Playstation 4 Revealed

At a press conference in New York Wednesday evening, Sony officially announced their next-generation console, Playstation 4. Though the console itself wasn't shown, everything from a Holiday 2013 launch window to technical specs to upcoming games were, and all in all it was an impressive display for the company. Sony knows that they have a lot of ground to cover if they want to compete against Microsoft's upcoming Xbox, and it seems to me that they're already on the right track. 

According to PS4's system architect Mark Cerny, development of the new console started as early as five years ago, a mere two years after the PS3's troubled launch. Gone will be the days of the developer maligned Cell Processor, which is to be replaced by a new x86 CPU made by AMD. The new CPU is apparently a lot easier to program for and should allow for more parity with various ports from other consoles. Perhaps for once a game's Playstation counterpart won't be the technically inferior version on the market as we've seen time and time again with various releases (I'm looking at you Skyrim and Dishonored).

Sony's new controller, named, not surprisingly DualShock 4 features a touchpad similar to the PSVITA's rear touchpad, a redesigned D-Pad, form fitting triggers and concave Xbox 360-esque analog sticks. The new Share button was prominently featured at the conference as well, it allows "instant" uploading of gameplay footage to the internet. Finally killed a ridiculously difficult dragon in Dark Souls II? Upload the fight in order to share your strategy and help others achieve the same. The Playstation 4 looks to be social media intensified in almost every way, with a Playstation App on the way for use in matchmaking and game purchasing via your iPhone or Droid. These seem like really cool features for the Next-Gen and something that I'm personally looking forward to exploring come launch. 

One sadly unsurprising fact of the Playstation 4 is that it won't be backwards compatible in the traditional sense. Your PS3 Blu-Ray games as well as any game you've previously downloaded from the PSN will not be playable on the PS4 due to the new hardware found inside the console itself. This won't be a problem for someone like me who has 6 systems hooked up at once, but for the average consumer this might prove to be a huge stumbling block for Sony come release. However, Sony plans to at least somewhat solve this problem thanks to their recent purchase of Gaikai, a company known for developing cloud gaming services for various platforms. You should be able to stream any Playstation game, past or present, at the touch of a button, which is a pretty nifty approach in my opinion.

So sure, they didn't reveal what the actual console looks like or how much it will cost, but overall I'd say that Wednesday's conference was a success. It's smart that they didn't show everything yesterday, since I'm sure they'll want to release new information throughout the entire year leading up to the Holiday launch. 

This weekend I'll be posting some looks at the various games that were shown off, but in the meantime what did you think of Sony's big reveal? Excited? Scared? Angry? All three? Let me know in the comments here, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

The Last Of Us Delayed

       The Last Of Us, the Spring 2013 release from Sony's first-party game studio Naughty Dog, has officially been delayed. Originally scheduled for a May 7th release, the title has been pushed back about a month to a Friday, June 14th release.

This might not seem like such a big deal to the average person, but to anyone who follows the industry, it might come as a bit of a shock. Naughty Dog have never delayed a game before, they've always had "set-in-stone" release dates that were met. This time however ND decided that in order to deliver everything they have in mind for The Last Of Us, this extra time is needed.

The developer had this to say via Playstation Blog:

As a team we pride ourselves on setting a very high quality bar for every aspect of our games – gameplay, story, art, design, technology and more. We want to make sure The Last of Us raises that bar even further – for ourselves, and most importantly, our fans.

As we entered the final phase of development for The Last of Us, we came to realize just how massive Joel and Ellie’s journey is. But instead of cutting corners or compromising our vision, we came to the tough decision that the game deserved a few extra weeks to ensure every detail of The Last of Us was up to Naughty Dog’s internal high standards.

It's sort of a bummer that I'll have to wait an extra month to play my most anticipated release of 2013, then again ND has a fantastic track record with their games. If this extra time allows them to release a game on a whole new level than what we normally get from them, I say hell yes, take your time and I'll happily wait until June 14th.

Are you upset that The Last Of Us has been delayed? What's your most anticipated release of 2013? Let me know in the comments below or contact me on Twitter @TheRealMattC.

Best Of 2012 (That I've Played)

The Best Games of 2012

            As 2013 is finally here, I thought it would be a good time to post my opinions on what I think were the best games to come out in the past year. This year brought the usual bunch of AAA titles from the big studios but we also had smaller developers step up to the plate and knock their big budgeted counterparts silly. Remember that I'm only one man, so this list will comprise of only games that I've personally played for an extended amount of time. This article is a long time coming, but it's also been a long time in the works.

2012 saw a new console from Sony in the form of the Vita, a handheld that although not as popular as Nintendo's 3DS, just might have the most power of any handheld system we've seen so far. We also had Nintendo finally join the HD world with the release of their Wii U console, a system with heaps of potential that should prove very interesting in the coming years.

