Why is Everybody Ignoring Dead Space? Here are 4 Reasons to be Excited

There, I said it.  Dead Space is being completely ignored by the gaming community already.  Why?  Well, for starters it comes out on October 31st this fall, smack dab in the middle of juggernauts such as Resistance 2, Gears of War 2, Little Big Planet and on and on.  True, there are in fact so many highly anticipated games coming out this fall that it’s easy for a new IP like Dead Space to get lost in the shuffle.  Frankly, that is unfortunate for many reasons.

First of all, the game is looking great.  The visuals look amazing and the atmosphere is very reminiscent of the Alien Trilogy (Quadrilogy my ass). If you enjoyed watching Ripley battle aliens in dark corridors against insurmountable odds this game should be on your radar.

Second, the story is almost exactly the same as the now legendary Ridley Scott directed Alien film…and that’s a good thing.  Set on a mining ship that is in, you guessed it, deep space, protagonist Isaac Clarke finds himself up against an alien species called “Necromorphs” that have taken over the ship and killed everybody.  It’s a classic science fiction story and one that perfectly creates a situation where you are completely alone and afraid.

Third, Dead Space is a third-person survival horror game that is very similar to Resident Evil 4 and the upcoming Resident Evil 5.  Chances are, if you like those types of games, this one will be much the same…only with less zombies and a sci-fi twist.

Fourth and finally, this game is a brand new IP from EA, a company that is traditionally very hesitant to take chances and move in creative new directions.  There is far too much money involved these days with developing new IP’s and the fact that EA is taking a chance on a new one is a positive sign not only for the industry but for gamers.  If you are tired of playing sequels and the same games that have been rehashed over and over again, now is the chance to throw your support behind a game that is trying something new.   Lets be honest, new IP’s don’t come along very often because of the financial risks involved. Too often a great new IP will be released that is gains universal critical acclaim…only to catch on too late with gamers. Fans of the amazing PS2 game Okami will agree that the game should have had far more success with the gaming community.

If you are one of the many that has not even seen this game yet be sure to check out the trailer below.  Better yet, be sure to see the awesome developer commentary video. Science fiction fans should be excited.

I think this game is going to be worth taking a “chance” on.  To learn more from someone that has actually played the game, check out a hands-on preview written by IGN’s Hilary Goldstein.

To be clear, I’m not advocating that you should go out and buy this game…yet. But if it comes out and is actually really good I only hope that gamers will give it a chance. Otherwise, all we may have to look forward from EA will be the next iterations of Tiger Woods and Burnout for years to come.

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Valkyria Chronicles: Another PS3 Exclusive RPG on the Horizon

A while back I posted an article about the upcoming PS3 exclusive game White Knight Chronicles.  To my surprise, many PS3 gamers had no idea it was even under development, much less coming sometime soon.   And now, another under the radar PS3 exclusive is about to get PS3 owners excited again: Valkyria Chronicles (VC) or if you prefer the full name, Valkyrie of the Battlefield: Gallian Chronicles.  Developed by Sega and already released in Japan, VC is a tactical RPG that features a unique turn-based battle system called BLiTZ (Battle of Live Tactical Zones).  Essentially, each turn you will begin with a “command view” of the battlefield.  Players may then select individual units to issue commands in an “action mode”.  This mode functions in real time and you can even aim your weapons to take headshots, bodyshots etc.  It is an interesting blend of strategy and rpg elements when you see the game in action.

Easily the most hyped aspect of VC is the unique cell-shaded graphics that are powered by the all-new CANVAS engine.  Best described as a “living watercolor,” the visuals of VC look flex the power of the PS3’s cell processor.  To truly appreciate the CANVAS engine the game must be seen in motion.  Have a look at the videos below.  The second video and commentary is courtesy of Videogame Central.

Though unconfirmed, internet speculation has VC coming to North America in November 2008 as it is currently being localized.

It seems that the PS3 is slowly coming around with even more solid RPGs to get excited about.  It will be interesting to see if the PS3 can regain RPG supremacy over its rivals…but even if it never reaches the lofty heights set by the PS2, Sony gamers may console themselves that quality RPGs are on the way.

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Maybe it’s time to get a Wii…

I’ve been debating for a while now about whether or not I should to get a Wii…and this video may have just pushed me over the edge….towards buying a Wii of course. What did you think I was talking about?

I think this video speaks for itself. Enjoy!

Giant Bomb is the new Gamespot…just ask Brad and Vinny

As many know, Gamespot has suffered a complete collapse since the huge debacle that was the Jeff Gerstmann firing. Since then, almost every popular editor has left Gamespot and with it, all credibility. Not simply content to move on to another gaming website, Jeff Gerstmann and fellow ex-Gamespot editor Ryan Davis have begun to build a Giant Bomb…a new gaming website free from the corporate strings that inevitably lead to Gerstmann’s dismissal.

Today it’s official though, the new Giant Bomb website is going to be everything that people loved about the “old” Gamespot…as the team has welcomed two more Gamespot alumni into the fold. Announced today on the Giant Bombcast, ex-Gamespot employees Brad Shoemaker and Vinny Caravella are official Giant Bomb editors. For anyone that loved the Gamespot of old, this is awesome news. It’s great to see Jeff and Ryan stick it to the corporate dogs that destroyed Gamespot’s integrity and alienated all of its fans. Thanks to some bold resignations and a willingness to risk striking out on their own, these ex-Gamespotters have earned the freedom to talk about video games however they want. The real winners in all this are undoubtedly the readers who have the opportunity to get honest opinions and commentary from editors who have made a stand for journalistic integrity.

To hear the announcement check out the latest Giant Bombcast…it’s always worth a listen!

Source: http://www.giantbomb.com/2008/06/03/giant-bombcast-06-03-2008/

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-slick Precipice of Darkness Review

Fans of Penny Arcade have long known that this game was coming…but has anybody else noticed? Released on Xbox Live Arcade and the PC, Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 1: On the Rain-slick Precipice of Darkness (Darkness from here on) manages to create a game that will delight fans of the comics and will make RPG fans stand up (or likely sit down) and take notice. The game follows the exploits of Gabe and Tycho as they try to uncover the mysteries of giant robots, mimes, clowns and hobos. On first glance, the games story seems preposterous…but for Penny Arcade it works. The developers have done an admirable job of creating a world and atmosphere that really let the unique humour of Penny Arcade shine through. While the humour may not be for everyone, for those that enjoy it, Darkness manages to make you laugh, which is the point isn’t it?

Many gamers will end up mistaking Darkness for an adventure game. Even those who download the demo may not get far enough into the story to realize that Darkness is in fact an RPG, and a very good one at that. RPG fans should take notice. The battle system in Darkness utilizes real time mechanics but adds a turn based flavour (Final Fantasy fans may yawn at this point…but there’s more). As you select commands for your group you are also responsible for blocking enemy attacks, which actually is a game in itself. Timing a block takes practice and it will keep you on your toes throughout the game. Like any good RPG, each character has a special attack that charges over time and can be unleashed after completing a successful mini-game. In action, the battle mode is at the same time frenetic but also very strategic. It needs to be experienced to be truly appreciated.

Technically, Darkness looks and runs great. The cartoonish animations and comic panel approach give the game an authentic comic book feel that works incredibly well. Add in some Mass Effectesque dialogue trees and the game does well to immerse you into its crazy world and ridiculous story. Darkness is easily one of the best looking XBLA games to-date.

Of course, there is some bad with the good. The cost of entry for Darkness is a bit high at $20, making it the most expensive stand-alone XBLA title so far. This wouldn’t be so much of a problem if the game was a bit longer…most gamers will be finished with Darkness after 7-9 hours. Unfortunately, Darkness doesn’t lend itself to multiple playthroughs, so once you are done, you likely won’t be replaying it. In addition, despite being relatively short the game still manages to require a fair amount of backtracking which may turn off some gamers.

The Good:

+ Fantastic battle mode mechanics
+ Refreshing humour (if you like Penny Arcade especially)
+ Graphics and presentation are great

The Bad:

- A bit short at 7-9 hours of gameplay
- Some backtracking
- High cost of entry

The Verdict: BUY IT

Penny Arcade’s first game manages to overcome a high price tag with a game that will win over RPG fans and Penny Arcade enthusiasts alike. For those who are on the fence, at the very least you should try the demo. For me, I’m already looking forward to the next episode. Let’s just hope they don’t make us wait too long.

If you want to see the game in action, check out a clip here: