The Mega Man X series has seen its share of ups and downs, with its graphics overhauls and complete dimensional revamping (Yeah, I'm looking at you, X7), but X4 stands out in my book. This is because:
1) It was the first entry on PS1, so right off the bat we're talking better music and graphics.
and 2) It finally gave gamers what they wanted most out of the series: A chance to play as Zero.
Granted, Zero WAS playable in Mega Man X3, for about 30 seconds, but that was a tease. In X4, the scarlet asskicker is finally playable in his own complete storyline, and he got his own theme, to boot!
Much like the opening stage itself, this track is a fast-paced thrill ride. You can tell just from the intro that it just got REAL. Kinda short, but then again, I don't think I've ever seen a long MM stage, so that works out. The guitar work is on point (especially the solo in the middle), and the percussion goes freaking hardcore. It makes for an exciting start to a game, only enhanced by the fact that you aren't using X for once.
What? You say you picked X? Well reset the game and try again!
The Verdict: Kicks as much ass as Zero does; fast-paced and to the point.
1. After a much needed rest from yesterday, Psychotic Informer is back with more gaming news you need to know! Do you like watching movies? Many of us do. Do you like watching movies on 3.5 x 3 inch screens? What do you mean you don’t? Either way, Netflix for the 3DS has now been released! You can watch all your favorite movies and shows from Netflix on the 3.5 x 3 inch screen. You need wi-fi to use it, too. I think this is pretty dumb. If you’re in a wi-fi zone, why not just use your laptop to watch your shows? Even if you don’t have a laptop, why would you want to watch movies on your 3DS while at Starbucks? The worst part is that there won’t even be any 3D movies specially made for it! It just sounds like a dumb idea to me. In it’s defense, though, the video quality is beautiful and it’s easy to use. But either way, the app is free (though you still need a Netflix subscription), so why not? What do you think about Netflix on 3DS? (For more information, read the full article)
2. In other movie news (I swear this is still a video game article, just bear with me), The new PS3 model will not have the option to use component HD cables for Blu-ray video! You will be forced to use an HDMI cable, however, unlike the removal of PS2 backwards compatibility, this removal wasn’t entirely their fault. The new CECH-3000 model PS3 will not be able to stream the high quality video without the component wires because of a new rule that was implemented by Sony themselves. The new rule is that you have to use HDMI for Blu-ray so people cannot record the video. So basically, it’s for copyright purposes. Will this new rule effect you if you plan to get the new PS3 model? (For more information, read the full article)
3. Do you like Mario, Zelda, or any other game where you play as the hero trying to save your loved one? Do you ever wonder who hires the hero to save the day? All your answers and more will be answered in the new game called Brave Company! This simulation game allows you to be the management leader in a company that hires heroes to go and save the world. Because why be the hero when you can be the hero that hires the hero? This game is being released by Namco-Bandai on October 27th in Japan for 3DS. No word yet on American release, but this game sounds cool. I’m a sucker for simulation games. What do you think about this concept? (For more information, read the full article)
I love Brave Fencer Musashi. I must've beaten that game like ten times when I was younger. It was so action-packed and exciting, but more importantly, it was the first RPG I'd ever played that wasn't turn-based, so I took it as a big deal. Maybe if I went back and played it today I'd think differently of the game, but memories like that never change.
It was hard to select a song this time around, to be honest. Pretty much every song in the game is overly intense and uncalled for, and that's a big part of what made the game so exciting for me. It made even the most mundane errands in the game epic adventures, and I loved that.
Run, Sword Fighter! is one such song. Starting off gently for all of about two seconds, you immediately get your face rocked by the hard-hitting drums and bass. The drama of it all turns a simple venture from Point A to Point B into this balls-out race to the finish, complete with hordes of enemies to whack at along the way.
The over-the-top style of the music takes the game pretty far, and suits the action well. The game itself might not be the masterpiece I perceived it as when I was a young'un, but I can't deny musical production like this.
The Verdict: Way too intense for a leisurely jog.
And on a side note, Squaresoft is better than Square Enix. But that's a tale for another day.
Guns, guns, and- ...is that a chainsaw? While there are seemingly innumerable shooter games currently available in the video game market, Epic Games is among the minority of these developers to finally put an end to their own, beloved franchise. Yes, the Gears of War saga is coming to an end, and it's going out with a bang.
Gears of War 3 is the third and final entry in the award-winning shooter franchise of the same name. This series follows the combined efforts of the Delta Squad and COGs on the planet Sera in which they must defend the human race's very existence from the ruthless, alien species known as the Locust.
