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‘Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes’ Is Now Available, Check Out The Launch Trailer!

by Derek KraneveldtMarch 18, 2014

Briefly: As short as Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes is (I finished the main mission in 90 minutes, though there are still side missions to complete), it’s also everything that I was hoping it would be. The game is truly the evolution that the Metal Gear series needed, and secured the franchise’s place as the king of stealth action games. I was sure worried about the new camera and viewpoint, the lack of radar, and a multitude of other removals/additions, but, as a life-long Metal Gear fan, I’m very impressed.

The game is also freaking gorgeous.

The story is convoluted as all-hell (in classic MGS style), so if you’re a newcomer (or even if you’re not) the game may not make a lot of sense, but it’s still well worth picking up.

You can take a look at the launch trailer for Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes below, and be sure to let us know if you plan to pick it up!

The Final New Fighter In ‘Ultra Street Fighter IV’ Is… Decapre!?

by Josh JacksonMarch 17, 2014

With Ultra Street Fighter IV’s announcement last summer, along with it came the promise of five new fighters that are ready to jump into the ring. Four of those five included Street Fighter X Tekken alumni Poison, Hugo, Elena and Rolento with the fifth being shrouded in mystery. Some thought it would be Azura, the star of Capcom’s Azura’s Wrath. Not a bad guess considering his game had DLC pitting him against Ryu and Akuma in a Street Fighter type fight. A good guess doesn’t equal a right one however, since Capcom put the speculation to rest with the announcement of Decapre as the final addition to the already large roster.

Who is Decapre and why should you care? As one of M. Bison’s “dolls” from Street Fighter Alpha 3, she was in the background of one of the game’s victory poses. Like Cammy before she escaped, her role is to serve as one of the evil dictator’s hand picked fighters who’s ultimate goal is to serve as an extra body for him to inhabit. Why he wants to place his soul in the bodies of genetically modified girls is anyone’s guess, but hey! I won’t judge.

Watching her in action, Decapre looks A LOT like Cammy. In fact, variations of her Cannon Strike and Cannon Spike moves can be seen in her reveal trailer below, along with Bison’s own Psycho Crusher. Overall, she looks like an interesting blend of playstyles, but I would have preferred someone more original, especially since the other four were essentially ripped from Street Fighter X Tekken aside from a few differences. Of course, we won’t be able to tell for sure until the game releases in June of this year as a DLC add on to Arcade Edition for $14.99. If you don’t own it, a standalone game with all previous DLC included will launch in August for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 for $39.99.

Is Decapre going to be joining your go to fighter list when Ultra releases? Is there anyone else you would have rather included? And how cruel was it to tease R. Mika in the trailer? And if your favorite didn’t get included, don’t worry. There’s always “Ultra Super Street Fighter IV Championship Tournament Edition: Arcade 2015” to look forward to. This is Street Fighter we’re talking about.

PlayStation Home Update Brings Trophy Support

by MoreLikeAndyMarch 12, 2014

Home is where the heart is, be it PlayStation Home or your real one. PlayStation Home is now also the residence of shiny new trophies as Sony announced that trophy support has been added to the virtual wonderland. Spotted in a tweet by the PlayStation Europe community manager Chris Owen, version 1.86 will bring trophy support to everyone once the new version is up for everyone to install. If you are one of the many that spend a lot of time actually doing things in PlayStation Home, you will be happy to know that trophies will be gained retroactively if you have already met the requirements for said trophies. The list of trophies for the new PlayStation Home update are as follows:

Gold

There’s No Place Like Home – Visit PlayStation Home on 50 different days.

Silver

Wherever I Lay My Hat – Own 3 purchased or rewarded apartments or clubhouses

Brand New Toy – Own 3 purchased or rewarded portable items

Nice Gadget! – Own 15 purchased or rewarded furniture or active items

Bronze

Welcome Home – Log in to PlayStation Home

A Place to Call My Own – Visit your Harbor Studio apartment

Interior Designer – Use 15 unique, purchased or rewarded furniture items in an apartment

Fresh Threads – Own 15 purchased or rewarded clothing items

A New You – Change each item of clothing individually on a male or female avatar

A Documentary – Take a photo on 10 different days

Welcome Guest – Visit a friend’s apartment

Grand Explorer – Visit 20 unique spaces

Born to Dance – Perform 5 of the default dances

As you can see from the list above, there is no Platinum trophies. Not that big of a deal since only the major trophy chasers care to get them. Even though PlayStation Home has no plans to come to the PS4, Sony is still committed to pushing out new content on a weekly basis on the PS3 to the unforeseeable future. Looks like a lot of trophy junkies are set to rush to their PS3’s and download PlayStation Home starting today. Let’s hope that the network can take the beating.

Source [Chris Owen’s Twitter]

The ‘Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD’ Rerelease Is Almost Here! Watch The Launch Trailer Now!

by Derek KraneveldtMarch 11, 2014

Briefly: We’re just one week away from the North American launch of Square-Enix’s HD rerelease of Final Fantasy X and X-2 HD, and the publisher has just debuted the launch trailer for the game.

I’m beyond excited to play this one. I first played Final Fantasy X as an 11 year-old, and as such, the only thing that I really remember is that I loved it. I can’t wait to reexperience Tidus, Blitzball, Sin, and everything that the game has to offer now that I’m an adult.

And I’ve never played X-2!

Take a look at the trailer below, and let us know if you’ll be picking up the game. Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD launches on March 18th!

Check Out This Awesome Footage From The Canceled Sequel To ‘Crash Team Racing’

by Shane O'HareMarch 10, 2014

The crew over at Crash Mania silently released a video of footage from a reportedly canceled (in 2010) sequel to the PS1 kart racing game Crash Team Racing. What they have released shows off huge graphical increase, new characters and a slew of new karts to bomb around in. Check out the footage they’ve released below.

The game was slated to be released on Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. The cancellation of a new Crash Bandicoot platformer, which was originally planned to be released along side the kart racer, was the inevitable downfall for this racing game.

Some of the noted new features were the inclusion of a series of kart mods:

Standard Tires: Regular tires with no special effects.

Crab Tires: At home on the asphalt or sand. These tires loose(sic) no traction on beaches and dunes.

Octopus Tires: The suctions(sic) cups on these tires allow for driving on smooth VERTICAL surfaces.
Blowfish Tires: These tires can be used to race on water.
Standard Engine: A regular engine with no special effects.
Pig Engine: An engine that belches out flames to boost your speed.
Electric Eel Engine: Surging with electricity this engine shocks enemies on contact.
Frog Engine: Hop to new heights with this engines(sic) powerful double jump feature.
Standard Bumper: A regular bumper with no special effects.
Crab Bumper: This greedy kart bumper snatches power-ups and wumpa fruit from other drivers.
Warthog Bumper: This heavy weight bumper easily rams aside all other karts with its tusks. (Also good for breaking rocks and other obstacles.)
Armadillo Bumper: This bumper rolls into a ball that’s immune to attacks when the brakes are applied.

