Facebreaker [preview]

No that's not Mr. Incredible...unfortunately...cause he'd be a cool character for a boxing game...

Don't get used to the previews as I don't have an "in" with any game companies. I just figured that since I downloaded a demo for a game I might as well write about my experience from time to time for all of you wonderful readers. As the title gives away all (at least for this post) I just got done playing a demo of EA's Facebreaker. I have to admit ladies and gents, it's a ring-full of fast paced, high intensity, crazy stupefied boxing. The funny thing is that this is supposedly part of EA's Freestyle which is aimed toward non-experienced gamers. That's all well and good, but here's the problem, "normal" was kicking my butt and I'm an experienced gamer. Now this is not to say that the final version will be this difficult, or that I am the most experienced gamer in the world; the point I'm trying to make is that for a game that is supposedly targeting a different audience that say Fight Night you would expect the difficulty to be a bit less intimidating.

Granted, it's kind of fun when you finally start landing a few punches, dodge your opponent and block, but up until then it can get kind of frustrating. The demo only allowed me to play 90 seconds and it was on PS3. Overall I am impressed and will actually look to possibly own this title.
-Jeremy aka Adridius

Akuma in action [videos]

Yay!! A video of Street Fighter IV with actual gameplay (at least the first that I've seen). Boooo!!! Akuma is getting his butt kicked. Yay!!! AKUMA!!! Boo...who the heck is Abel?

I'm pleasantly surprised (and relieved) that SFIV plays like a 2D fighter but looks like a gorgeous 3D fighter. I don't know about all of you readers, but when I played Street Fighter Ex on my PS2, it literally felt like a 3D game. It didn't have that sense of flair and gracefulness that the SF series is known for. And it always seemed that the graphics hindered the gameplay. It's almost as if the graphics kept the game from reaching top speed. Granted, I enjoyed playing it, but it just didn't feel like Street Fighter to me.

Even though I haven't played SFIV I can tell by watching the video that this particular 3D fighter is going to have the same charisma that all of the 2D Street Fighter games were known for.

Check out how badly Akuma gets beat in the second round. It almost makes me want to shed a tear, but then I think to myself, "Wow...that was frickin cool..."

-Jeremy aka Adridius

Etchings for your awesomeness [Street Fighter and other stuff]

Ever wanted Street Fighter on your iPod?

Just wanted to make all of you readers aware of an awesome new way to customize the things you love. Etchstar is a company that, well, etches pictures and logos on the back of some of your favorite portable devices such as iPods or Macbooks. Here you can find some examples of the awesome etchings and above you can see that even Street Fighter characters can be etched into the back of iPods. Cool huh?

-Jeremy aka Adridius

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed [and so is my excitement]

I am not a huge Star Wars fan. I haven't been avidly awaiting the new computer generated Star Wars movie that comes out tomorrow. Speak in inverted on a daily basis, I do not. But lookout world, Adridius is so stoked about the new game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.

The reason I'm excited about it is because the apprentice looks like a baaaaaaaaaaad boy. Seriously, if you looked at him the wrong way it's almost as if he could literally cut right through you with a only a gaze. I'll have to be sure to mark my calendar for this game when it is released Sept. 16. And if I do decide to buy it, which I probably will, it will be the first Star Wars game I have ever owned. I know, I know, how did I not own LEGO Star Wars. I ask myself the same question every night before I drift off into dream land thinking about how awesome this Star Wars game will be.

Jeremy aka Adridius

Can't we all just get along? [editorial]

We are all part of the same family...let's act like it

I was listening to the radio today and they were talking about the big sex scandal involving John Edwards. Specifically, they were talking about how the New York Times does not consider themselves biased. The reason they brought up this topic is because for a long time, or at least as long as I can remember, tabloids such as The National Enquirer have always been looked down upon because they weren’t ‘real journalists’ and they ‘pay for their sources’ and above all they are biased. But as the people were discussing this on the radio one of them pointed out that all news outlets are biased, whether it be blogs, newspapers, online news, magazines, online magazines or whatever. And then it got me to thinking, even video game news is biased because it is usually coming from people who love gaming.

This is not to say that all video game writers have an agenda, or they want to simply get you to believe that a certain game is great when it’s crap. I am simply saying that every gamer has their preference. Some people may be inclined to like sports games; others RPG’s; and yet others first person shooters. This isn’t right or wrong, it’s just preference. And what’s interesting is that bias usually has a negative connotation. Instead of bias, we should start saying preference, because that’s simply what it is.

