Injustice: Gods Among Us Preorder Deals and Bonuses

Here are all the preorder bonuses and deals on Injustice: Gods Among Us. I have it preordered at Gamestop, but I'm thinking about getting it at Toys R Us because having a strategy guide for a fighting game is kinda crucial because sometimes all the moves aren't listed in the manual or in-game. But the additional Red Son content is also pretty tempting....

Amazon:

* $10 Promotional Amazon Credit
* Digital Kindle Comic

Walmart:

* Free copy of Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
* Arkham City Skins

Gamestop :

* Red Son Pack-- Superman, Wonder Woman, Solomon Grundy Skins
* 20 Additional missions for the Red Son storyline

Best Buy

* Dark Knight Blackest Night skin
* Zombie Mode

Toys R Us (In Store Only):

* Prima official strategy Guide ($24.99 value)
* Batman Action Figure (Not an Injustice figure, but Batman Unlimited $19.99 value)

Target:

* Free digital download of Justice League Doom movie
* Get 50% off another videogame when you buy Injustice

Preorder A Game At Gamestop....Get An Opened Display Copy Of The Game

So I preordered Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for WiiU from my local Gamestop. I called them tonight to make sure it was in and went to get it about 8:30pm. So when I go to the checkout and tell them I was there to pick up my preorder, the cashier goes over to the wall and picks up an open box of the game with a big price tag stuck on it and begins to check me out. The following conversation ensues:

Me: What, you don't have a sealed copy?

GS: Well, I wasn't sent enough copies. I had to go around to other stores and just get whatever I could find.

Me: But I PREORDERED the game. You should know exactly how many copies you needed.

GS: Well, what could I do? They didn't send me enough.

Me: I don't want an opened copy. Why did I even preorder this? Does the Gamestop down the street have a sealed copy? Cancel my preorder. I'm very annoyed. If I preorder a game, I want it sealed. I don't want a display copy!

GS: Well, thats my last copy.

Me: So you're saying everybody else that walked in here today got a brand new sealed copy except ME?

 (He declined to answer that. He calls the other store. They have one. I go to the other store, and after the employee states that it was "weird" that I preordered from the other store and was not reserved a sealed copy, he asks the manager to approve the sale)

The manager at the other Gamestop is a complete jerk. I had a run-in with him about the trade-in value of my 3DS towards the Wii U preorder about half a year ago. He disputed an offer on the Gamestop website because it wasn't in his system. Suffice it to say, I don't shop at that store, but to get this game I was willing to swallow my pride for a bit.

The following conversation ensues with the store manager after I bought the game:

Me: So if I bought this from you, will I still get the strategy guide preorder bonus code?

GS: No, you have to get the game from the Gamestop you preordered from.

Me: Well, that's not right. I DID preorder it.

GS: HEY, I'M DOING YOU A FAVOR. You know what's gonna happen? I'm giving you someone ELSE'S preorder, so when that person comes in for their game, I'M gonna have to scrounge one up from another store.

Me: It's not MY fault. I preordered it.

GS: People think that just because you preordered a game, it's gonna be sealed. That's not true. We use some of them as display copies.

Me: Well, I just don't think it's right that everyone that bought Monster Hunter 3 at that store got a new sealed copy except ME.

GS: Well, first come first served.

Me: Whatever.

So, the moral of this story? Just because you reserved a copy of a new game, that doesn't mean you reserved a new game. I don't want an open copy of a game. Supposedly, Gamestop should have reserved a copy JUST FOR ME. Not one that a grubby Gamestop employee stuck their paws on and have been playing for a week at their house. And that multitudes of people have picked up with their germy hands all day and coughed on etc. I want a NEW SEALED COPY.

It would be like if I bought a new TV, went to the store to pick it up, and they said "Um, we only have an unboxed display model."

The thing that really pissed me off was the attitude of the employees at both stores. Like I was putting THEM out by thinking that I deserved a brand new copy of a game that I had preordered. And the fact that you know they gave sealed copies out to people that had not preordered the game last night at the midnight launch of Gears of War and had sold new copies to customers all day that had not preordered. BUT I GET A DISPLAY COPY???

So if the policy is first come, first serve, why did I even preorder it? I'm gonna take this up with Gamestop corporate.