For a complete list of new features, and more on the story of why this game was canned, head on over to the Crash Mania Website.

Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘South Park: The Stick Of Truth’

by Josh JacksonMarch 7, 2014

Back when South Park started its legendary run in 1997, I remember being an eager kid who couldn’t wait to get my hands on anything and everything related to the show, (since I was obviously part of its intended audience). Unfortunately for me, this included games. Games which were horrible. Sadly, save for a handful of exceptions, South Park has been a property that has consistently churned out awful games. Hoping to turn that around, South Park: The Stick Of Truth aims to put gamers into an episode of the show, complete with it outlandish humor, absurd scenarios and tons of vulgarity. TV shows rarely translate into a good game, but with South Park, it turns out to be a very strong exception.

Placed in the shoes of a new kid who just moved into the town, players can customize him with a variety of hair and clothing options before being tossed head first into town. Getting dragged in to a game of Wizards and Warriors that the boys are playing, it doesn’t take long before Grand Wizard Cartman recruits him in his war against the elves, officially joining the Kingdom of Kupa Keep, (or the KKK for short.)

A war between human and elf… And Princess Kenny.

Exploring the city of South Park feels just like you were watching an episode of the show. The town’s citizens, the look of the buildings, the background music and the snarky comments they make have that ~~offensive~~ authentic show feel. Thanks to the script being written by show creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, it explains why the game gets everything so right script wise. Plus, if you’re a fan of the show, you’re sure to spot the almost countless references from the show. From the movie theater playing Asses of Fire 2, the Tweek Bros. Coffee Shop, City Wok and Skeeter’s Bar, if it’s been on the show, it’s likely in the game.

Exploring the city will often grant you side quests to complete for the town’s citizens. Since fights net you so little XP, the best way to level up is to complete as many of these missions as possible, allowing you to upgrade your combat abilities, use better equipment and weapons. Upon completion, most missions will allow you to add these citizens to your Facebook friends list, which unlocks new perks to customize your character with. Who says it doesn’t pay off to help people?

Summons like Mr. Kim are hysterical.

As for the game’s original content, it’s every bit as disturbing, uncomfortable and laugh out loud hilarious as you would expect with something bearing the South Park name. I’m not going to give any of those moments away since they’re best experienced without any idea going in, but let’s just say that you’ll be doing things that you might never have expected you would every do in a video game. The story itself is just as funny, lampooning video game tropes while mixing in the celebrity lampooning and social commentary you would expect. In typical show fashion, the boy’s game of pretend gets caught up in a potentially Earth shattering event, pitting then against such menaces as the homeless, vicious sewer mice and even other friends. And somehow, it manages to sustain its comedic qualities all the way through.

Gameplay wise, The Stick Of Truth is a turn based RPG reminiscent of more interactive combat systems such as the Mario RPG series or The Legend Of Dragoon. After choosing one of the four in game classes, (consisting of a Warrior, Thief, Mage or Jew), each character can take on enemies using their class specific abilities and their buddy at their side. The combat system is a little more lenient compared to your typical game in the genre, allowing players or their buddy to use an item, special ability, (which is unique to each party member), or summon as they’re unlocked without taking up the turn. Combat abilities, switching party members, magic and attacks take up one turn, but can be powered up with specific button prompts. Once the opponent’s turn rolls around, perfect timing with the guard button defends against their attacks, reducing damage in the process.

Combat is more fun than you’d ever expect from a licensed game.

In one sense, the game feels almost too easy at points. All HP and PP heals after every battle, nearly limitless items will keep you in good shape and certain weapons are really powerful. On the flip side, certain locales act as dungeons, which are basically long sets of fights that usually end in a big boss battle. Not having to manage hurt characters throughout the gauntlet is definitely a good thing. Not only that, but enemies are unforgiving, so if you mess up, you’re likely going to die. It’s a bit of a give and take. Later in the game, enemies have much higher armor, so weapons do very little damage. At this point, stacking status effects on your opponents becomes key, and really sets the game apart from the typical, “mash attack to win” formula many RPGs adopt. I just wish it would have been more of a mixed bag instead of one or the other, since the early game doesn’t offer enough viable abilities to exploit the status effects, while the late game relies on them far too much. Overall though, the gameplay is ridiculously addictive, if not a little rough.

But humor and authenticity aside, there are a few glaring flaws that Stick of Truth missed by a mile. For one, there is no option to skip a turn or defend for your main character, making it harder to prolong fights when trying to farm for items as the thief for example. In typical Obsidian fashion, the game is full of bugs, ranging from small ones like spawning in a wall, to big ones like story missions flat out not proceeding, (make sure you have a couple of back up saves ready to load). As awesome as the town is, you can see the entire thing in about 45 minutes, so it’s easy to get tired of the scenery real quickly, (especially since some important locations are nowhere to be found. Let’s hope they’re saving those for a potential sequel).

These complaints are mostly minor, but the two biggest oversights are the lack of post game content and locking players out of dungeons permanently, both of which could have been solved by a New Game +. At around 12 hours, the game’s length is perfect for the story that was told, containing little to no filler along the way, but some extra missions, side quests or bonus bosses would have been nice. To make matters worse, almost every dungeon cannot be re-entered after completing them, all of which contain collectables like Facebook friends, equipment, weapons and Chinpokomon dolls, (remember those?) If you miss any of those, guess what? It’s back to a new game for you!

This aspect makes zero sense. If you could go back into dungeons post game, it would have added to the exploration aspect of the game while alleviating the monotony of the city. If you had a new game plus that let you replay your game with all of your collectables, you could go back and find what you’re missing while fully maxing out your character, (since the level cap doesn’t give you enough ability points to do so). For some reason, the developers did neither, and the game suffers for it.

Welcome to the Kingdom of Kupa Keep.

Regardless, South Park: The Stick Of Truth had a ton of care put into its story, writing and gameplay, and the results show. As one of the best licensed games in recent memory, the game is sure to hit the nostalgia nerve of longtime fans repeatedly while leaving them in stitches the whole way through. It’s sad to think that this game could have been an early game of the year contender if it wasn’t for the lack of post game content, the large amount of glitches or the lack of variety in the setting, but here’s to hoping a sequel eventually brings the full potential out of the winning formula the guys and girls at Obsidian and South Park Studios have cooked up. If you’re a fan of the show, this is a no brainer. The Stick Of Truth belongs in your consoles. Seriously you guys!

Positives:

+ An authentic show feel, complete with a slew of characters, references and locations.

+ A laugh out loud script that will have you in tears from beginning to end when your jaw’s not on the floor thanks to its absurd scenarios.

+ The creative interactive combat system tends to reward strategy and status effects over brute force.

Negatives:

– Glitches galore can range from minor annoyances to game breaking.

