It’s out last show before the Holidays and we’re extremely thankful for the Humble Indie Bundle 4, and you should be too! We get into Miyamoto possibly creating an exit strategy from Nintendo, the new Xbox Dashboard update and get crazy with a new Game Show segment.
Cast: Alexis Ayala, Luke Halliday, Michael Marr & Josh Spudic
Music for this podcast by, Krapo and The J. Arthur Keenes Band
Thanks for listening and let us know what you think!
An official trailer to Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest flick ‘The Dictator’ has finally been officially released. The man behind Ali G, Borat, and Brüno, Cohen takes on the role as a “ruthless” Middle East dictator. The premises of the movie is said to be based off Zabibah and the King, a novel by written by none other than former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein himself, as well as former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. But by no means is this a ‘serious’ film about Middle Eastern dictatorship. Much like Cohen’s previous films this movie is a comedy satire and like all of Cohen’s films it’s sure to raise some good old controversy.
The Dictator is set to be released in cinemas in 2012, check out the trailer below and see what you think
Remember Renegade Ops? That rather awesome twin stick shooter that released on PC, PSN and XBLA? Well you should, because it was fantastic. Released by SEGA and boasting the same game engine as big brother game Just Cause, Renegade Ops provided a decent chunk of explosive heavy action, and gained a highly respectable 8 out of 10 here at Capsule Computers.
SEGA have just announced some details for two DLC packs to be released on December 21. The Coldstrike Campaign continues the storyline of the main game, bringing a new villain to the fore with three new missions set in ice cold environments. Priced at £3.59/€4.49/AUD$6.25 for the PlayStation Network, and 400MSP for Xbox LIVE Arcade, Coldstrike will include new enemies and challenges for the seasoned Renegades out there.
The second DLC pack is more of a character expansion set, adding two new heroes to bring the total number of playable Renegades up to five. Crystal and Blazemo bring a custom armoured vehicle and an off road racer to the game, each with their own unique abilities to take down the enemy ranks. The Reinforcement Pack (Vehicle Pack in the US) will be priced at £1.99/€2.49/ AUD$3.45 for the PlayStation Network, and 240MSP for Xbox LIVE Arcade.
In case you missed out on the glorious explosion rich goodness that is Renegade Ops, check out the Accolades trailer below.
Gantz Movie 1 Studio: NTV Publisher: Madman (AU), Viz Media (US) Language: Japanese (Subtitled) Release Date: December 14th, 2011 Price: $29.95- Available Here
Overview: The Japanese are known for their faithful live-action anime adaptations. With the majority of Japanese produced live-action adaptations, capturing the tone and feel of the adaptation, even if it differs slightly to fit the format of a film more appropriately.
Gantz Movie 1 is one of those films that takes liberties with it’s source material while being completely faithful to the feeling of the manga and anime series it adapts. Not only that, but it succeeds at being a jaw-dropping adrenaline rush of an action film.
While that may be true, is Gantz Movie 1, all action and no substance? How does the cookie crumble?
Story:
Fans of the series would know that Gantz is not known for it’s sensitivity. This film is every bit as brutal as it’s manga and anime roots, and then some. Through that brutality, Gantz lays claim to it’s no holds barred tale of a mysterious otherworldly black orb, ordering humans to undertake death defying alien hunting missions.
Gantz takes a familiar concept and flips it on its head. The ‘deadly games’ trope has been used in multiple films, tv series and more, but none have utilised it like Gantz has.
In Gantz, there is always a feeling that these ‘deadly games’ are indeed incredibly deadly. From the very first mission that fact is pounded into viewers minds as they witness the utter carnage of what would at first appear to be the films cast. There is certainly an ‘anyone can die’ precedent set in this film and it stays true to that idea throughout.
The films story is both highly engaging and will have you on the edge of your seat. It is easily one of most violent films of the year and a case could be made for most suspenseful at that. There is a truckload of utter excitement packed into this film, so much so that I could not help but be disappointed by the plot threads left hanging at the films conclusion.
