Archive for December, 2009

Episode 117: The More the Bearier

By
ThePack
 – December 15, 2009Posted in: Main, Podcasts

Who knew that some VGA trailers could rile up the guys so much? Nearly every “world premiere” from Spike’s big show is dissected, but the batarangs fly when Tony and Nick get to the Arkham Asylum 2 announcement. Is it too soon to return to Gotham? After the scuffle, Tom talks about two high fantasy puzzlers, Gyromancer and Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes. The latter was developed by Capybara, the guys behind the rainbow-vomit-stained Critter Crunch, so you might want to pay attention. Tony also has a few orcs up his sleeve – fantasy kingdom construction in Majesty 2 and freelancing for loot thanks to the new World of Warcraft 3.3 patch. Plus, Kaz is just here for the gasoline in Left 4 Dead 2‘s Scavenge mode, and the guys lavish lava-hot praise upon PixelJunk Shooter.

Relevant Links:

Trailers from Spike’s VGA broadcast

Episode 117: The More the Bearier [ 1:27:03 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (297)

PixelJunk Shooter Review

By
Justin
 – December 14, 2009Posted in: Justin, Main, Review

PixelJunk Shooter‘s name does not do the game justice. I’m sure that Q-Games wanted to keep it short and sweet, as they did with Monsters and Eden before it, but this new moniker seemingly lumps the game in with the glut of other dual-stick…shooters currently crowding the PSN. Space spelunkers who have already downloaded this treasure know that this label couldn’t be further from the truth.

Of course Shooter takes its time working up to brilliance. The first few stages require players to navigate a ship through tight caverns to rescue stranded scientists. A few waterfalls may provide some pretty scenery and a quick way to cool down your missile launcher, but it isn’t until you discover your first lava-spewing volcano that the game really picks up steam. Suddenly, the impressive fluid physics aren’t just for show, as the lava and water combine to form a soft, destructible crust.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review

By
Justin
 – December 10, 2009Posted in: Justin, Main, Review

In the first Modern Warfare, there’s a mission in which the player sees through the eyes of a marine operating in an unnamed Middle Eastern country. After some harrowing firefights and a quick airborne escape, both you and he probably assume that the good guys will be able to wipe out the terrorists and save the day. Not quite. Instead, your helicopter nosedives, and your poor marine is suddenly left crawling on the ground as a nuclear weapon is detonated nearby.

*Spoilers ahead! The following review assumes you’ve either completed most of the campaign or don’t care about the storyline.*

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Episode 116: Brought to You by the Letter 4

By
ThePack
 – December 8, 2009Posted in: Main, Podcasts

Tread lightly this week. According to Kaz, witches are on the prowl in the brutally difficult Left 4 Dead 2. The crew will let you know if you’re ready for the next zombie apocalypse. Kaz also has the mudstained scoop on DiRT 2, a racing game that even Tom can appreciate, while Justin talks about how his new Droid will someday augment his reality. After the games rundown, Nick gives an optimistic assessment of the next EGM, but not everyone is sold. Is there still room on the newstands? And if you’re still dodging Javelins in Modern Warfare 2, you’ll want to hear our debate about online cheating.

Relevant Links:

EGM Now Twitter Feed

Episode 116: Brought to You by the Letter 4 [ 59:58 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (291)

Hello, World (of Flash)

By
Tony
 – December 8, 2009Posted in: Blogs, Main, Tony, World of Flash

WHADDUP BLOGOSPHERE?! Do people even call it that anymore?

After a long silence, here I am. Once again back is the incredible, not-so-rhyme animal, Incredible T. Or perhaps the incredible, inedible Tony. ‘Lo what could stir the Tony so strongly that he found it necessary to write again? The answer, my esteemed friends and colleagues, is Flash games.

I’d like to begin with a discussion of the qualification of a Flash game. A Flash game can be made using Adobe flash, but I really use this as a general term for browser based gaming. There are slight variations between engines used, but the point is that the code is compact enough to be downloaded and then run within the confines of your browser window. A Flash game is typically an independent production from a single person or a small team. However, there are known contradictions to this, in particular the Dragon Age Journeys game put out by EA2D. So as you can see, there has been a large amount of evolution to the Flash game genre. Now take my hand and join me on a trip to visit a couple of the latest and greatest residents of the magical world of Flash.

Canabalt

OH CHRIST!

CHEESE IT!

Ah, here is a game marvelous in its simplicity. Known as an iPhone app from a group called Semi Secret Software, Canabalt really has its roots in the hands of two prolific indie designers; Adam Atomic in charge of the game and its visuals and Dan Baranowsky in charge of the music. As some sort of perfect storm of simplicity, the game is highly addictive. In fact, these guys keep it so simple that your only means of control is a jump key! Originally mapped to the x and c keys, as an iPhone app you find yourself frantically trying to tap the screen (or click for the browser version) to jump over all the obstacles dumped in your path. And what, pray tell, are you running from? Who the hell knows! I just know it must be scary as hell because the more obstacles you miss, the faster your little man books it from the left side of the screen to the right. The game also derives a lot of its atmosphere from the fast retro-esque music and sound design, as well as the carnage ensuing in the background. If you enjoy this fantastic work that was first constructed on the flixel engine, be sure to check out another fav of mine called Gravity Hook.

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Game Night: Uncharted 2

By
Justin
 – December 8, 2009Posted in: Game Night, Main

Who: Everyone, including co-sponsors The Fanboys

When: 9 p.m. EST, December 10th

What: Uncharted 2 Multiplayer

Where: PSN

Why: Because nobody straps on Javelin missiles in the jungle.

RSVP here

Sons of Malarchy

By
Justin
 – December 7, 2009Posted in: Blogs, Justin, Main

Depending on your point of view, Grand Theft Auto IV was either a fully realized recreation of a major a city – the “living, breathing world” cliché that we and many others abused last summer – or a monumental step backward from the absurd freedom of San Andreas. For a long time, I tended to side with the former. Though I missed my jetpacks and Harrier jets, the stronger storytelling, relatively speaking, seemed to be worthy trade. But as I play through The Ballad of Gay Tony, with its explosive shotgun shells and parachuting mayhem, I realized how dull the original IV was, and how much the Eastern Bloc immigrant character deserved a better game. But the GTA that I’d really like to see done over? That would be The Lost and Damned, the unofficial “Sons of Anarchy” episode that almost always misses the mark dramatically.

 

Two fictional biker gangs enter…

I should warn you that this post will contain minor spoilers for FX’s “Sons of Anarchy,” which just wrapped up its second season last week. But somehow, this show about a motorcycle gang starring Hellboy and the British guy from “Undeclared” has become one of my current favorites. Seeing as it’s from Kurt Sutter, one of “The Shield” alumni, I guess I should have had more faith, but I never expected to become so wrapped up in the lives of these bikers. I think the show works so well because the writers know how to use restraint. Nobody expects the same from Rockstar, but the developer could really use this show as a lesson.

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Not Quite a Phinal Phantasy – Part 2

By
Justin
 – December 3, 2009Posted in: Blogs, Main, Nicolo

So with fond memories of my formative Dreamcast years dancing in my head and a lifestyle that has become more increasingly suited to portable games (read: busy), I was first in line to pick up my preorder of Phantasy Star Ø when it hit the US in early November. And it was bizarre.

If, like me, you tend to check game reviews before putting down your cash, you would have been pretty confused to find Phantasy Star Ø sitting on store shelves last month with barely a mumbled “meh” from the critical community. IGN, 1up, Gamespot, Giant Bomb – no one had anything to say about the supposed “heir to PSO‘s legacy” until around the end of the month. In retrospect, perhaps it’s the most telling sign of how much relevancy the franchise has bled over the past few years – no one’s willing to stop shooting terrorists or stomp on Goombas to pay a Rappy a second look now a days.

rag_rappy.gif

A Rag Rappy - like a Chocobo, but much more fun to hit.

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Episode 115: Introduction to Gooey Louie 101

By
ThePack
 – December 1, 2009Posted in: Main, Podcasts

This week, the Rumble Pack takes it to the Max (Rebo) for an informative, silly show. Tom and Nick leap across the Florencian rooftops in Assassin’s Creed II, while Kaz worries that they might hurt themselves. Local oaf Tony Divito gets his non-Satanic grind on in Torchlight, and Justin tells his Black Friday tale of the quest for Lego Rock Band. And if you’re not sick of Modern Warfare 2 coverage yet, the guys finally delve into the cooperative Spec Ops mode. Does it hold its own with the campaign? Plus, more toys from Justin’s past, a lesson in “Star Wars” nomenclature and potential game industry career paths.

Relevant Links:

Hardcore Gaming 101′s Persona Article

Episode 115: Introduction to Gooey Louie 101 [ 1:16:32 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (267)

The Rumble Pack is Joining the Humpdate!

By
Justin
 – December 1, 2009Posted in: Main, Update

Attention listeners! We have a huge announcement. If you mosey on over to the GameHounds web site this Wednesday, you may notice their midweek Humpdate. These episodes are showcases for other video game podcasts to strut their stuff with brief original segments, or “pods.” And starting this week, we’re proud to say that we’ll officially anchor these podcasts with closing salvos of news, pop culture and poop jokes. For current fans, it’s a great way to get an additional Rumble fix, but this will also be a wonderful opportunity to bring in new listeners who have, up until now, somehow eluded our grasp. We’re looking forward to our partnership with the GameHounds, and to your valued feedback as well.

UPDATE: Our Humpdate debut is up!

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