No Pandora's Tower Limited Edition For US, But Old Europe Gets One

What the hell? Since when does Europe get better stuff than us? Didn't we win the American Revolution and World War 2 in order to get limited editions of JRPGs? So Europe/UK gets this nice LE of Pandora's Tower while we in the United States get a stupid box??? It just seems like game pubs have more respect for Europeans these days. We had to practically storm the Bastille of stupidity to get Xenoblade and Last Story over here, while the Europeans got to just kick back and bask.

The UK edition of Pandora comes in a steelcase:

It also includes a 32 page hardcover artbook:

And what do we get? A stupid box. Hell, Xseed, in their usual bumbling manner, doesn't even really know when they are releasing Pandora's Tower here in the States.. Sometime in April, they think. Dont be fooled. When they finally do set a release date, that is really only the date they will SHIP to stores, so it might be a couple of days or a week before you get your copy. Yep, Xseed thinks that shipping dates and release dates are the same thing. Don't even bother arguing with them. I already have.

As a side note, Amazon has copies of the UK Limited Edition for $64.99, so I guess if you're really hardcore (which I'm not, you can pick one up there). Of course the game is PAL, so it won't play on a US Wii. Of course, I'm sure there's a way to mod your Wii on the internetz to play it. Pandora came out a year ago over there.

Having said all this, I guess I shouldn't be bitching, since I should feel lucky its coming out here at least. But look at NIS America. They have all kinds of limited edition stuff with their games!

I preordered my copy from Gamestop yesterday.

(All pictures courtesy of http://www.wecollectgames.com/videogames/pandoras-tower-limited-editon.videogame.collectors.edition.limited )

Nintendo Wii U Launch Titles Part 3

I have to say that without even seeking any info, I had dismissed Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed from my list of Wii U launch title buying consideration. I did this because I thought it was just a port of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, which I already have for Xbox 360. It was a fun racing game that was basically a rip-off of Mario Kart. But it was fun. After looking at the trailer for the Wii U title, it looks like they have added boat and spaceship racing segments as well. Also, I did not recognize any of the tracks from the 360 game, so it's not a straight up port like I thought. This might actually be a game I am buying at launch. Also, the game is priced at $40! Looks like the Wii U's tablet is used simply as a map screen. Probably, a second player will be able to use the tablet as well.

Chance of me buying this: 60%

Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two looks pretty awesome and it's definitely a title I would normally pick up launch day....BUT I bought the FIRST Epic Mickey game for the Wii at launch a couple of years ago and sadly have never gotten around to playing it. So unless I get off my ass and play and finish the first game in the next two weeks, I will not be buying Epic Mickey 2. There's not really a lot of info out there as to any exclusive Wii U functionality as regards this game.

Chance of me buying this at launch: 0% (unless I finish the first game)

Nintendo Wii U Launch Titles Part 2

I was getting pretty bored with Call of Duty and probably would not have bought Modern Warfare 2 until my Xbox Live friends pressured me. So I'm not excited at all about Black Ops 2. I'm tired of the series. But there aren't a lot of first rate Wii U launch titles so there is a possibility of buying Ops 2 just to have a decent game. Also, I'm very curious what kind of community will form on the Wii U. I don't think there will be as many assholes as you have on the 360....at least at first. Really, you will have more Nintendo fans and just outright tech geeks like me instead of little kids. The fact that a second player can use the Wii U pad to play multiplayer with you is also a cool feature. I hate split screen and never use it. I'm just too damn greedy.

Chance of me buying Black Ops 2 for Wii U: 60%

Assassin's Creed III looks amazing, but since I have not played any of the previous games in the series, there seems little sense in buying this title. Even if I did, I would buy it for 360, not the Wii U. From what I can tell, there is very little Wii U functionality besides using the tablet as a map screen. Eventually after I play the other games, I'll give III a try, but probably never on the Wii U.

Chance of me buying Assassin's Creed III: 0%

Kid Icarus Uprising First Impressions

Back when the 3DS was announced and they were showing launch titles, the only game that really got me wanting the system was Kid Icarus Uprising. It turned out that I would have to wait a year before the game came out. By then, what excitement I had felt about the title initially had died out. I bought it release day but have just opened and started playing it this weekend.

