Shank is a highly stylized 2D brawler coming out from Klei Entertainment (the makers of N+). I've always been a fan of button mashers and comic books so this game looks to be a dream come true for me. The gameplay is reminiscent of the recent X-Men Origins: Wolverine or Devil May Cry series, where a lot of the depth in the gameplay comes from pulling off combos. The combos range from pulling out chainsaws on downed enemies to shooting them in the air John Woo style. Oh, and of course shanking them with your shank. Though the demo was only five minutes long, one gets the sense that the developers have a lot more in store in terms of weapons and combos. Shanks's art style seems to wonderfully contradict the violence of the game. Games with this type of look get me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. I admittedly squealed like a school girl when the characters got silhouetted from the setting sun on the bridge while doing battle. I just hope the developers can keep a solid frame rate with this look in HD.
Some friends of mine got to play it when it was announced at PAX and readily called it the game of the show. From the looks of the demo, I don't blame them. Few details have yet to be mentioned though, including a lack of release date or platform (even though at PAX the station was set up using a 360 controller.) To me it has the makings of a perfect XBLA or PSN title. Regardless of the platform, this game already looks like a day one purchase for myself, whenever that may be. Check out a video of the demo after the jump.
Tuesday, October 27th, aside from my sister's birthday, is the big day that DJ Hero is finally released to the masses, and New York City is getting the launch event. Retailer J&R is celebrating the release with a party hosted by FunkMaster Flex, Mister Cee, and The Pitbulls. DJ Hero units will be on hand to play, or to buy and take home. Other special guests include Jazzy Joyce, Bobby Trends, Young Chow, DJ Spynfo, DJ Naim, Mike Sessions, DJ Tedsmooth, DJ Johnny Juice, and DMC himself, Darryl McDaniels.
Just looking at this lineup, and only recognizing a total of 2 names, it's safe to say DJ Hero's reach and market share may be stretching across several demographics, and not just that of the usual rhythm game fan. This party is probably the closest most typical game nerds are going to get to The Source awards.
I now want to get married just so I can make everyone in my wedding party dress like an idiot. It'd arguably be the most fun I'd have all day. Maybe all year. Maybe...all LIFE.
Actually I really love Katamari and this looks like a fun wedding, but the guests' looks fluctuate from "in on the joke" to "highly consternated" and I find the latter response way too tempting not to want to recreate myself (with a different game, of course). I love a good prank, and hearing my former maid of honor one day complain that she never had an occasion to wear that ugly Master Chief helmet ever again would just do it for me. More pics here, or after the jump.
We've all been there. You're sitting at a traffic light, sighing deeply at yet another minute and a half wait. Then you see it. An open spot on the sidewalk. You could just slip through, bomb through the pedestrians, and take your turn blocks away before anyone knew what happened. Maybe you'll get a few nicks on the car, or maybe you'll run over a hooker or two... but you're only in trouble if you get caught, right?
Then as the light turns green you snap back into reality wondering what in the Tommy Vercetti hell you were just thinking while debating the long hours you've thus far invested in Grand Theft Auto as a series and its effect on your mental stability.
While that was once me, lately my gut instinct reactions have been of the Fallout 3 variety: shuddering when I see 50s themed imagery, feeling blood thirsty when I hear Billie Holiday. The other day I saw a hammer lying in the bushes and thought, "Meh, I never need one of those things", much like I do when one crosses my path while looting the Wastelands. So I guess my question is, what game does that to you? What triggers your "gamer's mentality"?
Well, this turned into an expensive Tuesday for dear old Dan. I've been expecting to drop cash on the full Abbey Road album for The Beatles Rock Band... I just need to play that 16 minute "b-side medley." But then a few days back we got word that there's a 10 pack of songs from rockers Queen hitting for Rock band 2. Well my wife caught wind of that and, as they say, the rest is history.
It's quite a haul of classic rock n roll goodness, and unless you're just burnt out on rhythm games, both these packs should at least be on your radar. After Abbey Road the first thing I'll be playing Queen wise is the vocals on "Somebody to Love." oh yea.