– A lack of post game content feels like the developers fell asleep at the wheel, especially since collectables and upgrades make the game ripe for a new game + feature.

– Locking players out of dungeons permanently takes away from the exploration aspect of the game, leaving only the repetitive town and two small areas.

Final score: 3.5/5

‘Watch Dogs’ To Finally Launch On May 27th, Watch A New Trailer!

by Derek KraneveldtMarch 6, 2014

Briefly: Ubisoft has been all-but-silent on the Watch Dogs front since the game was delayed back in October. Today, the publisher officially announced the game’s new release date, and also released a new story trailer for the anticipated title.

The new trailer gives us a much better sense of just what’s going on in the game, which is something that wasn’t overly clear before. We also see Aiden’s motivations for his actions, and a ton of new action to boot.

You can take a look at the new story trailer below, and be sure to let us know what you think. Watch Dogs will launch on PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, and PS4 on May 27th. The Wii U version is currently without a release date.

http://youtu.be/B6XCYB57q2A

First Images Of ‘Battlefield 4: Naval Strike’ Revealed

by Shane O'HareFebruary 28, 2014

We’ve been teased and teased and teased and now we finally have some hard factual action. The team over at DICE have just released these images along side some concrete details for the upcoming Battlefield 4 expansion pack. Check out our Naval Strike gallery and details below.

Battlefield 4 Naval Strike takes the dramatic water-based combat introduced in Battlefield 4 to four all-new maps set in the South China Sea. Take control over new weapons and gadgets, pilot the new hovercraft vehicle, and experience the Carrier Assault game mode in this intense expansion pack.

Water-based combat has always been a vital part of the all-out war of Battlefield 4, and with Battlefield 4 Naval Strike the fights at sea are more intense than ever. With the introduction of the amphibious hovercraft vehicle, your possibilities to dominate the sea will be even greater.

Blow open a crashed passenger plane and capture fishing villages across the tropical Lost Islands. Drop a submarine on your foes as you infiltrate a naval base or rush between shipping docks and rocky islands on the massive Wave Breaker map. Wage war across stormy seas in the largest ocean stretch in a Battlefield map yet with Nansha Strike. Storm an abandoned cliff-side resort, or get lost in the breathtaking vistas in Operation Mortar.

Battlefield 4 Naval Strike lets you re-live the classic Titan Mode of Battlefield 2142, with the introduction of the Carrier Assault game mode. Stay tuned to the Battlefield Blog for more details on this re-imagining of a classic.

The biggest draw for me, and most BF4 gamers, is the return of “Titan Mode”. Back in Battlefield 2142, there was this incredibly fun game type, where players would have to take up the challenge of attacking the other sides giant flying spaceship whilst defending their own. The goal was to take down the enemy Titan’s shields, board the flying behemoth and destroy the crafts nuclear core. Then it was a mad dash to get out before it exploded.

This gametype was so next level fun, and provided a unique dichotomy for gameplay. You’d have the large scale vehicle combat you’d expect from Battlefield 2142, but then have to change roles to tight infantry combat. It was an amazing time to be a gamer.

I am very excited to see how DICE bring Titan Mode to Battlefield 4. You can get your hands on Naval Strike near the end of March, and if you have Premium you can get in on it two weeks early!

The ‘A Realm Reborn: Final Fantasy XIV’ PS4 Beta Is Live! Square Enix Explains Character Transfers

by Josh JacksonFebruary 25, 2014

Waiting for something to play on your brand new PS4? Do you need something to kill the time until InFamous: Second Son rolls around? Well then I have some good news courtesy of Square Enix! The free beta for A Realm Reborn: Final Fantasy XIV is available for all to download and play to their hearts content, surely losing any social life you may or may not have in the process!

Going on until March 3rd, this first phase of the planned tests on the PS4 will let you get your start in the land of Eorzea. Don’t get too attached to your character though, because all characters will be deleted when the beta ends.

Thankfully, phase 2, which starts on April 4th, won’t have such restrictions. In fact, you’ll be able to import existing characters on the normal in game servers or create a brand new adventurer. Unlike phase 1, all data will be retained when the game is released on April 14th, so you’ll be free to explore away! In fact, phase 2 participants will be able to upload their progress and begin playing on April 11th, three days ahead of the standard release. And the best part? PS3 owners transferring to the PS4 will be able to upgrade at no extra charge. Be warned though, if you do so, you won’t be able to use that account on the PS3 without buying another copy.

Thinking about upgrading? Square Enix released this nifty trailer explaining why moving to the PS4 is the way to go. Get ready to bring adventuring to the next generation as that April release date draws nearer.

‘Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes’ Gets A Price Drop Before Release

by Josh JacksonFebruary 25, 2014

Gamers can attest to the fact that games seem to be dropping in price sooner and sooner, but to drop before the game is released? Well, that’s exactly what’s happening with the physical Xbox One and PS4 versions of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, which will now retail for $30 as opposed to its original $40 tag.

Acting as a prequel to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Ground Zeroes will set up Big Boss’ characterization heading into the main story, further detailing his decent into the vengeful antagonist he became in the previous Metal Gear titles. So why is the price being reduced? According to publisher Konami,

“[the price drop will] provide as many people as possible an opportunity to experience [Ground Zeroes]”

If you ask me, it probably has more to do with the backlash over the idea that the game is VERY short. Either way, our pockets win this time.

Does this affect your decision to pick up the game? Which system are you getting it for? Check out Konami’s comparison video and let it help you decide which one to get, assuming you can see a difference. Ground Zeroes will release on March 18th with The Phantom Pain following it in 2015.

Source: Gamespot.com

‘Persona 5’ And Its Many Spinoffs Are Officially Headed Stateside!

by Josh JacksonFebruary 25, 2014

Remember last fall when we were waiting on baited breath for Atlus’ mysterious Persona announcement? The end result was the official reveal of the long awaited Persona 5 along with a slew of spinoffs. The problem? These were only officially announced for Japan. Thankfully, Atlus hasn’t left us waiting for too long, because every one of these games are headed stateside! Yes, even the dancing one.

Starting with Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, this dungeon crawling RPG will unite the SEES from Persona 3 and the Investigation Team from Persona 4 in a chibi-fied 3DS exclusive in the style of Etrian Odyssey. Coming in the fall, Persona Q marks the first time the Persona series is coming to a Nintendo platform.

From the press release:

“Trapped in an other-world filled with Shadows, the protagonists from Persona 3 and Persona 4 each have different events to follow, allowing the player to choose and experience two different plotlines. As both groups seek a way out of the labyrinth, they will run in to two new characters, Rei and Zen, who may hold the secret to this new mystery,”

Next is the return of a favorite of fighting game fans like myself. Dropping the ridiculously awesome subtitle of Ultra Suplex Hold, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax returns to the P-1 Grand Prix with new fighters and moves. Bringing in Persona 3 favorites, Yukari and Junpei, as well as a brand new character in Sho Minazuki, it’ll be time to dust off the arcade sticks once Fall comes around.