Please do not misunderstand. I am not saying that a sports game nut can’t appreciate a good first person shooter, or that a Halo fan can’t appreciate a Final Fantasy game, but we all have our preferences. This brings me to my next point.

Gaming journalists, I would hope, do the best job that they can when reviewing or previewing a game to try and keep their preference out of the mix. Inevitably, if it is a game they really enjoy playing because it is their game of choice there might be a bit of bias, or preference, in their preview or review.

With all that said, I implore all of you avid readers to use your common sense when reading a review, preview, or something similar at any gaming website or in any gaming magazine. It’s funny, and yet kind of embarrassing, to me on the comments section of a lot of editorials, or columns, or maybe even reviews how people rip apart a writer for their opinion (or preference). Just like you are ripping them apart for calling your favorite game crap, you in turn are showing your preference that is opposite of their preference. Neither of you are wrong, but respect is good in any arena, including comments on writer’s pieces of work.

I’ve always wondered why, if we all love gaming so much, we can’t come together and respect each other. You have Nintendo fanboys saying Xbox 360 is crap, you have 360 fanboys saying PS3 is crap, and you have PS3 fanboys saying Nintendo is crap. Instead of slamming each other, which even yours truly has bee guilty of, we should all understand that we are part of one of the biggest community of enthusiasts to hit the mainstream in the 21st century. We should all be proud of one another and our differing opinions, and we should all come together. How can we expect the world to take our passion seriously if we can’t even take ourselves seriously?

-Jeremy aka Adridius

Miyamoto must remain mum [interesting]

It has come to my attention that Shigeru Miyamoto has been given a gag order from Nintendo who have forbidden him from talking about his-get this-hobbies. Nintendo does not want anyone outside of Nintendo to know of Miyamoto's ideas. You might be wondering what the big deal is. Well, have you ever heard of Wii Fit and Brain Training? These two ultra-popular games came about because Miyamoto started exercising more and because he had a love for puzzles.

The DS touch screen developed because Miyamoto liked to touch everything he saw. The Wii-mote developed because he liked to act like he was in the movie Fantasia. And the name "Wii" came about because he always wanted to include everyone in the above two activities. Ok, so none of those three things are true, but it appears that when Miyamoto does have an idea it can easily be turned into a profitable venture. I wonder what he does if he goes out on a date and his date asks him "What are your hobbies?" WATCH OUT MIYAMOTO SHE'S A GOLD DIGGER!!!

-Jeremy aka Adridius

V-Tech shootings had nothing to do with video games [duh..but here's proof]

We will always remember...

BoingBoing co-author Cory Doctorow had a wide open interview with the Chicago Tribune and he spoke about the misrepresentations involving the tragic happenings at Virginia Tech earlier last year.

"There’s this broad consensus that the Virginia Tech murders had something to do with violent video games. When you actually read the coroner's inquest report, video games are mentioned twice. The first is his mother saying he never wanted to play those video games. The second is his roommate saying, "We always thought he was weird because he never wanted to play video games." Yet it’s still a [popularly held] truism that violent video games must be responsible for Virginia Tech."

I find this to be interesting because it further proves the fact that perception is reality and facts are not always regarded as truth. The fact and truth of the matter is that the official commission that investigated the Virginia Tech tragedy found one game that the shooter played-Sonic The Hedgehog.

-Jeremy aka Adridius

Mortal Kombat, the best video game movie ever?

This would ROCK if this came out!!! Does anyone know when?

A few days ago I was watching Mortal Kombat. No, not the game, but the movie, and it got me thinking. Mortal Kombat is the best live action video game movie I've ever laid my eyes on. One of the reasons MK probably stands out to me more than most people is that I was not allowed to play the game when I was younger because of the blood. Then all of a sudden, literally, my dad called to me down in the basement and said, "Hey Jeremy!!! Do you want to go see Mortal Kombat?!" I didn't know what to say. I almost thought it was a trick question. I then replied, "Yeah, yeah!! Really?! Yeah I wanna go!!" From then on MK the movie lived on in infamy with me.

Too bad over the years the game has taken a plunge. Maybe it will be revived with MK vs DC Universe, but that is yet to be seen. Another bad moment was Mortal Kombat 2. What a horrendous movie. It's almost as if the people who were making it thought to themselves, "Let's fix what's not broken!" KABLAM, Mortal Kombat 2, or rather, a big pile of crappy crap.

On the MK note, I also heard rumblings via IMDB that there is going to be a Mortal Kombat 3. The moment I read this I got way too excited, especially since there was zero info on it. Yet and still if this does go through I'm going to be extremely joyful.

