Video Games

Final Fantasy XIV Preview

With Final Fantasy XIV being released on September 30th, it’s about time that we know how it works. There’s been a beta since July, but it’s remarkably easy not to get any coverage on this game, as it’s been flying a bit under the radar since announcement. However, there’s been a lot of information about classes and gameplay released on the blogs, so it’s not completely under wraps. XIV could be considered pure fan service, but without the gameplay from XI (the other MMO), it is actually trying to be a solid MMO, and not just fan service. 

Respawn: Panzer Dragoon Orta

I am sure that I can speak for every person in the entire world when I say that we all wish that we could ride a giant dragon that shoots lasers. That is the entire basis for the Panzer Dragoon series from Sega. Orta is the fourth title in the series, but it may be the first title that you have actually heard of because the other three titles were exclusives for the Sega Saturn and released in extremely limited quantities.

Panzer Dragoon: Orta follows the tale of a girl named Orta who has been imprisoned for her entire life by mysterious people known as the “Seekers.” Her tower that she is held captive in is destroyed by the Empire who ride genetically engineered dragons (that are apparently way better than regular dragons) and just as the Empire is about to kill Orta she is rescued by, you guessed it, a dragon. Listen people, it’s an on rails shooter, if you’re looking for a deep and engaging narrative look elsewhere.

PSN Store releases 9/21/10

Some interesting things appearing this week on the PSN store, like the inclusion of two Japanese PSone Imports: Cho Aniki, a shooter, and Gaia Seed, a side-scrolling futuristic shooter. There is also with an update of the Dreamcast title Sonic Adventure. Hopefully this will be the start for other interesting retro and Dreamcast games to hit PSN.

Earth Defence Force: Insect Armageddon Set For Spring 2011 Release

Portal 2 Preview

Valve’s Portal was a game that broke the rules. A first-person shooter without shooting? This was a game that forced you to consider the environment your challenge, providing you with nothing but a tool to connect two spatial points and an impetus to use your brain to defeat said challenge.  Of course, the mind constructing these puzzles for you added a great deal to the mythos and prestige of the title, as GLaDOS kept the player sharply enmeshed with both dark humor and malevolence. The popularity of the game was not in doubt, as even merchandise was created to capitalize on the characters and even inanimate objects; the game itself was shipped to consoles as a package with other valve titles in the Orange Box.  Truly, the cake was not a lie. And now, to the happiness of gamers everywhere, Portal 2 has been announced (as a full-length game, no less).

Last Chance For The Indie Sumer Of Love Bundle, and More With These Mid-Week Sales

Don’t miss the final day of the Indie Summer of Love Bundle, which will get you up to twelve indie games for 80% off.  A great deal on all of those artsy smartsy games you should be playing, like Machinarium, And Yet It Moves, and AaaaAAAaaaA!!!

Enslaved Preview

Monkey’s tired, worn out body is jolted awake by an emotionless woman’s voice over an echoing broadcast from within a massive airship’s hull. He has been captured by a cruel alien force that hovers above the planet and abducts the last few survivors on earth to do their bidding. As he struggles to figure out where exactly he is, a scared, red-haired girl somehow escapes from her confines and overloads the ship’s containment controls. Monkey’s enclosure is violently blown off its hinges and slams to the ground. He emerges bewildered and angry wanting only to be free again. This is when the player finally gets a glimpse of what Monkey can really do.