Battlefield 3 PC Beta Initial Impressions
2011 has been an interesting year for games. Not only to we have almost every major franchise throwing their latest, greatest entry into the meat grinder, 
but we have the mother of all first person shooter grudge matches brewing: Battlefield 3 vs. Modern Warfare 3.
While the Bad Company games were certainly good, they were overshadowed by the growing phenomenon of the Call of Duty franchise. For the last two years, in fact, the winter release schedules have been rather barren in order to avoid the CoD juggernaut, but not so in 2011. EA and Dice are here to play and they go a long way in proving it with their Battlefield 3 beta. While not perfect, it’s enough to give a gamer hope. (more…)
Half Life Fan Film Double Feature
Fan Films can either be wonderful or just plain horrible. Luckily, two shorts came out that are pretty damn good. There’s some great special effects at work here. Escape From City 17 Part 2 in particular has been in the making for years. Check them out:
Escape From City 17 Part 2
Portal: No Escape
New Ocarina of Time 3DS Commercial is Adorable
While it may or may not be true if Williams named his daughter after the game character, the commercial has a lot more heart than that Helen Mirren ad for Wii Fit.
It’s nice to see Robin Williams do something that isn’t total crap these days…
E3 2011: Who Had The Best Press Conference?
E3 2011 is over. We got lots of great game coverage and peeks at distant titles. But the real meat of the event came from Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo’s press conferences. How did they do? Well, let’s take a look at the good, bad, ugly, and then tally it up. Before we go any further… these articles are about the press conferences only, not the meetings going on behind closed doors or the demos on the show floor. (more…)
E3 2011: Nintendo
2011 is an exciting year for E3, though to be fair most of that has to do with the hype surrounding Nintendo’s next console. Wii 2, Project Café, or even Stream – whatever it’s called, holds both great promise for the company and its followers. 2011 is going to be the start of a minor reinvention for Nintendo that comes with a new console cycle. If the rumors are true and Nintendo is trying to recapture the hardcore market, then they have a great deal of work to do in reshaping themselves. The battle for the new Nintendo will start at their press conference. Their first impression will be crucial. (more…)
E3 2011: Microsoft
Originally posted here.
Last time, we discussed Sony’s position coming into E3. In the interim, their “Welcome Back” program will hopefully improve their standing going into the conference. With Sony’s hand tipped, we know precious little about what Microsoft has in store for us – even less than Nintendo.
Unlike Sony, Microsoft has a very small list of established exclusives this year. Gears of War and Forza are certainly popular franchises, but they won’t carry a holiday season. However, several multi-platform games such as Arkham City, Skyrim, and Modern Warfare 3 will sell in numbers favoring the X-Box. Unfortunately, bragging on how multi-platform games sell better on their system isn’t going to help Microsoft with their press conference. No… they need something to wow their audience… so what could it be? (more…)
Mass Effect 2′s Jacob Taylor is Creepy
For anyone who’s played Mass Effect 2, you’ll know that the cast of characters are an expertly written and very relatable bunch… with one exception.
Jacob Taylor.
Bioware seems to have this need to put a bland, straight arrow character in their games. Likewise, their fans also have a need to hate that character and make them the brunt of jokes. Knights of the Old Republic had Carth, Mass Effect had Kaidan… and Mass Effect 2 has Jacob. If you play as a male… he’s pretty bland, but if you’re a female… he’s plain creepy. I recently found a bunch of videos that make a very compelling case for his deranged mental state. (more…)
The PSN Is Back With Gifts
If you’re a PS3 owner, I’m sure you’ve noticed the PSN is back up after the whole hacking debacle. What’s really interesting is Sony’s awesome apology:
So, the PS3 options for your free game are:
- Dead Nation
- inFAMOUS
- LittleBigPlanet
- Super Stardust HD
- Wipeout HD + Fury
And the PSP options are:
- LittleBigPlanet (PSP)
- ModNation Racers
- Pursuit Force
- Killzone Liberation
Great choices all around. For the PS3, I’d say inFAMOUS is the best out of the bunch, with LittleBigPlanet and Wipeout in second place. Really, any of those choices are fantastic. As for the PSP, I’m a little less sure, but they all seem like pretty good options. Overall, this is a great move by Sony and will go a long way to keeping it’s install base. The apology will also smooth their position for E3. Nice job, guys!
