The Rumble Pack Posts

“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” releases nationally in theaters today, potentially turning the underground graphic novel series into a money-making franchise. But while the flashy fights and spirited cast may put butts in seats, it’s the heart at the center of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s work that will keep people talking. This week, Justin and Nick tackle the entire story, looking at it specifically through the gamer’s perspective. They discuss their favorite moments, the recent game tie-in and why Edgar Wright was the right man to direct the film adaptation. It’s time to level up and discover the power of love.

Relevant Links:

“Spaced” on Hulu

UGO’s SP Video Game References List

Boing Boing’s Yakuza 3 Review (from the Yakuza perspective)

Tony has officially embarked on his med school journey, but that doesn’t mean that his chair will remain empty. After interviewing a secret applicant, the guys dive into Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, either the most enjoyable or the most broken multiplayer experience on the XBLA. Kaz and Tom help Alan Wake find his signal, Nick jumps into Arc Rise Fantasia and Justin still gets his butt kicked by the casual ModNation Racers patch. Plus, multiplayer pipe dreams, guilty gaming pleasures, Georgia O’Clinton and your required community service hours.

Relevant Links:

Man’s “Best” Friend, BIGDOG

Lyrics for Sonic and the Secret Rings (Sing along!)

Bitmob

The guys have praised Tom Bissell’s “Extra Lives” in past episodes both for his insightful critique of gaming narratives and his witty, poignant writing. This week, Bissell joins Kaz and Justin to talk about how games like Far Cry 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV suggest that something is going on in the medium, and why what we play truly matters.

In about three months, Kinect, Microsoft’s expensive combatant in the motion controller showdown, will finally make its way to store shelves. Ever since it was announced at E3 a couple years ago, the enthusiast community has been buzzing about how the device could change the games we play and potentially bring in a new audience. The problem is, however, that as we’re now approaching November 4th, that new audience has yet to take notice.

Call me crazy, but I think this more effectively sells me on the Wii than it does on the Kinect.

Speaking anecdotally, I haven’t talked to any non-gaming friends who were aware of Kinect or any of its software. They took notice when the Wii launched, and they’re usually on board for a Rock Band party, but I know for a fact that none of these fine folks could tell you what a Kinectimal is. Sadly, polling numbers suggest that this isn’t isolated to the Justin circle, either. But I’m not bringing this up as purely gloom and doom. As Kaz and I both stated on the podcast, we both intend to purchase Kinect at launch and want nothing but the best for the device.* Rather, there needs to a be a shift in the perception going forward that this is more than just a Wii Sports/Fit clone in a pricier sell. How does Microsoft make that happen? Read on.

*Keep in mind that I’m writing under the generous perception that Kinect’s technology works as advertised and that all of the key games live up to expectations. If everything isn’t up to par, then even the most drastic steps won’t save Kinect.

Who: Everyone

When: 9 p.m. EST, August 5th

What: Castlevania: Harmony of Despair

Where: Xbox Live

Why: Because miserable little piles of secrets need to stick together!

RSVP here

Stop waddling and listen up! Though the Pack is down two men, Tom, Justin and Kaz are still here to deliver the goods. Justin continues to bag/tag ’em in Dragon Quest IX, Tom boots up Mother 3 on his magical VCR and Kaz pumps out vespene gas in StarCraft II. On top of that, there’s D.J. Hero scratching, Face Pilot gliding, Hydro Thunder cruising and 3D technology speculating in this very packed episode.

Relevant Links:

BlayzBloo Trailer

Poor Samba de Amigo Monkey

Rev up your chainsaws and prepare for a bloody good time, because this week, the Pack talks with Jeff Agala, Creative Director of Shank. Jeff discusses the animation process, beat ’em up inspirations and the recently announced co-op campaign. Before that, Justin takes charge of an orphanage in Yakuza 3, Tony hunts Dracula’s vampire horde in Helsing’s Fire, Nick gets on the Peace Walker conga line and Kaz defends against an Alien Swarm. Plus, Justin May Crying over a Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 announcement, an in-depth LIMBO discussion and Tekken flamebait.

Note: The interview with Jeff starts about 50 minutes into the show.

Relevant Links:

Jeff Agala’s Art Spot

Sim City 4 Megalopolis

If you live in Brooklyn and love games as much as we do, you may have heard about Game Play, a two-week festival devoted to video game performance art. Unfortunately, the festivities concluded this past weekend, but I was able to attend two of the shows before the end of their runs. Its “Off Off Broadway” roots definitely showed a bit, but it was nice to see some local enthusiasm for our industry in the heart of Hipsterville.

The shows at the Brick Theater included “Kewl-Aid Man in Second Life,” a guided tour of the virtual world starring the famous pitcher monster; “A Short Lecture of a Different Time,”a history lesson told through 8-bit graphics; and “Theater of the Arcade,” which took several simple game narratives and adapted them for the stage. I attended “Grand Theft Ovid” and “Modal Kombat,” both of which I’ll discuss after the jump. The $15 ticket price is a bit steep for amateur theater, but I think the show could develop into something special in a few years time. Be sure to at least keep your eyes peeled next year if you’re a fellow Brooklynite.

Nelson Tethers: Puzzle Agent, from Telltale Games, thrusts you into the strange world of the FBI’s best puzzle research agent. Those familiar with the whimsical nature of the Professor Layton series from Level 5 will be instantly comfortable with the juxtaposition of adventure game roaming and non-sequitur puzzle solving. They will also find a game that exceeds that series in story and setting while falling short on the puzzles.

Nelson is a puzzle-solving superstar.  He is sent to the strange town of Scoggins to investigate an accident at an eraser factory that has affected the White House’s supply. The hand of previous LucasArts employees is clearly evident with such a preposterous mission given to the player, but it sets up some of the cleverest writing and animation I’ve seen in a game in a while. Creative director Graham Annable employs the same wit and style found in his Grickle animations to great effect, given this nearly impossible setup.