As its predecessor, Ultimax will be released for the PS3 and Xbox 360. If our review of the original game is any indication, there’s plenty of reason for RPG and Fighting fans alike to get excited for the sequel.

On the Vita front, Persona will be returning to the platform following the excellent Persona 4 Golden, but not in the way you might expect. Persona 4: Dancing All Night brings the usually dark, morbid world of the series to the dance floor. Staring in game pop idol, Rise Kujikawa, this rhythm game comes from the good folks over at Dingo Inc, the developers of the Hatsune Miku series of titles.

What drives Rise and her friends to dance the night away? According to Atlus,

“After hearing rumors about the Midnight Stage, she checks a certain website at midnight and sees a mysterious movie clip and, you guessed it, winds up on the “other side.” Worse yet, she finds out her junior idol peers from the group Kanamin Kitchen are missing as well. She has no choice but to send an SOS to the Investigation Team to help rescue the missing idols.”

Hey, whatever gives us an excuse to put Yu Narukami’s massive amounts of swag on display, right? Dancing All Night will hit the Vita in 2015, so that will give us plenty of time to get in touch with our inner idol.

And of course, the main course. After years of waiting, Persona 5 is officially slated for a 2015 release on the PS3. A new English version of the original trailer was posted as well, but it still lands firmly in teaser territory. No, we have yet to see any solid details on what the game will be about, but we have five chairs! And at least we know we won’t have to wait too long.

Any Persona lovers amongst us Geekscapists? Which game are you looking forward to the most? One thing is for sure, the next year will be a good time to be a fan.

Source: Shacknews.com

Get Caught Up For ‘Lightning Returns’ With This 16 Bit Retelling of ‘Final Fantasy XIII’

by Josh JacksonFebruary 7, 2014

The Final Fantasy XIII saga will come to an end this Tuesday with the release of Lightning Returns. Do you want to jump into the game, but don’t have 60 plus hours to get caught up on its prequels? Do the words “l’Cie, Fal’Cie and Cie’th” mean absolutely nothing to you? Don’t worry, Square has you covered.

Retold in a 16 bit version that looks like it’s straight out of a Super Nintendo, this 8 minute video manages to condense two game’s worth of story into a neat little pixelated package.

If nothing else, the video makes me kind of want a 16 bit version of the series. I’d pay for a digital release right now if it were coming. Make it happen Square!

Watch the video below and tell me if you share my sentiment. Are you excited for Lightning Returns? Comment and tell us if you’re excited to see the series ride off into the sunset. And while it should go without saying, the video contains spoilers.

Become The Master Thief In This Incredible Trailer For The ‘Thief’ Reboot

by Shane O'HareFebruary 4, 2014

The long awaited next installment in the Thief series, Thief 4 takes Garrett into the next-gen and into a whole new world. Well actually, it’s more of a series reboot then the next in line. Guess we can’t call this series a Tetralogy.

Time to take your Thief 101 class and learn what you will need to do in order to become rich beyond your wildest desires.

You can steal a copy of Thief (4) this February 25th on: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC.

Telltale’s ‘The Wolf Among Us’ Episode 2 Gets A Release Date!

by Derek KraneveldtFebruary 1, 2014

Briefly: Telltale launched the first trailer for the second episode of The Wolf Among Us just a few days ago, and today the developer let us all know just how soon we can return to Fabletown.

Episode 2, Smoke and Mirrors will launch for Windows, OS X, and PS3 on Tuesday, February 4th, and will hit Xbox 360 (and European PS3’s) on February 5th. The episode will also release on the iOS App Store sometime next week.

Did you love episode 1 as much as we did? What do you hope to see in episode 2? Sound out below!

http://youtu.be/rHw7rRvh4vs

‘Sly Cooper’ Movie Incoming, Watch The First Teaser!

by Derek KraneveldtJanuary 28, 2014

Briefly: Following the announcement of a Ratchet & Clank movie last year, Sony has just revealed their next animated adventure, Sly Cooper.

First developed by Sucker Punch (who later moved on to the critically acclaimed Infamous franchise), Sly Cooper is an excellent stealth-action-platformer series that first debuted on the PS2 in 2002.

Here’s what Sony had to say about the newly announced film, and its first teaser trailer:

When we met with PlayStation to discuss the film last year, we proposed that the CG art style would transfer best in the leap to the big screen. Both PlayStation and Sucker Punch Productions (the original creators of the franchise) were kind enough to give us the chance to make this idea a reality. After a few months of development, the team at Rainmaker, along with Director Kevin Munroe, nailed it. Well, kind of…

The modeler gave Murray the wrong helmet, which was more like a motorcycle helmet — funny, but definitely NOT his signature one. And while we all loved the temp music track — which happened to be the theme to Mission Impossible — that music would have cost us a fortune to license. With those quirks worked out, we’re excited to bring you this first look and hope you enjoy it.

The Sly Cooper release is slated for 2016. The film will also be released in 3D for those who want to feel like they’re in the actual Sly Cooper world.

Now, take a look at the trailer below, let us know what you think, and be sure to share your favourite Sly Cooper moment in the comments below! Sly Cooper is slated to release in 2016.

Based on one of PlayStation’s most beloved franchises, Sly Cooper is a kinetic and comedic heist film that tells the story of Sly Cooper, an orphaned raccoon thief, and the adventures of his childhood friends and partners in crime, Bentley Turtle and Murray Hippo. In the film, Sly learns that he comes from a long line of talented, international thieves, and is catapulted into a global adventure. Sly races to reassemble pieces of an ancient book holding the Cooper clan’s family secrets before it can fall into the hands of Clockwerk — an evil metallic owl bent on ending the Cooper family line.

Get A First Look At ‘Middle Earth: Shadow Of Mordor’

by Shane O'HareJanuary 23, 2014

Damn…God damn…this looks AMAZING! From kind of out of left field, the crew over at Monolith (makers of my favorite FPS of all time; Shogo: Mobile Armor Division. As well as The Matrix Online MMO) have released this incredible 8-minute walkthrough of their next game. Check out “Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor”

Yeah, its very “Assassin’s Creed” but I do not care. It’s Assassin’s Creed in Middle Earth! Now I am not usually the go to guy for Sword and Sorcery, but this little demo has sold me on this particular concept.

The game is currently slated for a vague 2014 release, and it will be available on: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and ColecoVision.

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!

Geekscape Interviews: Compulsion Games’ Sam Abbot Talks ‘Contrast’, Playstation Plus, And The Future!

by Derek KraneveldtJanuary 10, 2014

Compulsion Games’ Contrast was one of the most original, unique titles that I had the pleasure of playing last year. The game hit Windows, Xbox 360, PS3, and PS4 back in November, and I didn’t even touch another PS4 title (PSN or retail) until I had explored every nook and cranny of the game.