E3 2011: Sony
Originally posted here.
It’s that time again… Christmas in June for gamers and geeks alike. E3, when the big gaming companies pull back their curtains and let us know what exciting projects they’ve been working on. The event is capitalism at its finest.
At the beginning of the year, it seemed as though 2011 belonged to Sony. Nintendo’s sales have been flagging while Microsoft doesn’t really have much to show on the horizon except for Gears of War 3. Sony’s machine had finally gained the momentum it needed, as well as a reasonable price tag. With blu-ray and an army of exclusives including Twisted Metal, inFAMOUS 2, and Uncharted 3, Sony was to be the dominate force in gaming for the foreseeable future.
Then hackers broke into the PSN and the SOE servers, resulting in a massive theft of personal information and a questionable PR reaction from Sony.
And now, with the PSN and SOE servers still down, millions of dollars have been lost over several companies. In addition, exclusives such as Killzone 3 and SOCOM 4 haven’t received the best reviews.
Sony’s position going into E3 is… awkward to say the least. (more…)
How Japan Can Win the West
Remember the times growing up with the Super Nintendo, the N64, or Playstation? The best games were always Japanese, right? Final Fantasy, Mario, Zelda, those were the ones that got you excited. Now, think about it… when’s the last time you got excited for a Final Fantasy? Now what games are everyone looking forward to? The next Call of Duty? Uncharted 3? Final Fantasy XIII was met with general apathy and disappointment, the same of which have come with Metroid: Other M (which has been disparaged for its character assassination of Samus Aran and simplistic game play) and Donkey Kong Country Returns (which has been criticized for difficult game play and strange jump mechanics). JRPG’s as a whole have been losing steam in the United States. The Last Remnant and Lost Odyssey are two RPG’s from Square Enix that have been all but forgotten. It seems with each new Japanese game, the more resistance builds up against them. Where Squaresoft would be the premier RPG developer, Bioware has taken the mantle. Where the Metal Gear Solid games were once known for their stories, their overly convoluted nature has allowed more tightly written games such as Uncharted to come along and grip the hearts of western gamers.
Nine Things Nintendo Needs To Do With Wii 2
Originally posted here.
For the last console generation, the Wii has stood apart from its competition. Where Microsoft and Sony pushed the boundaries of graphics and processing power, Nintendo stuck with a simple but noble motto: game play comes first. As a result, we received the Wii: a console with power just above that of the Gamecube and a motion controller. At first, the gaming community met the Wii with a reserved marvel at the prospects of motion controlled gaming. But now… Nintendo’s console is often met with eye rolls and weary sighs. Despite its reputation, the Wii has become an enormous success and helped shape the generation as we know it. Nintendo’s affordable hardware and family friendly approach have captured a market though unreachable en masse: the casual market. Grandparents and non gamers bought Wii’s for Wii Sports and Wii Fit… and little else. Still, as far as console sales go, the Wii has had almost unprecedented success in the current generation. (more…)
The People’s Mario
This video has existed for a while, but just in case you haven’t seen it, it’s hysterical. Someone online had the idea of mixing Mario with the style of an old Soviet Union propaganda video. The results are both well made and hilarious. Enjoy.
For The Mad Men and Portal Fans In All of Us.
Some genius decided to spoof the wonderful opening credits of Mad Men with a variation based in Portal 2′s co-op mode. The results are fantastic. Check it out:
What To Expect From Mass Effect 3: The Endgame
In a refreshingly quick turnaround time, Bioware announced with a trailer that Mass Effect 3 would be released holiday of 2011. As of now, precious few details regarding the game are known outside of vague comments and an amazing announcement trailer. However, it has been known for years that Mass Effect started its inception with a trilogy of stories in mind. As a result, clues to how the third game will play out are planted throughout the first two narratives. So, let’s take a quick look at all the material we have available and see what we can find out about how the story and gameplay of Mass Effect 3 will work.
Originally Posted here.
You’ve made your choices. You’ve gathered your allies. It’s time to take back Earth from the Reapers. (more…)
What To Expect From Mass Effect 3: The Gameplay
In a refreshingly quick turnaround time, Bioware announced with a trailer that Mass Effect 3 would be released holiday of 2011. As of now, precious few details regarding the game are known outside of vague comments and an amazing announcement trailer. However, it has been known for years that Mass Effect started its inception with a trilogy of stories in mind. As a result, clues to how the third game will play out are planted throughout the first two narratives. So, let’s take a quick look at all the material we have available and see what we can find out about how the story and gameplay of Mass Effect 3 will work.