Thankfully there is a second film that will conclude the story and with one this huge, it definitely needed it. Unfortunately the movie just does not feel complete on it’s own and definitely conveys the feeling that it should be watched with the second film immediately following it.
Besides that minor problem, the film stands well on it’s own in terms of cinematic experience. However it ends in a way not unlike the first Lord of the Rings film. It just hangs, begging you to keep watching something that is superficially detached from it. Other than that, the film tells an harsh tale of survival and the corruption that accompanies power.
Visuals and Audio:
Now this is where Gantz shines. On an aesthetic level it is an absolute feast for the eyes, it may sound strange to say but there is something beautiful about this films style and the way its scenes were directed. The action sequences are stylish as hell and are more stunning then anything Hollywood has done in years.
The special effects are all incredibly well done, so much so that I found my self awestruck at some truly brilliant scenes. The final mission in particular was an amazing showcase of the films visual quality. Not only that, but the characters costumes were incredibly well designed and were very true to the source material, right down to the nitty gritty details of the suits.
As for the audio, Gantz features a great soundtrack full of fist-pumping anthems of survival and mellow tunes overflowing with mystery. There was never a point in the film in which I considered the music to be out of place. As a whole it was a great showing for the film, which already features brilliant visuals accompanied by an enthralling story-line.
Extras:
Gantz Movie 1, features a great deal of special features packaged in with the DVD. A lot of which most releases tend to ignore these days. That being a ‘Making of Gantz‘ featurette that goes in depth about the films production, interviews with the cast and crew (a true rarity in DVD releases these days), trailers and TV spots of the film.
All of these add even further replay value to an already awesome package from Madman Entertainment. It is clear that Gantz has been given 5 star treatment from Madman and for it’s special features alone, its enough reason to warrant a place on your shelf.
Overall:
It has been a very long time since a film has engaged me in the way that Gantz did. I was completely enthralled from start to finish, desperately wanting to continue to partake in witnessing the dangerous games that would be forced upon these people. That may sound sadistic, but the violence in this film is aesthetically pleasing to the point that some of the films brutality takes on a tinge of romance. Now that is a notion I did not expect from the film.
All in all, it is a dark movie that is most certainly not for the kids. It would however be a great film for anyone who can handle the hardcore violence on show in Gantz. Just follow the ratings kids and you’ll be fine!
If you have ever had an interest in checking out what Japanese cinema has to offer, Gantz Movie 1 would be an excellent place to start, that is pertaining that you can handle it. For those that can handle what it has to show, prepare yourself for one hell of a ride. Gantz is definitely not for the light-hearted and is absolutely a film for those with a taste for intelligent action. That is how the Gantz live-action cookie crumbles.
Ever wanted to drive a Ford car but just can’t afford one? Or perhaps you live in a family of “Holden People” who refuse to let their child purchase a Ford! Regardless of why you’d want to experience the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion, all smartphone users now can with this new augmented reality application.
With the application, users can virtually test drive the all-new Ford Fusion, immersing themselves in driving environments and videos to learn about the design and features of the car. More of the car will be exposed each day. This vehicle will be the “Official Car of the 2012 International CES” and will be introduced at the show by Ford CEO Alan Mulally and Consumer Electronics Association CEO Gary Shapiro.
The app operates on the Android and iOS operating systems, and tablets such as the iPad and Droid. Finding and capturing a Ford logo using the mobile device’s camera initiates the augmented reality experience. Operating like a video game, the app will allow users to drive a digitally camouflaged new Fusion on a track towards videos that features insights into the Fusions technology and design.
The Playstation Vita has sold 321, 407 units its first weekend on the Japanese market, according to figures from Enterbrain and reported by Famitsu.com (via Andriasang). The sales figure covers both December 17, the launch day, and December 18. In contrast, the Nintendo 3DS sold 371,326 units over its first two days on the market while first day PSP sales reached 166,074 units all the way back in December 2004.
Omitted from the sales figure was the percentage of stock sold, which would have helped determine the first day shipping figures. Reports suggest, however, that the initial shipping figures could have reached 700,000 units for the launch day. Andriasang believes that the figure will be released when both Media Create and ASCII release their own Vita figures sometime in the week.
