Max Payne is a franchise that has been known to make innovations in gaming, with Bullet time and the ‘comic book style’ cut scenes. The noir genre benefited greatly from Max Payne, it pretty much carved itself out a little place in gaming history and settled in fantastically. Eight years later the gaming setting has changed, the expectations of games has skyrocketed, and these days noir is just something that people can’t pronounce properly. So, will Max Payne 3 be as well received in this gaming climate as the previous installments?
I had a chance to sit down with the lovely folk at Rockstar Sydney and got a rundown on the game and a first-look at some of the code they’ve got. And wow. Seriously. I went into it with basically no expectations and just a lot of curiosity, and I walked out wanting it to be March already.
Max Payne is looking a little worse for wear, he’s older, more battered around, and just generally angst-central. The game will kick off in his neighbourhood of New York, moving to São Paulo when he figures out that there is simply nothing left for him in the US. He works as security detail, protecting people since the police are pretty useless.
But enough about the plot, you guys know the plot, you’ve seen the trailers, you’ve read the press releases, this is about the game itself. And God it is a sweet game.
Attention to detail is this game’s calling card, Rockstar have really stepped it up to another level. Especially with some of the games coming out, physics engines and graphics are now at a level of realism that is pretty mind blowing. But those cannot even begin to compare with what Max Payne brings to the table.
The amount of time and care that has gone into creating the environments of Max Payne are obvious. From little things like the graffiti on the walls of São Paulo, to the footsteps made in the snow on top of a New York building, to the backgrounds and the lights from buildings that you can see through the dense clouds. Based off real location photos, the scenery stays as true to life as physically possible, showing both New York and the troubled São Paulo off as much as possible without over-boasting. Also (not to spoil anything), in a scene where an explosion has gone off in a corridor, the blood is spattered all over the walls, and there are half-bodies strewn about with intestines. It’s awesome.
Speaking of blowing stuff up, the environment is as close to a real environment as I’ve seen. Pretty much everything with blow up, shatter, or generally be destroyed from Max and the baddies’ hijinks through the streets. Gas cans and petrol stations will be your best friend as you make them explode, glass shatters realistically if you shoot at it, even vending machine covers will break.
Persona 4 has been getting some attention over the past few months. It is getting a port on the Playstation Vita, a fighting game on the Playstation 3, a new anime and a new manga. Now the popular entry of the Persona franchise is heading for the stage. That’s right, it is becoming a play… sort of.
Visualive Persona 4 will be its name as it reflects the type of stage show that it i. Visualive is a type of stage show where it combines both live performance and special effects. Behind the production will be Marvelous AQL in association with Atlus, the developers and publishers of the Persona series.
Fans of the series will also get their own input. Due to the main character being named by the player in the game, the same principle will be applied for the stage adaptation. This means that, for each performance, the name of the protagonist will change, according to the fans. The adaptation will run from March 15 to March 20 2012 at the Sunshine Theater in Ikebukuro, Japan. Ticket prices will be between ¥7,000 to ¥10,000. If yu are interested (and can read Japanese), then maybe you would want to visit the official site, which includes info on the cast.
Eddie Perfect : Misanthropology Publisher: Madman Release Date: October 19, 2011 Price: $29.95 – Available Here
Introduction:
Eddie Perfect is an Australian actor, composer and comedian, currently starring in Offspring on Channel Ten. Known for his political satire, Perfect has in the past taken on targets like Guantanamo Bay, casual racism and most famously, Aussie cricketer Shane Warne.
This DVD is a recording of his 2011 stand up show from the Sydney Festival, hosted in the Famous Spiegeltent (mirror-tent). It’s a venue that is traditionally used for cabaret acts, and Perfect brings a mix of comedy and music to his show, with a three piece band along for the ride when he breaks into one of his many satirical songs.
The obvious comparison to make is with fellow Aussie Tim Minchin, and although comedy is incredibly personal to judge, Perfect just doesn’t have the same quality of comedy to his songs – they’re more likely to make you uncomfortable than laugh.
Content:
Misanthrope (a person who hates mankind) + Anthropology (the study of humankind) = Misanthropology
And there you have the idea that forms this show. Perfect takes it upon himself to guide the audience through some of humanity’s greatest stupidities, pointing out that in his view, the human race’s evolutionary journey has slowed down somewhat. He takes easy swipes at iPads and Richard Branson, making his entrance in a space suit helmet as if to suggest that he has come from somewhere beyond Earth to let us know how ridiculous we are.
It’s a strong satirical concept that sadly never takes off. Perfect has a great voice and the songs sound like they’ve come from a Broadway musical, but the subjects he tackles tend to be ones with a narrow appeal.
