are looking for people who want to both attend E3 AND compete in a broadcast scavenger hunt using PS Vitas and your own smarts! Also, you and your friend have to live in Southern California!

The teams are teams of two so you’ll need a friend who is as quick on their feet as they are in the brain! And you’ll need a friend who wants a chance to win a PS Vita and a 3 day pass to E3!

Here’s the original casting call that Paul sent me. Good luck!

CALLING ALL GAMERS!!! Here is your chance to attend E3!!!

ICONIC CASTING is searching for GAMERS to compete at E3 in a scavenger hunt being televised online.

You and a partner will have to compete in an extreme scavenger hunt at E3 using only a PlayStation Vita and your wits. We are looking for teams of two; friends, siblings, couples, co-workers, ex’s, on-line buddies, etc, to compete in this one day challenge that will give you access to the most exclusive gaming event of the year, E3.

The winning team members will each win a PlayStation Vita and a three day pass to E3.

Getting into E3 is always invitation only, but this is your shot to gain access.

To tryout send the following to paulgordoncasting@gmail.com

-NAME
-AGE
-RELATIONSHIP TO YOUR PARTNER
-PHONE NUMBER OF YOU AND YOUR PARTNER
-PICTURE OF YOU AND YOUR PARTNER
-A PARAGRAPH ON WHY YOU & YOUR PARTNER SHOULD BE THE ONE’S WE PICK FOR THE SHOW

All applicants must be 18+
All applicants must live in the Southern California Region.