If you haven’t had a chance to check the game out, I’d wholeheartedly recommend it. It’s one of the most memorable titles I’ve experienced in recent memory, and I’d love to see it get even more well deserved exposure. For now, read on for my interview with Compulsion Games’ Sam Abbot, and if you’ve played the game, be sure to let us know your thoughts!

DK: First of all, congrats on the launch! What’s been your favourite gamer reaction to ‘Contrast’ now that it’s available?

SA: Hard to say, because there have been so many awesome responses! But I think my favourite (excellent use of Canadian English there by the way) is a Youtube clip of a guy swearing for about 2 minutes trying to do the Gap jump (the bit just before the cinema). I’m pretty sure that means I’m a terrible person.

Seriously though, my favourite thing is hearing the diverse things that people liked (or didn’t) about the game. It’s a fascinating insight into the variation of humanity.

DK: ‘Contrast’ is an extremely original game in a sea of sequels and remakes. When was the idea for the game originally conceived, and where did that idea come from?

SA: The original shadow shifting idea was inspired by Portal – our creative director had previously been able to watch Valve ship the Orange Box. He wanted to make something that was as freeform and interesting as that and, as a graphics programmer, shadows seemed like a good fit. There were other mechanics once, too, but we put them by the wayside to focus on the shadow mechanic. We also focused more on the story as time went on, to help set it apart from the crowd.

DK: The title also features a compellingly unique art style. What made the team go with this gorgeous 1920’s Paris, and where did the design and idea for Dawn’s persona originate?

SA: Thank you! The art style in many ways was based on the mechanic – we wanted something that would work with the dreamscape setting, and would be a natural fit for a game about shadows. For example, the warped, towering nature of the landscape was inspired by German expressionism, which was about abstracting architecture (and was in vogue in movies made in the time period Contrast was set).

Dawn took quite some time to develop. Her being an imaginary friend was introduced and abandoned a few times over the project, but we settled on it in the end, because it helped her abilities make sense in the world we created. Her final visual design took a couple of years (she used to be blonde, wearing modern clothing), and it is loosely based on Didi’s impression of who she wants to be (athletic, adult, stylish, but also not sexualised).

DK: What was the biggest challenge of crafting a title like ‘Contrast’ with only a six-person team? Were there any benefits to developing with such a small group?

SA: So, a small caveat – we’re 6 people now, but we were 8 people up until 3 months before launch, and we had a number of partners helping us out from time to time (our friends PixelNAUTs did our environmental art, and WaveGeneration Audio did our audio work). The benefits of a small group are that everyone has a lot of creative freedom, but at the same time having a bigger team means you can create more content.

DK: ‘Contrast’ was featured as a last-minute addition to the Playstation+ ‘Instant Game Collection’ for PS4. How did Sony approach Compulsion Games for this opportunity? What has been the biggest benefit of being featured?

SA: They approached us around the time of Indiecade about joining their PS+ launch promotion. Things all happened very quickly once they decided they wanted Contrast at launch. The biggest benefit has undoubtedly been the exposure – we have had a huge number of people try out the game, most of which probably would not have without the PS+ promotion.

Thank you, by the way, to everyone who tried us out!

DK: If you could describe the game in just a few sentences to someone who had never heard of it, how would you sell the title?

SA: Contrast is a film noir adventure/story/puzzle/platforming gaming (little hard to explain) about a little girl, her imaginary friend, and the ability to become your shadow. Set in a vaudeville inspired 1920s, you need to shift between 3D (you) and 2D (your shadow) constantly to progress the story. But really, you kind of have to see/play it to understand it. Or, just think of Bioshock crossed with Limbo and Pan’s Labyrinth.

DK: Is any add-on content being planned for the game? I know a lot of people who would love to jump back into this world (myself included)!

SA: We have ideas, but we’re not sure about add-on content yet.

DK: After ‘Contrast’, what’s next for Compulsion Games? Is there anything currently in the pipeline or being discussed?

SA: Well, we’re not just sitting on our thumbs 🙂 But we’re not ready to make any announcements.

DK: What other games is the team playing? What unreleased games are you looking forward to?

SA: Great question! Right now, we’ve got a few people on the team playing the alpha of Rust, and of course the ubiquitous Dota 2. But, as one might expect, we tend to cycle through games pretty quickly! As for unreleased games, Secret Ponchos coming out for PS4 soon should be fun, and I’m interested in The Witness.

DK: Coming from another Canadian (I live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia), what’s the best part about Canada? (We don’t get asked this nearly enough)!

SA: Well, it’s hard to go past Montreal. But, the best part about Canada is the weather – while all the US people complaining about the polar storm, that’s just a regular winter day for us. Snowmen and ice-related-injuries for everyone!

That’s it! Again, I’d certainly recommend checking the game out, and be sure to keep your eyes out for more Compulsion news! You can follow the developer on Twitter here.

‘Assassin’s Creed IV: Freedom Cry’ Launches Tomorrow, Watch The Launch Trailer Now!

by Derek KraneveldtDecember 16, 2013

Briefly: Ubisoft announced Assassin’s Creed IV: Freedom Cry all the way back in October (before Assassin’s Creed IV even launched), and has just released the launch trailer for the expansive single-player DLC.

Freedom Cry tells the story of born slave Adewale. Adewale eventually found freedom as a pirate aboard the Jackdaw, where he became Edward Kenway’s second-in-command. Now, 15 years later, Adewale has become a trained Assassin who finds himself shipwrecked in Saint-Domingue without weapons or crew. He starts to meet locals in an effort to assemble a crew and steal a ship. The more he helps, however, the more he is drawn into the Maroon slave community. Forced to face his past, Adewale sets out to free the slaves and bring death to their captors.

Sounds neat, huh? Freedom Cry brings an entirely new single-player story to the already gigantic game. Take a look at the launch trailer below, and let us know if you’ll be grabbing the DLC when it releases tomorrow!

‘Minecraft’ Will Release For Playstation 3 Tomorrow!

by Derek KraneveldtDecember 16, 2013

Briefly: Minecraft is finally coming to PS3.

The game, which just hit an incredible 30 million copies sold, will release on December 17th (tomorrow!) in North America, and December 18th in Europe. Here’s the official announcement, straight from Mojang:

Christmas is coming early, PS3 players!

We can now confirm that Minecraft: Playstation 3 Edition will be available to download this Wednesday, December 18th from the Playstation Store (if you’re based in the EU). Expect it to cost about the same as the Xbox 360 version.

I’ve received a few questions about the launch of Minecraft: Playstation 3 Edition from you guys, so here are some of the most common queries:

Does Minecraft: Playstation 3 Edition feature everything from the other versions of Minecraft?
Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition comes with everything present in other console versions. They’re pretty-much identical to play, and will be developed in tandem from now on.

Will Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition feature DLC texture packs and skins?
Downloadable skins and texture packs will be available from PlayStation Store soon after release.

