8-Bit Cinema reimagines Star Wars: Rogue One as a simplistic 8-bit shooter

Posted on January 28, 2017 by John Scalzo

You knew it was only a matter of time until Rogue One: A Star Wars Story received the 8-Bit Cinema treatment… and here it is… reimagined as a budget-priced NES shooter by Cinefix.

I’m not going to lie, even though it’s a pretty simplistic-looking adaptation, I teared up again after K-2SO’s death. That droid was definitely a leaf on the wind.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story has earned more than $516 million at the US box office since it was released on December 16, and it recently pushed past Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace to capture 7th place on the list of highest-grossing movies of all time. There’s still time to catch it in theaters for a second (or third or fourth) viewing, but Lucasfilm is also expected to release the first “Star Wars Anthology” film as a DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Download this Spring.

Posted in Etcetera, News, Retro |

Nintendo’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe commercial wants you to play the Switch on the toilet

Posted on January 28, 2017 by John Scalzo

Nintendo is using the tagline “Play Anytime, Anywhere” to sell their upcoming Switch console in Europe. And they mean it too. A recently-released commercial for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe opens with a disheveled-looking man enjoying some Mushroom Kingdom kart racing while also partaking in his morning bowel movement.

Now, to be fair, the advertisement also showcases the portability of the Switch with an intense Battle Mode contest in a living room and an impromptu multiplayer session on a college campus. Still… eww.

The Nintendo Switch will launch worldwide on March 3. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will be available on April 28. And if you take your Switch with you into the bathroom, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, never tell me.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

The Video Game Canon – Resident Evil

Posted on January 27, 2017 by John Scalzo

Dig deeper into the Video Game Canon with a look at how Resident Evil brought the then-moribund zombie genre back to life. Here’s a teaser…

If a Bizarro Universe doppelganger of Jerry Seinfeld was a hacky comedian who worked the nerd belt, I have a feeling he’d start off every set with, “What’s the deal with all the zombies?” And he wouldn’t be wrong. Zombies are everywhere. Just absolutely everywhere. But why? And why now? If you trace the epidemic all the way back to patient zero, it leads to a publisher named Capcom and their desire to create a scary game with zombies known as Resident Evil.

George A. Romero is rightly considered the godfather of the modern zombie movie. Starting with 1968’s Night of the Living Dead, his first film inspired a horde of filmmakers and lead to a pair of sequels in 1978 and 1985. But after the release of Day of the Dead and Dan O’Bannon’s Return of the Living Dead, the genre fell out of favor with the moviegoing public and was reanimated only when some low-budget film studio wanted to add something to the direct-to-video slush pile. Not even Romero himself, who helped visual effects master Tom Savini remake Night of the Living Dead in 1990, could bring it back to life.

Six years later, Capcom brought the zed menace back in a big way with Resident Evil. First released on Sony’s fledgling PlayStation console (and eventually re-released 12 times over the next 20 years), the game’s amateurish acting and stiff tank-like controls never obscured the terrifying zombie tale underneath. You might say that exploring Spencer Mansion and delving deeper into the story behind the T-Virus infected players in a way that few games ever had before.

Visit VideoGameCanon.com to continue reading this article and to explore the complete Top 1000.

Posted in DS, Features, PC, PS3, PS4, Retro, Top Story, Video Game Canon, Wii, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged

Xbox Store Today: The Sun and Moon, Subterrain, Doodle God Ultimate Edition

Posted on January 27, 2017 by John Scalzo

A minimalist platformer, an overhead survival shooter, and a divine puzzle game make up today’s additions to the Xbox Games Store.

The platforming action of The Sun and Moon, which first gained fame as the winning entry from Ludum Dare 29, is now available to download for the Xbox One. Developed by Digerati Distribution, players will attempt to complete the game’s minimalist levels by flinging themselves high into the air or burrowing deep beneath the surface.

Today’s second new Xbox One release, Subterrain, also delves deep into events that happen beneath the surface. Players will take control of Dr. West as he battles Martian mutants and gathers resources to survive within the bowels of the red planet in this overhead shooter.

Finally today, Xbox One owners will be able to download Doodle God: Ultimate Edition, a puzzle game where players combine elements to build their universe, that originally launched for mobile devices in 2010.

More information about all of these games can be found after the break.

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in News, Xbox One |

Daily Scoop: January 27, 2017 – The Witness on sale at Steam

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Nicole Kline

It’s been a really long week of working and doing homework, and I’m ready for the weekend! We have a game night tonight, and a party tomorrow, and brunch Sunday, and I’m hoping in there somewhere I can start the Dishonored DLC. I guess we’ll just have to see!

There’s a sale encore at the Humble Store! Call of Duty: Black Ops III is $29.99, Life Is Strange – Complete Season is $4.99, Tales of Zestiria is $12.49, and SteamWorld Heist is $9.89, among many others.

The Weekend Deal at Steam is The Witness. Get the game alone for $19.99 or bundled with Braid for $21.98. The Daily Deal is Icey, which you can get for $6.59.

There are a couple of good shirts today! Hit the jump to check them out.

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in Daily Scoop |

Obsidian announces Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire… and its already fully-funded on Fig

Posted on January 27, 2017 by John Scalzo

Obsidian Entertainment was well-known for working as a hired gun for publishers such as LucasArts, Sega, Ubisoft, and Bethesda during the 2000s. But after dealing with some financial struggles in 2012, the developer turned to Kickstarter to self-fund their next project, Pillars of Eternity. The crowdfunding campaign was a massive success and eventually launched to near-universal acclaim in 2015.

