April 1 – April 5

Section: 

Just a reminder not to believe anything you read today. The internet is full of lies and deception today. Actually, that really doesn't differentiate it from other days. How about, people are actively trying to deceive you today online. Nope, same problem. People are just making things up out of thin air and posting them as fac ... damn!

So, basically what I'm saying is that the internet is acting normal. Just, maybe, a little moreso.

As for the week at large, after a wonderful few weeks of big releases, we get a bit of a breather. Trion, makers of the underrated MMO Rift, are launching Defiance this week, an MMO Shooter that is paired up with a SyFy Network show that launches later this month. As if I weren't skeptical of any MMO that hits the market these days, there's something about this co-branding with SyFy — which has never prematurely pulled support for a new show — that feels shaky.

That said, Trion knows what they are doing, and the fact that the game enters a largely untapped MMO space on consoles suggests it's possible this will be successful. It's something I'll keep an eye on.

Also this week, Cities in Motion 2, a transportation simulation from Paradox for the PC, and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge for the WiiU, 360 and PS3.

PC
- Cities in Motion 2
- Defiance
- Evoland (download)
- Lords of Football (download)
- Tai Chi Elements (download)

Xbox 360
- BattleBlock Theater (XBLA)
- Defiance
- Double Dragon II: Wander of the Dragons (XBLA)
- Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge

PS3
- Defiance
- Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PS2 Classics)
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (PS2 Classics)
- Ion Assault (PSN)
- Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge

Wii U
- Toki Tori 2 (eShop)

3DS
- Super Black Bass 3D

Comments

But it must be true if its on the internet, right? Ask my parents...

As for Defiance, I will take the same stance I have on most MMO's that I've played since WoW. Meaning, as long as I can log enough enjoyable hours to make it cost less per hour than my drink cost/hour at the local bar on the weekend, then I'm satisfied. No monthly fee makes that A LOT easier and it certainly doesn't hurt that I enjoyed what little of the beta I experienced.

Thank you, GWJ, for not succumbing to April Fools' Day nonsense.

TheHipGamer wrote:

Thank you, GWJ, for not succumbing to April Fools' Day nonsense.

I thought making a new transmedia MMO game of the week was the joke?

Oh hey, Battleblock Theater is finally coming out! That was pretty fun when I tried it at PAX East a year ago -- I hope the final product is solid.

Gravey wrote:
TheHipGamer wrote:

Thank you, GWJ, for not succumbing to April Fools' Day nonsense.

I thought making a new transmedia MMO game of the week was the joke?

Well played, sir.

/slowclap

Gravey wrote:
TheHipGamer wrote:

Thank you, GWJ, for not succumbing to April Fools' Day nonsense.

I thought making a new transmedia MMO game of the week was the joke?

All seriousness, I've been uncertain whether it was or was not myself.

I had a non-gaming friend ask me about Defiance since he's interested in the show. I told him I don't know much about it as I don't play many MMO's, but I'm curious.

But Battleblock Theater would get my pick this week. I may have to grab that when I get home.

Not too sure about Defiance, so that makes this week pretty much clear of any notable games, for me.

Double Dragon what?

@Kezir The good thing about Defiance is no monthly fee. It's also easy to pickup and put down for the months when "Real" life won't let you game. Hope to see you there!

defiance is actually pretty darn good. It's not AAA but its worth the time for sure.

Battleblock Theatre would have been my pick too. I'm a sucker for behemoth products though.

Sorry.....can't disassociate the word from this:

IMAGE(http://www.impawards.com/2008/posters/defiance_xlg.jpg)

- - - - - - - - - -

I'm a bit surprised that Sean didn't pick Ninja Gaiden 3 since it's the closest to being a AAA game, at least by the sales and impressions of the earlier ones awhile back.

I think my wallet gets a break until Star Trek comes out later this month.

Kezir wrote:

But it must be true if its on the internet, right? Ask my parents...