Opening number ‘Primitive Tribe’ pokes fun at the idea that going ‘back to nature’ is somehow a good one, whilst ‘The Eco Lodge’ carries on the environmental theme by taking a swipe at the fad for eco friendly holidays for the wealthy. Both songs have their clever lyrical moments (dying young from a sore tooth, taking a holiday to hope that it makes you and your partner forget how much you hate each other,) but never provoke the big laughs.
Indeed what Misanthropology provokes is a feeling of discomfort, of awkwardness. Yes, a father buying his daughter breast implants is creepy, but Perfect’s ‘Daddy’s Tits’ creates the same feeling that the idea does – it’s uncomfortable, not funny.
There are some segments that stand out, and show that Perfect is more than capable of getting a laugh with a more appealing subject and grounded style. His theories on why whales beach themselves are good for some actual laughter, and the stand up segments are generally more comedic than the musical numbers. They still have their weaknesses though- his timing is certainly off and one attempt at a bizarre running joke falls particularly flat.
When Perfect introduces a song targeted at contemporary theatre, you can’t help but groan. But despite taking a pop at this rather niche target Perfect manages to make ‘Too Fucking Long’ more accessible to the people who don’t know who Barrie Kosky is (myself included) by turning it into an attack on the excruciatingly elevated opinion that ‘artists’ can have of themselves – everyone has that ‘artsy’ friend somewhere.
Despite a few promising moments Misanthropology is not a show that will have you in hysterics, and Tim Minchin certainly tops Perfect in style and charm. Where Minchin pads around in bare feet singing songs about inflatable dolls with naught but his piano, Perfect has his suit and his three piece band behind him whilst he croons about the wealthy and the self righteous. Although he undoubtedly has confidence, lines and ideas that should have been funny are hindered by his delivery, and lyrics can become as awkward as the subject matter that they target.
Extras:
In addition to a collection of trailers fittingly labelled as ‘Madman Propaganda’ Misanthropology includes three songs from ‘Angry Eddy’, a 2005 show from Perfect also previously released by Madman as a thirty minute DVD.
Although the visual quality is a step down from the main feature, the satire here is actually stronger. Juice Bar Girl is the least impressive of the three, but still provides an uncomfortable watch as Perfect croons about wanting to take home his favourite juice bar girl and turn her into a smoothie. In the other two songs Perfect finds heavier targets, taking on causal racism with Dwayne’s Song (Some Of My Best Friends Are Aboriginal) and American foreign policy in Guantanamo Bay.
Dwayne’s Song actually takes on an issue we’ve all experienced, the ‘some of my best friends are – insert minority here-‘ line that somehow is an excuse to say whatever you like about anyone. This song in particular is a response to a ‘Dwayne’ met at a party who preferred Melbourne to Perth because there were less Aboriginals living there. Perfect takes this as a cue to rip the guy to pieces with a surprisingly catchy bit of satire (just don’t go around singing this under your breath!).
What if you wanted a holiday in Guantanamo Bay? If torture was your thing, how much would it set you back for a week in the world’s most infamous prison? Perfect peppers the satire of these verses with dead serious monologues that describe the horrific nature of cluster bombs. This is the masterstroke that turns Guantanamo Bay from a comedy performance to political and personal thought provoker. It’s not particularly funny, it’s eye opening and uncomfortable, but it does a far better job at pointing out the ignorance of the human race than any of Misanthropology’s songs.
In addition to the DVD content, Misanthropology comes with a sturdy slip case and a ‘Misanthropology Field Journal’, which contains some of the lyrics and sheet music for the songs featured in the show. The inclusion of the music and lyrics is a nice throwback to the CD booklets of old, and is something Perfect fans will no doubt appreciate.
Overall:
Comedy is incredibly subjective, but as a fan of both satire and musical comedy I just wasn’t impressed by Misanthropology. Although his performance style has remained the same over the years, Perfect himself seems to have mellowed somewhat, turning from the weightier subjects tackled in the more universally relevant Angry Eddy to Misanthropology’s attacks on inappropriate plastic surgery, eco holidays and contemporary theatre.
As a package the release is very well presented, and the ‘extra’ content from Angry Eddy adds a few points to the score for being more entertaining and thought provoking than the main feature. However Perfect’s latest show simply failed to make me laugh, and I could count the number of bemused chuckles on one hand. It has it’s moments and Perfect’s voice makes the songs easy to listen to, but the satire doesn’t have enough bite and the subject matter is very niche. If you’re looking for something with a broad appeal and lots of laughs, look elsewhere.
The founder of wildly popular anime and manga distributer Viz Media, Seiji Horibuchi, has recently spoken with ICv2 regarding the future of the manga industry in the Western World.
