One shall stand...one shall fall.
Well, we goofed. Due to circumstances beyond our control, this episode of NWP is woefully lacking a second segment. Worry not though, true believers! We’ll be bringing you the intended topic of this episode (vices and video games) next week. So sit back and enjoy what we’ve been playing and some bloopers.
New ideas can cause some new problems.
One thing we don’t need on this planet is another multiplayer shooter franchise. That is, unless someone actually comes up with a new enough take on the concept to warrant our attention. Hybrid certainly has a couple of fresh ideas that had potential to shake things up, without turning the whole shooter concept upside down. The problem is, the new cover-to-cover mechanic also forces limits on the game in other ways that prevent it from being anything amazing.
PixlBit contributor Chris Mabrey joins Jason to talk about his experience at PAX Prime, 2012.
Join Jason and Chris as they discuss the games and shows at PAX prime. Those of you who listen in can expect Epic Mickey 2 impressions, and quite a bit of hands-on Wii U talk, as well. Listening deeper into the show will provide a bit of a breakdown on the indie titles available to play at PAX. Those curious about the indie title of which Chris could not recall the name should know the game is called "AntiChamber." After the talk about the games on the expo's floor, Chris mentions his experiences with the shows and panels at PAX. As a bonus for my loyal listeners, the beginning of the podcast includes new information about that albino GameCube controller featured last week! Click through for the download and streaming links!
For the first time in years, the Madden series has seen some major upgrades.
Over the past few years, I have been very disappointed by the Madden series and have chosen EA’s alternative series, NCAA Football. Each progressive entry only saw minor changes and a noticeable lack of substance. Perhaps worse, most modes in the game were minor variations of the core sport, with some simple roster adjustments. This year EA finally brought some new material to the table making for a great football experience.
Gaming’s boundaries and purpose have been redefined.
Straddling the line between video game and interactive experience, Papo & Yo explores some very mature subject matter through an innocent façade. Through the eyes of Quico, a young South American boy, players take a journey through a unique and abstract world in order to cure companion Monster of his frog addiction. Portrayed in no uncertain terms, Monster represents Quico’s abusive alcoholic father who is a friend and tremendous burden. While Papo & Yo’s gameplay is certainly rough around the edges, its presentation, story, and delivery are unparalleled in the medium.
A fun romp found in the seedy dark corners of the arcade.
Can you remember being at the arcade and spying a strange Franken-cabinet offering a game you’d never seen before? Perhaps a black spray-painted Pac-Man with a generic marquee above the screen with a name you’d never heard of and would never remember. You peered into the screen despite the bland trappings and ended up spending a wonderful afternoon trying to conquer a B-tier action game you would quickly forget. This is certainly not an experience Cinemax was trying to recreate with Commando: Steel Disaster, but it’s what they’ve done and I love them for it.
The latest Metal Gear Solid video game developed by Kojima Productions.
No, not that other FF XIII game you've been waiting for.
Continuing Square-Enix’s love affair with the character Lightning, a new game has been announced for consoles that focuses on her greatest and final battle. Lightning’s powers grew beyond those of a normal human during the FF XIII-2 storyline and will continue to expand in this new game titled Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, which is set to release in 2013. It appears that customizing Lightning’s clothing and selecting from a variety of weapons will be a big feature in what might be an action-heavy adventure. Andriasang provided a liveblog translation of a presentation made at the Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Event in Shibuya where the new game was revealed.
Bah-weep-graagnah-weep ninny-bong!
Everybody has that one especially cherished thing that defines their childhood. The Transformers fills that role for me, and sitting in a small movie theater in 1986 watching my hero Optimus Prime die before my eyes was a traumatic event. I’ve followed these Robots in Disguise through various cartoons, comics, and movies over the years, and I’m very protective of how they’re represented. High Moon Studios clearly respects this property as much as I do, which they proved with 2010’s Transformers: War for Cybertron. While I enjoyed that game quite a bit it was by no means perfect, and now High Moon is back with Fall of Cybertron, a game that tries to address the issues of the original. It’s a relief to see Cybertron have more variety in its design, and the problem of scouring the area for ammo in the heat of battle is no longer present, but these ‘bots need to let Wheeljack tinker with them just a little bit more.
Sitting in for Nick and Chessa in this week's PixlTalk is the one and only Jon "JD" Lewis.
It has been quite an uneventful week, but we're still playing video games. JD, Jason, and Joaquim talk about their experiences with what they're currently playing. We then introduce a new segment which rumors say is called "Rumor Mongering," and then head on to discuss the iOS release of "The World Ends with You", and end the podcast with a quick chat on the supposed Wii U release date leak by PDP.
