Freedom Wars - Cinematic Trailer (And Some Quick Info) (Updated)

             Freedom Wars (Sony Computer Entertainment) has me excited and you
should check out this cinematic trailer *below* to see why. It looks colorful and punkish
in design—not heavy metal, but there is a certain edge to its anime persuasions
which offers a variable take on its futuristic aesthetic. This first-party collaboration is coming sometime this year exclusively to the PS Vita. Freedom Wars allows the player to completely customize their character and their companion A.I. (from hair type and color to skin tone and sex, as a few examples). The customization doesn't stop there, voice options are available for your A.I. partner in the form of a text-to-speech program—type something and the game will attempt a pronunciation of it. A mix of gun and sword play with a bit of Just Cause-like flare--with the ability to zip around levels using the band of thorns wrapped about the player-characters wrist; this all affords players a variety and depth of play that looks very promising...and fun. 

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor Gameplay -- Nemesis System Power Struggles

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - E3 2014 - The Sword Of Destiny Trailer

Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment - Ps Vita - Survive to SAO (E3 2014 Tr...

(Update: No Vita Version) Is Final Fantay Type-O HD Coming to PS Vita In the West? PS4 FF Type-O HD Announced

 According to the PSN blog, Final Fantasy Type-O was, supposedly, getting the HD treatment and heading to the VITA in the Western markets. But, one wonders why Sony would have neglected to mention this on Monday during their E3 press event. No matter, the game that has been so desperately requested for a Vita release is coming.  It appears, however, that Vita fans may have to wait indefinitely as Type-O looks to only be headed to the PS4 and possibly Xbox One in HD.

Update: No PlayStation Vita version of Type-O, PS4 and Xbox One are the only versions announced and in coming.
Check out the *PSN Blog post here*

The PS VITA Isn't Dead...

  At least it isn't dead to those that love its style, and those still patiently awaiting Sony's actions or inaction. 

            The bells seemingly toll the demise of the latest Sony handheld device, but I have to say that those who clamor for its end may just be disappointed. The Sony PS Vita has quite the diverse selection of present and upcoming titles. Let's see--Gravity Rush, MLB The Show 12-14, Little Big Planet, Killzone Mercenary, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, Ys Memories of Celceta, and who could forget Persona 4 Golden; then, on the new and upcoming release side of things, we have: Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines (from Sony's Japan Studio), Freedom Wars (another Sony developed looker), Akiba's Trip: Undead and Undressed, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth (A remake of the first title in the series, which was on the PS3, featuring improved gameplay), There's a potential Gravity Rush 2 in the works--let's hope at least, Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us ports as well. 


 
            Ok. I get it. Ports hold no water and the "niche" JRPG titles don't appeal universally. Yeah, well, not too many games actually do appeal to everyone, and of course, some games have a larger mainstream lure than others, but this shouldn't exclude their (potential for) greatness. Look at Capcom's Okami, it didn't live up to their sales expectations, but this didn't make it any less of a gem than it was and still is. The business side isn't irrelevant, the PS2 was a sales monster much like the original Wii and this, as much as its wide and varied games library, contributed to its legacy. But it often times is a lack of stars aligning that may lead to unfulfilled potential. If we go into E3 on Monday and Sony neglects its powerful handheld once more, then one can hardly be blamed for a lack of faith in its future, or present for that matter. However, I feel the odd selection of indie titles, still in the works and constantly being released, will find their marks; the so called "niche'' games will find their target audiences as well, but with a more guided hand from the architects at Sony, the Vita could better acclimate to the Western market and thrive on the dedicated fans, much like the PSP did.  

Check out Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters via Club Nintendo

Check out Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters via Club Nintendo



So I just logged into my Club Nintendo account and noticed I had expiring coinage. And once again, I find--in my desperation to offload my kept coins--a different version of Brain Age awaits me, hmm. But don't get me wrong, I find the concept of a game such as Brain Age interesting, so no problems here. Oh, and don't forget to use up your expiring Club Nintendo Coins by the end of June--the 30th to be exact!

The Last Guardian... Canceled? (Updated)

The Last Guardian, a game in development purgatory--and in development since 2007, is reportedly canceled according to IGN sources. Checkout the original story over on IGN.

Update: Now it seems that there may be some confusion on the status of The Last Guardian. Sony VP, Scott Rohde, took to Twitter to refute the rumor that The Last Guardian is canceled.

E3 2014 Sony VS. Microsoft, Take Two

           Competition is good for the consumer. Competition is good for the industry. Competition breeds innovation and options galore. Competition...well, you get the idea. Last year, at E3 2013, Microsoft compounded its problems of TV and more TV with DRM and always online restrictiveness, and Sony answered the calls of many gamers to not follow suit; Planting a flag and declaring unrestricted freedom and traditional gaming for all. Sony threw haymakers, taking advantage of Microsoft's foolhardy, pompous maneuvers. Sony declared no 24 hour online check-ins and the ability to, as always, trade and play used games. The crowd at E3 2013, attending Sony's conference, erupted as they were galvanized to a pronounced and thunderous applause. This all lead to a sustained momentum, which has thus far carried over to impressive sales numbers for the PlayStation 4. Microsoft has yielded, terminating their unrelenting vision for the future of gaming that only they could foresee.