Dear Reader, I mean, did you need me to tell you that “Batman: Arkham City” was amazing? You’ve seen the screenshots, you played “Arkham Asylum,” the writing’s on the wall. Still, I got some quality time with the title today, and I guess I’ll go through the motions and tell you all the reasons you’ll be sixty bucks poorer very soon. First of all, “Arkham City” is much bigger than “Arkham Asylum.” You’ve got a massive playground to run around in, and Rocksteady has stepped up your travel accordingly. We all loved gliding last time, but now there’s the improved…
Author: Andrew Allen
Dear Reader, The original “Prey” crept up on me. I just happened to try the demo, and absolutely fell in love with its cinematic presentation and surprisingly unique combat. I’ve viewed the sequel, “Prey 2,” with no small amount of suspicion, because it’s such a radical departure from its older brother. Those fears were put to rest today by Bethesda and Human Head Studios, who knocked their demo so far out of the park they must have hit an airplane with the ball. I’m stunned. Last year I told you “Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood” was the sleeper to watch. This year,…
I know, I know, I talked a whole bunch of smack about “Rage,” but in actuality it was a decently fun experience. The main thing running in its favor is the driving, which actually feels really good. “Borderlands,” of course, also had dune buggies, but they felt like afterthoughts. Not that there’s anything revolutionary here: boost, rockets, a temporary shield, you know the drill. But it felt tight and responsive, as if the game was built as a racer from the beginning. So okay “Rage,” maybe you’re not so bad after all. But I’m still not completely sold. –AA
Brendan asked us to cover Valve at E3, and here’s what we found out. Sorry, dude, they really don’t appear to be here. I spoke with Doug Lombardi before E3, and he swore a blood oath that they wouldn’t be there. I didn’t believe him, but so far it seems to be true. I still hold out hope that they’ll sneak up on everyone and announce something “Half Life” before the show is out. But we’ll see.
Dear Reader, One day down at this year’s E3, two to go. By far the highlight today was “Hitman: Absolution,” for which I was able to get a private show and talk a little to the good folks at Io Interactive. I love the “Hitman” franchise, I’ve always felt it was the true spiritual successor to “Thief,” and so far “Absolution” looks to be the best in the series. The graphics have been overhauled, and while it’s recognizably “Hitman” style, there’s a whole new coat of paint here, full of rich colors and great lighting. “Absolution” shows off this…
Dear Reader, While most of the Padinga staff is off checking out games at Sony’s press conference (like suckers), I’m here, whispering sweet nothings in your ear, swaying your opinions away from them. The silly fools, when they return, they will have a mutiny on their hands! Rally to me, Dear Reader, and delight in the correctness of my opinions! On a serious note, though, I’m just speaking for myself here, guys. Obviously I can’t dictate to you which conference was more exciting for you. Now I think both Microsoft and Sony had ho-hum conferences this year, neither one really…
Padinga Crew at Sony Press Conference
Dear Reader, So Padinga sent me to cover the Konami Pre-E3 bash at Sony Pictures yesterday. It was a classy, enjoyable affair with plenty of free booze, and if I do say so the bartenders made a mean Seven and Seven. Oh right, and they talked about some games. I always forget that part. Here’s a few pictures, and then a little video after the jump.
Dear Reader, If there’s two things every American should love, it’s James Cameron’s “Aliens” and Gearbox Software. That should be on the citizenship test. For years now, I’ve watched with growing frustration while the two attempted to come together into “Aliens: Colonial Marines,” all to no avail. But as per a press release we got from Sega, things are finally turning around. The long-gestating title will in fact be hitting shelves in spring 2012, cross-platform. Now that’s a long time to wait, but “Marines” will be showing at Sega’s E3 booth, so hopefully I can grab you a fix to…
Greetings, Dear Reader, Remember “Metro 2023,” that exclusively single player FPS that came out a little while back? Well, THQ certainly does, and it seems they’re back with a vengeance for a sequel, “Metro: Last Light,” scheduled for 2012. The original didn’t exactly fly off the shelves, and the reviews landed somewhere in between bipolar waves of support and criticism, but I guess they really feel there’s untapped potential in the franchise. The press release calls the original a “flawed masterpiece,” and chocks its failure up to insufficient marketing on their end. I’m not sure it was quite that simple,…
It’s You Again, Dear Reader, E3 is so close I can smell it. Everyone’s getting excited, and so am I. And so, I present to you my list of the titles I’m most excited to…sigh. My heart’s just not in it, Dear Reader. A list of games I’m most excited about at E3? Everyone is writing that piece! Surely I can do better. And I will do better, damn it! It’s time to do something no one else is doing! Brace yourself for Andrew’s Bottom Five. The games that will be at E3, that I don’t give a hoot in…
Yeah Yeah Dear Reader, I know, I know, I’ll get to the E3 stuff this week in good time. But before that, I couldn’t resist posting this 4-part, absolutely epic showdown between Nazgul and The LittleOne. Grab some popcorn or something, it’s a thrilling ride. (Parts 2-4 are after the jump) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGP1-R9rugo&feature=relmfu
Hello Dear Reader, Is anyone else other than me wickedly excited for this game? I mean, an arena-combat-centric “Resident Evil” for handheld? Not to mention there will be RPG-style perks integrated in. It’s brilliant! Anyway, check out some new screens, and try not to wet your pants. Like I did.