The biggest criticism I heard about the game over the past months was its control scheme. I had heard from different sources that it was game-breaking and an object of hatred. The most positive comment I heard about the controls was someone saying "they're ok once you get used to them."

Well, about 3 hours into the game, I too can say the controls SUCK. The air battle is fine, but when you are fighting on the ground, get ready for frustration. You basically have to use the stylus in your right hand to move the camera, which is very imprecise while also moving Pit with the control stick. As long as enemies are some distance from you, the system works pretty decently. But when you are up close and personal, things get messy fast. When you are facing a moving enemy up close, it becomes almost impossible to turn the camera fast enough to keep up with the action, so you just find yourself attacking blind.

Another problem is with the dash move. In order to dash, you have to quickly flick the stick. So you have to stop moving, lift your thumb, and then flick, which breaks up your movement. It's really annoying. They needed the dash move on a button.

As for story, the plot of Uprising is about as compelling as a Mario game. You are fighting against Medusa. That's it. Any background or exposition is handled by conversation with the goddess Palutena as you are fighting or flying. There are no cutscenes or catch your breath moments. It's like the staff didn't even respect the story enough to let the action stop to let you take it in. You just keep on moving. Sky battle, land battle, sky battle, land battle...rinse repeat. Nintendo have been allowed to milk their franchises for so long and have such a fanatic fanbase, that they don't even NEED to have storytelling in their games. It's kinda sad.

I guess one thing I can say about this game is that so far it is pretty easy....even the boss fights. So I'll keep playing for now. But when the difficulty of the game and the difficulty of the controls meet to form a barrier, I will probably quit.

Wii U Pre-Order Availability

Just wanted to give a quick rundown of where you can still pre-order Basic and Deluxe Wii U consoles because they are sold out or unavailable at most retailers right now. I would think this is a temporary situation because there is NO way Nintendo will allow ZERO consoles to be sold online or in stores during the most important shopping week of the year in the US.

Gamestop: Sold out of Deluxe but you can still order the Basic set

Frys: Only has Basic set and you are limited to one console

Walmart: Only offering a bundle for $399 and up which includes console, 1 game, and a Wii Remote Plus

Amazon: Not available to pre-order

Target: Consoles are listed but you can't pre-order them

Toys R Us: Check back soon to pre-order is all the site says

Best Buy: Sold out online for both versions

At Gamestop, Wii Poo On U!

Dear Gamestop,

It's always good times with Gamestop. If you read my blog (I think there are at least 2 people that do) then you know that I was completely flabbergasted when I tried to trade in my Nintendo 3DS a couple of weeks back. I was offered the grand total of $40! Gamestop SELLS the 3DS used for $139! Just a "small" $100 markup. But I forgave them for that. I kinda implied they were fucking crazy and  just held on to my 3DS in the hopes that someday it might be worth more.

While looking up some new game releases today on the Gamestop website today I noticed that Gamestop was offering $90 if you traded in your 3DS towards a Wii U, PLUS an additional $10 if you were a Rewards member.

In fact, here is the full ad:

"Save up to $140 when you trade select systems toward a new Wii U system.

PowerUp Rewards members save an additional $10

• $90 when you trade any Original model Xbox 360, PS Vita or 3DS system
• $115 when you trade any Original model PS3 or Slim model Xbox 360 system
• $140 when you trade any Slim model PS3
• $50 when you trade any Wii system"

I was  ready to make that deal. I didn't feel like messing with Ebay and I would probably never use my 3DS again now that I have a 3DS XL and $100 was decent so I took it to the same Gamestop where I had tried to trade it in previously. Unfortunately, it was the same dude, the manager, that had offered the $40 before, so I automatically had a bad feeling. There's another guy that works there that is really awesome that I enjoy doing business with but $40 Man reminds me of the gay vampire preacher from True Blood. An oily salesman.

So I'm standing in line with one person in front of me and I have to listen to the manager do his 5 minute spiel to the dude about preordering every frickin title under the sun and warranties and protection plans and any other titles you want to preorder and you know you're gonna buy the title anyways so why not put $5 down on it and are you interested in the Wii U blah blah....you know, the usual Gamestop bullshit.