Granted, there might be a better live action movie out there based on a video game that you like, but for me, right now, it's MK. And for your reading pleasure, here is a list of video game movies that have come out since 1986 (via Wikipedia fyi). And also, I'll include a list of games that they want to make into movies. God of War and Bioshock= Jeremy is stoked. And just for kicks, I'll offer up a short synopsis of my opinion on each, whether they are films that have come out, or films that may be coming out. Enjoy.

Released films

• Super Mario Bros.: Peach-Hime Kyushutsu Dai Sakusen! (July 20, 1986)-Never saw it, this is the year I was born.
  
• Super Mario Bros. (May 28, 1993)- I didn't think it was that great, actually. Being a kid the koopas scared me.
  
• Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture (July 16, 1994)-Never saw it. I may have to look this up.
  
• Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie (August 6, 1994)-I've seen a few Street Fighter animated movies. The one's I've seen have ranged from cool, to slow, to "What is going on?"
  
• Double Dragon (November 4, 1994)-Never saw this.
  
• Street Fighter (December 23, 1994)-Thought it was awesome at the time and then MK came along.
  
• Mortal Kombat (August 18, 1995)-Speak of the devil...
  
• Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (November 21, 1997)-Sucked
• Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back (July 18, 1998)-Frickin awesome
  
• Wing Commander (March 12, 1999)-Huh? Never saw this one
  
• Pokémon: The Movie 2000 - The Power of One (July 17, 1999)-I have yet to see a Pokemon movie beyond the first one.
  
• Pokémon 3: The Movie - Spell of the Unown (July 8, 2000)-See above statement
  
• Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (June 15, 2001)-Decent
• Pokémon 4Ever - Celebi, Voice of the Forest (July 7, 2001)-See above statement about Pokemon.
  
• Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (July 13, 2001)-EXCELLENT visuals, horrible story line. It didn't have an INKLING of Final Fantasy theme in my opinion.
  
• Resident Evil (March 15, 2002)-It was decent, but kind of came off as a joke. It's hard to take games to live action movies.
  
• Pokémon Heroes (July 13, 2002)-Man how many Pokemon movies were there?
  
• Pokémon: Jirachi Wishmaker (July 19, 2003)-Sheesh
• Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (July 25, 2003)-I think it was better than the first, I can't quite distinguish the two. But hey, Angelina was in it so that's a plus.
  
• House of the Dead (October 10, 2003)-I don't do Horror movies for the most part.
  
• Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys (July 22, 2004)-Good gracious...
  
• Resident Evil: Apocalypse (September 10, 2004)-Didn't see it
  
• Alone in the Dark (January 28, 2005)-I didn't even know this came out, but again, I don't do horror films.
  
• Air (February 5, 2005)-What the heck is this? Can someone explain?
  
• Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (July 16, 2005)- I really need to catch up.
  
• Doom (October 21, 2005)-Decent, until The Rock turned into a monster, goodness.
  
• BloodRayne (January 6, 2006)-Again, can someone explain what this is?
  
• Silent Hill (April 21, 2006)-I never saw it, but I heard that it was kind of good, kind of corny. My friend laughed during it, what does that say?
  
• Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea (July 15, 2006)-Oh for FRICK'S sake!
  
• Dead or Alive (September 7, 2006)-It actually had some really good acting. I enjoyed it.
  
• Dōbutsu no Mori (Animal Crossing) (December 16, 2006)-This actually came out? Maybe in Japan or something. Can someone explain?
  
• Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai (July 14, 2007)-My goodness...this is JUST last year..I really need to catch up.
  
• Clannad (September 15, 2007)-Nope, dunno what it is.
  
• Resident Evil: Extinction (September 21, 2007)-The first RE made me not want to see the rest.
  
• Postal (October 18, 2007)-Didn't see it.
  
• Hitman (November 21, 2007)-The acting wasn't that great, seems like they could have done so much more with this movie. Good video game to movie idea though.
  
• In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (November 29, 2007)-ummm...
• Pokémon Diamond & Pearl the Movie: Giratina and the Sky’s Bouquet: Shaymin (July 19, 2008)-Only fitting we end with a pokemon movie...
  

Currently in Production or may be in Production, or are in Limbo

• American McGee’s Alice-
  
• I don't even know what this game is. Anyone care to explain?
  
• Area 51
• Hmmm, might be interesting.
  
• BioShock
• This could be AMAZING!
  
• BloodRayne III: Warhammer
• Never played the game, but I know it's good.
  
• Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars
• Hmm, might be a nice ancient kind of movie.
  
• Castlevania
• I can hear the fanboys now. 'THEY BETTER NOT FRICK THIS UP!!"
  
