This week - (in a crescendo of guitar play)
- We have a special guest on Distributed Failure, the talented Richard Epcar!
(a fellow of many talents; from anime, to games & beyond!) *and ta-dah his gojira sized resume! (not kidding)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0258268/
- More game reviews! (and some of my reviews, after a long delay) ^^:
- plus I'm moving this week (yes really, and I may be back on DF pretty soon right after.. shh) =D

Overclocked Remix unleashed their collab project to the internet just recently. So they are asking for help from the gaming community. Support the project by help advertising everywhere! (and be sure to download the exclusive album, free!)
Where to start? (click the link below, and digg the article!)
http://digg.com/gaming_news/Street_Fighter_HD_Remix_Soundtrack_Released_for_Free

Awhile back, Bruce Timm's animation studio crew worked on several titles. Batman, Superman, Justice League, Batman Beyond... and an alien / human protector named Ben 10. Sure the series was Saturday fair, "fight the monster of the week" and repeat. But it had some wholesome ideas, and a fun adventure to follow (but with a kids perspective). Now a teenager, Ben 10 Alien Force continues to protect the human race, with some help (even with outside support from time and space).

Speaking of the series, we interviewed one of the said voice actors on the show. MIght recognize him more as a Prince, Superman (League of Super Heroes), and several Persona characters.. (that try not to die, but live).  And with several co-stars (Dee Bradley Baker - played a guy dressed up as a superhero going "Henshin-A-Go-Go-Baby!, and many more crazy characters) also from the show, being interviewed for the upcoming game. So can a game based on this sci-fi toon work?

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/43125.html

Play magazine's year wrap up issue adorns Persona 4 on it cover. Some gaming news media sites are looking at this issue, possibly as the last time we might see a PS2 game on a gaming mag cover. What do you think? Does the PS2 still have life left it in yet to produce even more titles? (even with the PS3 floating around)

http://kotaku.com/5097767/is-this-the-last-ps2-game-magazine-cover

Sonic Unleashed, a title we never thought we would see grace every system. From the PS2, Wii, 360 & PS3; due to Sonic 06's limitations; could this be the promise of a new beginning?

Here's just a brief summary...
- Excellent level, controls, and music
- Gorgeous levels, awesome cutscenes
- most of all.. fun!

Although I've only had a chance to watch videos, and a playthrough (thanks to BlackArms from the Sonic Stadium community!)
I gained a close enough idea on how the game truly flowed. Sure BA used the Gamecube controller (WiiMote is a bit more distinct and kinda finicky, so I've heard). That aside, its a solid game from start to finish.

Plus on the other side of the pond, the game has sold out online through various retailers. Wonder if here in the States, it could gain an even better reception. Sure Sonic is facing heavy competition, but who's to say a fun game can't pass by all the dark & gloomy titles out there?

(Coming soon a full review of Unleashed (360 Edition) and more stuff!)

Plethora of titles - check
Fair amount of solid entries - check
Games that will last for a long time - double check
Some hits & misses - er check

Ever notice how each year, we accumulate a dozen (or more) bad eggs? Sure it comes with the industry market, there are some "hits & misses", but if there's one too many it could be a problem. Even mainstream series have hit a few bumps in the road. But when it comes to the holiday season, its really a time for a game to shine. But the question is, what makes people want to buy a game?
And will they be sticking by it for awhile, or is it going to be winding up on a used store shelf?

Most of the titles this year have been sublime, and some are at most forgettable.  But now its literally "zero hour" for retailers to shell out their copies, and deliver those numbers (the suits) love to hear. Most will want the "tough as nails-gritty sci-fi or riddled in reality", over the "high octane action adventure exploision-gasmic race to the death". Then we have the "exploration action adventure" to the "dynamic adventure of epic proportions" versus everything else. I'm pretty sure most will ge the hint of what titles I'm speaking of..

Awhile back I attended PAX, and there was a panel that asked "Why do we buy more than one game during Xmas?"
 Or the reasons why many need to get this game this year (for themselves or loved ones)..  At most, some would have by now their "want to own" list, but most will only be able to pickup one or two titles. And now with the "used games" plan, we might be seeing more tougher times for those titles you might have missed. So could this very well be the last time we have "freedom of choice" if we buy a new title, and later a used one?

In one of GT's vast updates tonight, a certain blue hedgehog was found speeding through NYC (or Empire City), as its called in Unleashed. Surprisingly  its a non-stop roller coaster, filled with loop-de-loops, mechas, and some high flying stunts. (might even include traffic!)

And in the Sega IGN blog (and exclusive keynote blog) from the dev team, this time the art director notes the in-game world design.
"Travel the world in 5 minutes a day! "

Not everyone may be a hedgehog fan, but this gamer definitely is. ^_^

Welcome fellow archaeologists, Lara needs your help!
http://eu.tombraiderunderworld.com/?aff=newsletterUK2_2
Help find treasures never seen before! And you may get rewarded!

(*yes this is a plug for TRU, but I couldn't help it!) ^^;

Snake is still hiding +
To begin with this entry, I am one of the few (although an MGS fan) does not own a Sony console. But I do give kudos to what the game has accomplished on the platform. Even though some limitations weren't reached, besides the "Meme", and idealogical to psychological processing (which was absorbed into various cyberpunk titles). Konami is still pushing the the fourth entry to sell on the PS3, but is it too much of holding onto a "burning candle"?

Lately, alot of publishers have been outsourcing on other systems, in order the boost sales. Sure its a "divide and conquer" strategy, but it also maintains a balance on their "sell and demand". Konami has been known for selling "hits & misses", given their history then and now; its tough to say if they've matured in their current state. Multiplatforming has become a saving grace for various companies, yet Konami still says "if its possible on this console".

Warning - this is a flame post towards the PS3, but a question to why Konami is being so stubborn
And they still want to push past the 4million shipment? (how many actually sold?)

(article that grabbed my attention - http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21002


Blue Bomber - where have you been?+
Mega Man IX was a long promised, yet held back entry from Capcom for so many years. It delivered that classic feeling of (knowing ways to die, to fail, keep trying, and the pressure of not throwing your controller in defeat). But not everyone grew up with an NES, or Megaman for that matter. So its charm? For the new, and longtime fans to get back into that mode they remember; or for the first time actually understand what made it so captivating.

I remember growing up, playing a friends copy of Mega Man I; and kept going until the very end. I could never forget how many pitfalls, to game over screens, and the rest (you longtime fans know this all too well). If you were to ask a younger person what they thought about Mega man, you would probably get "Mega who?" or "How come I can't fire up and down?" and the coveted "what difficulty levels are there? This is too hard!?"

So can Megaman 9 and other 2D classics still hold up with a newer audience?

(article reference - http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20836