So without further ado, here is my Top Ten of 2012.

Honorable Mention - Dishonored

As a gamer who was burned by Assassin's Creed III, I was more than happy to step into the shoes of Corvo Attano in Akrane Studios' fantastic Dishonored. Set in the fictional city of Dunwall, you set about exacting revenge on those who disgraced you. Dunwall is a superbly designed world in which to go about this adventure, which is basically Bioshock with a heavy stealth element. With myriad ways to dispatch your assassination targets, Dishonored featured some of the most fun to be had on a console. Those looking for a new game to sink their teeth into will be rightly pleased.

10. Hotline Miami

A top-down, SNES-style brutality simulator? The alternate universe, videogame version of Drive? An incredibly fun, yet incredibly challenging experience? A $10 PC game that I'd gladly pay more for? Hotline Miami is all of these things and more. From the first mission onwards, this is a totally engrossing game where you play as an unnamed protagonist (antagonist?) taking on various jobs as a hitman. Things just get weirder from there with quirky, vague dialogue and a Lynchian story, this game is fresh in a way that few are nowadays. The gameplay and soundtrack are truly top-notch and the graphics are a welcome blast from the past.

9. New Super Mario Bros. U

Nintendo did it again and this time in HD, New Super Mario Bros. U is the latest in the long line of Mario adventures. It's also one of the most challenging since Super Mario World way back on the SNES, more than a few times I've cursed my television during a particularly difficult lava level. I used to think that since Mario games had such great art design there was no need for HD, now I doubt I'll ever want to play a non-HD Super Mario ever again. This is a truly beautiful game, from the graphics to the super-tight controls, it's a Mario game for the ages and stands right up there with the classic games from this franchise.

8. Little Big Planet PSVita

Sometimes a portable game comes along that is leagues better than its console counterpart, Little Big Planet PSVita is definitely one of those games. From the upgraded touch controls to the wackier than usual story, this SackBoy adventure is one to behold. The online community is as strong as ever with gamers far and wide creating and sharing their own levels and different takes on the LBP world. This is an step up from LBP & LBP2 in almost every way, so if you're a fan of those superb titles, then get your hands on a Vita and this game and hop to it!

7. ZombiU

As someone who was and still is obsessed with Dark Souls I was very happy with Ubisoft's apocalypse adventure, ZombiU. This game is basically a first person Dark Souls with zombies that's set in London. It's also the truest representation of a zombie apocalypse I've encountered in a game yet, no matter how prepared you think you are, you will die. Even though you will die constantly, this is not a hindrance to your enjoyment of this amazing game however, because each time you die, you have to find a new way to approach each situation. ZombiU is impressive in nearly every way, from the smart use of the Gamepad to the RPG elements, to the pure Survival Horror experience, it's the best launch title for Nintendo's new console and I couldn't recommend it enough.

6. Binary Domain

From the looks of the box art you'd think that this was your typical Gears of War-esque bro-shooter, and surely it is, at least for the first hour. Once you assemble your Rust Crew of mercenaries, this turns into a whole different kind of adventure. Basically the best Terminator game ever made, Binary Domain seems like a spiritual progression of SEGA's fantastic Vanquish from a few years back with bullets flying everywhere, all the time. You control your squad using a surprisingly responsive voice recognition system into the depths of Japan's Amada Corporation. The bosses are beyond huge and the gunplay is an absolute blast. Shooting robots to little bits is one of the most satisfying things I've done in a game all year.  

5. Darksiders II

Having been unimpressed with the first Darksiders game, I was hesitant to go back to THQ's "God of Zelda" series. Thankfully I did go back because this is a truly captivating game. From its God of War like combat to it's Zelda on steroids dungeons, this game a blast to play. The WiiU version adds a nifty touchscreen inventory and most of the DLC from the original release, making this the most complete version of the game that's available. Death AKA The Grim Reaper is a great character and the people and creatures he meets in this tale are very memorable, the world is a rich tapestry of brilliant art/level design and though not without it's problems is still a fantastic addition to anyone's library.

4. Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?!!!

Oh my glob! This game is beyond mathematical! In this, the first console Adventure Time game, we got the unofficial sequel to Nintendo's Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, so if you have fond memories of that classic, you owe it to yourself to get your hands on this as soon as you can. Playing as series heroes Jake the dog and Finn the human, you traverse the land of Ooo in hot pursuit of the dastardly Ice King, searching for your garbage and helping various characters along the way. Proof that licensed games don't have to suck, Adventure Time takes a proven set up and takes it to the next level with beautiful 2D graphics and a perfect control scheme, it's the best release on 3DS this year.

