Last Day for The Humble Indie Bundle!

Don’t you just <3 indie game devs? So nice of them to give us the option to pay what we want AND give to charitable causes?!?!

If you have some funds to giveth and don’t mind getting 6 quality games in return, hurry up and hit up The Humble Indie Bundle hosted by indie devs Wolfire Games. The hours are ticking down…

As you can see in the top image, the following games are included in the package:

• World of Goo
• Aquaria
• Gish
• Lugaru HD
• Penumbra: Overture
• Samrost 2

You can also opt to donate all or some of your monies to two charities:

• Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) – proponents for digital rights
• Child’s Play – collects and donates video games, toys, and other entertainment for needy children in hosipitals across the country and beyond.

It’s a win win any way you slice it. I really think it’s a slick idea as well as a slick implementation in terms of the actual site. It’s also fun to see real time stats, which currently show Linux users are comfortably in the lead when it comes to average contributions, with Mac in 2nd, and PC in last (come on PC users! we’re not that cheap… right? ).

Wha? There’s Reason to Step Foot in Kmart: FFXIII, Bayonetta, AvsP, MW2, Darksiders, Metro 2033 for $29.99 – Nier for $44.99

Ya, that store.

I don’t know about you, but I haven’t been inside of a Kmart in years, even though there is one right down the street from me. For whatever reason, it fades back in to a hazy fog in the shopping center, and I continually ignore it. Not today however!

The often overlooked department store put up a game sale yesterday, which runs from 5/4 – 5/10.  There are some pretty noteworthy games included, and discounts are valid both in-store as well as online. Check out the full list after the jump. Read more »

Record of Agarest War – First Impressions

Just don't choke on it.

After picking up the “Record of Agarest War: Really Naughty Limited Edition,” I let it sit on my coffee table for a while.  I wasn’t sure how to approach this box that was at least three times larger than a regular special edition preorder.  I suppose its like trying to ignore the elephant in the room. Read more »

Spring is Here – Kojima Gets Poetic

Kojima-san posts some interesting, quirky, and insightful things on his twitter. Just thought I’d share the imagery and poetry he posted inspired by the start of the Cherry Blossom Festival.

If I were to compare myself to a cherry blossom… if I were a cherry blossom, I would fully bloom, and readily…gracefully fall from the tree. I should be more resplendent near spring, and be more sublime when I blossom. But, I can’t fall from the tree when I’m so tired and atrophied. So I am still OK. I am still not ready to be finished. I am not sad even if Spring doesn’t come.

MGS: Peace Walker Gets J-Popped

Last week, amongst the recent rash of Peace Walker gameplay trailer releases, Kojima Productions let loose with a peppy promotional video featuring Paz (voiced by Nana Mizuki) singing “Love Deterence.”

The choice of music and style of the video caught many fans off guard, and some even flamed up about it, complaining about its inconsistency with the game and series. I for one can’t see why anyone would a) take it so seriously or b) get up in arms about it. If you’re a fan of MGS and Kojima, you should be able to lighten up and understand the humor involved.

While watching the PV, I could not help but wonder when Snake and his CQC-ing soldiers would join in and get their dance on. It’s totally something I could see them doing, and apparently that was part of the original concept: having Snake and his crew dance, squat, and do pushups to the music. Alas, they wimped out and decided to forgo taking it that far. Even so, I found the PV oh so amusing.

Although the video was produced by the Kojima Productions demo staff, Kojima himself did admit to being behind the “peek-a-boo” aspect of Paz’ wardrobe (see above pic). He also took it upon himself to reiterate via twitter that the PV was a playful exercise to explore Paz as a character and not a detriment to the seriousness of the actual game.

Check out the PV after the jump, and look out for the HEAVENS DIVIDE maxi single due out April 7th.

[via Andriasang] Read more »

Sonic 4 Leaked Gameplay Video Breakdown

Back on February 16th, 1UP received an anonymous leak of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 gameplay.  While the video was taken down at Sega’s request,  there are still some sites that have been able to keep the video accessible.  Predictably, it has also appeared on (Edit: and been continually removed from) Youtube.

I’m actually quite excited by the content of the video.  The game looks better than I’d expected, with plenty of retro throwbacks shown in a short time. I’ll go ahead and list some highlights from the footage after the jump.  Keep in mind, however, that this is an alpha build, so the gameplay of the final product might work somewhat differently. Read more »

Celebrate V-Day With Flower – 50% Off PSN

Firstly, Happy Valentine’s Day everybody!

As the title suggests, Flower, developed by indie game devs ThatGameCompany, is on sale today for the lovely half price of $4.99. Unfortunately, it is a one day holiday sale, but there is still time left in the day! So I suggest jumping the PSN Store and grabbing it.

I went ahead and followed my own advice, making Flower my first PSN purchase to date. Took me long enough… I just haven’t really been sold on most downloadable titles.

The price was right though in this case, and I’d heard general good things about the game, including that it won the title of Best Indie Game at this year’s Spike Video Game Awards (wretched event that it is…).

Flower is a simplistic and beautiful work. More of an interactive visual experience than a traditional game, it utilizes the PS3 controller’s six-axis system allowing you to steer a colorful mass of petals through grassy landscapes, painting color and life across it as you go. I expected as much, but seeing it in action coupled with the quality musical accompaniment, Flower really shines as a super chill and relaxing diversion. It’s nice to just shut my brain off and coast along a colorful sea of flora. All that’s missing is someone spritzing Febreeze my way. One day smell-o-vision, one day.

