Well here’s some quick but semi-shocking news blurbs for you so I’m going to get right to them. *Ahem*
Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright… WTF?!!!
Ok I’ll admit to something right now, I’ve never played any professor Layton games – I’ve never saw the appeal to them really. However Phoenix Wright is another story, every one an instance classic with engaging story, colorful characters, mind bending faux layering, the whole nine. I had mixed feeling when they dropped him as the lead in the Ace Attorney series so unceremoniously (he’s a bum now for goodness sake). However if this game is his comeback I whole hardly approve, and at the same time see what the good professor brings to the table. This cluster freak of fan fiction will make its way to the Nintendo 3DS in the near future. Oh, by the by, I know this ain’t the freshest news available but I just found out about this yesterday, so there you go.
Mass Effect 3 slated for holiday 2011
Well we all knew this was coming, but thanks to ebgames.com we roughly know how much time we have to buff out our own Commander Shepherds’, download all the DLC, and in some cases, actually finish the game (like me). So if I sound vague it for a reason – what I do know is that at the end Shepherd kicked booty and took names yes – until something goes horribly, horribly, horribly wrong… Which is fine because the Mass Effect series has only gotten better as they when along (seriously ME2 blew my mind in comparison to the first game, and the first game was great). I can’t wait to save the universe again in this 3rd, but hopefully not final, installment of the series.
With Angry Birds Day come and gone and the ‘Angry Birds Seasons’ game out and about (review pending) it seems the great war between Bird and Pig will continue for generations. During BluBerry’s (our very own tech diva) play through she discovered some interesting footage of a Peace Treaty between the two forces, televised by the Israeli comedy show ‘Eretz Nehederet‘ (A Wonderful Country). Well I wouldn’t call it a success, but I would call it funny as freak – enjoy!
Well it finally happened, after five years of loyal service of gaming though thick, thin, collisions, preschool cousins, and countless pockets full of who knows what – my Nintendo DS Lite Onyx Black console became unusable last month. I’ll spare you all the details, but let’s just say my ‘techbereaker’ brother had something to do with it. You know, I almost didn’t buy ol’ Blackie (please don’t get offended general public) here. Yes during that time I still had the original DS that was silver and black (called the DS Phat to some); when they announced the new and redesigned Nintendo DS Lite I said:
“Great, another play by Nintendo to get my money again; I mean they have it already but the one thing I won’t buy is repetition. I have a DS already, I don’t need another.”
However as fate would have it my original DS also suffered an accident via missed pocket slip straight down some cement stairs (and it still turned on – but the top screen was shot). So I bought a new DS Lite and I didn’t wait til I got home to play with it; found a good spot at the mall, pop in Megaman ZX, and it was over.
It was like discovering electricity.
Smooth, clear, bright, loud – it had it all baby. Since then my new DS was tied to my hip and I played it everywhere: school, work, friends, family, everywhere. I would be playing it right now if it wasn’t broken and would electrocute me if I tried. That being said, I don’t quite miss it as much as I should. I tribute that to two factors:
The iPod touch series: Even I must admit the power of cheap games that amuse me for hours (Angry Birds anyone). Those questionable games for $15.00, I’ll think I’ll pass.
And this:
The Nintendo 3DS is only a few short months away (running gag engage)
So yes it’s sad to put a good friend into the recycling bin, but you know what? I’m going to be ok. I can game with my iTouch just enough for the 3DS to reach my hot little hands, and once that happens people it is over, the face of gaming begin all over again.
Just when I think that I can chill out and temporally end my…
…character coverage, I hear two days ago that two more characters were introduced. No time to waste, let’s get to it.
Storm
Company: Marvel
Series: X-Men
- The mistress of the elements returns to forecast a butt-whipping and with a new costume too, nice. I’m personally glad Storm is back as I’m good playing as her. Her various weather attacks are vary in range making her a very effective addition to my team.
Crimson Viper
Company: Capcom
Series: Street Fighter
- The secretive C.I.A. Agent boasting damaging devices in her duds. She was a little out of place in Street Fighter IV with her alleged “cheating”, but here, she fits like one of her tazer-gloves. In terms of combat, even if her special move commands are simplified, she’d still be a bit of a pain to master, not a beginner’s character by any stretch.
