Christmas Gaming 2011

Once again things don't work out as smoothly as I was hoping for in the last weeks, which is the reason for the desertion on the blog. Being a graduate student is a full time job... This might have killed the idea that I am able to update PG regularly as back in the old days, but anyway, I can't change it right now and I am hoping for better days in that sense. Let's get back to business and let me state what my personal gaming experience has come down to in the last weeks or months. Also I will detail why I am looking forward to Christmas, gamingwise. I still have lots of unfinished games lying around here at PG headquarters. They might seem old to you, but still gold to me. To these titles on my To Finish List are games like Alan Wake, Enslaved, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood and maybe even Fallout: New Vegas (I might have given up on this one, realized that it is too big for me and not motivating enough since it can't keep up with Fallout 3, which I loved). Especially Assassin's Creed Brotherhood is a game I really adore. It's the perfect action adventure and I am kind of sad that I find the time to play it only once every few weeks. Plus I really want to play AC Revelations since it does not only round the story up, but as well is situated in Constantinople (later known as Istanbul) where I spend some great months of my real life. New games breaks down to Gears of War 3 and Rage for me. Gears 3 is probably the best 3rd Person Shooter of all times, I really have fun with this one. The gameplay is perfect and the online is fun. A must have for every 360 owner for sure. And Rage suits me well since it is not more or less than I expected. Rage is the definition of an old skool corridor shooter if you may, but I like it very much. Okay, the world is small and freedom of movement is an illusion in Rage since everything is "just around the corner", but hey, it's satisfying to blow up those mutants. And this might have been the nicest gaming surprise for me: Sonic The Hedgehog CD became available on Xbox Live Arcade just a few days ago. Since I am a hard core 16Bit Sonic fan who didn't own the Sega Mega CD back in the 1990s now there was not any excuse for me to miss this one. I am fascinated. It is on par with Sonic 2 and 3 and that's something since those are the best Sonic games ever made. The graphics look superb since there is an option to sharpen everything which makes the game truly beatiful on a widescreen HD TV. I just finished it but saw that there is much more to it, since beating the game unlocks Tails and also there is a time attack mode waiting. And yet I haven't really understood what it is all about with Past and Future but since levels drastically change when changing time this should add some revisit value. Also the price is more than fair with only 400 MS points. Having won in a christmas lottery over at German site Gaming Universe I was gifted with the Kinect title Michael Phelps - Push The Limit. I don't own a Kinect device since it is absolutely unnecessary for core gamers (you hear that, Microsoft?) I just traded the game in and got another high profile game I was missing out on for far too long: DEAD FUCKING SPACE 2. Well, I loved the first one, even when it nearly scared me to death and this one was far too long on my To Buy List. Now I finally have it and after finishing the first chapter yesterday I am amazed. Isaac can speak and it doesn't suck! Opposite is truer since it gives the game more depth. Gameplay seems to be improved perfection and it's so brutal and god damn scary! I am glad that I finally can play this survival horror masterpiece! Anyway, christmas is right around the corner. Christmas for me is and always has been about leaning back with the family and enjoying some quality video games (I am leaving out here on the religious part since I in RL tend to critizise the materialism mania christmas has evolved into, which seems to come with secularization and keeping traditions.). We will play a lot. My brother has marked Uncharted 3 and Modern Warfare 3 on his wish list, while I chose Batman Arkham City. I am super excited for Batman since the predecessor was one outstanding extraordinary game with a dense and believable world and story combined with gameplay perfection. It makes my heart jump that Arkham City is said to even surpass this. It won Best 360 game of the year, btw: http://www.spike.com/events/video-game-awards-2011-nominees/voting/best-xbox-360-game What are my plans for the next year? Gamingwise I still have a lot of titles to finish, as you see. And there are must haves for me like Mass Effect 3, Bioshock Infinite and Diablo III. When it comes to movies I can't wait for The Expendables II! But in general I hope to find some more time for posting on PG since I don't like the site being left outdated. Since my real life is getting heavier and heavier I won't make false promises here, however. I will use PG at least to speak out my opinion on games I play as I did with this post. I hope those of you reading this can understand. That's it from me again. Merry Christmas and a happy new year! Hans

Mass Effect 3: Collector's Edition Trailer

One of the games I find myself playing the most even with my rare time is the Mass Effect series. Usually I don't buy CEs but this one seems really interesting to me since it includes an additional character and a bonus mission. Of course the soundtrack and art book are nice as well. Might be a CE worth getting. I'm just afraid Kaidan Alenko won't make it back into my team since both my characters favored saving Ash.

Prototype 2 New York Zero Trailer

Prototype 2 seems to improve on a lot of criticism from the first. It looks really good to me.

Skyrim Making of Trailer

You'll get the full documentary with the special edition of the game. It looks so nice.

Gears of War 3 Command Pack Trailer

First DLC is here.