So when I finally get MY turn, I tell the guy about the deal being offered on the website about the $100 trade in. He knows nothing about it. NOTHING. How can the employees of Gamestop know LESS than their customers when it comes to offers from THEIR stores? The value of the 3DS keeps coming up as $65 on his end. He's also having to look up his own store's website on his iphone because the store has no internet connections. He finds the ad then says its an additional $10 credit if you are in the PAID rewards program. He then tries to get me to sign up for the Pro Rewards program! I tell him that is not the case as he finds the ad and agrees. Still no progress. No mention of the offer in the Gamestop database. So then he has to get on the phone and call another store or higher-up or whatever. In the meantime, there's two people in line behind me now. Minutes pass by.

Then the manager tells me to step to the side so he can take care of the other two customers. So I'm gonna have to wait thru the whole Gamestop bullshit spiel AGAIN TWICE?? I'll be there another 15 minutes! Then the conversation went something like this starring Me (as me) and GS (Gamestop manager):

GS: Please step to the side. Let me take care of these customers, then I'll take care of you.

Me: Why do I have to do that? I was here first.

GS: Well, let me take care of them first.

Me: But I was here first. Don't you need to take care of ME?

GS: Come on, respect the other customers.

Me: Respect the OTHER customers??? What about respecting ME?

GS: Show a little patience sir.

Me: I AM being patient. I waited in line and now you want me to wait in line AGAIN? I'll just go to another Gamestop. I'll see you later...actually, I won't. I'll never come in here again (Exit Me)

And just to be clear, there was no yelling or anything. The above dialogue was just in normal spoken tones. I guess I do have to add that the woman and teenager behind me in line stormed out at about the time of the respect line.

There is another Gamestop less than 100 yards away (it used to be EB Games) and I went in there. There were no other customers. I explained the situation from the other Gamestop and he ran into the same roadblocks. He knew NOTHING about the $100 offer. But guess what? After seeing the ad on his phone, he proceeded to do a MANUAL input of the offer. I traded my 3DS in and got the $100 credit for it towards the Wii U. He did not try to sell me the Pro membership. He didn't have to get on the phone. He didn't tell me to wait on the side (there was someone behind me at this point). He didn't act like I was lying about the offer. He wasn't trying to get me to sign off on stuff before he had even concluded that the offer was valid. He even told me that his job was to DO RIGHT by the customer. I told him I really appreciated him going the extra mile. I told him that I would be doing all my future preorders with him. And it's true. I don't plan on ever going into that other Gamestop again.

The higher ups at Gamestop need to understand that if a trade offer is made on the website, they need to inform their employees about it. Unfortunately, it seems like I was the first customer to try to trade in their 3DS towards the Wii U at these two stores. It was a complete hassle. Hopefully, after experiencing the wonder that is ME, they will be better equipped to handle the next person that wants to do the deal.

Something else I probably need to state to Gamestop is that I could have gone elsewhere to get a Wii U. Best Buy. Toys R Us. Amazon. Walmart. Fry's. I don't NEED Gamestop. So don't hassle ME when I try to give you money. Or I will give it to someone else.

Funnily enough, as I got in my car to come home, right on cue,  "Crazy" by Patsy Cline came on the radio.

Gamestop, YOUZ CRAZY!

Signed,
Disgruntled

Oh Nintendo 3DS, Hast Thou Fallen So Low?

So I bought a new 3DS XL last week and was satisfied enough with it that I probably won't be using my regular 3DS that much. Especially since you can't share data between the two systems. If you want your digital games and your playtime and records on the XL, you have to delete it off your 3DS. So dumb. One system anchor. So I was looking to trade in my 3DS.

I looked on Amazon and they were offering around $100 for a used 3DS. I just assumed Game Stop would be about the same. So I took it to Gamestop this morning and boy, was I in for a shock. The manager said "I can give you $40 for it." WTF?  I replied "Are you sure that's not for the DS Lite?". He doublechecked and yes, $40 in cash or $50 in trade was correct. I was pissed at that point and said "I'd rather give it away to a homeless person."

