General Game News

[Pak-Man]

Well, it's about time!

http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/07/19/comic-con-2017-hello-kitty-pac-man-crossover-revealed

[Compound]

Just announced for Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite- 4 new characters- Haggar (from Final Fight), Frank West (Dead Rising), fellow photographer Spider-Man (who I'd have sworn was already in the game) and Nemesis from Resident Evil.

[Johnny Unusual]

Yeah, Haggar!

[Compound]

Just announced- more Persona spinoffs.

For the Vita (still alive) and PS4, you've got more "dancing all night" games, this time featuring the P5 cast in one and the P3 cast in the other. Not quite sure why they programmed dance moves into the shadow killing robot, but hey, I wasn't on that project.

Also enroute, a sequel to Persona Q for the 3ds. All of these are expected next Spring.

[CJones]

Team Cherry just released the first of their four planned content updates for Hollow Knight (a game I kinda like). The major addition is two new super bosses that make the Radiance look like a chump. Also a much requested Stag Station in the lower half of the map has finally been added.

[Variety of Cells]

Just found out about a game called Hellblade last week.  I really don't care if the gameplay is shit, because these visuals look so damn good.  The performance capture is amazing.  I mean, the gameplay will probably be great because it's ninja theory, but even if it wasn't I'd still buy it. 

I love playing as a tough, bad ass girl.  A female protagonist can be both strong and vulnerable at the same time, where writers have a habit of making men either one or the other.  I also love the opportunity to break the gender stereotype in video games.  Tired of playing as generic dudes. 

Comes out this Tuesday.  And it's only $30 cause it's suppose to be about 6 or 8 hours.  Sounds fair to me.

[CJones]

Just found out about a game called Hellblade last week.  I really don't care if the gameplay is shit, because these visuals look so damn good.  The performance capture is amazing.  I mean, the gameplay will probably be great because it's ninja theory, but even if it wasn't I'd still buy it. 

I love playing as a tough, bad ass girl.  A female protagonist can be both strong and vulnerable at the same time, where writers have a habit of making men either one or the other.  I also love the opportunity to break the gender stereotype in video games.  Tired of playing as generic dudes. 

Comes out this Tuesday.  And it's only $30 cause it's suppose to be about 6 or 8 hours.  Sounds fair to me.

How was Hellblade? It looks good, but I notice that the trailers show very little actual gameplay.

[Variety of Cells]

Just found out about a game called Hellblade last week.  I really don't care if the gameplay is shit, because these visuals look so damn good.  The performance capture is amazing.  I mean, the gameplay will probably be great because it's ninja theory, but even if it wasn't I'd still buy it. 

I love playing as a tough, bad ass girl.  A female protagonist can be both strong and vulnerable at the same time, where writers have a habit of making men either one or the other.  I also love the opportunity to break the gender stereotype in video games.  Tired of playing as generic dudes. 

Comes out this Tuesday.  And it's only $30 cause it's suppose to be about 6 or 8 hours.  Sounds fair to me.

How was Hellblade? It looks good, but I notice that the trailers show very little actual gameplay.

I'm close to finishing it so I was going to wait before I wrote up my opinions, but since you asked...

It's amazing. It's my favorite game of 2017 so far. But don't start playing it expecting an action game like DMC. And don't expect an in depth puzzler either. It has both of those elements and they are used well when they show up. What combat there is feels fluid and responsive. The puzzles are germane, perhaps a little on the simple side, but they never impede the flow of the story.

Which is important, because the story, the atmosphere, the emotion, and the visuals are the real reason to play Hellblade. Play it with headphones on (forgot to mention sound design, which is incredible), the lights out and enjoy the experience of being a crazy girl seeking revenge.

The emotion they were able to get out of the performance capture is the best I've seen in any video game. I can't wait to play the game again as a walking simulator, enjoying the sights, using the amazing built in picture mode that lets you move the camera around and adjust a bunch of visual settings to take screen shots. You can even use picture mode during cutscenes.

I'll say a little more after I finish it, but I highly recommend it. Just don't expect an action game.

EDIT:  Oh, and Ninja Theory are publishing this game themselves. They are trying to create a new category of game between AAA and inde where they have the polish and visuals of a AAA but maybe it's shorter, at a lower price point, and they keep creative and monetary control over the game. I was excited to support this idea, and I'm glad it has yielded such a great product.

[Variety of Cells]

Final Fantasy XV is coming to PC in 2018. That's neat. Will probably pick that up, even though I never could bring myself to finish FFXIV.

[Pak-Man]

Don't want to shout it anywhere big, just in case it unleashes a storm that causes things to be cancelled, but I'll tell you guys 'cuz you're cool.

Best Buy just accepted my preorder for an SNES Mini.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/nintendo-entertainment-system-snes-classic-edition/5919830.p?skuId=5919830

EDIT: Never mind. The rest of the world just found out.

[The Lurker]

Looks like Star Wars: Empire at War has its multiplayer back.

[CJones]

GDQ is doing a speed run marathon this weekend to raise money for the Houston Food Bank. Check it out. 20 minutes in they already raised $10K

8pm Friday-8pm Sunday (Eastern time)

https://www.twitch.tv/gamesdonequick

[Cyrusso]

I am debating whether or not to get Metroid: Samus returns for 3DS. Of course it doesn't come out until the 15th. Has anyone heard any early reviews?

[Pak-Man]

Little early for reviews. Probably won't start popping up until the week of its release.

It's a no-brainer for me. 2D Metroid? Heck yeah! And it's a remake of Metroid 2, which I actually adore. I have the special edition on pre-order.

[Cyrusso]

Little early for reviews. Probably won't start popping up until the week of its release.
It's a no-brainer for me. 2D Metroid? Heck yeah! And it's a remake of Metroid 2, which I actually adore. I have the special edition on pre-order.

Yeah I dig 2d Metroid too. Super Metroid is actually my favorite game in the whole series followed by Metroid Zero Mission and Metroid Fusion. Metroid Prime? I just kept getting lost and frustrated and it really put me off big 3D worlds.