If you want to see for yourself, check out  a nice extended gameplay video after the jump. Read more »

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Sega’s Retro Revival

In the early to mid 1990′s, the console wars were once much simpler than they are now. The 16-bit era was ruled by gaming juggernauts Nintendo and Sega. All attempts by other companies to gain a piece of their financial pie failed miserably. Other companies like Panasonic and Atari may have promised more powerful hardware, but the ability of the Big Two to consistently produce quality software for the SNES and Genesis ensured for years that the Nintendo/Sega rivalry would not be challenged.

Part of the reason that Sega was able to keep up with Nintendo was their mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog. Sonic was basically designed to be Mario’s polar opposite. Nintendo’s spokesman was a humble everyman who defended a happy go lucky wonderland. Mario was all about accessibility and fun for all people of all ages.

Sega, on the other hand, tried a more rebellious and youth-oriented approach, casting their mascot as a cocky teenager with a devil-may-care attitude. While Mario fought in a whimsical fantasy world with the typical fairy tail goal of saving the princess from the dragon, Sonic provided a bit of subtle social commentary, dashing through a quasi-cyberpunk landscape, protecting the natural world from the looming danger of pollution and out of control technology.

The difference in approach was reflected in the gameplay styles as well. While in Mario games, the player had to tread carefully to avoid death, Sonic was all about speed. Sure, the player was still quite vulnerable (especially to drowning!), but it was easy to feel invincible when Sonic could fling himself across obstacles and through enemies with ease.

This was just the way it was for years. Mario was the perfect comfort food, but Sonic also provided a great way for gamers to take what was, for its time, a walk on the wild side.

It couldn’t last, however, and both Sega and its mascot had to adapt to changing times. What was cool then wasn’t so cool anymore, and it would take more than “edginess” and “attitude” for the company to stay on its feet.

At the turn of the century, it seemed like the Dreamcast would keep Sega in the console race for another decade. It wasn’t to be, of course, and Sony’s superior marketing and third party support crushed the once great giant. Sega was forced to become a lowly software company, and as the company fell into the background, so did its once popular mascot.

The last ten years haven’t been kind to Sonic, to say the least. It used to be that when you played a Sonic game, you knew what you were getting. However, modern Sonic games presented the player with a mystery box more often that not. There were so many experiments in the Sonic franchise’s gameplay structure over the last decade that one would be, at times, hard pressed to believe that all of these games were part of the same series.

Out of nowhere, evidence surfaced that suggested Sega was finally willing to change that and go back to the basics. Last year, on September 9th,2009, the tenth anniversary of the Dreamcast’s launch, Sega released a trailer for a brand new retro-styled Sonic game. Watch the trailer and more after the jump. Read more »

Star Trek Online: Pay Up Suckas!

So, I’ve been playing the Star Trek Online Open Beta for a few days, and it’s actually a lot more engaging than I initially anticipated. Anyway, I’ll get in to more of my impressions of the game after the beta ends January 26th.

For now, I just wanted to break down the “Limited Time Promotions” Cryptic has extended to those who are ready to sign up and commit some cashola to continue, or begin, their voyage when the game ships February 2nd.

Note: In order to qualify for the promotional subscriptions, you’re going to have to pre-order/pre-purchase the actual game first = $49.99 Regular Edition, $59.99 Digital Deluxe Edition, $79.99 Collector’s Edition.

Ok, now let’s weigh the options shall we:

Option 1: Lifetime – $239.99

The Math: Equates to paying for 16 months of the game at standard $14.99/month subscription

Perks:

• Play forever and ever and ever until you want to quit or the game dies, whichever happens first.
• Access to create a liberated Borg character
• 2 extra character slots

Option 2: 12-month Discounted Annual – $119.99/year

The Math: Equates to a savings of $59.89/year, compared to if you subscribed at the standard $14.99/month subscription (which adds up to $179.88/year)

Perks:

• Locked in discount annual price
• 2 extra character slots

Now, I appreciate the money saving options presented, but on the flip-side, you have to be willing and gung-ho to commit a large sum of monies upfront for an experience you may or may not follow through with for the extent you signed up for. Obviously, this is great for Cryptic, who gets your money whether you play or not.

I’m not necessarily trying to rain on the parade. If you know you love the game and you can afford it, by all means go for it! However, personally, though I am enjoying the beta, I’m not willing to lock in yet. If I choose to continue, looks like regular subscription for me.

Gaming Retrospect: Mixed-Up Mother Goose

I really don’t remember much about my ‘firsts’ growing up. I don’t remember my first steps, words, or plane trip. I know my first friend was Stephen, whom I have known since I was two. I think my second friend was named Iosh, or Yoshi, or something. Maybe it was Spanish, and I just made it up from what I thought I heard his name was, but I don’t know him anymore obviously. Anyway, those things are not important… ok, friends are more important, but what is important is this: what was my first gaming experience?

Well, I can tell you with 75% accuracy that my very first PC game was Sierra’s 1987 release Mixed-Up Mother Goose. Even today, I remember that old man and his crooked sixpence. I also remember flying on a goose. I must have played that game many times to remember that much considering how very young I was. Oh, and my avatar had my complexion and a blue shirt… I think.

The game was basically you walking around trying to find important parts of the particular nursery rhymes: find Jack’s candle, Mary’s lamb etc. You were supposed to pick a character that looked like you and put in your own name, so I wonder if it can really be called a role playing game despite the ‘quests’ I was on. Hopefully I can get a version for my kids when I have them.