Most Recent: Articles

Torchlight II Review: Diablo II Never Looked So Good

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Anthony Amato

Torchlight II builds off of Torchlight‘s rock solid foundations to create a game that fully delivers on developer Runic Games’ goal to “give [the players] what they’re asking for.” Oddly, even though the game was in development long before Diablo III‘s release, what the players wanted seems to be all the things Diablo III got wrong.

Blizzard’s Diablo III is certainly the 800-pound gorilla in the room, and some might try to write a review of Torchlight II without mentioning its major league rival, but I’m not going to bother. Anyone who is a fan of the click n’ loot fest likely has played the Diablo games at some point, and that series pretty much defines all the core elements, so I see little reason in avoiding the comparison. Considering Torchlight’s developers include Max and Erich Schaefer, the co-founders of Blizzard North and co-creators of the Diablo series, it’s interesting to see how much Diablo has diverged while Torchlight II has remained true to its origins. (more…)

Posted in PC, Reviews, Top Story | Tagged

The Last Story is XSEED’s most successful game ever; price drop announced

Posted on November 20, 2012 by John Scalzo

Nintendo is the proud publisher of some of the bestselling video games of all time. Super Mario Bros. 3 has sold 18 million copies. Wii Fit has moved 22 million. The original Super Mario Bros. produced 40 million in sales as the pack-in game for the NES. Wii Sports has done 80 million in sales due to a similar arrangement with the Wii. A little RPG like The Last Story never stood a chance.

So Nintendo passed on publishing the game in North America and XSEED Games stepped in. Since its August release, The Last Story has gone on to become XSEED’s most successful game release ever. Though it surely hasn’t sold anywhere in the neighborhood of Nintendo’s biggest hits.

Sales figures for The Last Story weren’t released, but XSEED plans to celebrate by publishing a second printing of the game at a new low price of $29.99.

This new edition won’t contain the art book or the custom packaging of the Special Edition, but if you can still find that in stores, it’s received a price drop as well. The limited Special Edition can now be had for $39.99.

Posted in News | Tagged ,

Daily Scoop: November 20, 2012 – Black Friday deals, day two

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Nicole Kline

What’s everyone got going on tonight after work? You should stop by Redcap’s Corner for some board game fun. I’ve got five games to play tonight, so hopefully we have enough time!

It’s day two of Black Friday deals at Amazon, and it’s glorious. John Scalzo did all the legwork already over in this post for the whole week, but if you just want to see what’s up for today, here’s the list:

Must. Resist. Cannot. Purchase!

Two shirts for you today, both repeats… (more…)

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Nintendo is done with Wii development

Posted on November 20, 2012 by John Scalzo

We all suspected as much, but Bill Trinen, Nintendo’s Director of Product Marketing, has confirmed it… Nintendo has no plans to develop any additional games for the Wii.

Speaking to GameSpot, Trinen revealed the sad news that the company’s most successful console ever is counting down to its final days.

GameSpot: Is Nintendo developing internally any Wii games? Are there any projects in the pipeline?

Trinen: No, there are not right now.

This means that Kirby’s Dream Collection, which was released in September, will go down as the last Nintendo-published game on the system. This also means that the action RPG Pandora’s Tower remains in limbo and will likely not make its way across the Pacific (unless a kindly third party publisher steps up again).

Posted in News | Tagged

Sony adds nine more Ultimate Editions to PS Store

Posted on November 20, 2012 by John Scalzo

Sony is expanding their line of “Ultimate Editions” today with nine new game + downloadable content bundles. Each Ultimate Edition includes a downloadable version of the original game along with all DLC currently available. And for this week only (today until November 26), each Ultimate Edition has been discounted by up to 66% (up to 73% for PlayStation Plus subscribers).