Will there be Sony-specific content?
Sony-specific skins and texture packs would be cool! Fingers crossed, eh?

Will Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition feature Remote Play/compatibility with the Vita/PS4 editions?
We don’t know yet, sorry. We’ll let you know as soon as we do.

Will there be a day-one patch for Minecraft: Playstation 3 Edition?
Yes! We recommend you download it!

Does Herobrine feature in Minecraft: Playstation 3 Edition?
Probably not.

That’s it for now. We hope you’re just as excited about playing Minecraft on PS3 as we are. Merry Christmas/Nadolig LLawen!

I sure hope that when the Vita/PS4 editions finally hit, they’ll have cross-buy support!

Are you currently playing Minecraft? Will you be picking up the PS3 edition? Sound out below!

‘Gran Turismo 6’ Opening Movie Debuts Online

by Derek KraneveldtDecember 5, 2013

Briefly: Sony’s Gran Turismo 6 finally launches tomorrow (at least it wasn’t as long a wait as Gran Turismo 5), and the publisher has released the game’s gorgeous opening movie.

The title is one of the last (or maybe the last, not including The Last of Us DLC) must-have exclusive for the PS3, and I can’t wait to jump back into the driver’s seat. Sure, I picked up Need For Speed: Rivals for my PS4, and as much fun as it is (a lot), it’s about as far away from a simulation as you could get.

The opening video is gorgeous, and shows off some great behind-the-scenes footage of the game’s creation. Take a look at it below, and let us know if you’ll be picking the game up!

‘Battlefield 4: Second Assault’ Storms In With This Action Packed Trailer

by Shane O'HareNovember 20, 2013

With Battlefield 4 released less than a month ago, players were expecting the first expansion (China Rising) to ship out sometime in December. Well it looks like DICE got a little bit antsy and thought to themselves: “Hey! Let’s put out the second expansion first!”. So with that we got ourselves a trailer for the Second planned expansion, which is being released first. Check out Second Assault

This expansion features four BF3 maps retooled on the Frostbite 3 engine (Metro, Caspian Border, Operation Firestorm and Gulf of Oman). Players will also get their hands on five remastered weapons, 10 new assignments and the return of the Dune Buggy vehicle! You will be able to show off all these new goodies with the return of the classic Capture the Flag gametype.

You can get your hands on Second Assault NOVEMBER 22nd! There is ONE caveat though. And XBOX ONE caveat. It will ship out to BF4: Premium accounts on the 22nd, then December 2nd for regular BF4 players on Xbox One. There is no release date for when the PS3, PS4 or the PC versions will get their hands on it. Be sure to stay tuned to your Battlelog feed for more details!

‘The Last Guardian’ Director ‘Terribly Sorry’ For Delay

by Derek KraneveldtNovember 19, 2013

Briefly: In a just-published interview with Edge Magazine, Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Guardian director Fumito Ueda talks about The Last Guardian, and what he’s been up to for the last eight years.

You’ll have to subscribe to Edge to read the whole interview, but in the excerpt that the magazine provide, Ueda states that:

more than anything I feel terribly sorry that for various reasons I have kept my audience waiting for such a long time.

Ueda also mentions that his creative input on the game is long over, and that the details of when, where, and how the game will be completed are out of his control.

I sure hope that completion comes sooner rather than later!

http://youtu.be/EHzHoMT5eRg

That trailer remains haunting to this day. Let us know how excited you are for The Last Guardian.

‘Final Fantasy X/X2 HD’ Gets A Release Date!

by Derek KraneveldtNovember 18, 2013

Briefly: I sure wish that Square-Enix would have planned this title sooner, or made the jump to make it a PS4 title at this point.

The publisher has just announced the North American and European release dates for Final Fantasy X / X2 HD, the HD remakes of the revered Final Fantasy titles that graced the PS2 back in 2001 and 2003.

Sadly, we won’t be playing for awhile. The game is hitting the PS3 and Vita in Japan on December 26th, but the PS3 version won’t release in North America until March 18th, 2014, and Europe on March 21st, 2014. No North American or European Vita release dates were revealed.

I’m really looking forward to the new edition, seeing as I haven’t played Final Fantasy X since I was 11 years old. Will the game be enough to plug my PS3 back in, however? I guess only time will tell! Take a look at a new trailer for the game below, and let us know if you’ll be picking it up!

Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Call of Duty: Ghosts’

by MoreLikeAndyNovember 8, 2013

With Infinity Ward back in the driver seat for this year’s Call of Duty title, hopes are high that innovation and changes were abound for the better with Call of Duty: Ghosts. After Treyarch’s success with Black Ops 2, with its branching story path, new gameplay mechanic and complete overhaul of how we play multiplayer in this series, Infinity Ward decides to ignore those refreshing changes does an overhaul of their own. These changes, however, might be too drastic for most.

What we expect from an Infinity Ward single-player campaign is a lot of explosions, grandeur set pieces with extravagant action that keeps the dopamine drip going all the way to the end. Call of Duty: Ghosts tries to step out of this expected role but falls back on some of these traits from the past.

The story starts off strong with how fast things escalate from a campfire story about super soldiers called ‘Ghosts’ spun by a father with his two sons listening intently, to all hell breaking loose within the first ten minutes. A weaponized satellite has been hijacked by The Federation and its payload of destructive missiles are released upon North America before soldiers can destroy the satellite in space. The story jumps to ten years later, when you see the two sons acclimated to the soldier life, protecting the wall surrounding what is left of North America from The Federation. The further you get into the story, the more things become less clear as to what, or why things are happening, making it hard to care about the characters involved.

Not enough was done to build an environment past the family hook to really make the story stand out. Everything felt slower with progression in each chapter of the campaign in Call of Duty: Ghosts. The core feeling of a Call of Duty title was here, though being so acclimated to the non-stop action in previous titles was a big change for me. You’re supposed to be these mythical Ghost soldiers that put fear into all that oppose you. Instead, the firefights that break out at every encounter have that distinct action from the Modern Warfare and Black Ops series. If I am to be this feared entity, stalking the shadows and defeating all in my wake, why doesn’t the gameplay match this?

Another thing that was off in the campaign of Call of Duty: Ghosts was Riley, the faithful dog to the two brothers. All the marketing done to get people hyped up to have a dog companion was for naught. After a brief stint having Riley by your side as well as playing as him, Riley is nowhere at your side until near the end of the story. So much for man’s best friend. With how enjoyable it was to be in the paws of Riley, running down enemy soldiers as they scream for their lives, it would have been nice to see more of this throughout the campaign.

Having played both the Xbox 360 and PC version, I can say that whatever system you decide to play Call of Duty Ghosts on, you’ll be happy with how great the game looks. Although you can see the game engine showing its age, it has at least aged well. I don’t think Infinity Ward or Treyarch can squeeze any more from this engine, so I hope in the future a new engine is utilized. Of course on PC you will see sharper images, better shadows and lighting, as well as more particle effects than the current-gen consoles.