• Citizen Siege
• Dunno what this is.
  
• City of Heroes
• I dont know how this could translate into a movie...
  
• Clock Tower
• I don't do horror movies
  
• Cold Fear
• Never played the game
  
• Deus Ex
• Always wanted to play this, but never did
  
• Devil May Cry
• This could be AWESOME!
  
• Driver
• They need to do a Grand Theft Auto movie first...I know, I know, they aren't made by the same people.
  
• Earthworm Jim
• This could be really funny!!!
  
• Eternity’s Child
• I don't know this game, but it sounds like it could be a good movie.
  
• EverQuest
• Again, never really got into it, but it probably could make a killer movie.
  
• Fatal Frame
• Never heard of it. Someone elaborate for me please.
  
• Fear Effect
• I don't think this is to be confused with F.E.A.R, and if it has anything to do with a horror flick, no I'm not going to see it.
  
• Gears of War
• So many fanboys for this one, if they frick this up, God help the production company.
  
• God of War
• That goes double for God of War. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see this as a live action movie. Get Leonidas' character to play the part from 300.
  
• Halo
• This will probably happen and get good ratings at the box office.
  
• Hunter: The Reckoning
• What is this? Let me know people.
  
• Kane & Lynch
• The game sucked, please don't make a movie. I think I heard Bruce Willis might be the main actor..but I might be wrong.
  
• MechWarrior
• Again, never heard of this (don't crucify me those of you who know this), but it sounds like it might be good.
  
• Metal Gear Solid
• They ARE making this, and I can't wait. I've heard Hugh Jackman is in the running to be Snake. I can't wait for this movie. Kojima is helping out with it so i be it'll be good.
  
• Metroid
• The fanboys would kill someone if they did this wrong as well.
  
• Mortal Kombat: Devastation
• You already know what I feel about this.
  
• The Neverhood
• Never heard of this
  
• Nightmare Creatures
• Again, if scary, not seeing it.
  
• Onimusha
• This could be great!!!
  
• Rainbow Six
• Again, this could be excellent.
  
• Return to Castle Wolfenstein
• This might end up like Doom...
  
• Silent Hill 2
• See what I said about the first Silent Hill.
  
• The Sims
• This doesnt even make sense
  
• Siren
• Dunno what this is.
  
• Sonic the Hedgehog
• This would either be really weird..or really good.
  
• Soulcalibur
• This could be excellent.
  
• Spy Hunter
• Never played it, so I'm not sure about this one.
  
• Spyro the Dragon
• Could be a good kids movie, yeah this could work.
  
• The Suffering
• Never heard of it, so I'm not sure.
  
• Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell
• This could be GREAT!
  
• The Unforgettable
• Never heard of this.
  
• Warcraft
• This could be good, but I'm not sure

Hope you enjoyed this. Let me know what you think about some of the proposals or some of the movies that have already come out.

-Jeremy aka Adridius

MK vs DC [I'm actually starting to like it..really]

I just took a look at the above video for Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe and guys, I have to admit, my excitement meter just went up a few more percentage points. This demo takes you through the game and shows off some of the moves and gameplay of characters such as Sub-Zero, Scorpion, The Flash, Batman, Superman and Sonya. What caught my eye is how ruthless the DC Universe characters actually appear to be. If you have been keeping up with this blog for a few months you will most notably remember me writing that I was skeptical of how these two worlds could collide because they seemed like polar-opposites.

A couple aspects of gameplay caught my eye as well. The fact that the levels themselves are interactive makes for a more glorified fight. It isn't simply a back and forth effort with walls dictating how far left or right you can move. Superman actually plows Scorpion through at least four walls, which is awesome. The other aspect of gameplay that I found intriguing is that you as a fighter can pummel your opponent in mid-air if you knock them off the side of a cliff. This is demonstrated when Flash fights Sonya.

All in all, Midway seems to be doing a great job with this game. And I was assured by a blog that Batman and Scorpion will not share the same move of slamming you back and forth on the ground with their legs. All of you that noticed that just act like you didn't see it because it won't be in the final game.

-Jeremy aka Adridius

Marvel vs Capcom 3 [oh my gosh I hope this happens]

Quick post today. There will be a Marvel vs. Capcom 3 according to Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios President of Production. He was asked whether a new game may be coming, he said:

"Yes. And maybe sooner than you think."

Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! People...I really want to comment on this, but I am busy at the moment, but I wanted to put it up for you all to see. Maybe I'll come back and comment on it later, just know that I'm SUPER-DUPER-DUPER excited if this game does come to fruition. OMG!

-Jeremy aka Adridius