Horibuchi conveys his feelings that Japanese Culture has a very bright future ahead of it in the U.S. with the challenge not lying in whether people will purchase products, but how the companies can distribute these products and how they can fight piracy in the most effective way possible.
He follows on to state that he believe’s that Visual Novels will be the next big thing in the Western World, with Manga and Anime rising to a mainstream level, he predicts that by 2016, Visual Novels will become part of the mainstream.
With so many popular anime and manga series based off Visual Novels, such as the incredibly popular Steins;Gate, you’d be hard pressed to discredit his prediction.
He further contends.“It has been a tremendously popular genre in Japan for the past six or seven years and continues to grow both there and in the U.S. Viz Media’s Haikasoru imprint has published some good examples. Some popular anime films have been based on light novels and I think publishers here in the U.S. will begin to publish more of these titles as more readers become aware.”
What do you think of this bold prediction from Horibuchi? Do Visual Novels have a future in the West? Let us know what you think in the shoutbox and comments section.
Here comes a new challenger! Konami’s upcoming 2D downloadable fighter Skullgirls has seen a new trailer announcing a new fighter, Ms. Fortune. Developed by Reverge Labs, published by Autumn Games and distributed by Konami, Skullgirls is coming to XBLA and PSN early 2012.
Ms. Fortune is someone you can really loose your head to-her signature move involves detaching her head and attacking the enemy with it! Apologies for the pun, but that’s what Skullgirls is all about. The trailer involves Ms. Fortune preforming a ‘Berserker barrage‘ attack, a noticeable nod towards Wolverine’s attack from the Marvel Vs Capcom series, as well as poking a little fun at the hit comic book/film V for Vendetta by screaming “Remember Remember the fifth of dismember!”
Filled with puns and anime influence, Skullgirls is sure to make heads roll! Make sure you check out the character’s vignette below, and make sure you get your head into the game when Skullgirls sees it’s release in early 2012 for XBLA and PSN.
Assassin’s Creed Revelations hits shelves today and in order to catch players up on the story of the series thus far, Ubisoft have release a “Previously on Assassin’s Creed” trailer. The new trailer recounts the events leading up to Revelations and will get players ready for what is to come.
We have reviewed the title and let me say, it is without a doubt one of the best games of the year. You can check out our review here and the new “Previously…” trailer below.
Will you be picking up a copy of Assassin’s Creed Revelations? What do you think of the new trailer? Be sure to let us know in the shoutbox and comments section below.
Oh, PETA. I think everyone knows about PETA’s (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) attacks on the video game universe for the way certain animals are treated, but this latest stunt is just face-palm worthy. As they usually do, PETA have now launched a new game on their official website titled “Mario Kills Tanooki” or Super Mario Tanooki Skin 2D, as the app is called. The game is of course a jab at the recently released Super Mario 3D Land.
This game pretty much has a skinned, bleeding Tanooki chasing after his skin, in which Mario is flying about with over the 2D level. Mario’s suit is now dripping blood and the whole game is slightly disturbing, but I guess that’s to prove some kind of point? PETA need to realize that games are games and not reality. Instead of attacking Mario, they could use their resources to put puppies into homes and fundraisers to save foxes (you know, something that actually helps animals?) I sincerely doubt many are going to play as Tanooki Mario and then say to themselves..”If I skin a raccoon, I can fly too! De Har Har!”
If you want to have your stomach turn, by all means..check out the “game” here.
Meanwhile, I think I’m craving a nice juicy burger, made of fresh cut Tanooki.
Now with the release of the PlayStation Vita growing close in Japan, Tecmo Koei has released a number of new screenshots for the Japanese version of the game, which is the first on the Vita for the series. Titled Dynasty Warriors Next, the screenshots can be seen below.
Unfortunatley for those expecting a lot of action, only a few of the screenshots actually show any action occuring while the rest are of maps and character cards. There is the revelation however that the character creation and Create-A-Warrior system has returned, which is a major plus for the series. I mean everyone wants to play as their favorite fighter from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms but sometimes they want to play a unique role themselves y’know?
Assassin’s Creed Revelations Developer: Ubisoft Publisher: Ubisoft Platforms: Xbox 360 (reviewed), PS3 and PC Release Date: November 15th, 2011 Price: $59.99 Available Here
Overview:
Nothing is true. Everything is permitted. Not only is that the creed of the Assassins, but it is also an incredibly accurate summation of Assassin’s Creed Revelations. Everything you thought you knew about Assassin’s Creed is no longer true. Revelations changes everything you knew about the series. Anything can and will happen – everything is permitted.
Taking a look back at everything the Assassin’s Creed franchise has accomplished, Assassin’s Creed Revelations takes everything good about the franchise and turns it up to eleven, whilst bending and twisting the formula of the game onto new and untouched ground. This is no longer just another Assassin’s Creed game, this game is an absolute revelation; chiselling the name Assassin’s Creed into video-game history as one of the best of all time.
