OMG Planescape Torment on GOG

If you’ve heard of Planescape Torment, you know why this is a big deal. If you haven’t heard of it, go freakin’ buy it already.  It’s only $9.99 for PC on the newly relaunched GoodOldGames.com.

Planescape Torment is very story driven; you’re dead, or at least you were, and wake up on a slab in some mortuary or evil experiment lab, I forget which, and your only friend is a floating, mouthy skull. That’s where you freakin’ start. 

There are a LOT of dialogue options. They give you a lot of room to be nice, or mean, or lie, or everything in between. Even the Fallout series has less options.
  
I also played this recently, digging out my old copy during the gaming famine of ‘09. It’s was a little harsh to look at, but not like going back to FFVII (I love you Cloud, but we can’t see each other like this anymore).

Go. Now.  

[Gog via Joystiq]

10 months ago

Kirby’s Epic Wang


“What happened to Kirby”? A massive erection, that’s what. Which raises all kinds of concerns, because in Kirby’s case, he is what he eats.

[Kotaku]

11 months ago

Fallout: New Vegas Developer Diary Video #2 Details Tech And Sound

 

If there’s anything I can say about having already played a few minutes of Fallout: New Vegas, both at PAX and this year’s E3, it’s that the weapons are now officially out of control. From the sheer number, to the crafting, to the all new ways they’ve incorporated the theme of 50’s sci fi technology, I feel I can safely say the New Vegas experience will sincerely be a fresh one from D.C. Check out what I mean with the new developer diary above, where you’ll also hear some details about the sound, which they had to alter to reflect the deep canyons and open spaces of a post apocalyptic West.

If you missed the first developer diary video, you can find it below.

 


 [BethBlog]

11 months ago

Well Would You Look At That

BethBlog linked to my PAX 2010 Fallout: New Vegas review. This sudden discovery has seriously impaired my ability to breathe.

11 months ago

Introducing Your Fallout: New Vegas NPCs
Undoubtedly one of the greatest additions to Fallout: New Vegas has got to be the companion perks. Unlike Fallout 3, when the only bonus was the ass kicking your NPC routinely dished out on your enemies. With Fallout’s return to the West comes a slew of perks whenever you have one of these characters in your employ. The following are my four favorite, starting with that Smurfy look She Hulk above. She is Lillian Marie Bowen, an African 203 year old Nightkin Super Mutant, living in Jacobstown as a farmer. 

“Though she now lives a peaceful life tending to Bighorners in the community of Jacobstown, Lily was once a Nightkin in The Master’s army. Before that, she was an elderly grandmother enjoying a simple life in Vault 17. Heavily medicated, Lily struggles with her dangerous schizophrenia and distant memories of her old life.” 

In other words, a big crazy blue bitch. My hero. While Lily is a companion, your Stealth Boys will last twice as long and your Sneak Attack Critical Hits will do 10% more damage.



Here’s Craig Boone,  26 year old town guard from Novac and obligatory HPOA.

“Boone is a town guard and former NCR sharpshooter, bitterly whittling away the hours until he can find out who’s responsible for his wife’s death — and kill them. Hardened and psychologically troubled from his time in the NCR military, Boone vacillates between being a stone-cold killer and a decent human being. Venturing out from the relative safety of Novac brings Boone into close contact with his old life until he is forced to deal with the tragic events that caused him to leave the military.” 

With Boone, your hostile targets are highlighted whenever actively aiming.


Um hello Robodog. You are awesome. Cyber-Hound Mk. III, LEO Support Model, Serial Number B955883, simply called Rex, is a 209 year old dog-robot hybrid. 

“Rex is a cybernetic dog that has been around since pre-war times. He was used by the Denver Police Department and Caesar’s Legion before being mostly blown up during the Battle of Hoover Dam. Since then, he’s been the loyal pet of The King of The Kings in Freeside. Capable of sniffing out loot and taking a large amount of punishment, he only has one (big) problem: his brain is starting to deteriorate.” 

While Rex is your best friend, chems, firearms, and ammunition are highlighted when you zoom the camera. No more sending your pooch to his death for a few more alien power cells.