Hi Dear Reader, I have supernatural powers. It’s a truth I’ve long grappled with, but at last have come to accept. The future is my plaything, and I can peer into it with reckless abandon. Last year at E3, I made several predictions against the grain of common knowledge, and each came true: that “Metroid: Other M” was going to disappoint, that “Assassins Creed: Brotherhood” was amazing, and the Playstation Move was going to have little impact on anything. This year, I’m warming up my predictor machine, and I’ve got one ready before we even arrive on the show floor.…
Good Evening, Dear Reader, Got another trailer from Day 1 today, this time highlighting “Soul King” multiplayer. I put this one up because I’m trying to decide what I think of it. On the one hand, the concept sounds great. On the other, it could easily be botched if it’s glitchy, or poorly balanced, and frankly that “lose half your souls when you die” thing worries me. Is that, like, the Blue Shell of “F.3.A.R?” Are we going to see 2nd place campers throughout the game now? I’m just not sure. You tell me, Dear Reader. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYh53w0cquc -AA bottle up…
Get This, Dear Reader, I’d like to read to you a letter I’m sending to Monolith Productions, concerning their new title, “Gotham City Imposters.” Have you heard of this…this thing? I’m not sure there’s a noun I can apply here in polite conversation. If you haven’t been informed, “Imposters” is a downloadable multiplayer shooter, developed by Monolith Productions, where participants dress up in knock off Batman/Joker costumes…and then shoot one another. I’m going to let that sink in for a moment. Now, I love Monolith. “F.E.A.R.” and “F.E.A.R. 2” are among my favorite games of all time, “Condemned” is a…
Check it, Dear Reader, The good folks at Rockstar were kind enough to hook us up with a copy of “L.A. Noire,” a game I personally have been very interested in for some time. To return their kindness, I decided to devote this entire week to playing the game, so that I could make a really authoritative statement on the experience. Now you already know I don’t really write “reviews.” It’s great for other people, but personally I just don’t affix stars, or numbers, or any combination of fingers pointed in any direction to a piece of entertainment. So if…
Hey Dear Reader, Again I have to ask: what the hell is with these voice-overs? I mean, I like what I’m seeing here in concept, but it’s hard to get around that voice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRIWH0NGC0E -AA ted, just admit it
Brace yourself, Dear Reader, The other day, a good friend of mine set the world record for “Fastest Perfection Round” in the SWAT playlist for “Halo: Reach.” Honestly, I feel like I deserve most of the credit for this, as I was the one who talked him into buying “Reach” in the first place. It’s all thanks to me, is the point I’m getting at here. Lavish me with praise, if you’re going to lavish anyone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwpKMSLPVaU I don’t even think Otis (not his real name) knew what he had done. So profound was his destruction of the puny mortals…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnTAwxiHiss Hey Dear Reader, You know I love “F.E.A.R,” and all things related to “F.E.A.R.” You also know I think “F.3.A.R.’s” new “F**king Run!” MP mode is a stroke of genius. So of course I love this new trailer that the good folks at WB just sent us. But seriously, what is up with that narrator? Is that the best voice over guy they could get? -AA who would want to wear an on-fire suit?