With the end in sight, Gears of War 3 aims to add some freshness while sustaining many of the gameplay elements that made the franchise so popular in the first place. The cover system has been tweaked to allow some new, combat-based actions, yet, to compensate for the difficulty change, environments now make the player more vulnerable. Many of the objects the player will intend to hide behind are destructible, so any potential barriers should be approached with both caution and consideration. In addition to gameplay tweaks, more brand new content has been added to Gears of War 3, expanding the franchise's already large catalog of weapons, tools, and other gadgets.
A multitude of weapons have been added to Gears of War 3, including the "new" Retro Lancer with a regular bayonet attached, acting as a counterpart to the iconic chainsaw Lancer. Additionally, a double-barreled shotgun has been included, as displayed in many promo images in the hands of Dominic "Dom" Santiago, "sidekick" of protagonist Marcus Fenix. Perhaps the most stunning addition to the game's arsenal is the advent of the Silverback Mech Suits, colossal machines a player can enter and control, lending him or her several new abilities. Both of the Silverback's arms are equipped with gatling guns, offering the player an incredibly destructive new type of weaponry. On the defensive side of the spectrum, the entire suit acts as a layer of protection for the driver, preventing (or at the very least weakening) sizeable amounts of damage that would normally be done to the player. While only available in limited areas of Gears of War 3, they give the player not only a fighting edge, but a fresh and enjoyable gameplay experience.
While the new gameplay elements are certainly appealing, arguably the most interesting addition to Gears of War 3 is Beast Mode, a reimagining of its predecessor's Horde Mode. In Beast Mode, up to five players gain control of the Locust, fending off twelve consecutive waves of humans and attempting to survive until the end. As the game progresses and later waves are introduced, players will find that the difficulty increases, as the humans will not only attack in greater numbers, but will also be equipped with an overall superior arsenal of weapons. While Beast Mode may seem like a mere rehash of Horde Mode at first glance, its new element single-handedly enhances the entire mode.
Beast Mode introduces the "money system," in which the player will earn "money" as the game progresses. This form of currency is spent on the ability to play as a specific member of the Locust species for the player's next life. For instance, at the beginning of a Beast Mode playthrough, only a few options are available, including the weak Tickers, Wretches, Savage Drones, and Butchers. Most of these classes cost around $50 and can be purchased with the initial amount of currency given. Yet, as the game progresses and more money is earned by killing the opposition, better, more advantageous characters are "unlocked." Hulking beasts such as the Berserker and the Armored Kantus will cost the player nearly $6000 for a single spawn. Although this may seem like an utter waste of money, the damage the player can deal with these characters is paramount. Of course, to keep the difficulty factor stable, Silverbacks and Delta Squad members will be knocking at the player's door before he or she even realizes it. As previously stated, Gears of War 3 will act as the conclusion for the franchise's story. Taking place 18 months after the end of Gears of War 2, Delta Squad, along with the remaining humans, are fighting for survival and bringing out their entire arsenal. Anya Stroud, communications expert for Delta Squad, has decided to take action and is fighting alongside the rest of the crew, alongside new recruits Samantha Byrne and Jace Stratton. Of course, old favorites are still here as well; Marcus, Dom, Cole Train, and Baird, along with Clayton, a newly introduced member of the fan-favorite Carmine family.
CliffyB, design director of Epic Games, promises that all the big questions and secrets will be answered in Gears of War 3, ending as phenomenally as he could ever dream. The final battle is nigh, Gears of War fans. Things are going to get intense.
Gears of War 3, an Xbox 360 exclusive. will be hitting shelves on September 20 in North America and Europe and on September 22 in Japan,
Short Version: Gears of War 3 acts as the end of the Gears franchise, going out with the biggest bang possible. By keeping the familiar, beloved mechanics of the franchise's previous entries, yet adding in enough new content to keep the game fresh, Epic Games aims to surpass everyone's expectations by satisfying the needs of the entirety of their audience.
"None of that matters to me now! Neither of you understand my pain! I must do it! For the death of my brother... WU MUST PAY!"
Long-ass story time incoming.
In the Three Kingdoms era of ancient China, the land was split into the hands of three warlords: Liu Bei of Shu, Cao Cao of Wei, and Sun Quan of Wu.
Now, Liu Bei was a pretty nice guy, made lots of friends, believed in virtue, yada yada. The point is, he had sworn an oath of brotherhood with two other men who later became his generals; a vow to die on the field of battle in the same second of the same minute of the same hour.