Yesterday, Obsidian announced that Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is officially in the works, and kicked off a new crowdfunding campaign on Fig. Obsidian is seeking $1.1 million to finish development, but if you’re worried that lightning won’t be able to strike twice, you can relax. More than 10,000 backers have banded together to pledge the full amount needed for Pillars of Eternity II’s development over the last 24 hours.

So with the hard part out of the way, let’s see where Obsidian wants to take the sequel:

Eothas has returned. The god of light and rebirth was thought dead, but he now inhabits the stone titan that sat buried under your keep, Caed Nua, for millennia. Ripping his way out of the ground, he destroyed your stronghold and left you at the brink of death. To save your soul, you must track down the wayward god and demand answers – answers which could throw mortals and the gods themselves into chaos.

Your hunt takes you to the Deadfire Archipelago. Located even farther east than the colonies of the Eastern Reach, Deadfire comprises hundreds of islands spanning thousands of miles – ranging from lush tropics to barren deserts. Many of these lands have never been charted, while others are inhabited by rich native cultures and a new wave of colonial settlers.

You can learn more about Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire with the Fig campaign page and the trailer embedded above. If all goes well, Obsidian plans to release the RPG exclusively for the PC in Early 2018.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged

The Elder Scrolls Online Dro-M’Athra Crafting Style is available this weekend only

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Brittney Williams

Been looking for a reason to jump back in to the world of The Elder Scrolls Online, or just need a new outfit to spice things up? Well, we’ve got good news!

For a limited time only, Elder Scrolls Online players can visit the game’s Crown Store to purchase the Dro-M’Athra Crafting Motif. According to Bethesda…

“It is said that deep in the Dark Behind the World, there are grim forges and bent benches where Lost Cats arm and armor themselves. To save you a trek to this afterlife, the Crown Store merchants have bought the Dro-m’Athra Style Crafting Motif to a store near you.”

But remember, this is a limited time offer that ends Monday, January 30. The Dro-M’Athra Crafting Motif is priced at 6,000 Crowns which translates roughly to about $49.99… give or take seeing as a pack of 3,000 Crowns will run you $24.99.

Admittedly, one could argue that $49.99 is a steep price for a Crafting Motif, limited edition or not. However, for hardcore Elder Scrolls Online players looking to make their characters more unique and to ensure they always standout in the middle of a rescue mission in the depths of Cold Harbor or while perusing the merchants center in the deserts of Stros M’kai, the investment might be worth it. Besides, who wants to wear basic armor when they can clothe themselves with armor that glows?

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged

Dirt 4 will race onto the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on June 6

Posted on January 26, 2017 by John Scalzo

Codemasters connected with their sizable fanbase offer incremental updates to Dirt Rally through the Early Access platform back in 2015. But they’re taking a more direct route with the upcoming Dirt 4, and have announced plans to release it for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on June 6.

According to the developer, their plan for Dirt 4 is to “combine the levels of thrill and realism” from Dirt Rally with the “fearless excitement, accessibility, and adrenalin-fueled contests” from 2009’s Dirt 2 and 2011’s Dirt 3. Part of this plan includes an all-new track creation system known as Your Stage:

Dirt 4 sports an all-new system called Your Stage, an innovative rally route creation tool that allows you to produce a near infinite number of unique stages at the touch of a button. Choosing your location and setting the route parameters, Your Stage does the hard work to create a unique rally stage that you can race, share with your friends and then challenge them to beat your time. Your Stage allows experienced rally players to create longer, more technical routes, whilst newcomers can create simpler shorter routes as they hone their skills.

Codemasters also plans to pack Dirt 4 with a number of new and returning features that are sure to impress rally racing fans the world over:

Dirt 4 Features

  • Over 50 of the Most Breath-Taking Off-Road Cars Ever Built – Including Ford Fiesta R5, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI, Subaru WRX STI NR4, and Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2
  • 5 Incredible Rally Locations With Millions of Routes – Australia, Spain, Michigan, Sweden, and Wales
  • The Official Game of the FIA World RallyCross Championship – Race at Montalegre, Lohéac Bretagne, Hell, Holjes, and Lydden Hill in a multitude of different series
  • Landrush – Short-course dirt track racing in Pro Buggies, Pro-2 Trucks, Pro-4 Trucks, and Crosskart vehicles in California, Nevada, and Mexico
  • Joyride> –Dirt Academy – Taking place at the DirtFish Rally School in Washington, USA. Learn the skills, techniques, and practice to become the best!
  • Career Mode – create your driver, compete across the disciplines, gain sponsors, and build your team with clear goals and rewards
  • Competitive Gaming – Daily, Weekly, and Month-Long Challenges against fellow players from around the world
  • Next Generation of RaceNet – Live ladder, leagues, and tournaments. Cross-platform leaderboards and enhanced CREST telemetry system
  • Tuning – Tweak your set-up based on vehicle, track, and weather conditions to best suit your racing style
  • Damage and Repairs – Wear and tear is faithfully recreated with an improved and realistic damage model. Damage can be repaired by hiring engineers to work in the team’s Service Area between stages but with a finite amount of time available.

Codemasters has promised to release more details about Dirt 4 between now and its June 6th launch date. For now, a teaser trailer for the game has been embedded above.

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged