VIDEO GAMES

Metro Redux is yet another re-release of a game for next gen consoles

News, Trailers, Video Games

By William Chandler

Metro Redux is a packaged re-release of both Metro: 2033 and its sequel, Metro: Last Light for next generation platforms, joining Tomb Raider, The Last of Us, and many others in what is becoming a disturbing trend. I suppose they’re really trying to fill out the sad libraries of these new consoles, but it just seems so pointless. I really doubt that too many people who own a PS4 or Xbox One either did not own one of the previous gen consoles, or simply skipped these games the first time around. This means that a lot of their market are just bored consumers who want to see what the same game they’ve already played looks like with better lighting and shadows. And that is a really fucking sad thought.

Either way, I like the Metro games. I think the developers’ hearts are in the right place and that they’re trying to do some pretty intriguing stuff with FPS level design and storytelling. Of course I think people should play these games, it’s just hard to get behind such obvious attempts at cash grabs.

Remember, not so long ago, when everyone bitched constantly about remakes of games that were actually fairly old? Fairly old, as in more than five years at least. Now we’re getting remakes of games from two fucking years ago. What a strange time to be a gamer.

Evolve releases on Oct. 21st, stands as a grim reminder that I can hardly get any of my friends’ schedules to sync up for a co-op game

News, Video Games

By William Chandler

Remember Left 4 Dead? Sure you do. I mean, I know it has been quite a long time since Valve actually produced any video games, but they were all pretty memorable ones. What was that one with the crowbar guy as the protagonist? Man, that game was pretty darn good. Did they ever release the third part?

Anyway, Turtle Rock Studios, best known as the creators and primary developers of Left 4 Dead, have been hard at work on their new cooperatively competitive monster hunting bonanza, Evolve. In similar Turtle Rock fashion, four players work together cooperatively as hunters in an attempt to survive in and triumph over a hostile environment, however, this time around, there is only a single major enemy. A massive, player controlled beast roams the environment, and the four hunters must track it down and kill it. The title of the game stems from the fact that the massive beast is capable of increasing its power by performing certain actions, like devouring local wildlife, and then subsequently evolving.

But you probably already know all of that stuff. What you may not know, is that the game has finally been given a concrete release date. On October 21st, Evolve releases on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. It seems pretty good so you should consider playing it with some of your friends. My friends are probably all working opposite schedules and, therefore, will be unable to play. I will likely manifest this frustration in a highly negative review of the game, so look for that in October as well.

One less thing to feel left out of: Steam In Home Streaming comes out of beta today

Gameplay, Video Games

By William Chandler

Steam In Home Streaming came out of beta today, conveniently coinciding with the closed beta release of PlayStation Now streaming. I’m not a conspiracy theorist but I’m just sayin’, man. Open your eyes. Coincidences don’t just happen like that.

Anyway, it allows Streaming of any game between two computers on the same network, regardless of OS. So you can now build that micro ATX PC you always wanted, plug it in to your TV, and actually have a use for it.

Miyazaki, President of my heart, now also President of FROM Software

News, Video Games

By William Chandler

Hidetaka Miyazaki, best known as the director behind Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls 1, has been appointed President of FROM Software. Not to be confused with Hayao Miyazaki, retired animated film director who made such classics as Spirited Away and Grave of the Fireflies. I don’t really know what he’s up to.

There honestly isn’t much of a news story here, but it’s just exciting when cool people in the industry succeed, especially considering that the appeal of the Souls franchise is far from mainstream, yet it still affords FROM all this success. And besides, I can report about whatever I want.

Total and complete self validation

News, Opinion, Video Games

By William Chandler

The other day I wrote about how some people were pretty upset about Far Cry 4’s box art because they felt it was racially and sexually controversial. Many worried that it would feature a white and potentially gay antagonist that would punish the natives, furthering the patriarchal agenda in the process. Well, needless to say I was pretty annoyed and thought that they jumped the gun before gunpowder was even invented, but more importantly, stated that he appeared to be decidedly not white. I’d just like to say that I was totally right, so feel free to shower me with praise at your leisure.

Thank goodness creative director at Ubisoft Montreal, Alex Hutchinson, was here to back me up.

But William, you may find yourself thinking, he COULD still be gay and is still likely the antagonist. That is very true. But who cares. He isn’t white, which means the internet will probably be fine with it.

Let’s Check Out Wolfenstein The New Order (Part 1)

Gameplay, Video Games

By William Chandler

I’m pretty new to streaming / recording so there is still a lot of tweaks and tinkering to be done with the settings, but overall I’d say it looks pretty decent. Of course, my stupid face really hurts the quality of the production overall so I’d say that it’s a 5/10 attempt.

Part 2 up soon.

Rev up your claim letters, YouTube reportedly in talks to acquire Twitch

News, Video Games

By William Chandler

Sometime yesterday the entire internet was set ablaze with reports of popular gameplay-streaming site Twitch.tv being acquired by YouTube for a small, one time payment of 1 billion dollars. This, naturally, left many Twitch users very concerned, especially considering YouTube’s rather strict adherence to copyright claims in the past, and the fact that Twitch exists solely from (sorta) breaking those very same copyright laws.

That said, it is easy to imagine how a site like Twitch could benefit from mounds of that sweet, sweet Google money, just as YouTube did. The acquisition talks are reportedly in the very early stages, though, so nothing to worry about just yet.

The real question is, how will League Of Legends streamers get by without being able to listen to their copyrighted house music remixes of the Zelda soundtrack while they straight pwn losers with a new AP Sona jungle build?

Watch this Transistor trailer entirely for the soundtrack

News, Trailers, Video Games

By William Chandler

This launch trailer for Transistor is pretty sick. It really showcases the art style nicely. But, most importantly, you get to hear the narrator from Bastion and a jammin’ tune from the soundtrack by Darren Korb, so you should watch it for those things.

Transistor is the sophomore effort from Greg Kasavin helmed Supergiant Games, best known for their hit debut Bastion. But, honestly, if you don’t know what Transistor is by now, you should consider reevaluating your priorities.

The game launches on May 20th.