Well this is it for now on the MvC front. til’ the next update, this is TBL, c’ya.
Hello all, my name is Boss Bronze; I am known as and by many things. The one thing I am truly proud of however is that I’m the one, true, Omnigamer (or Gaming Guru in some circles); that means in the world of video games the buck stops with me. I’ve grown up with video games (and other technologies) since the Atari 2600 (and the IBM PC Jr); I’ve played, rated, traded, advised, researched, and put into business cards (in middle school no less) gaming before ‘the game’ had a name. I say this not to stroke my own ego (insert your joke here) but to say I’ve seen a lot of shovelware peripherals come and go through a systems’ lifetime. I thought for sure I’ve seen the current consoles poor showings as well, but when I heard about both Sony and Microsoft going into motion controls for their product I knew I was wrong. Now the Playstation ‘Move’ and the Xbox ‘Kinect’ are out and about for the Christmas season this year – people I implore you do not buy this (or rather these). Now, now, I know what you all are either thinking or saying right now:
“Why not buy them? I love <obligatory console>.”
Or
“The Wii is for kids and their games look horrible unlike <obligatory console>.”
Or even
“You’re a Nintendo fan boy who doesn’t like <obligatory console> stealing the Wii’s thunder!”
Well even if those statements are true (the 3rd one especially) it doesn’t negate the fact the <obligatory consoles> were never intended (or built) for motion controls and all they really are is Sony and Microsoft’s attempt to milk the same cash cow Nintendo dairy farmed for the past four years. At this point in time I can not see any way the <obligatory consoles> can improve what the Wii has already done (outside the visual). Just look at the Move for a second; the control interface is… Similar to the Wii. Eerily similar. So similar in fact that one could dare say it’s an unimaginative direct rip off – and they would be right. Sure they (and you know who you are) would tell you a whole technical book of $50 words on how the technology works with their eye camera, gyroscopes, accelerometers, and the ridiculous mutli-colored sphere on the main remote. They also would say that the games are at a higher caliber and for a more mature audience, but at the end of the day -
This
Is this with games so mirrored aftered the Wii, you can almost smell the Xerox off their launch titles. For example…
This
Is this, with a face-lift
This
Is this, without the fun or whimsy
This
Is this, if it was called ‘Eyepet’ and featured a mutant furry instead of a real animal.
And so on, and so forth…
The only real innovate thing about the Move is that their controllers are powered by an integrated lithium-ion battery pack, recharged via mini USB cable (the same is true for their normal controllers as well). However the problem with anything integrated is that if that part is shot, the product is done (see iPod). Wii and Xbox controllers don’t have that problem when it comes to power supply, if they go I’m only down $3-12, for Move I would have to shell out $35-80.
_
The Move tried to play it safe and ultimately became a clone, but what of the Kinect? Well to its credit it is unique; using its device to “scan” in players of different size and shapes is interesting. Also the ‘instance drop in-drop out’ of a 2nd player makes casual gaming dynamic for the Kinect… However:
As you can see – the very first thing wrong with the Kinect is direct injuries to yourself and others by playing co-op/vs games. Sure, yes, there are examples of property damage due to people not having a good grip on a Wiimote (or not using the strap); but I’ve never heard of one flying off and hitting little jimmy in the pie hole. Which brings me to my next gripe, Kinect is a space hog. Seriously, my gaming area is small, I don’t live in a loft people; now my Wii plays fine in the Tetris-like enclosure I call the Armada nerve center but with the Kinect no such luck. If I lost my mind and bought this thing I wouldn’t be able to make a move without banging into the following:
Chair(s)
Desk(s)
Drawers
Other consoles
TV
Cabinets
Baskets
Desk lamp
Door
Etc.
It won’t happen all at once granted, but sooner or later something would have gotten hurt, broken, or both… Adding a second player in that room would be an instance fail, so yes big room fine, small room not so much.
