Games to Follow: Borderlands

 PC - Xbox 360 - PS3
Developer: Gearbox
Publisher: 2K Games
Expected Release: Oct 20th, 2009






Though you may be following your bigger titles and sequels (Modern Warfare 2, Final Fantasy 13), it's always good to keep an eye out for a game that could be the next big series. Borderlands is an example of such a game.

The game is shaping up to be a more action oriented Fallout 3 with drop in, and drop out co-op. You pick a class, a skill tree for that class to follow, and gather hundreds of items to trick your character out. The great news is that any items/exp you gain when you drop in and out of co-op is carried over to your game. The enemies and drops are randomized, allowing for a different experience each play through.

My only concerns at this point is if there will be a matchmaking service for the co-op and if the combat will become difficult enough to warrant the creation of strategies and tactics. Although running into a group of a baddies and whipping their asses is always a pleasure, it can be a major concern that the game would become too simple, especially with 3 other human players.

Needless to say, keep a close eye on this title because it is looking very promising.

(Vid Source: IGN.com)

Epic Mickey Confirmed

After speculation and a ton of old concept art was leaked, Epic Mickey was "revealed" today. Warren Spector's new game for the Wii is set to be a platformer involving painting and erasing a level. The new "steampunk" title should have more revealed once this issue of Game Informer drops.

Warren Spector was a producer on Wing Commander games, but is mainly known for his role in Deus Ex, the cyberpunk action RPG and winner of many Game of the Year awards.

Needless to say, we know very little about the game, but damn does that art make Mickey look...well....epic!

(Source Kotaku: http://kotaku.com/5374850/epic-mickey-revealed-warren-spector-speaks)

iPhone/iPod Touch App of the Week

 Geodefense Swarm

$0.99

Critical Thought Games LLC

Released Sept. 14, 2009

 

 Pros: 0.99 cents, Three difficulty modes providing wide variety of challenge, Allows you to create your own pathway of defense, Pretty visuals when things go boom
Cons: Difficulty on the harder levels "forces" you to follow one set method, Not a great game for newcomers to Tower Defense genre



Geodefense was THE tower defense game to play through over the summer. It comes as no surprise that the app I am recommending is the "sequel" to the hit title.

Overall, Geodefense is a tower defense game. The object is simple: Ensure the bad guys don't get from point A to point B using the towers at your disposal. As the difficulty increases, you find out this is not as easy as it sounds. Towers must be placed at strategic points to provide the best impact they can or your health will dwindle away and you will be required to rethink your original strategy.

The "creeps" can take any route they are able to in order to get past your towers. This is what makes Swarm such a challenging and unique experience. You can put any tower any place you desire (pending on higher difficulties), ultimately creating your road of destruction for the creeps to follow. Most of the harder stages will require the same method of laying out your towers, but a large amount of them allow you to guide them along whatever path you feel is most effective.

Though amazingly difficult on Hard mode, the game is incredibly satisfying. Complete with a High Score leaderboard and possibility of updates with new stages (which they have done with the original Geodefense), Swarm is a game worthy of space on your mobile device. At only .99cents, Geodefense Swarm is easy to recommend.

Modern Warfare 2 "Infamy" Trailer

Taking a look at the single player campaign, and damn does it look impressive.

Dante's Inferno and the Lust Circle..

Dante's Inferno is the tale of an Italian soldier named Dante that returns home to find his wife murdered. He chases after her soul as it is pulled to hell and must fight through the nine circles of hell to retrieve her. The game is based very closely around "The Divine Comedy" and looks to be a damn good experience. Similar to God of War, the combat will be non-stop action and button sensitive "press this not to die" events will be sure to make their appearance.

The story and gameplay is all well and good, but there is one particular circle of hell showcased that has a bunch of people wondering...wtf is it going to be like playing through THIS? Similar to the story, you must climb through the 9 circles of hell: Greed, Gluttony, Heresy, etc. The Lust circle of hell however, has many an eyebrow raised.

In this 2nd circle of hell, you are introducted to architecture and villains that are both hilarious and disturbing as...well...hell. The architecture is adorned with sperm shapes, labia doorways, and penis columns....it gets better. One of the enemies that you end up facing is called "The Temptress" and her main attack consists of ripping her chest open, grabbing you with her tentacles, and pulling you into her vagina. Not to mention the boss has demon babies coming out of her nipples.
This sounds like the most messed up stage in a video game I will ever experience, and I'm sure the game will be one to remember. I'll just have to take a shower and go to church the following morning to get that feeling off me...