Story: Assassin’s Creed Revelations picks up where Brotherhood left off, Desmond is now in a comatose state with his mind trapped in the animus. All he can do is talk to the likewise trapped Subject 16 or follow the rest of Ezio Auditore’s memories in an attempt to awake from the animus. And that is just one of the several simultaneously ongoing plotlines within Revelations, each of which for spoilers sake, I will not go into too great detail recounting. But what sets this title’s story apart from it’s predecessors?
Revelations as a story is more akin to literature than any other game on the market right now (besides Alan Wake perhaps) and it wears that literary love close to it’s chest. What with a large portion of the storyline focused around uncovering books and a heroine whose passion is literature, it is clear that the story structure used is very much like that of a great novel. Each DNA sequences plays out like a well written chapter, in an epic tale. An epic tale that is not only moving, but emotionally rewarding for those who have followed the series this far.
The main over-arching message of Revelations is that while life may hold many secrets, not all questions need to be or can be answered. Sometimes some things are best left for the people who come after you to discover. After finishing the story mode of the game I was left with many questions, but satisfied knowing that while I do want to have those questions answered – the adventure of life isn’t about learning all there is to learn, it is about learning that you can not learn everything.
If there is one thing that differentiates the plot of Revelations to that of the previous Assassin’s Creed titles, it is that it feels so much larger in scale. One could say that it is epic. That one would not be wrong. Assassin’s Creed Revelations is epic, not only in it’s methodically plotted tale that can be called nothing less than a work of art, but also in it’s execution. It is clear that Revelations knows what it has to do and it does so with the finesse and touch of a literature great such as George Orwell.
Revelations will captivate you in every way imaginable. While this harrowing tale may be over, with a heavy heart Assassin’s Creed says farewell to Altair and Ezio as this swan song for the two Assassins comes to an end, doing both legendary characters the justice they truly deserve. You will leave this story satisfied that you had completed a journey that will not only stay with you for years to come, but also one that will affect you on a more deeper level than any other game to come out of 2011, it is just that damn good.
Gameplay:
It would be no stretch of a claim to say that there are simply no games on the market quite like Assassin’s Creed. With it’s unique blend of open-world environments, detailed combat, inventive weapons and items, well fleshed out plot and characters, innovative gameplay mechanics and unique concept, there is nothing even close to Assassin’s Creed.
Revelations takes the winning formula of the franchise and turns it completely on it’s head. Ubisoft have introduced new elements to gameplay that change the entire formula altogether, making Revelations like no other game in the series.
With the newly introduced Hook Blade, everything changes. Free-running is so much faster, with Ezio now able to jump further than ever before and travel takes roughly half the time it once did. Not only that but the Hook Blade and even the likewise newly introduced bombs, adds an extra level of depth to strategy, giving multiple possibile solutions to missions.
Missions are no longer linear, with each mission now having several different solutions and multiple ways to achieve the objectives. I personally found myself thinking outside the box in order to solve difficult missions, particular ones that necessitated quick thinking such as one which involved Ezio infiltrating an enemy fortress with the goal of assassinating it’s leader whilst going unseen by anyone. While this may seem like a simple enough mission for veterans of the series, there is now multiple ways to go about it. This added level of freedom allows for players to essentially play the game their way, whilst still completing objectives.
There are numerous other features added to Revelations that elevate it above any title in the series thus far, whether it be the Den Defense meta-game which could be an amazing XBLA title all by itself (I’d definitely buy that, get to work Ubisoft!), the Assassin Missions in which you manage your brotherhood of Assassins (like a sports team manager game, only deadlier) and send them on missions across the globe, a feature which returns from the previous title, however much improved with more to do or the incredibly unique Desmond Memories in which you play a first person platformer type game inside the core of the animus. There is just simply so much variety in gameplay and the amount of things to do is in a word, astonishing.
Doesn’t pre-order content just make you so angry? I mean you can only buy a game from one company and people buying it from multiple sources are just crazy right? RAGE! Okay, well calm down because first we need to find out what pre-order bonuses will be available from what retailers when Asura’s Wrath is released next year.
Amazon’s pre-order bonus will be the “Devastator Pack” which will reduce damage and fill up your “Unlimited Rage Gauge” faster. Best Buy purchases will include an “Infinity Pack” which allows the for the ability to recover from overheating faster and spend more time with “Unlimited Rage.”
Now if in-game bonuses aren’t your thing, GameStop will be giving pre-orders with a “combination art and comic book” by Penny-Arcade which include half concept art and half Penny-Arcade comics with Asura’s everyday life. Sounds like the humor of the Penny-Arcade comics win this round.