(remember, they're on the 360 today and the PS3 on Thursday)
AbbeyRoad
singles: “Maxwell's Silver Hammer,” “Oh! Darling,” and “Because”
The entireAbbeyRoad B-side 16 minute medley that includes: “You Never Give Me Your Money,” “Sun King,” “Mean Mr. Mustard,” “Polythene Pam,” “She Came in Through the Bathroom Window,” “Golden Slumbers,” “Carry That Weight” and “The End”
Additionally, the following songs fromAbbeyRoad can also be played as 1-to-3-song sets, based on how they were recorded / composed:
“You Never Give Me Your Money”
“Sun King”/ “Mean Mr. Mustard”
“Polythene Pam”/ “She Came in Through the Bathroom Window”
“Golden Slumbers”/ “Carry That Weight”/ “The End”*
Chiptuner and programmer, Pixelh8 has recently released Master Stroke, a real-time chiptune application for the Nintendo DS. While most chiptune programs are sequencer-based, Master Stroke lets the user play musical notes immediately, like a "real" instrument. On top of that, the software demands only a limited knowledge of music theory and synthesizer know-how. (Whether that's a good or bad thing I'm not sure.) Hit the link for the full description and a video of Master Stroke.
Not to pimp TheBBPS for my own personal projects, but it is ChipTuesday after all, and I've recently released my third full-length as Beta Club Field Trip. The name of the record is "@@," and it's FREE to stream or download, so feel free to enjoy it whoever you wish. The ten tracks were made using LSDJ for the Gameboy, Synthcart for the Atari VCS, and PC software NerdTracker II. There's even a couple of Taylor Swift covers.
With Blip Fest 2009 now less than two months away, the official website has listed a preview of some artists that will be appearing. While artists like Bit Shifter and Nullsleep were a sure bet for the annual 3 night "Woodstock of Chiptunes," I'm most excited about finally being able to see disasterPEACE. If you've never heard his "Atebite and the Warring Nations" album, it is the most epic rock and roll chiptune concept album ever. The list, so far, includes:
Bit Shifter Chromix disasterPEACE Failotron Figher X I, Cactus Je Deviens DJ En Trois Jours Leeni Little-Scale Nullsleep Rainbowdragoneyes The Hunters The J. Arthur Keenes Band
Lots of new faces performing this year, and rumor has it the giant Pixel Wall is making a triumphant return. I can't wait. Get your tickets now, and I'll see you there!
I'm a gamer, always have been. Problem is for a large number of years that's really just consisted of the video variety. That's a huge mistake on my part, to not enjoy the video game's analog brethren... the board game. There’s actually a vibrant and intense board game world out there that’s been pushed to the sidelines by game players such as ourselves for too long. In this column I'll be diving into this world, looking at games that hopefully you'd like to try out for yourself.
Fluxx is really a simple card game of "draw a card, play a card" and there's no way to win. At least, that's how it starts. Once someone plays a goal card, then the table has something to play towards. Except, that goal card could get changed. Then the next thing you know someone plays a new rule card and everyone's strategy goes out the window.
Fluxx advertises itself as "The Card Game of Ever Changing Rules" and it most certainly is just that. During the game the players not only have the ability to change the rules of the game, but also the victory conditions as well. It's lighthearted, fun, and simple to learn since the rules and how to play each card is printed right on each card. So once you get the brief overview of how it works you can usually answer any question you might have by reading the cards themselves. Now since the game is always in Fluxx (ba-dum-dum) it is a game based largely on luck. It's meant to be more of a party type game, something to play while drinking and telling stories. It's nonsensical, goofy, and chaotic (but in a good way).
So that's Fluxx, but this is totally different. This.... is Fluxx.... with Aliens!
Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics.
Advertisers
The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.
Most-Wanted List
The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site.. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.
The Bloguin Login
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account!
Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics. 
The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.
The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site.. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account! 