So which games made the cut for the second wave of Ultimate Editions? Check ’em out…

Alice: Madness Returns
Total Value of the Game With All DLC: $31.97
PSN Price: $19.99 ($15.99 for PlayStation Plus members)

Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Total Value of the Game With All DLC: $39.99
PSN Price: $27.99 ($22.39 for PlayStation Plus members)

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations
Total Value of the Game With All DLC: $53.99
PSN Price: $49.99 ($39.99 for PlayStation Plus members)

Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Total Value of the Game With All DLC: $50.46
PSN Price: $34.99 ($27.99 for PlayStation Plus members)

Homefront
Total Value of the Game With All DLC: $58.95
PSN Price: $19.99 ($15.99 for PlayStation Plus members)

Mass Effect 2
Total Value of the Game With All DLC: $49.96
PSN Price: $34.99 ($27.99 for PlayStation Plus members)

Red Faction: Armageddon
Total Value of the Game With All DLC: $43.95
PSN Price: $24.99 ($19.99 for PlayStation Plus members)

Saints Row 2
Total Value of the Game With All DLC: $36.97
PSN Price: $24.99 ($19.99 for PlayStation Plus members)

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine
Total Value of the Game With All DLC: $79.97
PSN Price: $29.99 ($23.99 for PlayStation Plus members)

Sony has also announced another PSN rebate offer, so if you spend $60 on the PlayStation Store this week, they’ll send you a $10 PSN Voucher in December.

Posted in News, PS3 | Tagged , , , , , , ,

Sleeping Dogs: Nightmare in North Point Review: Sink Your Teeth Into This DLC

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Nicole Kline

If you read my review of Sleeping Dogs, you definitely know that I love it. So when “Nightmare in North Point,” the first DLC to extend the story, was announced, I was excited. It looked similar to what Rockstar was going for when they released “Undead Nightmare” for Red Dead Redemption, or what Sucker Punch did with Infamous 2’s “Festival of Blood:” a fun expansion that gave the game a horror element that had nothing at all to do with the main story. While it’s a blast to play, “Nightmare in North Point” is disappointingly short, and left me wanting much, much more. (more…)

Posted in PC, PS3, Reviews, Top Story, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Wii U sold out practically everywhere

Posted on November 19, 2012 by John Scalzo

Are you still looking for a Wii U? Then you’re in luck, because they’re in stock at…

Nah, I’m just yanking yer chain. Nintendo’s most recent console launch is sold out for all practical purposes. Target.com and Walmart.com both list the Wii U as available for in-store pickup, but after a frantic round of phone calls, I learned that not a single store from either retailer has the system in stock in Western New York. Your location may vary, but I think it is safe to say that Nintendo has a sellout on their hands (and definitely ignore the Target press release that says they still have them in stock).

However, if you really NEED to acquire a Wii U today, there’s always the secondhand sellers at Amazon and eBay.

Posted in News, Wii U |

Daily Scoop: November 19, 2012 – Let the Black Friday deals begin!

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Monday, you come way too fast for my liking. The weekend was so short, and full of RPGs and hanging out with my family. We introduced them to Cards Against Humanity, with hilarious results!

So, it looks like Black Friday is starting early at Amazon. They’ve got a bunch of Lightning Deals going on today! Check them out:

  • 9:10 AM PST/12:10 PM EST: “Brings the thrill and fun of winter sports to the…” (That’s all they give us! An ellipsis!
  • 9:10 AM PST/12:10 PM EST: “The best NBA game from the 2011-2012 season” (NBA 2K12)
  • 9:10 AM PST/12:10 PM EST: “Batman’s original foray into the LEGO universe” (Lego Batman)
  • 9:10 AM PST/12:10 PM EST: “Motion mini-games for the family”

    • (Game Party: In Motion)

  • 1:10 PM PST/4:10 PM EST: “Fight your way to becoming the King of Fighters!” (The King of Fighters XIII)
  • 1:10 PM PST/4:10 PM EST: “Take part in the battles and mysteries that lead up …”
  • 1:10 PM PST/4:10 PM EST: “Do you like Dragons?” (Dragon’s Dogma)
  • 1:10 PM PST/4:10 PM EST: “Silent Hill Downpour”
  • 1:10 PM PST/4:10 PM EST: “A third person team based shooter experience set…” (Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City)

Let’s see how long I can avoid buying any of these games!

Just one t-shirt up today! (more…)

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |