GeekSugar

Eidos Pulls Out All the Stops For Batman Arkham Asylum

GeekSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:05:25 -0700

Although I haven't had a chance to dive into the full release version of Batman: Arkham Asylum since it landed in my mailbox on Monday, I did get a taste of the action while at E3. From the 15 minute demo that I witnessed, I can tell you that the game is kinda creepy, but totally awesome. . . especially when you're playing in combat mode.

But before I can divulge any details about the game, I have to give some props to publisher Eidos - Arkham Asylum came packaged with my very own emergency straitjacket kit! You know, just to make sure that if things get out of hand while I'm playing, someone can subdue me properly. Nice touch!

Batman: Arkham Asylum starts with you trapped in (what else?) Arkham Asylum, trying to track down The Joker who is plotting your demise with the help of a gang of fellow inmates. Combat is in a free flow style, which means if you combo moves and hits, you can max out your experience and kick major butt with power moves. The controls were nice and smooth, and were easy to get the hang of. But some of the best parts about the game are the stealth and detective modes. Learn more about these features and others when you read more.

In detective mode, you can see through walls with a special visor to detect heat signatures, fingerprints, and even smell cigarette smoke and alcohol on the breath of your enemies before they can see you. In Stealth, you can use your silent skills to take down The Jokers' posse without others seeing or hearing. Plus, using your batarang and working with the architecture of the building - like perching on ledges and hanging upside down on poles like a bat - helps you take down your enemies faster, while racking up the skill.

Batman: Arkham Asylum is available now online and in stores for your Xbox 360 and PS3.

Get Your Game On: April Releases

GeekSugar — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 07:33:00 -0700

It's the calm before the gaming storm! Spring is not just for flowers and showers, it's the time for game companies to put the finishing touches on their work and prepare to show them off in the coming months. Look out for lots of new gaming news from now until late Fall - it's crunch time! So while we wait for the goods, check out these titles that will be hitting the shelves this month.

View Slideshow ›

geeksugar Goes Inside SF's Resident Evil 5 Launch Party

GeekSugar — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:16:31 -0700

How appropriate that Resident Evil 5 would launch today, Friday the 13th, since it's one of the creepiest games ever. And if you needed proof that the series is a true crowd-pleaser, try this fact on for size: Resident Evil 4 sold 5.2 million copies since its 2005 release, and the entire series has sold more than 36 million copies since it first appeared on the scene in 1996. And speaking of crowds, the one that gathered outside the launch tent in San Francisco's Union Square last night was packed with gamers who were not only waiting to get an early peek at the game, but also anxiously watching the clock until midnight arrived so they could head home with a copy of their own.

The thumping music coming from inside the tent was just the beginning - there were games, giveaways, cell phone engravings, and energy drinks (a geeks' drink of choice) being passed around to keep the party going until the clock struck 12.

View 5 Photos ›

To hear more about the event, and to find out what my favorite part of the night was, just read more.

Not only were there free "health" vials filled with M&M's (I'm always down for free candy), but the creators and developers of the RE series, as well as the actors that lended their voices to the game were on hand to mingle with the crowd. And although it was exciting to meet the voice of Chris Redfield live and in person, my favorite part of the evening was the screaming contest that had you letting loose in a sound booth to see who could scream the loudest. I almost won . . . so close.

You can get your hands on a copy of Resident Evil 5 today for your Xbox and PS3 systems ($60), but be sure to check back on Monday for my full review of the game!

Get Your Game On: March Releases

GeekSugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 02:02:49 -0800

You know, I'm actually thankful that the past few weeks have been cold and rainy here in SF, cause I realized how behind I was on my game queue! I must be missing out on something good, so while I play catch-up, check out my gaming picks for March. I'll just toss a few of these into my pile. It never ends!

View Slideshow ›

Get Your Game On: February Releases

GeekSugar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 04:03:07 -0800

Traditionally, when I think of February, I think of love and chocolate. But this year I'm also thinking about snowy mountains, supernatural powers, space exploration, and kicking butt old-school style. Before you start calling me insane, find out why I associate those things with February - click through my slideshow of all the games hitting shelves this month!

View Slideshow ›

Get Your Game On: January Releases

GeekSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:00:00 -0800

Are you seeing a few more titles in your game closet after the holiday season? I know I am, which is great, since it's so cold, I don't want to leave the heat of my Xbox 360 to go outside! This month, it's all about the DS, with three out of five of my picks going to the portable system. Check out which games I'm contemplating on adding to my collection in this slideshow.

View Slideshow ›

Get Your Game On: December Releases

GeekSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:00:35 -0800

The year is coming to a close, and all my most anticipated titles came out in the last quarter of 2008. So as you may have guessed, I'll be submitting a pretty long wish list to the North Pole in the coming weeks! Although there are only one or two big headliners hitting your consoles this month, it might be nice to explore other smaller games you may have overlooked. Check out my picks for December - hopefully you're on Santa's good list and will find some of these under your Christmas tree!

View Slideshow ›

Animal Crossing City Folk For the Wii: New Features, Still Cute

GeekSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:30:12 -0800

I'm obviously a big fan of Animal Crossing - having spent hours on end playing Wild World on my DS - I'm happy to say I've already put in some good time with Animal Crossing: City Folk, since its release on Sunday. It's the same game you know and love from before (which could be a good or bad thing, depending on how you look at it), but thankfully there are a few awesome new features on the Wii version that you won't find on any of the other consoles.

One of which is the Wii Speak adapter ($30) that lets you chat with others from around the world via your WiFi connection. Just attach the USB speaker into the Wii and you're off. But the coolest thing about this version has to be the DS import feature. Instead of making a brand new character in City Folk, you can transfer your town from your DS and start where you last left off. I'm totally stoked about that since I've upgraded my house quite a bit. Plus, working for Tom Nook to pay off my mortgage wasn't easy - who wants to start that all over again from scratch?

Animal Crossing City Folk is now available online ($50) or in stores. But here's a tip: pick the game and microphone bundle from Amazon for $70 - you'll save ten bucks!

Fable II Early Impressions: Are You Playing Yet ?!

GeekSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:00:24 -0700

Although Fable II and Little Big Planet were supposed to be released on the same day (causing some major headaches for yours truly on which to play first), I was a bit relieved to find that one of them would be delayed, causing my game crunch to disappear for the time being.

Now, the much anticipated sequel to 2004's Fable will keep me happily occupied until LBP hits shelves on Oct. 27. Not that Fable II should be looked at as a place saver - it's an amazing game on its own, and I'm totally loving it! I got my hands on a copy of Fable II a few days ago, and I haven't been able to stop playing since. Seriously - I was up till 1:30 a.m. yesterday morning.

Although I have barely skimmed the surface of this massive world, I do have a few thoughts on the game already. To find out what they are, just read more.

I love having the dog as a companion. He helps me find treasures, warns me of danger, and I can even get my pet fix by playing fetch with him!
The camera kinda sucks when you're playing co-op. The weird part is, when you are playing the hero, the camera follows your sidekick! Hello? I'm over here trying to open this treasure chest!
I don't like the map. I couldn't even find it at first!
I really love the golden pathway that you follow to find where you need to go. Although you are free to explore the world as you please, the golden path leads you to your next mission, so you never get lost.
I also love how you can skip conversations. Sometimes waiting for a villager to tell you the origins of a building you want to buy is annoying when you can read the details on the deed.
Be careful of who you are nice to and flirt with! They may follow you around, and get in your way.
Battle sequences are not too challenging, but are totally satisfying. I'm sure they will get tougher as the game develops though.

I'll have my full review coming up soon, but in the meantime, have you been playing Fable II nonstop like I have?

Spore Origins Hits the iPhone and iPod Touch

GeekSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:03:04 -0700

Although Steve announced its release yesterday at the Let's Rock presentation, I got a chance to play with the newest game to hit the App Store at the Spore Release party last week. Spore Origins officially launched for the iPod Touch and iPhone on Monday and comes in at a cool $10 for your gaming pleasure.

Although the full version of Spore on your Mac or PC will take you all the way through Cell to Space stages, Spore Origins is condensed down into 30 levels in the Cell stage only (which was one of my faves anyway). You still get your chance to create, mold, and evolve as a creature, and of course you still get to hunt your food and (even sometimes be hunted) in your pool of muck. What's so cool about Spore Origins? Find out when you read more.

The iPhone and iPod Touch's accelerometer acts as your steering device, so you're getting the full experience of Spore on the go, but the extra added benefit of twisting and turning your iPhone or iPod to get where you need to go in the game. It's a great feature that's totally unique to the iPhone and iPod Touch that you won't get anywhere else.