Grand Theft Auto V Debut Trailer

Not surprising, but certainly very welcome.

The Voices of Bioshock Infinite

This game looks highly promising. I always loved Bioshock. The first is one of the best games of all times, the 2nd was a good but not as good sequel and Infinite will not disappoint.

Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer Interview

Mass Effect 3's excuse to have multiplayer: It's an intergalactic war against the reapers and every race is joining. This better be no let down, because I love my Mass Effect as it always has been: single player perfection.

Get More: GameTrailers.com, Mass Effect 3 - Multiplayer Interview HD, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

LOTR: War In The North Launch Trailer

It looks fun. I always found the LOTR hack and slays entertaining.

Get More: GameTrailers.com, LotR: War in the North - Final Hope Launch Trailer HD, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Uncharted 3 Gets 10/10

Nice, such a nice game. I was thinking about getting a PS3 for exactly this series (and Killzone and God of War). Sadly I realized it would be stupid bc I just don't have time to play anything anymore. Master studies taking it to the max.

Gears of War 3: Azura Map DLC

- Gears of War 3. I really like this game. It's the game I played the most recently. Horde 2.0 is so much fun with a bunch of good friends. _

Skyrim Real Life Trailer Rules

I wish I was unemployed.

Launch Trailers For Battlefield 3 And Modern Warfare 3

Modern combat becomes the new World War II. I really don't give a fuck about these games anymore. Maybe I would prefer CoD since I know the campaign characters from the previous two games.

BlizzCon 11: StarCraft II Heart of The Swarm Trailer

Reminds me that I should finish StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. Should, should, should. I really need a decade of unemployment to play all those games.

Get More: GameTrailers.com, StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm - BlizzCon 11: Cinematic Trailer, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Diablo III: BlizzCon 11

So, it's been a while since I last finished Diablo II. Who's the big monster dude in this latest trailer for the (hopefully) soon to be released Diablo III?

Get More: GameTrailers.com, Diablo III - BlizzCon 11: Black Soulstone Cinematic, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Get More: GameTrailers.com, Diablo III - BlizzCon 11: Diablo Retrospective Feature, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Modern Warfare 3: Multiplayer Trailer

Turrets and robots up the ante in MW3.

Street Fighter X Tekken Might Very Well Be The Most Difficult Fighter Ever

Pandora, Tag Team and now gems. It seems like Capcom is giving a lot of variety in technique to its latest fighter Street Fighter X Tekken. Well, it least the button combinations seem to be standardized. Anyway, certainly a hard to master game.
Release is early March 2012.

Batman: Arkham City Too Good To Miss Out On

Did you hear about the amazingly high scores the new Batman game gets? Check them out here on gamerankings. Also, I found this funny video:

Batman: Arkham City - Launch Trailer

I want it - now.

Hitman Absolution Gameplay Trailer

Agent 47 is back.

The Darkness 2 Gameplay Blowout

I still don't know what to think about the new art style. Anyway, I am happy a sequel is finally underway.

Rage, FPS of The Year 2011

I have it and played the first few hours. Okay, it's not very original, but it recycles all the stolen elements in amazing fashion. And it's the best graphics that I have seen so far on 360. Goddamn, I love this game.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 - Campaign Trailer

Here it comes again, the better CoD.

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood - The End of An Era

Konstantinopel. Goddamn, Istanbul. I will never forget this city having lived there for a semester. Who saw Galata Kulesi in the trailer?

Assassin's Creed: Revelations Extended Story Trailer

Ezio's journey is coming to an end.

The Darkness II: Story Trailer

Whoa, really loved the first one and this looks good, despite the cell shading.

Batman Arkham City: Joker Trailer

Excited for this one.

Gears of War 3: I Am Loving It

Fuck yeah, I love this game! Best Gears of War game ever! Perfect campaign, perfect Horde mode and Beast is a beast! Addicted to this shit!!!

Assassin's Creed Revelations Multiplayer Trailer

Nice, very nice. I am excited about this game for two reasons. First is the gamer's reason. I love Assassin's Creed. It simply is one of the best series of this outstanding generation. Part 1 was a warm up, but Part 2 demonstrated greatness. Right now I am in the middle of AC: Brohterhood and it's awesome as well. For Revelations, the end of the Ezio-trilogy I am looking forward to that it plays in Ottoman Konstantinople. I have history with this city as I lived in modern Istanbul for a few months. I am excited about this games, yet I wonder when I will play it.

Street Fighter X Tekken TGS 2011 Trailers, Pandora Mode Explained

I am very excited about this one. Unlike Marvel Vs Capcom 3 I am sure I could handle this game. It looks like the basics are similar to Street Fighter IV only that there's a tag team function and this mysterious pandora mode. Release will be some time in Q1 2012.

