Uber Mondays! Kaori Nishidake: Pirouette Air Grind

This weeks Uber Monday highlights Kaori's Uber The Piouette Air Grind.
Am I the only one who thinks Kaori looks terrible? C'mon girl cut back on the eye liner, who are you trying to look like, Zoe?

Ryu: A study on Design and Inspiration by Arttronik

Of all the video games I've played since my childhood the one franchise I've consistently enjoyed is Street Fighter, I can remember playing the original Street Fighter in the arcades back in 1989. My addiction to the franchise really took hold in 1992 when Street Fighter II came to arcades. Aside from enjoyment of playing the game, Street Fighter has a fascinating and diverse cast of characters that have a rich story of how they came to fruition and where the inspiration was derived from.
Today I read a blog article regarding the origins of the design for Ryu and the inspirations that helped create one of the most iconic and recognizable video game characters in history.
Even if you're not a fan of Street Fighter or fighting games this is a worthwhile read I highly recomend!

Ryu a study on design and inspiration by Arttronik

Mass Effect 2 Review

Released a year prior for the Xbox 360, ME2 finally reached the PS3 January 26,2011, I got my copy on February 12th and soon after my PS3 was taken hostage by my wife! So I was very late to the party....but thankfully I finally got there and what a fraggin party it was!
Being that I don't own an Xbox360 I had to rely on the interactive comic Mass Effect: Genesis to give me the background on the events that lead to ME2's prelude...basically a ME1 choose your own adventure minus the gameplay.
The character creation module allowed me to create Shepard in (as close) my own likeness which helped escalate the experience.
The controls took a little getting used to but by the time I recruited   Garrus I had a good working idea of the Power wheel and Weapon wheel, and when I watched the advanced combat training vids it all clicked. Once your familiar with assigning "macros" for your squadmates combat becomes alot more enjoyable!
The game's story is incredible and between recruiting members across this richly developed galaxy to side quests and loyalty missions you never feel like the story has come to a screeching halt to do something slightly off the beaten path. Everything you do in the game breathes life and depth to the galaxy you're in. For the shadow brokers out there who crave every iota of info a game has to offer Bioware does not disappoint, every planet in every system has detailed info, every race has detailed info, every individual, organisation, item, weapon and location has info to be read via codex.
ME2 has Shepard jumping across the galaxy kicking collector ass and recruiting some of the biggest bad asses the galaxy has ever known, like Garrus the wise ass Turian Sniper, Miranda Lawson a Cerberus operative with a genetically created ass that would have Sir Mix-a-lot writting home to momma, Jacob Taylor the token black Cerberus agent who is really good with guns (I'm just sellin' it like I bought it), Grunt the tank (breed) Krogan, Mordin Solis the Salarian version of Spock, Thane Krios imagine Aquaman as an intergalactic assassin, Jack the human biotic...Kat von D with force powers, Kasumi Goto a master theif that rocks thermoptic camo Jedi robes, and Intergalactic bounty hunter Zaeed Massani and all around grumpy pants. Ooops almost forgot Legion the Geth Infiltrator who joins Shepard Commander to stop the ancients.
It's been a long time since I've played an RPG with such distinctive and well developed (ahem Miranda's ass) characters where you truly care about each and every one of them. As shepard Commander it's your choice to care enough to help all of the members of the SR2 Normandy and be a Paragon of the people or a renegade dick who doesn't give a shit weather you live or die. I'm proud to say I saved my entire crew on my first run....my Insanity run will not yield the same results.
ME2 benefits from possibly the most well written script and impressive voice acting I've yet to experience in my years of playing video games. See if you recognize The Illusive Man and Joker's voice actors...
The game play for ME2 takes a little getting used to, the weapon and power wheels, issuing squad commands etc. but once you get familiar with the advanced combat techniques the battles are so enjoyable, although ME2 is a RPG the battle system takes heavy que's from notable TPS's like SOCOM... commanding your squad to move to certain locations, which enemy to target, what biotic or tech to use and comboing those powers!
I am one of those RPG players who must collect every upgrade, every weapon, every item, max out every character before facing the final boss of the game....I think I picked up that habit from FFVII (had to have KotR summon to shove up Safer Sepheroth's ass ) so when I finally opened the Omega 4 relay I was rolling with the most loyal, most hooked up team of galactic bad asses this side of LV 426!
Mass Effect 2 is a phenomenal game, Story, Characters, Game play, Graphics, Audio all come together to create a gaming experience you will remember years from now! It's so good it made me want to play the first Mass Effect...Still hoping they find a way to bring it to the PlayStation somehow.
10/10

SSX X-Games TV spot

OMG a PS3 exclusive!? I thought only XBox got exclusive content....(that's sarcasm kids) Mt Fuji for the PS3 (for now) NICE!
I really liked the pacing of the video and the editing with the multiple windows all going on at once...it kinda reminded me of the GTA box art but in motion.
I'm really looking forward to this game I hope it does well in sales!

