Perhaps the second time is the charm.
It’s been a bit of a rough road for the Final Fantasy series in the past few years. There was a four year gap between Final Fantasy XII and XIII due to a protracted development cycle, and we’re still waiting to get our hands on its companion game, Final Fantasy Versus XIII.
The classic card game manages to be one of the most enjoyable titles on Xbox Live Arcade.
At the launch of the Xbox 360, the new Xbox Live Arcade service was introduced but there wasn’t a lot to be excited about. Oh sure, ports of Smash TV, Bejeweled 2, and Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved is fine but there was nothing of real substance in the XBLA launch lineup. Fast forward to May of 2006 and a digital version of the card game UNO is released. In less than a year’s time, it becomes the first XBLA title to surpass one million downloads. How is it that a title like this has become so successful? UNO succeeds because of the simplicity of the rules and the simple controls.
The hardcore RPG fan may have a new banner to rally around.
Starting life as an MMORPG, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning has morphed into one of the more interesting original IPs to be released next year. The game is being developed by industry newcomer 38 Studios and strategy game developer Big Huge Games. These names may not carry much weight, but they have some serious big name talent working on Reckoning’s game world, most notably being revered fantasy author R.A. Salvatore and comic god Todd McFarlane who have created the game world and artwork respectively. Lesser known, but still a heavy lifter in his own right, is Ken Ralston who was the lead designer on Morrowind and Oblivion.
How did Mario qualify with all those mushrooms he takes?
On June 23, 1991, Sega released Sonic the Hedgehog for the Genesis and started one of the fiercest rivalries in video games. The two were neck and neck in the 16-bit generations and blah, blah, blah. You know where this is going.
It's so absurd that it's hard to be offended by these Saints.
It only takes about 15 minutes to get an idea of what exactly Saints Row: The Third is about. Actually, let me rephrase that. It only takes about 15 minutes to understand that Saints Row: The Third is as illogical as it can possibly be without the dialogue being performed completely in pig latin. The ends don’t justify the means here. The means unapologetically justify themselves and you should just be glad that you get the pleasure to tag along. In just 15 minutes you’ll commit mass murder dressed as a bobblehead, ride a bank vault being yanked into the air via helicopter, and jump out of a jet with your guns blazing. There is no real justification for any of this, except that it’s fun to be absurd.
Juicy details about the recently announced title.
Rainbow Six Patriots was just announced only about a month ago and we're getting more details about the latest addition to the franchise. Developer Ubisoft Montreal has released some of the features that will be in the game when it's released, as well as the premise to the game.
Maybe November release schedules, Call of Duty, Battlefield, and Skyrim aren't the same as life, the universe, and everything, but they're pretty close, right?
Episode 42 welcomes rookie PixlTalkers Jesse Miller and Mike Wall to the group as they join Jason Ross and Joaquim Mira. This week's episode has three main topics, the first involving the holiday onslaught of game after game after game. In particular, the group really feels like Ubisoft just didn't time their release dates well. Afterward, conversation moves to Modern Warfare 3's multiplayer, as well as the game's rivalry with Battlefield 3. The podcast concludes with some discussion of Skyrim, its dragons, and its glitches. Click through to listen to the podcast!
You can have fun with Yoshi’s Story, if you’re willing to find it.
Oh, Yoshi. You’re just so cute. You have got to be the cutest dinosaur (or whatever you are) I’ve ever seen. How Nintendo had the means to fabricate such an enduring and appealing character we’ll never know. After his introduction in Super Mario World, Yoshi became Nintendo’s newest star. A sweet dinosaur that could swallow enemies and turn them into eggs for him to shoot was quite an imaginative concept. Add Yoshi’s elongated tongue which he can pull enemies with, and a saddle so Mario could ride comfortably on his back and you’ve got a favorite as well as powerful character that was more than just a lovable mascot. After a couple of throwaway games for the NES and SNES, in 1995, Nintendo decided to make Yoshi the star of his own game and released Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island. The game was a success and highly praised, proving that Yoshi could be strong enough on his own. At least, it seemed that way.
This game is one steal that won’t break your bank.
With the economy continuing its journey into the proverbial toilet, the fanciful life of crime has never looked so good. Instead of risking life and limb to assume the role of your favorite anti-hero, consider giving Overkill Software’s new title Payday: The Heist a try. If you have ever found yourself wondering what it’s like to take the role of the personable criminals from action flicks such as Ocean’s 11 or Point Break, then Payday: The Heist is a game worth looking into.
Join us for a special dual audio and written review on Nintendo's timeless classic!
Given the classic status of Star Fox 64, we only felt it was fitting to create a unique review for the updated revision of the game, Star Fox 64 3D. To get started, first click through and listen to our audio review/discussion on the game between Nick and Jason R. This is followed by a written opinion by Matt McLennan, rounding out a full body of opinions.