Hello Dear Reader, This is an open letter to any people who play the “Gears 3” beta in ways that I find unethical, illogical and downright un-American. Dear you people: I hate you. You are human garbage. I dream of destroying your hopes and dreams. Look at you, with your little Xbox 360 Elite, and your glow-in-the-dark Hammerburst, and your stupid Cole Train unlocked character that I would’ve unlocked too, if I wasn’t so busy A) having a life B) being capable of pleasuring a woman. Everyone listed after this jump is officially on notice: I’m coming for you. And…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CF4zfDI0Pk
Look over here, Dear Reader, “Hitman” is back, baby! Hot off the press, we just got word that IO Interactive is returning to their venerable franchise with “Hitman: Absolution.” I don’t know about you, but I’m a big fan of these games, especially “Hitman 2” and the incredible “Hitman: Blood Money.” For my money, Agent 47 is the true heir to “Thief’s” legacy of giggle-inducing, “I can’t believe I pulled that off” trickery and stealth. Sam Fischer can go screw himself. Hit the jump for the full list of what we know from the press release, and a look at…
Attention, Dear Reader, The “Red Faction: Armageddon” cover art is out. And here it is. As you probably recall, I enjoyed the demo pretty well. But does anyone else find it funny that a game called “Red Faction” has a blue color scheme? Also, check out SyFy Games getting their little marquee credit between Volition and THQ. I guess this TV show based on RF is a bigger deal to them than I thought. But honestly, “Red Faction”? SyFy decides to throw its weight behind a franchise, and they choose “Red Faction,” the franchise no one cares about? Do people…
What up, Dear Reader, We’ve only got a week left in the “Gears 3” Beta. Can you believe that crap? Say it isn’t so. Personally, my experience thus far has been identical to that of the “Reach” Beta: initial ennui bordering on skepticism, softened by the familiar feel of an old friend, then molded into flat-out enthusiasm by a few choice tweaks. “Gears 3” is shaping up to be a massive winner in my book, but I still have one grave concern that needs addressing. Hit the jump to learn what it is.
Avast, Dear Reader, I don’t know about you, but I spend a lot of time soaring over the internet, like a fleet-footed fox of some kind, searching for delicate morsels of gaming hilarity/memorableness. Today it occurred me: why am I keeping these gems to myself? Why shouldn’t I give you the fruits of loins–I mean labors. From now on, every Friday is Round-Up Day! This week, I’m going with a “Mass Effect” theme, mostly because I’m bitter they pushed ME3 to 2012. I’ll teach Bioware to cross me like that. They want to go all penis-tease with it? Fine. Let’s…
Ah, there you are, Dear Reader, Ever own a game that you loved, got way into, and then didn’t finish? We all leave mediocre games un-mastered without a second thought, but why is it that sometimes you abandon an experience you truly loved? I’m on a quest to find out the answer, and to do so, I’m going to drag up an ordered tally of the five games I most egregiously left at the altar. Maybe I’ll notice some kind of theme or something. I don’t know, just go with me on this, Dear Reader, and try not to judge…
Hello Dear Reader, So on a total whim, I downloaded the “Red Faction: Armageddon” demo, and much to my surprise I enjoyed it. The story seems terrible, even the quick sample of the writing I got was eye-rolling, but the basics of the gameplay are surprisingly solid. I won’t say that I’m in love here, but as long as I was playing, I did not immediately wish to be playing “Borderlands” instead. And that’s accomplishment enough. As with all the games in this franchise, lots of things go boom: walls, buildings, vehicles, you name it. Of course, unlike the last…
“Brink” is a game that has enjoyed a remarkably strong level of interest from the gaming community, especially considering how crowded the FPS market always is. A gorgeous ad campaign and a catchy title certainly didn’t hurt, nor did the pedigree of Bethesda, but nonetheless I think Splash Damage should count itself at least a little lucky that their product is getting so much attention. So now that everyone cares about “Brink,” is this thing really going to be worth our time? All signs point to “maybe.” Let’s consider the five most encouraging things about “Brink,” as well as the…
I swear to you, this will be the last time I do a post on “Portal 2.” Well, I don’t swear that exactly, but I am aware that we’ve done a fair amount of them, just in case you think we’re all mindless Valve drones over here. Now check out this video pertaining to the Glorious Master. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CabdPVthqw This is “Narbacular Drop,” a game created by students at DigiPen, which directly inspired and led to “Portal.” Valve saw this game, and promptly gobbled up everyone who had worked on it to develop the legendary franchise we know and love now.…