_
Here’s another issue: according to consumer reports and gamespot.com the Kinect camera does have some difficultly reading players in low-light situations. To be fair the Wii controls aren’t always perfect, some functions don’t respond well in certain games. Cameras & motion controls don’t always mix very well as well. That being said since the Kinect has no controllers to support the system the camera should be near flawless – no matter the lighting in the environment. I’ll say something else too, when playing a game on whatever system I like the lights on low or completely off. Not only does right lighting fit the mood of the game, it also cuts down on TV glare, which all gamers know (or should know) makes the games easier to see on the screen. I don’t need some uppity $150 piece of tech not working just because it’s having a hard time seeing me in the dark!
Ok so we covered injuries to yourself and others and (what a surprise) a Microsoft product not working as it should. What’s left you ask, how about the powers that be using the Kinect as a tool for advertisers. The good people at tgdaily.com wrote an article on how this is being done, here’s an excerpt:
“Did you know thanks to the Kinect motion camera, Microsoft can now see how you play your Xbox 360 games? And it wants to send this information to marketers.
Not only can players see content that advertisers display, but advertisers can see who is seeing their advertisements. As Microsoft puts it, advertisers would be able to see physical characteristics of who is behind the Kinect camera, how many people there are, and how much they’re moving around.”
Basically you, your image, and how you play can be used by ad men and women to propel the next line of junk to your eyeballs that you simply ‘must’ buy. Are you an overweight fellow who prefers ‘Kinect Adventures’ sitting down, expect a couple of coupon books for pizza hut heading your way. What about a fitness guru who can do the steps of ‘Your Shape Fitness Evolved’ blindfolded, well one could never have enough Bowflexes right? Enjoy Sonic Free Riders; you might also love some New Jersey swap land. See where I going here? Microsoft does, and they whole heartily support this if any advertising agencies want in.
I’ll say this once; I play video games to have fun, not to buy crap (or crappy DLC games). If I want to see commercials I’ll turn on a TV and see what’s on, or go to the movies, or go online, or use my cell phone…
_
All of this, all of it can be (for a lack of a better term) ignored – they’re annoying but doesn’t cripple the Kinect.
What does is nothing.
The very gall of the genius who came up with the idea of having the player use nothing but themselves to make progress in a game is asinine. Not to mention a very old idea, I remember using an old web camera nine years ago to play a simple game of basketball (the game was part of the camera’s software). Sure it was fun using my hands and head to knock the balls in the baskets, but I got bored very quickly with that simple, simple game. The Kinect is no different from that old web camera years ago, and its games are just as simple. I played Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports, and demo boxing game; I swear to you my audience if I didn’t get high scores just by flailing around, then it was giving me static on the simplest things like placing the ball down, putting up your guard in fights, timing errors, not standing the right area, etc.
Without any kind of controller as an indicator on where, what and how; all you’ll be doing is looking stupid – and getting tired of (and from) it.
Where does Microsoft plan to go from here with their ‘no controller’ approach? Their best, most popular games are heavy based on their current form of controls. There is no way the Kinect style of play can handle those meaty titles unless you turn the next Halo game into a rail shooter or the next Fable into a choose your own adventure e-book.
*sigh*
This all may sound like the ravings of a mad, Omnigamer, but I speak the truth on a matter more mine than anyone’s. The reasons I gave are why both the Move and the Kinect are not only bad ideas to buy for the Christmas season, but will simply fail in the months to come. Xbox 360 dominates by their games, while the PS3 their hardware, if they try to fight to Nintendo at their own game not only will they lose, but lose big – after all Nintendo biggest powerhouse ain’t coming from the Wii next year…
The Nintendo 3DS is only a few short months away
Well I’ve said my piece and I thank you all for indulging me, this is Boss Bronze saying good night and pleasant grinding on Cata, I wish I was there.
…character coverage. We’re at the final stretch for now folks, today I scope out the six remaining characters until more are confirmed. You ready? Good, let’s get to it.
Arthur
Company: Capcom
Series: Ghosts ‘n Goblins
- The knight ready to save a princess from the underworld, Sir Arthur, along with Thor appeared in MvC1 as a helper character. Now, he’s a full fledged character and he’s ready to take on all comers. I vaguely remember playing, Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, but I know this little guy is loaded with special attacks, so I’m guessing he’s a range fighter. His supers also look like they have to deal with treasure chests. I’ll know more when the game is out, but with his appearance in Namco X Capcom, his cameos in Capcom Fighting Jam and Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, plus his enemy Red Arremer in SNK vs. Capcom Chaos, you know Capcom wanted him in a fighting game for a long time.