They are selling that system used for $150. So for every 3DS that is traded in, they make a $110 profit. Actually, more than that because with trade-in, its more than likely some, if not all, of that money is going to be spent in their store. I felt so angry about it.

The funny thing was that the person that was in line in front of me had asked the manager if he played Diablo and he had answered no because "he was a Christian and he didn't play occult games, especially a game with a name like that!" So here's this pious Christian complaining about the devil and yet he's trying to rob me blind.  Jesus would be tearing up that store like he overturned the money lender's tables.

So now I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my 3DS. Might sell it on Ebay, give it to someone, or even keep it since it's so conveniently sized. I do know that my conscience wouldn't feel right to ever sell it to Gamestop so they can rip off some poor schmuck like me. Don't buy their used shit. For $20 more you could get a NEW 3DS! Actually just keep your DSi. I hardly ever use the 3D to play a game.

I feel like everytime I go into a Gamestop from now on, there will be a look of disgust on my face.

Persona 4 Arena Arrives in an Empty Week

In a stroke of luck or maybe genius from Atlus, Persona 4 Arena is the only box game being released this week for PS3 and Xbox 360. From what I hear, it's pretty good, but I have never played any of the Persona games, so I have zero interest in buying this. I do hope it does well for Atlus though, one of my favorite videogame companies.

Official game site: http://www.atlus.com/p4arena/

Paul McCartney Working On Music For Next Bungie Game

Today on Facebook, Paul McCartney posted the above picture with the caption:

“I’m really excited to be working on writing music with Bungie, the studio that made Halo.”

- Paul

I'm very curious about what this means. I bet it's going to be orchestral or instrumental stuff with no singing. Apparently, Paul has said that he was interested and fascinated by videogames and sees them as a vehicle for his music to reach new and younger fans. Man, this dude is 70 years old and he still sees music as his prime passion. So many people that age would be like "Computers and stuff, I'm too old for that"....or "Videogames???!! What are those???". Supposedly, the new Bungie game, Destiny is due out late next year. I've never been a Halo superfan, but I respect Bungie's attempt at creating something NEW instead of milking that series to infinity. Wish them the best of luck, and with Paul McCartney on board, there is no doubt I will buy that next game.

Yakuza: Dead Souls $15 Off On Amazon

Yakuza Dead Souls is currently priced at $44.99 on Amazon!

Dear Capcom, Why Are You Trying To Rob Me?

Dear Capcom,

I am seriously thinking about cancelling my pre-order of RE Revelations. When I found out you were charging $50 for the game I was outraged and vowed never to pay that much for a portable game. I stick by that. I only pre-ordered it from Amazon because it was $39.99, even back then. I had totally forgotten about the Circle Pad Pro thing until just now. I had also forgotten only Gamestop (home of the pre-played games even if they say "new") was the only way graced with selling it. So the pad is $20. Which brings the price of the game, at least in my eyes, to $59.99, the price of a full-on console game like Skyrim. I feel you have been on a mission to rip off its customers, starting with RE Mercenaries, which brought on a whole can of backlash against you. When the save system info became common knowledge, that game fell into the cellar. I remember it being ranked around #800 at one point shortly after launch in the Amazon videogame bestseller list.

And don't even get me started on the 3DS. Obviously, they intended to have a 2nd circle pad. I mean, look at the empty space beneath the xyba buttons. Its a blank space. Those buttons could have been moved down and a right circle pad put even with the left circle pad. But they had to rush that system out with lame games. The 3DS  still hasn't come out with any impact games except their own tired retread first party titles. Again, I am seriously thinking about cancelling my preorder of RE Revelations. I was already dumb enough to pay an extra $80 for buying the 3DS at launch. Now I have to make it an even $100??

Don't get me wrong, I played the demo of Revelations, and I want the game, but if it's gonna cost me $60, I might as well buy a console game. Inversion and Kingdoms of Amalur come out the same day as RE Revelations. The Amalur demo was pretty fun, even thought it seemed an amalgamation of other games instead of an all new experience. But I still have my hands full finishing Skyrim right now, so I'm not really looking for a sword and sorcery experience at the moment.

The game I think I'm going to buy is Inversion. I haven't really heard much about it, but its from Namco, whose games I usually like, and it looks pretty awesome. Plus, Amazon is offering a $10 credit on it. I have already pre-ordered The Darkness 2 so that pretty much covers the horror action side of things.