Sadly, what you will also get on PC is a buggy experience. Cutscene audio dropping in and out, screen tearing with vsync on or off and frame rate drops are some of the issues that plague me as I played in single-player and multiplayer. Although there is a list of things found by the community that will fix these issues, some are reporting that they’re still having trouble with Call of Duty: Ghosts. Since Infinity Ward is usually quick with the patches, we can only hope that a fix is released quickly.

Multiplayer has some drastic changes that seem to go backwards from the direction Call of Duty was headed. Gone are COD TV, CODcasting, theater mode, party games mode and league play. That is a lot of features stripped out for Call of Duty: Ghosts. Also missing are Hardpoint and HQ modes in the public playlists. League play is replaced with Clan vs Clan mode in which you can create or join a clan and take them to battle against others to climb the leaderboards. Whereas league play let individuals play in a more competitive environment with certain rulesets, Clan vs Clan is team only. I loved jumping into league play to see just how good I was against other competitive players. With that now gone from Ghosts, I am not sure how to recreate that sense of accomplishment when getting to the top of your division.

The Pick 10 create-a-class system that let players create their class however they wanted within a ten point limit was really satisfying in Black Ops 2. In Call of Duty: Ghosts, that system is used with perks only. Everything is unlocked by using Squad points, which are earned by leveling up as well as completing objectives like ‘run five miles with the marathon perk’ equipped. Having all the weapons and equipment unlocked are ready to go as long as you have enough squad points to purchase them makes getting your favorite loadouts easier and earlier. It’s odd for Infinity Ward to not included perks into this, though. You can spend squad points on every perk but you also have to meet the level requirement to equip them. Just seems like an odd thing to gate behind level progression.

The rotation of maps in Call of Duty: Ghosts seem larger than any other Call of Duty game to date. Most of the time, I would run aimlessly around the maps looking for someone to shoot. At times, it took a good two minutes before I would see an opposing player. I can see this being ok with higher team sizes but 6 vs 6 is too small of a player count to make for enjoyable play at times. Spawn points are also a pain with recently killed players spawning right behind you and gunning you down in the back almost every time. One could easily exploit this to their advantage and camp in one spot as the same people run right into your gunfire.

If you would rather play against bots, Squads mode is for you. I can’t see too many people taking advantage of this mode since you have to spend points that could be used for weapon loadouts to unlock new squad members. Each squad member levels up individually, yet the squad points are universal so a lot of valuable points will be used if you want level up a whole squad and equip them. Others will play against your squad when you’re away, but I can’t see the point in any of this. Besides leveling up your squad when you’re not playing, this seems like a wasted opportunity that hopefully can become something more in future Call of Duty games.

Extinction is Infinity Ward’s answer to Treyarch’s zombies mode but never really feels different enough to be fun enough to play more than once. Replacing zombies with aliens feels just out of place enough that I wonder why even have this at all. Both Treyarch and Infinity Ward could break these modes off into a separate, downloadable game and it would be much better off.

Call of Duty: Ghosts feels like a franchise trying to reboot but by stripping away everything that over the years made Call of Duty better might be too drastic of a move for most. Taking away the things people love about the franchise instead of innovating on them is a bold and risky move. Although the core of what Call of Duty remains intact and fun can still be had, the expectations for the future are going to be extremely high. Let’s hope the pressure is not too much for them.

Score: 3/5

Comikaze: The Cast of ‘Grand Theft Auto V’ Reflects on Balls, Riots and Online Gaming

by Josh JacksonNovember 6, 2013

Comikaze had a schedule full of of panels this year, but few were as exciting as the Grand Theft Auto V voice actor panel. Joined by Ned Luke, (Michael) Shawn Fonteno, (Franklin) Steven Ogg, (Trevor) Danny Tamberelli, (Jimmy) and Slink Johnson, (Lamar) the fans were sure to get a wild time, especially if their time in the game was any indication.

Below are the highlights of the conversation:

– Most, (if not all,) of the game was shot in front of a green screen with the actors playing their roles in front of the camera like a traditional movie, aside from the skin tight mocap suits covered in balls that they were forced to wear. The way the characters moved were all how the actors moved, from walking, running and riding the bikes, making them feel more realistic. I think was a good payoff despite being smothered in balls from head to toe. Did I mention they were playing with balls? (This was a major part of the panel.)

The cast of GTA V wearing a significant lack of balls.

-On the subject of mocap, the mission where Michael and Jimmy have to ride their bikes together was shot with the actors riding side by side. The directors asked them to ride as fast as possible up until a certain point. Riding fast in a small room? Not a good idea. Danny and Ned had to shoot that over 70 times to get it right, all without accidentally killing themselves.

– The cast was forced to sign non-disclosure agreements when they were hired for their roles. That’s typical for such a big project, but the contract didn’t say what they were working on, and they wouldn’t find out until much later. Steven didn’t realize how big it was since he doesn’t game. Since Danny is a big gamer, he knew the only projects Rockstar were working on were Max Payne 3 and GTAV, so he figured at the time of signing that it had to be GTA. Ned and Shawn were excited, but none of them could touch Slink.

– Both Shawn and Slink were former gang members, but Slink in particular seemed so humble to be apart of this project, mentioning that the idea that someone who used to run the streets ended up at this point, he couldn’t stop thanking the fans who helped the game become the success that it is. Or as he repeatedly put it, “thank mothafuckin’ ya’ll!”

– Shawn’s real life cousin is Young Maylay, the voice actor of CJ from San Andreas. The fact that they’re both from Los Santos near the same area that Grove Street used to rule, it’s strange to think that this ended up being purely coincidental. If you’re hoping for a meeting between the two protagonists, they’re in the process of working on a mixtape together. Shawn let hints of the rumored CJ DLC drop a few times, but of course, nothing is confirmed yet.

– Ned and Shawn had apparently met years before, but not in the way you might think. When arriving on set, Ned said he swore he recognized Shawn from somewhere. As it turns out, Shawn *may* have robbed Ned during the LA riots in the early 90’s. Considering how Franklin and Michael formally meet when Frank tries to steal a car from Michael’s house, and we have a case of fiction mimicking reality.

It’s clear that these guys had too much fun working together.

– The cast had to ad lib the majority of the script to make it sound more natural. While the script writers put together a fantastic stories that earned the praise of everyone on the panel, their British background made relating to hood life as let’s say… a bit of a challenge. Over time, dialogue that started off as, “hey mate, let’s go chat for a bit,” turned into, “sup, dawg. What’s goin’ down?” Although I won’t lie, I’d pay for a redone version with the original dialogue, just to see how Los Santos would be with a splash of Downtown Abbey.

-Speaking of the script, this thing was a monster. Ned mentioned that it had to have been at least 3500 pages of dialogue. With that said, the ad libs and the crew getting to know the actors led to a perfect blend between who the characters were written to be and who the actors really are through their individual personalities. As Ned put it, “They wrote us.”