3. Persona 4: Golden

Bizarre, engrossing, challenging, fun as hell and oh so Japanese, Persona 4: Golden is the rich JRPG that Vita owners have been waiting for. An HD port of the 2008 PS2 release, Persona 4 puts you in the role of a high school student in rural Japan where strange murders have begun to occur. It's up to you and your classmates to save the town and put an end to all the craziness. To tell anymore of the story would spoil it, but let me say that it's some of the weirdest high school drama I've ever encountered. Battle controls are sublime with a great turn based system that's easy to get used to for anyone that's played an RPG before. Great doesn't begin to describe this title, it's truly sublime.

2. Borderlands 2

Fun fun fun 'til Handsome Jack takes your loot all away. Borderlands 2 is the most fun I had with a console game this year, an upgrade to the original in every way imaginable. This is a game you can sink hours into and not progress and yet feel like you achieved great things. Hilarious dialogue and precarious situations surround you on the planet of Pandora and in great numbers. Great controls and visuals are just icing on the cake for a game this large, it's amazing that Gearbox was able to make it all work in the end. Borderlands 2 shows that there's still room for an open world loot-fest as long as it's wildly entertaining and able to keep your attention for vast amounts of time.

1. Journey

Thatgamecompany's Journey is simply put, the most beautiful experience you can hope to have with a video game. This game is a true work of art, from the gorgeous visuals to its simplistic controls, it's a game that everyone should be able to enjoy, regardless of skill level. An emotional triumph, you take away from Journey only what you give it, no true dialogue is spoken throughout the two hour adventure, leaving you to make your own story for your weary traveler. By the end, I had tears in my eyes at what I had witnessed, Journey's ending is beauty in it's purest form. For only $15, this is a downloadable title that will stick with you long after you beat it. Not only is this the best game to come out this past year, it's the best game to come out in many years.

So there you have it, the best games I played in 2012. A lot of work and internal debate went into shaping this list and quite a few games were left off in the end. All in all though, I'd say that 2012 was a fantastic year across the board for gaming, and if what I've read is true, 2013 should be even better.

REVIEW: Resistance: Burning Skies

Let me be blunt here; Resistance: Burning Skies was one of my most anticipated games for the Vita and it succeeded in disappointing me at almost every turn. This is an extremely pedestrian, by the numbers shooter that does very little to entertain but everything to confound.

Burning Skies is a decent FPS, to be sure, but it certainly doesn't live up to the franchise's pedigree. The console Resistance titles all have compelling characters and clever story twists that keep you invested in the story, Burning Skies has neither of these things. You'll play as Tom Riley, a firefighter on his quest to save his wife and daughter who appear in exactly 3 scenes in the game. How are you supposed to care about these characters if you never get to spend time with them? The fact that Riley is such a boring character with very little to say doesn't really help much either. 

The game's controls are serviceable but the use of the front touchscreen can be a tad annoying, with wasted grenades and auxiliary ammo if you accidentally touch the screen. Why developer Nihilistic Games didn't put in an option to use the rear touchpad is beyond me, it wouldn't have saved the game, but it definitely would've made it slightly more user-friendly. 

Another turn-off and something that I thought games had moved past are the unskippable cut-scenes, which have very little bearing on Riley's situation. The cut-scenes are also extremely blocky which with a handheld of the Vita's power shouldn't even be a thing. Another knock I have is that the trophies are far too easy to unlock, this is a 6 hour Platinum if you really want it, and trophies will be popping every few minutes even if you play through the game with mediocre shooter skills.

I was severely disappointed in this game. I tried to like it and enjoy myself, I really did, but in the end it's shortcomings were just far too great. I can only recommend this to you if you can find it on sale and you really want that easy Platinum. It's a good showing of what the Vita is capable of, but not of what a Resistance game is capable of.

4/10

E3 Goodness!

   
      It's that awesome time of the year, when dreams can be fulfilled and dashed in an instant and the major software developers awkwardly tease their latest wares! E3 is always a pretty entertaining event with a ton of new games announced every year, and every once in a while we even get a new console.

In this article I'll be going over a few of the games that I'm really excited for as well as talking about Nintendo's new home system, Wii U.

SONY

Sony's Playstation 3 is currently my go to system when I want to play all the latest games. It truly is an amazing console that, like Sony says, Only Does Everything. On the other hand you have their recent Vita handheld, which hasn't been doing too great. To be honest I was super excited when this released but it just hasn't gotten much support.

Sony has already announced a bunch of huge upcoming games prior to E3, which can only mean one thing, they're going to drop some huge surprises at their press conference tomorrow night. One of which I hope is that PSOne Classics will finally be playable on the Vita.

Playstation 3 Games To Look Out For

The Last Of Us (PS3 Exclusive)

The next game from Sony's powerhouse first party studio, Naughty Dog, will probably be my highlight of the show. The story of a post-apocalyptic, plague ridden North America, this looks to be a sufficiently brutal and gripping tale of survival. Naughty Dog has clearly taken inspiration from various films and literature and the game seems to be a true emotional epic because of it. This is a game from a studio you can trust, they did make the Uncharted trilogy after all.