Nathan Spencer
Company: Capcom
Series: Bionic Commando
- It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Rad in action, but my goodness, I’ve never seen so much bodily harm inflicted on a person with one arm. With that stretchy robo-arm of his, long range attacks seem like his specialty. A good addition overall due to the most recent game being fresh in everyone’s mind.
Viewtiful Joe
Company: Capcom
Series: Viewtiful Joe
- Hero of Movie Land, Viewtiful Joe is one of two characters that came from Tatsunoko vs. Capcom on the way here. I love the Viewtiful Joe series, but his TvC moves didn’t speak to me. Hopefully, he’s improved since then, but we’ll see. If anything, Joe’s great for a laugh.
Zero
Company: Capcom
Series: Mega Man X, Mega Man Zero
- Like Viewtiful Joe, Zero debut in TvC. Unlike Joe’s moves though, Zero’s moves rule and they look like they do again in MvC3. Zero is a pretty balanced fighter with tons of Melee attacks including some from his legendary Z-Saber and long range attacks from his Z-Buster. Can’t wait to see him in action.
Jill Valentine
Company: Capcom
Series: Resident Evil
- Jill Valentine returns for a second MvC game, here she’s a downloadabe character. Even more jarring is her redesign, it’s so different. It makes me wonder if she’s going to have the same moves of if they are going to be changed dramatically. Also, why does she remind me of Samus from Metroid? hmm… Anyway, if she has the same awesome moves, I’ll give her a shot.
Shuma-Gorath
Company: Marvel
Series: Dr. Strange
- Awesome to see such an obscure Marvel character once again get to be in a MvC game, even if he is DLC this time. Deep down, I knew he was going to be in the game. Can’t wait to break out the Chaos Dimension and Pwning fools. Using exploding eyeballs too, sweet.
Well, that’s all I got, for Marvel vs. Capcom 3. Keep watching for… what? WHO WAS JUST ANNOUNCED TODAY!!!!?
(Come back for pt. 6 for Storm and Crimson Viper).
…character coverage. This time we look at the vicious, vile, vexing, verminous errr…. varnishing villains. Since I did pimp-tastic M.O.D.O.K. already, there will only be five characters in this one. I’m also aware that Capcom’s lacking in the villain department. So, let’s get to it.
Dormammu
Company: Marvel
Series: Dr. Strange
- Man, someone in Marvel or Capcom must hate Doc Strange, because this is the second time the Sorcerer Supreme misses the cut in favor of one of his enemies (the first is Shuma Gorrath, but I’ll get back to him soon). This time is the Dread Dormammu, the Lord of the Realm of Darkness. This guy is frightening and he has a lot of fire attacks, but that’s all I go on him until I get to play as him. Still, it’s kinda weird seeing him and not Dr. Strange.
Dr. Doom
Company: Marvel
Series: Fantastic Four
- The bad doctor is back once again, Latvaria’s own Victor von Doom. He can fly like Iron Man, use tech like Iron Man and has armor like War Machine (who has armor like Iron Man). He’s by far one of the MvC series most cheap characters, but not great for beginners.
Super Skrull
Company: Marvel
Series: Fantastic Four
- Like Dr. Strange, the Fantastic Four get overlooked in favor of two of their enemies, the afformentioned Dr. Doom and this ma…gu..thing, Super Skrull. Let’s put this into perspective, he can stretch his limbs, set his body (or the opponents) on fire, tun his arms into solid rock and turn invisible. Yep, I’m picking him.
Wesker
Company: Capcom
Series: Resident Evil
- What a freak this guy was, I can’t wait to crush him. Wesker was a former S.T.A.R.S. agent in Resident Evil who was a double agent working for the bad guys, eventually he made himself a zombie (sort of) and went completely insane, wanting to wipeout the human race. He seems to have some good melee combat, but I’ll know more, when the game is out. JERK!!!
Magneto
Company: Marvel
Series: X-Men
- The master of magnetism returns in MvC 3. His combat style focuses on mid, to long range combat. Along with that Magneto’s got a neat new super I want to try, I can’t wait.