Uber Mondays! Eddie Wachowski: The Worm

Gamestops pre order bonus character Eddie shows off his signature Uber; The Worm, on this weeks Uber Monday!

SSX: Online features producer video pt 1

Todd Batty discusses one aspect of the SSX online component, explore where players can compete with their friends on their own schedule via Ridernet which alerts you to a friends best ride or if they tried and failed to beat your best time on a drop. This is a great way to enjoy the competitive nature of racing on your own time!

Resident Evil 6 Debut Trailer!

Ooops looks like Capcom's Zombie Franchise infected the interwebs a bit sooner than expected....DAM YOU MACAFEE!!!
I'm telling you the folks at Capcom know how to make awesome trailers!
Leon you said it! This does look like Racoon City all over again....and that is a great thing! This game looks great!
Will Chris and Leon unite in this game to stop those darn zombies? We'll find out this November!

Top 3 Favorite Video Game Cut Scenes of All Time

There are many nay sayers out there that think video games are childs play....looks at my wife. I was recently asked what my all time favorite video game cutscene was....I couldn't give one I gave 3 plus an honorable mention. Here are my top 3 favorite video game cutscenes! There are so many scenes from Final Fantasy X to choose from I choose this one because it literally floored me with it's sheer beauty but I could've easily choosen the final cutscene as that scene really was so full of emotion that it rivaled many Hollywood movies. My second choice is for the same reason, Valkyria Chronicals art style was so unique and so beautiful, it's a shame this title flew under most gamers radar, VC is another emotionally charged game like FFX. My #3 choice is one of the final scenes from Snake Eater, the best game in the MGS series in my opinion, it's scenes like the three I've chosen that make me a believer that the video game industry has the potential to surpass MOST of the crap that is coming from Hollywood these days.
So those are mine what are your's?

#1

#2

#3

Honorable Mention:

Street Fighter X Tekken New Cinematic Trailer & Game play Trailer

I was starting to wonder where all the media had gone for SXT and along comes Jin, Bison, Juri, Xiaoyu, and Paul Pheonix!
I'm psyched about SXT but a little voice in my head is saying wait....wait till Super Street Fighter X Tekken.....

Uber Mondays! Zoe Payne Pommel Me

The second week of Uber Mondays EA gives us Zoe's signature Uber The Pommel Me!

PSN's 12 for 12 Sale!

Sony has just released the list of 12 PSN titles that will go on sale from 1/17/12 - 1/23/12.
They are 30% off the regular price and if you're a PS+ subscriber they are 50% off!

• PixelJunk SideScroller – Regular $9.99, Sale $6.99, PS Plus $4.89

• PAYDAY: The Heist – Regular $19.99, Sale $13.99, PS Plus $9.79

• Dungeon Defenders – Regular $14.99, Sale $10.49, PS Plus $7.34

• Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection – Regular $9.99, Sale $6.99, PS Plus $4.89

• Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition – Regular $14.99, Sale $10.49, PS Plus $7.34

• Eufloria – Regular $9.99, Sale $6.99, Plus $4.89

• BloodRayne: Betrayal – Regular $14.99, Sale $10.49, PS Plus $7.34

• Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken – Regular $11.99, Sale $8.39, PS Plus $5.87

• Cubixx HD – Regular $9.99, Sale $6.99, PS Plus $4.89

• Sideway New York – Regular $9.99, Sale $6.99, PS Plus $4.89

• Rochard – Regular $9.99, Sale $6.99, PS Plus $4.89

• Okabu – Regular $14.99, Sale $10.49, PS Plus $7.34

RDR Multiplayer Event w/ 3X XP Friday the 13th!

Guess I know what I'll be playing tommorrow from 4-7pm  

"How about a little Undead Nightmare for Friday the 13th? 

Get Triple XP all weekend in Red Dead Redemption: Game of the Year Edition and enter for your chance to win two custom PlayStation 3 controllers in tomorrow's Social Club multiplayer event on PSN.