Meet a non-fleshy-parts-having companion, the 6 year old eyebot known as ED-E.


“Unlike standard eyebots, ED-E is a highly customized “duraframe” model with hardened armor and specialized weapons. It was an eyebot on an incredible journey, carrying an enormous amount of valuable data when it was badly damaged and taken in by a Primm  shop owner. Though ED-E still retains all of its data and an understanding of its mission, its internal positioning hardware is badly damaged. The only reason it has not been seized by interested parties is because ED-E has not communicated its special mission to anyone.” 

Enhanced Sensors – while ED-E is a companion, the player can detect enemies at an increased range. Additionally, enemies will appear on the player’s compass and can be targeted in V.A.T.S. even when cloaked. Love him. Can’t resist thinking about making a helmet out of his face, but I do love him. I think he and Rex up there could be my dream team.

Check out the rest at the link and tell me, who do you like?


11 months ago

Fable III- Donald Trump Edition


Ok, honestly there’s a fine line between customization and Sims-level depth. I think Fable 3 is about to cross it. I enjoyed upgrading my house in Fable 2, but from what I’ve seen they’re going a wee bit too far in the new one. So I’m supposed to be taking over the world, winning friends and defeating enemies, destroying the evil forces that would threaten my kingdom AND playing interior decorator/handyman? Sheesh!

11 months ago

Scott Pilgrim Books on Super Sale At Amazon




Amazon.com currently has 6 of the Scott Pilgrim comics graphic novels on sale, for less than $25 total.  

I’ve read the first two books, and they seemed very similar to the movie (which I saw first) but I’m assured that the rest of the books start taking a different direction.  I was also told, vaguely, that the ending is “much different.” 

So if you didn’t go see the movie, or buy the game, now’s your chance for redemption.  But if you don’t, you’re not allowed to complain that there isn’t enough gamer culture. 

[ via Twitter]

11 months ago

Get Your (Bio)shock Therapy With These New Infinite Screenshots And Gameplay Demo



I was surprised to see a gameplay video so soon, since they just announced Bioshock: Infinite, but it definitely looks gooooood.  The creators had mentioned previously that the city was floating, and that you would feel that in the game.  I have to admit, it definitely looks and feels like they are all separate entities.  Also, I was glad to see some tactics on how to fight large groups of enemies — it felt pretty impossible in the others, but the skills seem to be well matched for such occasions. 

Overall it looks pretty damn impressive. I just wonder if they’ll have an achievement for falling to your death so many times.  Can we call it the Wile E. Coyote, Super Genius achievement?


While we’ve got you here, be sure to check out the new screen shots from TGS 2010, below. 










11 months ago

I Want Candy…Pink DualShock 3 Controllers



You may be thinking to yourself right now, “Ok, where’s she gonna go with this?” Awesome new pink controller. Ad filled with women, and only women. What to do, what to do… 

Actually, I love the new color and I even love the name, “candy pink”. The ad? At this point, such blatant and direct gender based advertising has become so stale that all I can do is laugh. This particular ad almost seems not to come from a place of “HEY WIMMINZ, now we gots a controller for your dumb little lady brains!” but “Don’t worry (male) PS3 fans. We’re not trying to undermine your masculinity by promoting this to you! We promise! Please don’t hurt us.” It’s kind of hilarious in parallel to the obvious care they took in making sure every race was represented.

On the other hand, maybe they’re just making a savvy business move. The DualShock controllers do, after all, vibrate.

I would love to see the day where gender-neutral advertising is the priority instead of the exception (Nintendo seems to do a spanking good job of it, as I don’t recall raising an eyebrow to the ads for their new pink controllers, despite that they were put opposite the traditionally masculine blue ones) but until then, fuck it. I’m going to enjoy this candy pink controller anyway. It’s way cuter than the Xbox 360 one. 

[Kotaku]

11 months ago

Steve Wiebe Is King Again!

 
Ok, so this isn’t a girl-related post BUT it’s something that this girl digs (Bad Fish note: as does this girl; Steve Wiebe actually lives right by me). I saw The King of Kong last year and loved it. It shows that classic gaming isn’t dead, and that there is still rivalries that don’t involve a 9 year old screaming obscenities in your ear during an XLive game.

Steve (the eternal nice guy) has once again beaten the assy Billy Mitchell. Seriously the dude is a HUGE JERK. The filmmakers even commented on how they tried to put Billy in a fair light, but couldn’t because he kept up his douche-like shenanigans. But that’s not the point here. The point is that with enough determination and willpower anyone can do anything, even get over a million points on Donkey Kong.

Again, I recommend you see it. If you have Netflix it’s on Instant Viewing. It’s a well-made, interesting look into arcade gaming.

 [MTV.com]

11 months ago

Video Games, Comic Books, And Issues Of Freedom of Speech



“Censorship is telling a man he can’t have a steak just because a baby can’t chew it.” — Mark Twain 

“If the human body’s obscene, complain to the manufacturer, not to me.”—Larry Flynt

It seems like strange things to put together. I mean, comic books and video games aren’t that far from each other, a social outcast is a social outcast, right? (haha, being funny, don’t hurt me).

But the video game industry has gotten a lot of flak regarding game content and real world repercussions. I don’t even want to search for the latest “hot coffee” or some kid that shot people or hurt people and he played video games. Because the years of social awkwardness and multiple psychiatrist visits didn’t point to some psychotic tendencies. 

I won’t go into my full rant, but check out Stan Lee’s letter urging the Video Game Voters Network and gamers everywhere to stand up for their rights.  He compares a very similar situation to what comics went through in the 50’s. 

These laws have good intentions — of not giving kids access to materials that are unsuitable for them — but that’s a very broad statement. There’s already a lot of support right now for parent’s to monitor their kids; off the top of my head, there’s the ESRB, family settings on consoles, vchips and numerous other ways. See also: watch your own fucking kids.

Again, I’m all for “protecting the children” (that’s why I have to keep a 500 ft radius, right?).  But I should not be denied, or greatly restricted, from purchasing content that is completely acceptable for my age (over 21 and that’s all you need to know).  I completely agree that violent, sexual, and drug related content should not be available to young kids (but read this amazing article about a 4 yr old, and how his interaction with GTA proves that we’re the twisted ones).

The ESRB already does an amazing job of rating every game and narrowing it down to a tiny paragraph on the back of a game.  It takes less than a minute to read. How much easier can it be? And how easy is it for a minor to buy a CD with adult lyrics, or sneak into an R rated movie? Oh look, someone already published a graph showing how likely kids were turned away from buying adult materials, including movie theater admission, parent advisory CD’s, R rated DVDs and video games. Damn, I knew I was a good journalist for some reason!

So let me just say this: you don’t have to like it.  You don’t have to look at it. That doesn’t mean that I don’t, or that I shouldn’t be allowed to, because you don’t like it. So there.

11 months ago

All Things Fallout: New Vegas PAX 2010



You didn’t think I was finished with PAX yet did you? I didn’t even get to my adventures at the Fallout: New Vegas section of the Bethesda booth. What, because it was like three weeks ago? Pfft. That won’t stop me. More avid GG fans (I use that word in the loosest sense possible) are of course familiar with my Fallout obsession, so this was a major highlight of the convention, especially when they started handing out the New California Republic T-shirts that I’d panted after at the Bethesda booth during E3. I got some pictures of the display, which you can see down in the gallery below. Here’s the only shot of actual gameplay that my photog managed to get in before getting hollered at by the booth attendant. Actually, not hollered at. Nicely told not to take videos or game play shots. I’d have pouted if they hadn’t been so cool about it. All right, I did pout. But only a little.


You may be asking yourself why such a Fallout obsessed fanatic such as myself took so long to get this review. I do, after all, bleed, sweat, and piss Fallout. You’d think I’d just be loaded with commentary. And yet, I’m finding it difficult. Fallout: New Vegas is so close to Fallout 3 that it feels like there isn’t much to say, that discussing the graphics or controls or VATS, the in-game targeting system would be redundant. It uses the same engine as Fallout 3, and the gameplay is based on it’s wildly popular predecessor, with few significant changes. While New Vegas is not a sequel, the differences lie mostly in the color palette, the weapons (and new modification system), and some new additions like the reputation system, the new companion command wheel, and gang and faction activity. I did not get to test the wheel, and my gang interactions were limited to blowing their heads off, so that leaves me mostly to talk about atmosphere and weaponry.

While the general feel of the E3 2010 version of Fallout: New Vegas left me overwhelmed by the rust palette, this new PAX 2010 build did not. I got a better idea of the range of hues, from the piercing blue sky to the green of the local flora, an uplifting change from Fallout 3. I was also given more freedom to really roam as compared to the linear, guided tour they had at E3, and so I took that opportunity not to fulfill goals, but just check out some of the undiscovered locations while testing out the weapons. It was while I was wandering that I encountered some faction members, who I promptly dismembered with my assault carbine, prompting a message from the game informing me of my decreased reputation with the gang in question. So far, I’m not sure how I feel about this reputation system. It seems like it’s going to add a billion more ways to play a game that already has a billion ways to play it. This may sound wonderful to some, but I’ve already put over 700 hours into Fallout 3 alone, and that was in less than eight months. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Surprise, that phrase doesn’t just apply to booze.

Regarding aforementioned weapons. There’s nothing I’m really in love with yet. Actually, that’s a lie. The assault carbine is a lot of fun, packing the speed of an assault rifle with a lot more punch. I’m just more interested in the unique weapons, which we haven’t heard so much of a whisper of yet. The rest of the gameplay was pretty standard. Buggy, but beautiful. Richly textured. Despite my preference for the gloom of the D.C. ruins, I felt inspired to roam solely for the sake of roaming (and looting, don’t forget looting), which is nice to feel again. Maybe the difference in color will make the eye strain a bit less when I liveblog the first 24 hours of my first file.

Fallout: New Vegas, and its Special Edition, are both due on October 19 for Xbox 360, PC, and PS3.



11 months ago

All Things Okamiden PAX And TGS 2010




They say a picture is worth a thousand words. The above has just one. “EXHAUSTION”. Just seeing the above (lone) snap I took of the Okamiden PAX 2010 booth makes me remember the disappointingly small amount of time I got to spend at there, mostly due to utter fatigue. I daresay that convention is too much for just one woman. A woman who almost forgot to play Okamiden, despite it being PAX high priority list. I feel sleepy just looking at it. Sleepy, and disappointed. Clearly, fatigue affected my ability to take another shot. Luckily you still get a slight impression of the beautiful Okamiden artwork splashed across the walls.

So, how is the game? I like it a lot better than Okami already. Everything about this DS sequel feels like an improvement, from the “chibi”-izing of the characters, to the color scheme (which relies more heavily on the sakura-toned pinks and cool pastels), to the intuitive use of the Celestial Brush. The map system is much improved, and it’s nice having one available at all times without having to go into the menu. I didn’t get to do much in terms of battle, but not being warped into some little electric pig pen when I encountered enemies was nice. Using the DS’ B button instead of the Wii motion controls was easier and so far I prefer it.

A trail of plants and flowers still blooms as you run, but it’s…well, cuter. It’s all just cuter. And it’s not that I buy or enjoy my games on cute factor alone. Typically the games in my library include the words “eviscerate” or “shameless blood bath” in the descriptor. But in terms of what they’ve done with the art style, this feels like a better direction, both for their intended audience and for the time period they’re depicting. Something about Okami feels too dark now that I’ve seen Okamiden.

With the limited nature of the demo, these are the only details I can give, but they are exactly in line with what we’ve already seen in Okamiden game play videos. I daresay this iteration of Okami will get the attention it deserves.


Below you’ll find a video that’s actually from this past week’s TGS 2010, and a little bit of artwork, followed by a link where you can see more of the new screen shots ‘n sech.


11 months ago

Alice Brings The Madness To Tokyo Game Show With New Trailer And Screenshots


The trailer: curious. The screen shots: curiouser.







11 months ago

Throw Your Headcrabs In The Air And Say YEAH!


throws out a mad beat with this rock ode to Half Life. This native Irishman makes me want to head down to Black Mesa and jam with G-Man.

[Bob’s House of Video Games]

11 months ago