Originally posted here.
With the positive feedback everyone gave to the development team for Mass Effect 2, it’s pretty roved combat in the second game stood as a vast enhancement over the first. Still, there’s always room for improvement and the Mass Effect games are no exception. So, below is a breakdown of the improvements we might see and how other aspects of the gameplay might play out. (more…)
What To Expect From Mass Effect 3: The Factions
In a refreshingly quick turnaround time, Bioware announced with a trailer that Mass Effect 3 would be released holiday of 2011. As of now, precious few details regarding the game are known outside of vague comments and an amazing announcement trailer. However, it has been known for years that Mass Effect started its inception with a trilogy of stories in mind. As a result, clues to how the third game will play out are planted throughout the first two narratives. So, let’s take a quick look at all the material we have available and see what we can find out about how the story and gameplay of Mass Effect 3 will work.
Get the first episode of Tell Tale’s Back To the Future game for free!
Tell Tale’s point and click adventures have been rather wonderful the last few years, as is their devotion to their fan community. In the link below, all you have to do is click “Go!” and register with the company’s official site and you get the first episode of the season for free. It literally takes one minute. Enjoy!
What to Expect From Mass Effect 3: The Story
Originally posted here.
In a refreshingly quick turnaround time, Bioware announced with a trailer that Mass Effect 3 would be released holiday of 2011. As of now, precious few details regarding the game are known outside of vague comments and an amazing announcement trailer. However, it has been known for years that Mass Effect started its inception with a trilogy of stories in mind. As a result, clues to how the third game will play out are planted throughout the first two narratives. So, let’s take a quick look at all the material we have available and see what we can find out about how the story and gameplay of Mass Effect 3 will work.
Mass Effect 2: Arrival Review
Originally posted here.
Mass Effect 2 has had probably the best run of DLC of any game of the generation. The first batch, including a new squad mate, came completely free with a new copy of the game. Later, Kasumi’s “Stolen Memory”, “Overlord”, and “Lair of the Shadow Broker” were worthwhile expansions that extended the life of the game and the Mass Effect universe. Now comes “Arrival”, the last piece of DLC leading into Mass Effect 3. As the last mission we’ll ever get to Mass Effect 2, “Arrival” is a nice enough swan song with several reservations. As a prequel to the third game, the DLC fares a little better, but raises more questions than it provides in suspense and anticipation. (more…)
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood: The Da Vinci Disappearance Review
Originally posted here.
Story complaints aside, I’ve been very fond of the latter two Assassin’s Creed games. Ezio has been a very compelling character, even if his arc in Brotherhood isn’t quite as strong as it is in 
the second game. One great aspect of Ezio’s journey has been his relationship with Leonardo Da Vinci. The two have a sort of James Bond/Q bromance going, so having an adventure devoted to them is very welcome. (more…)
Buy Street Fighter IV For a Dollar And Help Fund Disaster Relief In Japan
Originally, I posted this here, but it seemed important to share in as many places as possible.
Street Fighter IV for the iphone is a surprisingly fun game (given the platform) with good controls, fancy graphics, and iconic characters. If you were on the fence about getting it for the Iphone, Capcom has given you all the reason in the world to pick it up.
In a sale lasting until March 22, Capcom has reduced the price of Street Fighter IV for the Iphone from $9.99 to a mere $.99. Even more important, all the proceeds from the sale will be donated to assisting victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
It’s a great game, a great deal, and you’re helping people. Is there anything better?
You can pick up the game here.
Dead Space 2: Severed Review
Posted here:
http://thefastertimes.com/tech/2011/03/09/dead-space-2-severed-review/
For those of you who love Knights of the Old Republic.
I found this wallpaper while surfing the net and had to share it. It says it’s for The Old Republic, Bioware’s Star Wars MMO. Does this mean Revan and Malak from the first Knights are in it? Doubtful, as the new game takes place 300 years in the future… but it makes you wonder…
Click on the image to get the full size, then download.
Valentine’s Day Gift Buying
For anyone who still has to do some last minute buying left.