Tomb Raider (Multiplatform)

Five years ago when everyone saw the trailer for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, everyone's response was "Oh hey, Tomb Raider with a guy." Now in 2012 we'll get our first look at this gritty, "Uncharted with a lady" reboot of the classic Tomb Raider series. Judging from the trailer this looks to be a really good time with graphics and a storyline to match. Now we just have to wait and see if they've finally fixed those "classic" Tomb Raider controls.

Dead Space 3 (Multiplatform)

Not much is known about this game so far, but if it's half as terrifying as the last two entries in the series, we're in for a real treat. The only concrete details that have been announced are that it'll have a co-op mechanic and that it takes place on some sort of Hoth-like planet. Look for more details very soon.

Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale (PS3 Exclusive)

Sure at first glance it's pretty much Sony Smash Bros., but apparently it plays a lot different Nintendo's fantastic brawler series. This should be a fun game just for the fact that you'll be able to have a four-way deathmatch consisting of Nathan Drake, Fat Princess, a Big Daddy and Cole MacGrath. Expect fun times with your friends either sitting on the couch or online.

Guacamelee! (PSN, Vita)

From the makers of the insanely fun Tales From Space series comes this cool sidescroller featuring a crazy Luchador. The last Tales From Space game that was released for Vita is probably that platform's best game and it only cost $8, so look for a sweet, cheap time with this one.

Soul Sacrifice (Vita)

This appears to be another in a long line of crazy Japanese games that we rarely get stateside, but I'm glad we'll be receiving it. Soul Sacrifice looks very much like a portable Dark Souls with a cool, you guessed it, sacrifice mechanic mixed it. Developed by Sony's Japan Studio and being directed by the legendary Keiji Inafune (Mega Man, Onimusha, Dead Rising) expect some interesting gameplay on the go.

Aliens: Colonial Marines (Multiplatform)

Sega & Gearbox Software's Aliens FPS has been a long time coming and it actually looks to be worth the wait. Set right after the events of James Cameron's excellent sequel you take control of a squad of Colonial Marines and the poop hits the fan once you board the Sulaco. Sega's recent Aliens: Infestation on the DS was the first good game in this franchise in quite some time, so hopefully this release can keep the momentum going.

Doom 3: BFG Edition (Multiplatform)

One of my favorite series of all time is finally coming to the Playstation 3! This game scared the crap out of me back in the day and I can't wait to go back to Mars and fight the hordes of Hell once again. Bethesda is even including the original Doom & Doom II, so if for some reason you've never played those classics, here's your chance.

Assassin's Creed III (Multiplatform)

Assassin's Creed. The American Revolution. Benjamin Franklin makes your gadgets. 'Nuff Said.

NINTENDO

Nintendo had a pretty rocky E3 last year. The Wii U was mentioned almost in passing and they just didn't make much of a splash. This year looks to be The Big N's time to shine however, their 3D handheld is trouncing Sony's Vita in sales and they're about to launch their 7th home console. My panties are certainly in a bunch for the Wii U after seeing today's reveal and I couldn't be more excited for it. Expectations are naturally very high this year and the team of Iwata, Reggie, and Miyamoto will hopefully leave a lasting impression on fans.  

Pre-E3 Wii U Reveal

Nintendo Games To Look Out For

Super Mario Bros. Wii U (Wii U)

I'm a fan of the New Super Mario Bros. games that have been released for the DS and Wii so this will be a welcome addition to the series. The ability to play as your Mii seems a bit silly, but as long as it doesn't effect the classic Mario gameplay we've come to love, then I'm fine with it. Oh and Mario in HD? Yes, please.

Pikmin 3 (Wii U)

Look for the return of Captain Olimar and his Pikmin horde to make an appearance at E3 this Tuesday. This long awaited sequel to the GameCube strategy series will utilize the Wii U Gamepad's touchscreen in some way and be displayed in glorious HD. Pikmin has always been one of my favorite Miyamoto franchises, it just has this outright weirdness that you don't get from a Mario or Zelda game. 

New Super Mario Bros. 2 (3DS)

Tanooki Tail? P Wing?!?!?! I'm sold.

Luigi's Mansion 2 (3DS)

Mario's taller brother rarely gets to be in the spotlight and when the original Luigi's Mansion released with the GameCube I was quite pleased with his Ghostbusters-eque game. The sequel looks to be like more of the same, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it. 

There you have it, my personal E3 preview with what I'm most looking forward to. Just remember, these are only the announced games and there's always some awesome surprises that pop up at the Expo. 

So What are you most looking forward to? Let me know in the comments below, or Tweet me @TheRealMattC. This is going to be one hell of a week, folks.