So that's about it. I reject your game and your company, dearest Capcom. I'm not buying what you are selling. You need to listen, because I am not the only one making this decision around the world when it comes to your games.

It's The Little Things In Skyrim That Piss Me Off

So I'm 158 hours into The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim and I guess I'm starting to get a little bored. Maybe bored isn't really the right word. Maybe my problem really it that certain little aspects of the game are starting to annoy me. Here's a short list of those annoying little things:

1. Why can't I sell all of my loot at ONE shop?

A problem I run into a lot is that I will have a bunch of expensive loot and I go to a town or city and try to sell it at a shop and the owner doesn't have enough money to buy it all. So then I have to to another shop in the city and then THEY don't have enough to buy it all either, so THEN I have to go to ANOTHER city or town to sell more of it and sometimes run into the same problem all over again. Another part of this problem is that shops only buy certain types of items so even in the town/city you have to run around. For instance, magic robes have to be sold to a magic user so you have to go find them in the castle etc. It just seems like the biggest waste of time. I know it sounds generic, but in every city, they should just have a plaza with all the shops right next to each other. I have visited every city/town in Skyrim and I hardly remember how they are laid out so I end up going to the 2 I do know well. Or if there was some way to fast travel directly to shops. It just seems like needless running around at this point in the game to me. Maybe I'm just getting lazy.

2. I hate crafting weapons and alchemy

I've never been into the anal retentiveness of these aspects of ANY game, whether it be Skyrim or something like the PS3 Atelier games, or even Monster Hunter. I will say this for Skyrim, it basically leaves this part of the game as an option. You find plenty of armor, weapons, and potions without having to make any of it yourself. So why do I have a problem with it? Because I would like to make potions and armor/weapons, oh and also enchant them, but the system is too unwieldy to me. For instance, you have to have the ingredients on your person to make a potion, but except for a few recipes, you don't have exact formulas to make potions. I now have a ton of ingredients but in order to use them, I have to take them all out of storage and then put them all back every time I make a potion, which is quite tedious. Bethesda should have made it so that that storage space is made into the alchemy lab so you could see EVERYTHING you own and make your potions that way instead of having to have the ingredients on your person.

The same complaints go for weapon crafting, enchanting, and the foundry. All of these places should allow you access to every item you own instead of just what you are carrying. What I usually end up doing at the foundry is throwing all my metals on the ground beside it so I know where they are. Again, it would have been nice to have storage space made into it.

 Again, if all these spaces were in a central location in the towns/cities I would utilize these aspects of the game a lot more. What has slowly happened is that I do not even mess with making potions anymore, never craft armor or weapons, and enchant very rarely.

 3. What's up with Lydia?

The companion system leaves a bit to be desired. I mainly use Lydia and I can't believe how dumb she is after all we've been thru. We were in a dungeon last night and I see a pressure plate, step around it, then here comes Lydia, steps right on it, and almost kills me. This happens EVERYTIME. And then there's also the fact that you can't control her equipment at will. All you can do is take it away from her and force her to use what she has left. Given the chance, she seems to favor the heaviest LOOKING armor and two-handed weapons, even though she has superior weapons and armor. She does a decent job in battle, though she gets in the way sometimes. It would also be nice to know her carrying capacity. I have made at least 2 other friends in my adventures, but they stay where you first encountered them, and I've already pretty much forgotten where one of them is. It would be nice if you had a list of companions or they would just show up on the map and you could click on them when you wanted to utilize them. Funnily enough, a sorceress I made friends with is voice acted by the same woman that does Lydia. The Elder Scrolls have never been accused of hiring too many voice actors. Oh, and why does Lydia have to bitch EVERY SINGLE TIME you give her something to carry?