Well, I’m done tonight, tomorrow, I got, Arthur, Nathan Spencer, Zero and the DLC characters, Jill Valentine and Shuma Gorrath. ‘Til then I’m out.
**Yawn** Is it night already?, okay, well I guess it’s time for part 3 of my…
…character coverage. We got all the lovely ladies y’all, and one pimp daddy at the end. So let’s get the lowdown on these six warriors.
Amaterasu
Company: Capcom
Series: Okami
- The goddess of the sun, in the form of a white wolf, this is Amaterasu, with Issun, her sidekick flea, she sought to stop evil in Classical Japan. Never played the game, so I’m interested to see if I can exploit her shot size during battle. Overall, unique and well deserved pick. Clover made stuff deserves more love (will get back to that with Viewtiful Joe).
X-23
Company: Marvel
Series: X-Men, X-Force
- The girl Wolverine from X-Men Evolution, has gotten far. She first makes it into official comic canon and then into MvC 3. Saberetooth is my Wolvie ripoff of choice (too bad he’s dead), but hey, she does get points for feet claws if her melee attacks are as good as Wolverine’s then she could be a good new addition.
Felicia
Company: Capcom
Series: Darkstalkers
- My favorite Darkstalkers character next to Rikuo, this charismatic catwoman was one of my mains in MvC 2. Agile, fast and unique and damaging moves, Felicia will be great to play as and I can’t wait.
She-Hulk,
Company: Marvel
Series: The Hulk
- Okay, who saw this coming? I mean it’s great to see Jen “She-Hulk” Walters, cousin of Bruce “the Hulk” Banner, in this game, but I didn’t know she had that kind of fan following. Anyway, like her cuz’ She-Hulk seems very strong, but she is smaller and way more agile. She’s interesting, but who knows how she turns out.
Tron Bonne
Company: Capcom
Series: Megaman Legends
- The little bratty tyrant with a giant mech and tons of Servebots to do her bidding. She’s actually a pretty balanced character from what I can remember. She had a good rushing special and used her Servebots and ammo (cruel, but funny). Good addition overall, but let’s see a Megaman soon, please Capcom.
M.O.D.O.K.
Company: Marvel
Series: Captain America
- The Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing aka M.O.D.O.K. once again shows Capcom’s love for odd Marvel villains (Blackheart, Spiral, Shuma Gorrath). He floats constantly and has a couple of ranged energy attacks. What I know for sure is just that M.O.D.O.K’s a player. I mean what lady could resist that winning glower?
(Boss Bronze – Please note, there is not a ‘Pimp-M.O.D.O.K.’ secret character or pallet in the actual game, but wouldn’t it be cool if there was right?)
Well, I’m done tonight, tomorrow, I tackle, Dormammu, Dr. Doom, Wesker, Super Skrull and Magneto. Goodnight.
Hey everyone, TrueBackLash back again for part 2 of my…
…character coverage. Yeah, so I’m fashionably late by a day. So I’ll tell ya what, I’ll do a double feature, I’ll do yesterday’s list now and today’s list tonight. So ’nuff with the banter, let’s get to it.
Chris Redfield
Company: Capcom
Series: Resident Evil
- New to the MvC series, Chris Redfield, along with his partner Jill Valentine (a MvC alum in her own right) were the first heroes in the horror-shooter series Resident Evil. I’m more of a House of the Dead fan and never played the series, but if Chris’ moves are anything like Jill’s that expect to see zombies and firearms, lots of zombies and firearms.
Captain America
Company: Marvel
Series: Captain America
- Hero of World War II, Captain America (Cap to his allies) even predates Marvel as a comic book company (long story, look on wikipedia). Sure he’s just as cheezy a hero today as Superman, but he has more patriotism in his left toe than most politicians have in their entire bodies. Anyway, Cap can do lots of great melee damage with close quarters combat. In addition, his (nearly unbreakable) shield adds to the melee damage and makes a great flying disc of doom to knock opponents senseless. Always a favorite of mine, look forward to using him.