FINALLY! After what seems like forever, the first official trailer for The Dark Knight Rises Official Trailer has found its way online! Opening in theaters on July 20, 2012, the Nolan’s highly-anticipated third and supposedly final Batman movie hints at the ‘breaking’ of Batman. The trailer leaves much to the imagination, focusing more on the burdens of Bruce Wayne rather than showing off much footage of Batman, Bane and Catwoman, so it’s probably safe to say that Christopher Nolan and his team probably have a lot more up their sleeves!
The Dark Knight Rises opens in theaters on July 20, 2012.
It seems that our Australian friends will not have a chance to try out Starbreeze’s take on the Bullfrog property Syndicate. The reason for this is because the ratings board for Australia has been refused classification which means that it has been banned from being sold in stores altogether. You can find the statement here which was posted up today.
Unfortunately the Classification Board of Australia does not go into detail as to what was so inappropriate for Australian consumers and EA has yet to make a statement themselves, though we can expect to hear something from the company within the next week or so. Still, this may not be a death sentence for EA’s Syndicate, as they could either appeal the decision or censor the title’s offensive content to try and remove the offensive content.
Medieval Moves: Deadmun’s Quest Publisher:Sony Computer Entertainment Developer: Zindagi Games Platform: Playstation 3 / Move (reviewed) Release Date: Out Now Price: $38.40 (Available Here)
Overview
The Playstation Move is receiving a second wave of titles at the moment. I would say that Medieval Moves: Deadmun’s Quest is the leading title of this wave of games. You play as Prince Edmund and use the Move controller to swing, shoot and throw through hoards of skeletons. However, that is all there is to this game. Despite the sharpness and accuracy of the Move controller, the game will get repetitive. Adding to the flopping gameplay is the on rail design, which sucks out any freedom of exploration this game could have offered. The visuals and audio reflect the audience Sony is trying to capture and the story is pretty basic but fun.
Story
The game starts off with Prince Edmund, along with his ghostly friend King Edmund the Very First, participating in a training session (which happens to be the tutorial of the game). After an army of skeletons invade the castle, Edmund is forced to flee the scene, only to be stopped by an evil sorcerer by the name of Morgrimm. Due to the magic he exerts, everyone one in the land are now skeletons. This does include our hero Edmund, who now takes the name of Deadmund. His job is to defeat Morgrimm, reclaim an amulet stolen by Morgrimm and make everything right again.
Yes, the story does use typical fantasy tropes and clichés, but it does not mean that the story is bad. In fact, the story is quite fun. It is charming and quite humorous at times, usually from King Edmund the Very First. The writing can be witty but can also feel lazy because this is meant to be a kid’s game. This also means that some of the dialogue can be downright stupid, seeing that now days kid’s media equates to stupidity. Overall, the story, despite reliance on tropes, is quite fun and enjoyable.
Gameplay
This game is pure motion control, so the Playstation Move is required. The great thing is that the player will only need one in their hand. There is the option to play with a second Move controller. So, once who have the preferred amount of motion controllers, now it is time to play the game. The game is basically an on rail adventure with melee and ranged elements making up for the combat. Players will swing their sword, shoot arrows and use throwing stars to combat numerous foes. Weapons will be upgraded via scripted events, such as the receiving the Captain’s Sword early in the game. Players will also be involved in collecting various collectables. Coins and gems offer points for the player, as well as the task of collecting scrolls, which contain background information. Milk also plays an important role as well as it serves as the potion of the game. Milk isn’t sparse in the levels, so death is the last of the player’s worries. There are also puzzles, like turning gears and pulling levers, throughout the game.