Get More: GameTrailers.com, Street Fighter X Tekken - TGS 11: Pandora Mechanic Walkthrough, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Rage: Go Back To Sleep Trailer

God damn, I need this fucking great game. Just look at it!

The Adventure of My Life In The Land of Skyrim

This is simply stunning. I can't say anything more than that every reason in me goes against getting this game because it will consume me and every time I have plus my girlfriend will leave me. But just look at it, realize, it's the adventure of your life and you can't withdraw.

Still Alive

My fellow readers (if there should be some left),

here I am again and have to start a blog post with "sorry for the lack of updates lately". But eventually that seems to be the way life goes. I am happy to see that the site is still visited by a lot of people. It seems constant work pays off, and Google Search of course. The reason I didn't post the last weeks is the old one - my thesis. But it is nearly complete. Anyway, let me use this post to tell you that I have not - and never will - lost my love for Gaming. A few weeks back Xbox Live Deal of the Week was three of four Mass Effect 2 DLC missions. I couldn't say no and I would've been foolish. Mass Effect 2, after all, is one of my favorite games of all time. That's the game I am playing whenever I find the little time.
Real life is demanding a lot and I am putting all my energy into it. How did the great lyrician Ice Cube express it: "I am a champion I do what can't be done In the real world, nerd Not in the fantasy one". Seems to be true from my perspective for my situation. But I don't see what should be wrong in beeing a champion in the fantasy world as well.
And that's why I am super excited for Rage. I played that beast on this year's GamesCom (much too crowded btw) and I instantly fell in love. Preorder happened before already. And I am waiting for Gears of War 3. Such a nice game it will be, I am sure.
Anyway, just wanted to give you all a sign of life. I will try to give weekly updates in the future. We'll see how it's working out 'cause my master program at university is starting soon and end of work is not in sight. Good I have my 360 to relax.

Stay tuned, much love
Hans

Excited For RAGE

Goddamn, that's the bad thing about having to work on a laptop - you always get distracted by the internet. Well, in my case this meant watching all the nice vids of Rage, the upcoming FPS of the year. I just couldn't stop it and preordered this thing. And I am super excited to play it personally next thursday on GamesCom!! Last year's 30 minutes presentation blew my mind!

Movies: Harold And Kumar + Tower Heist Trailer

I saw the first Harold and Kumar once. Found it very funny, modern Cheech and Chong. The other movie stars Eddie Murphy. Haven't seen or heard of him for quite a while.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution: Sound And Box Art Dev Diary

Whoa, I've been really busy with writing my Bachelor thesis in the last weeks and I still have a lot of work to do on it. Anyway, since Gamescom is coming up here in Germany next week I am always surfing around and watching the latest gametrailers.
Here are two videos of Deus Ex: Human Revolution which is said to be capable of representing the series next game. What's the saying again? Every time Deus Ex is mentioned, someone reinstalls.

Mass Effect 2 DLCs Are Deal of The Week

I love Mass Effect. I couldn't let this chance slip away and so I bought them all. Early 2012 Mass Effect 3 will be released and until then I want to have finished my 2nd playthrough with evil female Shepard including all of the DLC missions. By the way: Project Overlord is not included in the bargain of 50% on the missions. Stupid.

Metro: Last Light Gameplay

Really intense.

Resident Evil 4 HD And Code Veronica HD Gameplay

Resident Evil 4 lets you see the origin of the modern Third Person Shooter. Code Veronica looks really old. No need to pay 20 bucks for this.

The Enemies of Rage

Goddamn, have a look at this fucking great FPS.

Mass Effect 3 Comic Con 2011 Demo

The story is beginning on the earth and going to expand onto other planets from there. Still need to buy and finish all of the DLC of ME2 before buying ME3. Luckily it was delayed to early 2012.

Street Fighter X Tekken Comic Con 2011 Trailer

I think I am going to have more fun with this one than with Marvel Vs Capcom 3. Didn't like it at all.

Batman: Arkham City - Penguin Reveal Trailer

Definitely one of the games I need to play this year.

Gears of War 3: Story Dev Diary

Preordered this baby. Shit, it comes a few days before the deadline of my BA thesis.

Darksiders II Extended Debut Trailer

I am much looking forward to Darksiders II considering how much I loved the first game.
I wonder what kind of a character Death will be.

Tags: GameTrailers.com, Darksiders II - Extended Debut Trailer HD, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Rage: Making of The Wasteland

Have a look at this fucking great FPS.

Sonic Generations 20th Anniversary Trailer

I wish this trailer would show more gameplay of the title.

Deus Ex Human Revolution Combat Dev Diary

A guy I met told me he played a leaked beta and found it surprisingly good.

Prototype 2 Tentacles Trailer

"Dismemberment never felt so good." Did he play the Dead Fucking Space I wonder.

Asura's Wrath Gameplay Trailer

Looks fast. And promising.