Chun-Li
Company: Capcom
Series: Street Fighter
- The first lady in fighting games period, let alone Street Fighter. She, like Ryu has been in every “Capcom Vs.” game to date. Her bread and butter are her various kick attacks that will mess up the opponent in no time flat. That’s not to take away from her fireball attacks, including, her giant fireball barrier super. Not a huge fan myself, but I know a lot of fanboys will be happy to have her.
Thor
Company: Marvel
Series: Thor
- The son of Odin is one of two characters so far who was only an assist character in the first Marvel vs. Capcom game to become a full-fledged character in his own right, Arthur being the second. That said, much of Thor’s gameplay is probably going to come from, hitting opponents with Mjolnir, his mighty hammer, or striking them down with lightening bolts from Mjolnir or from the sky above. I’m personally exited to play as him, because of his recent serge of publicity (future live-action movie, Avengers: EMH, Marvel Ultimate Alliance etc.)
Trish
Company: Capcom
Series: Devil May Cry
- One of the MvC 3′s new blood, Dante’s longtime ally is ready for action with gun attacks and use of her demon powers. I’m not too familiar with her outside of playing her in Viewtiful Joe (never played DMC, sorry), here’s hoping she’s as badass as he looks. P.S. I know this is very similar to Dante’s entry.
The Hulk
Company: Marvel
Series: The Hulk
- You wouldn’t like the Hulk when he’s angry, which is all the time apparently. The radiation, infused monster gives us noting but quality smashing, along with some moves that are charge-based for a nice change of pace. Big and slow, the Hulk is very strong (obviously) and more resistant to melee damage. Very good pick.
Well, that’s all today, tonight, I’ll do Amaterasu, X-23, Felicia, She-Hulk, Tron Bonne and M.O.D.O.K. See you peeps in the PM.
Hey everyone, TrueBackLash here and this just in (or not) but after over 10 years of waiting, Capcom has once again teamed up with comic book colossus Marvel to make, drum roll please….
Shocking huh? Anyway today’s will focus on my opinions on six of the confirmed characters.
Ryu
Company: Capcom
Series: Street Fighter
- This comes as a surprise to no one who is familiar with the ”Capcom vs.” games. He’s been every single one, so it came as no surprise that this world warrior would be in this game. But to me, Ryu is kindda dull. He’s got a “Joe Vanilla” kinda personality, but he’s also has great moves for beginners. Ryu’s okay, but I’d rather have Ken.
Wolverine
Company: Marvel
Series: X-Men / Wolverine
- Hey bub, this Canadian mutant with knives in his wrists has been in every Marvel based Capcom game, and for good reason. Wolverine will slice you to ribbons with his various melee attacks. Easily one of the most aggressive fighting game characters period. MvC fans wouldn’t have it any other way.
Morrigan
Company: Capcom
Series: Darkstalkers
- The sultry succubus from the Darkstalkers games is only one of two characters from that series to make it in the game, the other is Felicia (sorry Anakaris and B.B. Hood fans). She plays very similar to Ryu, but has that aforementioned personality that Ryu lacks. It doesn’t hut that she has a jet pack that can grow out of her back, or that she hot, y’know for a fictional character.
Iron Man
Company: Marvel
Series: Iron Man
- Yes yes, Tony “Iron Man” Stark is a big star now after his successful fils starring Robert Downey Jr. I remember barely no one other than comic book fans cared about him before the films. Anyway he’s decent here, good long range attacks, plus he can fly. I’m more of a War Machine fan but, eh., he’s close enough.
Dante
Company: Capcom
Series: Devil May Cry
- One of the MvC 3′s new blood, this demon hunting hero is ready for action with guns akimbo and a giant sword. I’m not too familiar with the guy outside of playing him in Viewtiful Joe (never played DMC, sorry), here’s hoping he’s as badass as he looks.
Deadpool
Company: Marvel
Series: Deadpool
- Oh yeah, the “Merc with the Mouth”, Deadpool is a riot every time I saw him in Marvel Utimate Alliance. Like Dante, Deadpool is dual rocking the guns and has some sword action. All I know if ‘Pool says some funny stuff and does some awesome Shoryukens on some smart alecky chicks and I’m all good.
Well, that’s all today, tommorrow comes Chris Redfield, Captain America, Chun-Li, Thor, Trish and The Hulk. ‘Til next time, c’ya.