As for Defiance, I will take the same stance I have on most MMO's that I've played since WoW. Meaning, as long as I can log enough enjoyable hours to make it cost less per hour than my drink cost/hour at the local bar on the weekend, then I'm satisfied. No monthly fee makes that A LOT easier and it certainly doesn't hurt that I enjoyed what little of the beta I experienced.

Absolutely my feeling on this stuff too. I've played DDO something like 90 hours according to Steam and have spent a total of $50 on points and the expansion pack. Less than a buck per hour is very, very much within my entertainment budget.

Keithustus wrote:

I'm a bit surprised that Sean didn't pick Ninja Gaiden 3 since it's the closest to being a AAA game, at least by the sales and impressions of the earlier ones awhile back.

But if we're going to typecast Sean's tastes, it would make more sense to choose the PC title over the purely console-ish game. Ninja Gaiden 3 is just way too not-PC-gamer-y.

Though I'm curious if other Shawn is getting it. Word is this edition is supposed to be more difficult or something? Not sure. Heard it was supposed to be more like the previous games since the original release of Ninja Gaiden 3 was disappointing.

Ninja Gaiden 3 seemed like junk. Not interested.

ccesarano wrote:

... more like the previous games since the original release of Ninja Gaiden 3 was disappointing.

Ah, shows how much I care about that genre. I didn't know this was a knockoff edition.

I'm really curious about Lords of Football. Their have been a few meta-life soccer sims that have come out recently, and each one is much better at teasing the potential of such a game rather than actually meeting it. Lords of Football may be the game that actually lands the trick.

kazooka wrote:

I'm really curious about Lords of Football. Their have been a few meta-life soccer

Man, it's a SOCCER game? Screw that

I was hoping someone was trying to make a spiritual successor to Mutant League Football (that wasn't mired in GamesWorkshop IP)!

Certis wrote:

Ninja Gaiden 3 seemed like junk. Not interested.

If I'm remembering right, Razor's Edge is a port of the Wii U version. It was apparently a big overhaul of the original game meant to address player complaints. I've heard mixed responses as to whether or not they succeeded at that.

@Dr.Tambora

As my time budget for gaming decreases, I definitely have to take things like monthly fees into account. Defiance does well to avoid the monthly fee. Now to see how they handle content in the future. Will I be left behind if I were to choose not to purchase the extras? Either way I think the initial investment will be worth it...regardless if the show takes off or not. See you there!

Another nice by-week. Time to grognard it up with some Ultima II.

Oh, would you look at that, Demon's Souls free to PS+ subscribers today! No, I didn't want to play something else in the pile.

SocialChameleon wrote:

Another nice by-week. Time to grognard it up with some Ultima II.

I demand documentation of this.

wordsmythe wrote:
SocialChameleon wrote:

Another nice by-week. Time to grognard it up with some Ultima II.

I demand documentation of this.

I seem to recall Ultima II to be the weird one.

Time travel and space travel? Yep!

Am I the only one really interested in Battleblock Theater? Any initial impressions from anyone out there playing?

Trashie wrote:

Am I the only one really interested in Battleblock Theater? Any initial impressions from anyone out there playing?

I keep reading the name and wanting it to be Boom Blox.

Trashie wrote:

Am I the only one really interested in Battleblock Theater? Any initial impressions from anyone out there playing?

I bought it, I may test the waters this weekend. Looks like the kind of game that I may need couch co-op buddies to enjoy.

SocialChameleon wrote:

Another nice by-week. Time to grognard it up with some Ultima II.

IMAGE(http://rps.net/QS/Images/Ultima2-win.gif)

Quintin_Stone wrote:
SocialChameleon wrote:

Another nice by-week. Time to grognard it up with some Ultima II.

IMAGE(http://rps.net/QS/Images/Ultima2-win.gif)

I love Ultima as a series, but the first three are hard to go back to. IV at least introduces the Virtues as a mechanic driving decision making, and V and VI are pretty amazing in their own right.

Ultima V was where I really fell in love. Jagar Thorn had nothing on Lord Blackthorn!