-3500 pages was a hell of a task, which is probably why Slink didn’t bother reading it. While the actors got together and went over their lines, Slink could usually be found off to the side sleeping somewhere. With that said, every time the cameras started rolling, he knew EXACTLY what to say and really made Lamar his own. I thought his dialogue was some of the most realistic, so I can see why.

– The actors apparently like messing with people online. One time, Ned noticed someone who may or may not have been named DenzelKid getting killed repeatedly. Later, Ned hid in his car and had a father-like talk that only Michael could give. To paraphrase, “I see you getting killed a lot out there. What the hell are you doing?” DenzelKid apparently recognized his voice and muttered, “Is this… Is this Franklin!?” From then on, Ned rode with him, helped him through the game and bought him a car that hopefully won’t get repossessed. Hopefully he appreciated this more than Jimmy ever did.

Trevor being Trevor.

-Lamar on the other hand, is treated like a minor celebrity online. Both on the street and in GTA Online, people are constantly thanking him for picking them up from the airport. A thank you is the least of what he deserves. Picking up millions of people worldwide is hard work!

– That’s not to say being recognized online is a good thing. Ned keeps getting hits put on him by some guy named AddPrices. He gave us permission to hunt him down for messing with Mr. De Santa. If you see this guy, have at it!

– And lastly, working with Lazlow was great, especially when tattooing a penis on his chest.

I didn’t follow the game all that closely, so seeing how much went into the development of the acting portion alone was beyond impressive. One thing that was apparent from watching these five interact however, was how much fun they had making the game and how close they became throughout the three year process of making one of the most successful games of all time. The chemistry shined on stage and showed how five people from different countries, generations and backgrounds could meld so well, which was a big part of why GTAV‘s story was such a blast to experience.

Beyond GTA, you can catch Shawn working on his new clothing line, Rich Rotten, and a few film projects, not to mention the previously mentioned collaboration with CJ. Follow him on Twitter @Shawn_Fonteno.

Steven is heading to Toronto to work on a film with Henry Rollins, (Rollins and Trevor in one place? Toronto… your days are numbered!) From there, it’s off to Portland to film A Time to Kill. Then, it’s The Neck. Ogg’s a busy guy! Keep up with him @StevenOgg.

Danny can be found at manboobscomedy.com and with his former Pete and Pete costar Mike Maronna on the Adventures of Danny and Mike podcast. To think that fat piece of vulgar crap in GTA was the same guy who helped me figure it out as a kid. Stalk him @dtamberelli.

Slink has a ton in the pipeline too, including Black Jesus on Adult Swim, Community Service, a sitcom that just wrapped up its pilot and is currently seeking a network, and performing stand up at The Comedy Store in LA. Otherwise, you can still catch him @Slinkybaby and on the streets of Normandie and Florance.

And Ned… Ned is doing what he does best. Being a husband and father. When not being a family man, follow him @ned_luke.

‘Call Of Duty: Ghosts’ Extinction Mode Gets A Fancy Trailer

by Shane O'HareOctober 28, 2013

We reported just yesterday on a new Alien filled game mode for the upcoming Call of Duty: Ghosts. Well the people at Activision reacted quickly and put out this trailer, hot on the heels of the leak. Check out the Extinction trailer below!

Call of Duty: Ghosts introduces Extinction – an all-new 1-4 player cooperative game mode featuring a unique blend of fast-paced survival action, FPS base defense, scavenging and class leveling.

Gone are the much loved zombies, and in their place are some spooky looking aliens! Admittedly, when I first saw the leaked photos I was a little skeptical, but this trailer has brought me back. The environments look interesting and the gameplay looks like a compelling change of pace from the original zombies missions.

You can get your hands on CoD: Ghosts on PC, PS3, XBOX 360 and Wii U November 5th. It will also be available on the PS4 and Xbox One at launch.

Nine-Minute ‘Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag’ Trailer Teaches You The Basics

by Derek KraneveldtOctober 22, 2013

Briefly: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is now just a few days away from stores, and Ubisoft has just released a new, nine-minute long preview of the anticipated title.

The video teaches us everything there is to know about the largest and most immersive Assassin’s game ever created. See how Edward Kenway takes on the Golden Age of Pirates, and meet the outlaw characters that defined this unforgettable era. Experience the breadth of this open-world, including enhanced naval gameplay, expansive new environments, exotic animals and the vibrant underwater world. And learn more about new combat features and weapons, including dual-sword attacks, multi-gun abilities and the free-aim system.

The game looks great, and looks like a fantastic return to form for the series after the missteps of Assassin’s Creed III. Take a look at the trailer below, and let us know what you think! Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag launches in North America on October 29th!

New Sony Promotional Video Celebrates The History Of Playstation

by Derek KraneveldtOctober 21, 2013

Briefly: Following the impressive “Perfect Day” commercial that Sony released last week, the company has debuted another ad, this time promoting the legendary Playstation brand as “for the players since 1995”.

The video takes us through the history of Playstation and the ever-changing world around it. It certainly makes you feel nostalgic for the good ol’ days of split screen gaming, but also makes me really, really long for the release of the PS4 (whether or not I’ll be getting one on launch day is still up in the air).

The ad has been produced with fantastic attention to detail – note that the aspect ratios and quality of video changes as time progresses, among other things. Take a look at the video below, and let us know if you’ll be picking up Sony’s new console!

‘Watch Dogs’ Delayed To 2014

by Derek KraneveldtOctober 15, 2013

Briefly: Ubisoft’s highly anticipated Watch Dogs has been delayed to 2014.

The game, which was set to release on November 19th (and was one of my most-wanted titles of the year) has been pushed to next Spring. Ubisoft explained the delay in a statement on their official website this morning:

Our ambition from the start with Watch_Dogs has been to deliver something that embodies what we wanted to see in the next-generation of gaming. It is with this in mind that we’ve made the tough decision to delay the release until Spring 2014 (Fall 2014 for Australia & New Zealand).

We know a lot of you are probably wondering ‘why now?’ We struggled with whether we would delay the game. But from the beginning, we have adopted the attitude that we will not compromise on quality. As we got closer to release, as all the pieces of the puzzle were falling into place in our last push before completion, it became clear to us that we needed to take the extra time to polish and fine tune every detail so we can deliver a truly memorable and exceptional experience.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you. We thoroughly enjoy and appreciate the way you respond on the web, at events, press conferences and during other opportunities we have to interact. Your passion is what drives us.

We can’t wait to see you in Chicago next Spring. We are confident you’ll love this game as much as we love working on it.

So that’s that. One less game to buy at the PS4 launch, I suppose? I’m still beyond excited for title, and if the delay results in the release of a better game, I’m all for it. As the great Shigeru Miyamoto once said, “a delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad.”

Ubisoft’s The Crew, which was slated for a Q1 2014 release, has been pushed to Q2.