It all begins tomorrow January 13th with the multiplayer event from 4-7PM Eastern when we'll be posse'ing up in-game, broadcasting live with a video stream and chatting on the multiplayer events page. Any version of Red Dead orUndead Nightmare is compatible with Game of the Year Edition multiplayer - so even if you don't have the Game of the Year Edition release, you can join us to play in any of the applicable modes on PSN. Triple XP will be active for both PSN and Xbox LIVE all weekend."

If you want to know where, how and when to enter the sweepstakes, it's simple. During the event on January 13th, head to the multiplayer events page between 3:00 and 8:00 Eastern US time. Under 'Sweepstakes Entry' at the bottom of that page, you can enter your details for a chance to win the two specially customized Red Dead Redemption PlayStation 3 controllers you see above. Once you enter, you'll also have the chance to win one of 20 runner-up Rockstar prize packs that includes an official t-shirt, deck of Red Dead playing cards and assorted stickers.

OFFICIAL ROCKSTAR PSN IDs

• RedDeadDev3
• RedDeadDev4
• RedDeadDev5
• RedDeadDev6 

HOW TO FIND US
Start multiplayer from the main menu, choosing 'Normal' from the list of difficulties. This will place you into a Free Roam lobby. It's best to invite at least one friend and form a posse, but this is not required. Then enter the game mode being discussed by "SocialClub" in the chat.

HOW DOES FREE ROAM WORK?
Free Roam is the hub of your online experience. Supporting up to 16 players, Free Roam allows you to explore with your friends and enemies, take out the gangs of outlaws or launch into more structured gameplay using the markers placed around the world. We'll be forming posses and then heading into several game modes during the event.

FORMING A POSSE
To start the game, invite your friends, form a posse and find Rockstar, follow these steps:

1. From the main menu, press 'Start' and then enter 'Online Multiplayer' by pressing the 'Square' button, and choose 'Normal'.
2. Once in a Free Roam lobby, press the 'Select' button to open the in-game multiplayer menu.
3. Press the 'R1' button and then the 'Triangle' button to 'Show Friends'. Invite at least one friend into your posse using the 'X' button.
4. Once your friends are in the game, press the 'Triangle' button again to return to the 'Players' menu and select them with the 'X' button to 'Propose New Posse' or 'Send Posse Invite'.
5. Once you and your friends are ready to go, start up the game mode we're currently playing. We'll announce modes in the chat.

This is SSX

EA has posted yet another trailer for SSX today. The game looks absolutely amazing, the one thing I haven't heard of before is geotags, I think they are going to be the equivalent of SSX3's snowflakes. The wait is killing me!!!

PS Vita/ Taco Bell Promo "Unlock the Box"

 Remember your new years resolution to start getting in shape and exercising? Well forget it! Start stocking up on toilet paper and tums instead! Playstation is teaming up with Taco Bell and wants to give away a PS Vita every 15 Mins!

"PlayStation and Taco Bell just dished out some exciting news live at CES! While the US launch of PlayStation Vita is still more than a month away, PlayStation and Taco Bell have teamed up to give you the chance to win yours before they go on sale in stores. Starting January 26th through March 11th, one winner will be selected EVERY 15 MINUTES!
The folks at Taco Bell are eager to give you three ways to win your very own PS Vita: Unlock, Battle or Boast. Here’s a quick breakdown:

UNLOCK THE BOX: Beginning January 26th, Taco Bell’s specially marked $5 Buck Box – which includes a Cheesy Gordita Crunch, Crunchy Taco, Burrito Supreme and medium fountain drink – will also provide a code that can be entered online for an instant chance to “unlock” and win a PS Vita.
BATTLE: Download Taco Bell’s new mobile app to check out the exclusively designed Reality Fighters Dojo game where you can “battle” your friends to win a PS Vita.
BOAST: Taco Bell’s online contest will encourage you to submit a photo or video “boasting” about what you’re willing to do for a PS Vita. Submissions will then go into an online gallery where you and your peers can vote for the winners – it could be you!"

Why Taco Bell! WHY!!? I'll admit I have had my fair share of those Grilled Stuft Burritos and never had "issues" but folks if you've never had a burrito from Chipotle you're missing out...now those are STUFT!

Uber Mondays! Mac Walking the Dog!

EA brings us UBER Mondays from today thru till launch, every monday EA will post a character specific vid showcasing that characters signature UBER, today is Mac, and his UBER is Walk the Dog!

Free Swims 12 games for 2012

  2012 has alot of promising games coming and I'm hoping the Mayans just got lazy. Below is my list of  most anticipated games for the year, Some people will call me insane with the order, putting SSX ahead of ME3, and Twisted Metal above GTA V! Don't get me wrong Mass Effect 2 was awesome but I've been hoping and waiting for a good successor to SSX3 forever!!! Same goes for Twisted Metal, I enjoyed TMB but the ad hoc multiplayer was too little too late on the PS2, and to be honest I despised GTA IV so I'm keeping my expectations in check with GTA V. So without further ado here is my list of "Day 1 purchases" for 2012.