Fast forward a bit to the Battle of Fan Castle. The forces of Shu and Wei are battling it out, things are going smoothly for Shu troops, who during this battle were being led by one of Liu Bei's sworn brothers, Guan Yu. That is, until out of nowhere, Wu reinforcements back up the forces of Wei, ambushing and killing Guan Yu.
Before this, Shu and Wu had gotten along quite well, actually. They saw Cao Cao as the common threat in this three-way fight for control of the land. But it was the last straw. Throwing away his virtue, defying his retainers' advice, and generally being pissed off, he and his troops marched on Wu in the Battle of Yi Ling. THAT'S when this song plays.
Phew, that was a lot of context.
True to the title, Fate Corrodes Me is a dark and angry marching track. The demented guitar and thick bassline have a brooding air about it that makes you wonder if what you're doing is right, as you slash your way through hundreds of Wu troops. It does a great job of matching and portraying Liu Bei's rage, and it's got Koei written all over it.
I love the contrast in the two melodies of the song. At :35, it sounds sad, forlorn; Liu Bei's brother had been slain, and he wasn't sure if he was making the right decision by pursuing Wei. Maybe his advisers were right; was he making a mistake?
Then later, at 1:41, it gets much more tense. It's clear that even if what he's doing is wrong, he can't just let Wu pull a fast one like that. There's no more air of uncertainty in the song, as his mind was made up. It was payback time.
Chances are, if you're playing Dynasty Warriors, you probably can't hear the music anyways over the plethora of death cries, but the guys at Koei did a great job on this one. Perfect fit for what was going on, and I love that in a song.
The Verdict: Makes you wanna kill a man. Or several hundred of them.
1. We have some awesome news coming up for you today! First up; EA buys PopCap for $750 million! “PopCap's great studio talent and powerful IP add to EA's momentum and accelerate our drive towards a $1 billion digital business.” says EA CEO John Riccitiello in an interview. EA has promised to bring some PopCap favorites like Plants vs. Zombies and Bejeweled to new heights. What do you think about this deal? Do you think it was a good decision for EA to buy PopCap? Post your opinion in the comments! (For more information, read the full article)
2. In other EA news, they are going to be shutting down online multiplayer for a number of games including: Army of Two, Skate, Battlefield 2, and Madden NFL 10. The switch off will occur between August 11th and October 1st. For the full list of games, click here.
3. Now in other PopCap news, after the success of Civilization on Facebook, PopCap has announced it will be putting it’s most famous games Plants vs. Zombies and Peggle on the social networking site! Like I said above in the EA and PopCop joining, EA will be bringing PopCap’s games to new heights, and this is the start of it. What do you think? Would you play PvZ and Peggle on Facebook? Post your opinion in the comments! (For more information, read the full article)
4. Sony has announced its plans to spend $20 million in the next three years to produce more PSN games. Games including a port of the PC game Eufloria, a game called Payday: The Heist, and Okabu. The $20 million will be distributed to fund Indie game companies as well as first party companies. Do you think it is good of Sony to spend $20 million on new PSN games, or do you think it should be saved to improve feature length games? Post your opinion in the comments. (For more information, read the full article)
There comes a time in life where one must be prepared to put everything on the line to save the planet. The goal is clear, the evil that must be defeated is revealed. There are no more uncertainties, no more questions to be asked. The culmination of everything one has ever done leads up to this moment - the people they might have come across, the ups and the downs, everything - but will those memories be protected? Or destroyed?
...no? That's only in video games, you say? Well drat.
Anyways, Release the Seal serves as the final battle theme in Blue Dragon, that last epic moment that determines the fate of the world. Complete with a tense bassline, cryptic chanting and some sick guitar work, Nobuo Uematsu made sure that this track would leave a lasting impression on gamers. It's a very well done piece designed to deliver closure and that all-or-nothing feel; when you heard this, you KNEW it would be the conclusion of the game. And deliver it does with flying colors. Good thing you bought 99 Phoenix Talons, eh?
I find it kinda funny that chanting always manages to make its way into the final battle. Anywhere else in the game and it might seem a little odd and out of place, but for the final boss fight, it tends to up the ante a bit. Nice touch.
It's a hype-laden, over-the-top end of an era, and a thrilling conclusion like that of Blue Dragon's was only made more memorable by the music accompanying it. It might not be as widely renowned as the likes of One Winged Angel, but it's pretty damn solid in my book.
The Verdict: Fantastic way to end the game; intense and memorable.
