Smash brothers, unite! This week, the Pack assembles in the nation’s capitol for an impromptu Super Street Fighter IV tournament. As the battle rages on, Tom tells the guys about 3D Dot Heroes and Rocket Knight, while Kaz and Tony wrap up their Starcraft II beta experience. Nick shares his Deadly Premonition and Justin receives an avalanche of pizza-flavored Gamer Grub(s). Plus, dueling Dee-Jays, Tommy Wiseau, Hudson Hawk and plenty of laughs in this special reunion episode.
The Rumble Pack Posts
As gamers mature, so must the industry. That’s the general theme for this week’s Reader, which has Justin and Nick pondering how developers can cater to broader audiences without abandoning the core gamer. They first look at a recent opinion piece from GamePro’s John Davison, in which the industry veteran suggests that “more content” doesn’t necessarily mean “better game.” In the second half of the show, Justin and Nick talk about the challenges of localizing the Ace Attorney series. Who knew that such a ridiculous game could work as a sly satire, too? Not Americans, apparently.
Relevant Links:
John Davison’s’ “Too Big and Too Hard”
All praise to HAL Laboratory for bestowing upon us the ultimate time killer. That’s right – Picross 3D has taken hold of the Rumble Pack and isn’t letting go. However, its blocky charms did not consume the guys completely. Kaz stages a zergling rush in the Starcraft II beta, Tony follows the liter in another Left 4 Dead 2 mutation, Tom pitches in a few shillings for the Humble Indie Bundle and Justin wanders around Sword Base aimlessly in the Halo Reach beta. Plus, LittleBigPlanet 2 reactions and the fattest fingers in town.
Relevant Links:
Hope you’re ready for a fight, because the Pack has Ultra Combos coming out of the wazoo! This week, the guys take on all world warriors in Super Street Fighter IV, a worthwhile expansion even if it didn’t need to be pressed to a disc. How much would you pay for a greasy tussle? Kaz shares fond Halo memories in preparation for the Reach Beta, Justin reflects on Mighty Flip Champs and Tony also becomes a Patchwork Hero. Plus, the road to Gran Pulse, a pedometer on the loose, Bungievision and Breaking Bad “bald asses.”
Relevant Links
Last week’s announcement of the Activision/Bungie partnership had some forum pundits scratching their heads or fearing the worst, and not without good reason. After all, Activision’s exploitative business practices and rocky relationship with Infinity Ward have created a PR nightmare for the infamous mega-publisher. However, Bungie’s not out to bury itself. I see this recent news as a huge step forward. The move means getting to create an entirely new universe, one that the creator can call its own. While Bungie is seemingly locked into this new franchise for the next decade, right now, everything seems fresh and exciting. I have enough love for Master Chief to fill six cat helmets, but that doesn’t mean I’m not extremely interested to see one of the most talented developers in the world set out for new territory.
Ditto for Respawn. These guys had been working on the Call of Duty franchise for ages, and I’m sure that Zampella and West are eager to explore different settings or even genres. Activision likely wanted those guys to give us more Modern Warfare whether we did or not, but now Respawn has teamed with Electronic Arts. Again, another gigantic publisher, but EA has a strong recent track record for original IPs and supporting interesting ideas. This doesn’t always work out sales-wise – Brütal Legend, Mirror’s Edge – but I’d be shocked if Respawn’s first project is another humdrum military shooter.
Who:Â Everyone
When: 9 p.m. EST, May 6th
What: Super Street Fighter IV (Team Battle, Endless)
Where: PSN
Why: Because we can’t unleash our inner-Hakans at the arcade anymore.
In the second installment of the Reader, Nick and Justin tackle the “mystical” world of Japanese game journalism. The 40/40 Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker score in Weekly Famitsu recently stirred up controversy, but the guys delve into what that magazine used to stand for. They also shed light on Xbox Live Indie Games through a developer blog on 4 Color Rebellion. Lastly, GameFan is once again sitting in magazine racks across the country, but the guys are still trying to figure out why. (No copy editing makes Justin angry.)
Relevant Links:
Brian Sowers’ “Inside the Indie Game Development Cycle”
Ready, set, pun! This week, the gang switches things up by saving the silly stuff for the end of the episode. Before the breakdown, Nick does a barrel roll in Afterburner Climax, Justin slices up quilted airships in Patchwork Hero and Tony leads the charge in Left 4 Dead 2‘s “The Passing.” Don’t forget to double tap. They also delve into a captivating lineup of Capcom games and discuss the the controversial beginning of Final Fantasy XIII. Plus, PSP bargains, seven wives for somebody and a pinch of “Kick Ass.”
Playing as Sam Fisher, the legendary spy who could put Solid Snake in a sleeper hold, I skulk through the shadows of a heavily guarded airfield; the guards don’t realize that they have me completely surrounded. I’m absolutely meticulous – not a single light bulb is left intact – but I’m not sure how much longer I can keep up my silent assault. One of the guards turns the corner with his flashlight in hand, but I press the B button and knock him out before he becomes trouble. Using my execution move, I pick off two more stragglers in the distance. I’m ruthless, I’m cunning and I’m empowered. This is where Splinter Cell: Conviction shines.
I then trip an alarm, enemies start heckling me repeatedly and the A.I. goes haywire. So much for that.
Fortunately, Splinter Cell: Conviction‘s campaign is usually more hot than cold, but these inconsistencies will drive you mad as you search around the globe for the killer of Sam Fisher’s daughter. The series has always taken pride in its cat-and-mouse dynamic, but in Conviction, Fisher’s increased firepower throws all of that off-balance. Perhaps the guards weren’t all that clever in previous installments, but at least they had weaponry on their side. Now that Fisher can eliminate his adversaries without confidence, its a wonder that they don’t spend the entire game in hiding.