#1 I've been waiting 9 years for a new SSX that is a worthy successor to SSX3, I hope this is it! I've been following this game very closely since it was announced and we are now 54 days from launch! My only concern is I haven't seen any half pipes, bleachers, fireworks, or life other than the SSX crew in any of the video's Batty and EA have released thus far.
I only have 2 requests Allegra & DJ Atomica, now!

#2 on my list is Mass Effect 3, I loved ME2 and wish that the original could somehow be made available on the PS3. Regardless whether Bioware adds multiplayer or not this is a definate must have day 1 title.

#3 is on my list is one of the Playstation's longest running franchises, Twisted Metal!
TMB rescued the franchise on the PS2, the game was solid and as a fan myself really took the car combat genre and made it serious...although I missed blowing up the Eiffel Tower...
The multiplayer looks like a it will be a significant aspect of the game much like some major FPS out there. I just hope the single player experience isn't left on the sidelines.

I put the PS Vita launch title Gravity Daze at #4, above many "S rank" titles like Final Fantasy XIII-2, GTA V and Tomb Raider first and foremost because it's a completely new IP and the game's visuals and incorporation of the Vita's tech really make's this title unique and in my opinion the best reason to buy a Vita at launch.

In the #5 spot in my list is Street Fighter X Tekken, I'm still actively playing SSFIV AE 2012, and I can't seem to break my hypenosis with Capcom's fighting games...SXT could slip lower on my list due to a few things lingering in the back of my mind, first is how long after SXT releases will the "Super" / "ultimate" edition be announced? And WTF is up with those dam gems! Gems are for N00Bs!

#6 on my list is FFXIII-2, Unlike most major game sites I didn't have a problem with FFXIII's linear game play for two reasons; it re-emphasized the story line of a group trying to make their own fate vs a predetermined life...even though up to the very end of the story it was all pre destined anyway. It wasn't until they defeat Barthandelus and Orphan they they gain the freedom to forge their own fate. And I think Square Enix wanted to keep the storyline in check after the problems FFXII ran into mid development.
I loved FFX but never picked up FFX-2, I look at FFXIII-2 as Square apologizing and saying "look we can do a better job"....I wish Vs XIII would finally be announced!

#7 on my list is GTA V, As mentioned already I'm keeping my expectations in check due to my experience with GTA IV. I remember how hyped I was with all the coverage from the different gaming sites and then I met Niko Belic and his cousin Roman...meh

Some Franchises get the "reimagined" treatment and don't need it and are thus rejected by the fans, I'm actually hoping my #8 choice does get the "re imagining" treatment, I think this franchise REALLY needs it. If the trailer is any idication Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix (WTF!?) might just breathe new life in the world of Lara Croft.

I also have a sneaking suspicion this game will have RPG elements, HP, weapon creation ect...
I want to see some actual game play footage!

Until War for Cybertron came out I never bought a game based on the Transformers universe, but the folks at Full Moon really impressed me with WFC, the game play, story line and apparent knowledge of the Transformers G1 lore.
My #9 choice, Fall of Cybertron, it has Dinobots...what else do I need to say?!

My #10 pick for 2012 is Star Hawk, I never played the PS3 Warhawk, but I did own Warhawk for the PS1 waaay back when.
The reason I have StarHawk on the list is because I'm actually pretty tired of the whole FPS genre and it seems Zipper Interactive can't seem to find what made Socom 1 & 2 so great. I think StarHawk may fill the void nicely...

I only stumbled upon this traditional 2D fighter a month or 2 ago but it looks really fun. I recently read on Shoryuken that it's getting a console release....I doubt it will make it stateside but if it does I may check it out...Aquapazza grabs the #11 spot.

My final spot for 2012 is a tie between an MMO and a quasi MMO...Waku should be breaking outta beta soon and looks like a great game to return to the MMO scene I love the art direction. Wakfu just looks fun and takes itself a little less serious than other MMO's but doesn't lose the enjoyment of MMO's.

The other game is Journey by That Game Company, from what I know the idea sounds interesting..."An online line game that doesn't fit in with the traditional confines of multiplayer games". Ok you have my interest.......

SSX: Surviving Travis Rice's World

EA just put out a new video for SSX starring Travis Rice, I guess he'll be in the game to some extent.