The enemies in this game are basically the same (with minor differences), save a few bosses. They will act all the same, thus giving a feel of repetitiveness and believing that the task is just monotonous. The problem also lies in the fact that the player will be swarmed by the lowest of the enemies, which are just regular grunts. This is lazy design, as difficulty should not equate to piling multiple enemies onto the player. The player can not cover all sides of Edmund, so be prepared to be outflanked quite often. The one-on-one mini battles provide some relief but no challenge, as one will anticipate every move. They are open books, the big brute skeletons. The boss battles, although offering new enemies, have a rinse and repeat feel to them. They require no strategy to defeat, just find what needs to be done and repeat it until the player wins. It just brings out annoyance rather than satisfaction.
The motion control scheme works quite well, although there are minor inconveniences. Most of the time, the camera captures the precise ark of the sword swing. It also measures the power of the sword swing, punishing the player with a weak strike. The motions of using a bow, which is placing the Move controller behind the player like fetching an arrow from a quiver, works alright nine out of ten times. The player might encounter a situation where the camera does not register the motion, even though it was performed. This problem can also lie when attempting to heal oneself via a bottle of milk. One must hold the Move controller as if they are drinking a bottle of milk. However, at times, it would not register. This creates an atmosphere of frustration and annoyance for the player.
The main underlying problem of this game lies within the on rail element. This reviewer does recognise the audience being that of children and not of core gamers. However, that should not excuse the lack of freedom in this game. Considering its setting and combat system, a game like Medieval Moves cries out for exploration and adventure. Through the on rail design, the game lacks engagement to a certain extent. The fact that the player is allowed to take different paths at certain points of the game is more of a forced attempt by the developers to allow freedom within the game. All it does is shows not only that movement is important, but reinforces the repetitiveness of the gameplay. Yes, this is a game where playing for quite a period of time is not advised. The targeted audience would be the reason, but it shouldn’t isolate other audiences all together.
The game also offers multiplayer, believe it or not. There are both online and offline modes of play, but don’t expect a plethora of game modes. Instead, one would find only a couple to play with. They are not too bad for younger kids. What is a great positive is that the gameplay in the multiplayer modes don’t restrict the player with on rail gameplay, which is a welcoming change for those who grow weary with the lack of freedom in the single player story.
Overall, for who the game is meant for, then the gameplay is great. It is short burst action that will keep the kids entertained. However, the shallow combat system, tied up with the terrible decision to make it on rails and holding the player’s hand throughout the whole game, those looking for a great adventure game that utilities the Playstation Move might want to wait for the release Sorcery. Multiplayer offers respite from the on rails experience, though.
Visuals and Audio
The visuals for the game are not stunning, but they are not meant to be. The game has animated charm. It is a game for kids, so the game uses over the top facial expressions and crazy 3D models, including the enemies. What was quite good was the use of comic book panels as the cutscenes of the game. They were quite bright, something that seems to differ from the usual brown tints of more core gaming. The 2D models of the comic book cutscenes also look good. The environments never look dreary, even if it is a dark building. The over the top style adds charm and downright silliness to a game that does not want to take itself serious. That overall lack of seriousness is also reflected in the audio design and soundtrack of the game. The soundtrack creates its own charm, adding to the atmosphere of the game. The voice acting is decent, with each character given a voice which would suit each role. Overall, the visuals and audio work well in the context of the game’s audience.
Overall
This is a case where so much that can go right actually goes wrong. Medieval Moves had potential, but it goes to waste. Despite a fun story, visuals and audio that fit the overall atmosphere and context of the game and the multiplayer providing a breath of fresh air, the gameplay brings this game down. The repetitive nature of combat and the fact that the designers went with an on rail movement system will force players into cries of annoyance and frustration. This is coupled by the fact that the designers will create the game more difficult in a overwhelming way. Kids might enjoy it, but no one else would. This reviewer was looking forward to reviewing this game, but, upon playing it, he will question why he wanted to do it.
… With Battlefield 3 in the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) area. These tournaments are found on the Alienware Arena website, and are labelled as battleground tournaments.
The first ever battleground tournament will be Battlefield 3, but there are plans to incorporate other games into the program in the future. The program allows for teams of players to compete over the summer for the top spots, invites to the invitational tournament, which will be an 8v8 team conquest battle with $2500 promised to the top 3 teams.
