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. 

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

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.  

Soul Sacrifice Delta Review

Soul Sacrifice Delta for the PS VITA, published by SCEA on PSN

The first Soul Sacrifice (an action role-playing game) was released for the PS Vita on April 30^th, 2013. It was well received. But it would appear that it was not as welcomed as it could have been, as Sony has chosen to release “Delta” the expansion to Soul Sacrifice as a PSN only downloadable title. I have had a chance to put a lot of time into the first entry, and I was quite impressed with the experience. The presentation lacks the furious budgets of larger titles, though who can tell if this is a hardware limitation or simply, and more aptly, a design decision; But, even without monstrous graphics, the original Soul Sacrifice captivated the imagination. With a coherent and readable art direction that communicated the “grim” world which your sorcerer inhabited.

You see, monster hunting games tend to bear the title of Monster Hunter clone, this may just be appropriate if said titles fail to establish their own unique qualities and revel only in copycat, derivative mechanics that fail to capture the intended audiences attentions and meet expectations. Monster Hunter is, of course, the dominate hunting franchise from Capcom that has a strangle-hold on what some may consider—at least in the U.S.– a niche genre. Within these games players can co-op and or solo a crafting, resource, technique sensitive experience, in a land filled with both large and small creatures that range the prehistoric gambit, in terms of design. Hunting down resources and harvesting them from monsters and the environment, then crafting armor and weapons this is the spirit of the hunter genre. A clear lack of narrative is neither an exception nor a rule, as some games, such as Monster Hunter, lack it, while others, such as God’s Eater, have veiled story arcs and plenty of dialogue.

As far as Soul Sacrifice is concerned, the new franchise sheds any heavy technicalities that one may associate with a learning curve in other Hunter franchises. The game is streamlined to an extent; superficially it is a snap to dive right in. The water, however, is not shallow. Offerings and the means by which you acquire them offer up reasons to complete and revisit the multitude of pacts that are scattered throughout Librom. With Librom being the book—yes the adventure takes place within a magical text—in which you adjust your characters appearance and take on quests—pacts—and story missions. The story, in short, surrounds a prisoner—you—within a bone prison settled within a post-apocalyptic world, ghastly in its appearance, mirroring the creature and character designs within the pages of Librom. You must acquire the means for your escape, by way of defeating your impromptu warden--a sorcerer of devastating power, by reading Librom and experiencing the tales inscribed within his pages.  Soul Sacrifice isn’t revolutionary or by any means amazing in its writing department, its stories—including the some of its pacts with narrative breaks—have twists, but it is not simply this alone that captivated me so, rather the quality of presentation: voice acting, at times overdone, illustration and music, together with the pangs of emotional weight that the execution of the writing allows—it does not fumble its pacing, and it dwells on what is important and sheds excess prose.

Time...There is Never Enough

I haven't posted in a good while. But, I assure you, I am still committed to producing honest, comprehensive reviews for whomever may read them.It has been a grueling fall--thus far, and so I have been pressed for time to blog. Remember, I do this with passion, not for any compensation. Therefore, I must find the time to eek-out my thoughts.

 

But fear not. I will, towards the mid-point of December, return to full swing as much as I can muster posts on PS4, PS3 and PS Vita--gaming news in general. We are on the cusp of a new generation, I say this because, to me, the games define the hardware and the cycle--not the other way around. With the release of the Xbox One and the PS4 we have a great deal of potential to look forward to, but for now, I am focused on a play-through of Tearaway, Pokemon Y, and a host of other great titles brimming , not with potential, but with a fulfilled realization of gaming bliss.

I have played a great deal of Pokemon Y and I do plan to have a review up soon, hopefully. I have greatly enjoyed the refresher that is X and Y. They don't revolutionize the formula, but, rather, enliven and enrich the experience. I can't wait to share my experience with Y; and as for Tearaway, well,it just released on Friday the 22nd, meaning a review will take some more time. I have been aware of the gaming press at-large dubbing it a reason to own a Vita, and I sure hope this is so. It is no secret that I believe the PS Vita to be a masterful work of gaming art, powerful and sleekly designed, but as I have stated it has, thus far, been underutilized and pushed aside. With Tearaway, one can hope to see the potential of the Vita come to some form of actuality.

Well, again, its been awhile since I last posted. But I hope to get back to it, though I won't be fully operational until mid-December. I hope to acquire a PS4 and join the fray of early adopters; though, I am also considering the possibility of getting an Xbox 360...hmm. \
I would, however, like to suggest anyone still on the fence about Pokemon, though, get it--if you have ANY inclinations at all. But, as far as next-gen goes, Its up to weighing individual situations and the various options available and remember it should be about the games--and when was the last time that launch titles scratched that itch or satiated that hunger?

Thanks for reading. Any thoughts, questions, comments? Let me know. I may also incorporate a bit of cinema, as I plan to watch Man of Steel shortly, and --hey--It might be a post or two.On second thought, I might just get an Xbox 360 instead of a PS4...

PS Vita: Untapped Potential

  Vita, Vita, Vita....

What's up with the PS Vita? I can't figure out how such a well crafted piece of gaming technology goes untouched week to week-- month to month. I got my Vita bundled with Assassin's Creed: Liberation, and I do not regret it. AC:Liberation has astounding visual fidelity, especially for the open-world experience it offers on the handheld. I can't and won't speak for other Vita owners. But, I will say the game selection is there--you just have to look.

(From Gaucamelee, Stealth Inc., Strangers Wrath, Need For Speed, Assassin's Creed, Unit 13, Persona, Playstation All-Stars, Virtue's Last Reward, etc., to a host of PSP titles).

  Having to look--that can be considered an issue for some. Where are all the honest to gosh, marketing campaigns. Then on the other hand Sony itself appears to be asleep in the wings. I just don't understand why they are not, at the top of their longs--with every pore of their being, exalting the Vita and lobbying for more content. They very well maybe pulling some strings and calling in favors behind the scenes, but this does the Vita no good in the public eye. Look at Killzone: Mercenaries, the game is shaping up to explode out of the gates as thee best ever looking Vita--gaming handheld--title, ever. Not only that, but the surprising refinement of graphics may also be hiding--what looks to be--a fun, fps experience.

Tearaway Delayed

 It appears as though much anticipated new I.P., from studio Media Molecule--the creators of LittleBigPlanet, is delay by a month. As reported on by the Playstation Blog, Tearaway is now expected to release in late November, the 22nd to be exact, instead of its once October release. Tearaway is looking quite interesting, and it is a much needed booster shot to the PS Vita's perceived feeble game library.

Check out the Playstation Blog's original coverage of the story.