4. Broken quests

I've run into a few quests that are broken. Like right now, I'm supposed to find evidence in one of my quests, and I did find it, but I messed it up somehow by exiting a door before picking it up or something and now, even though I found it and I can look at it, no matter how many times I go to the room, Skyrim does not acknowledge that I found it. I just did a quest where I was told to enter a back entrance of a fort and open the gate entrance. I did not go in the back entrance. I jumped over the wall, killed all the bandits in the fort, then came out of the back entrance. Then I pulled the lever. Quest was not fulfilled. So I actually had to go back thru the back entrance, thru the entire insides of the fort, come outside, THEN pull the lever AGAIN and quest was fulfilled. I've only run into these kinds of problems a few times, but it can get annoying, knowing that I might never be able to completely finish all your quests because some have glitches. There have also been some instances where I was told to fetch something for a quest giver, and when I go to them to give the item, a dragon shows up and breaths fire and kills them, thereby making impossible to complete. Luckily, the times this has happened, I had a recent save so I could go back and try again. That is something important about this game. SAVE A LOT!

Vita Launch Games Part 3

Escape Plan: Price and Rating unknown. This game is a download thru PSN.

Trailer:




So far this is the only game I am putting down as a must-buy. I have no idea how much it will cost but I would think $15 would be a decent price but wouldn't be surprised to see it at $20. I guess we'll see in the months to come. Obviously a puzzler, but its the visual design that appeals to me. Very beautiful black and white, almost a reverse of Limbo. But whereas Limbo was creepy and depressing, this game seems amusing and unique. Even with the black blood everywhere. Hopefully, this is not one of those games where your character is always moving forward and you have to put obstacles in its path to slow it down to keep it from getting killed. If this game IS like that, then I take back everything I've said about wanting it.

My Interest Level: MUST HAVE

F1 2011: Rating and price unknown

Trailer:



My thoughts: It's a racing game. I have had previous experience with this series. I had a PS3 F1 game and my experience consisted of playing the game for about an hour and deciding I was bored out of my skull. I had the same reaction to Dirt, which was also made by Codemasters. This game LOOKS cool, but in reality, it will bore you to death. UNLESS you like formula racing. Then you will probably wet yourself in anticipation of this game. More power to ya.

My Interest Level: Almost Nil

EA Sports FIFA Soccer: Price, $39.99, Rated E for Everybody

Trailer:




My thoughts: I am not a fan of soccer. I don't hate it. I just wasn't brought up with like basketball, baseball, and football. I don't know much about the rules, leagues, or positions. So can you already surmise my interest level in this game? You're about right if you say nil. But don't jump to conclusions. The game looks like fun....IF I had somebody that knew about soccer and could give me a basic rundown on all the stuff I mentioned above. Back in the old days with Madden or NBA games, the manuals would have at least a BASIC rundown of the game rules. Nowadays, they don't give you a clue. Is there any chance of me buying this game Day 1? NO WAY. Would I buy it for like $10 in the bargain bin a year from now? Maybe.

My Interest Level: Virtually Nil

Vita Launch Games Part 2

Blazblue: Continuum Shift EXTEND, Price: $39.99, Rated Teen




Well, I'm not very interested in fighting games except for Soul Calibur. Blazblue looks like it mixes straight up fist and foot fighting with weapons so I might like it. I actually have the first Blazblue on 360 but have never even played it. So don't see much point in buying this game. Also, Extend is coming out on PS3 and 360 as well, so why would anyone want the portable?

My Interest Level: Nil, since even if I wanted this game, I would buy the console version.

Dungeon Hunter Alliance. Price: unknown, Rating 16+



This game has been out on PSN for around 8 months. The selling price right now is $12.99. So it wouldn't make sense to buy it for $40 now would it? Even at $30 you would still be getting ripped off. It looks like a good RPG hack and slash a la Diablo but again, and I love these types of games, but why would I purchase this for Vita when I can play it on my console?

My Interest Level: Nil

Dynasty Warriors Next. Price: unknown, Rating 16+




Looks like it might be interesting with the touch screen and touch back tech. I like the Dynasty/Samurai Warrior series but they're not known for their evolution from title to title. I would probably like the game, but I already have a couple of games from this franchise that I haven't played yet, so this game will probably have to wait.

My interest level: A little

Vita Launch Games Part 1

So I'm going to be looking at the launch day Playstation Vita titles in an effort to decide if I'm even buying the Vita, and if I am, which game will I buy with it? I guess I'll just do this in alphabetical order. First up, Army Corps of Hell from Square Enix, Price: $39.99, Rated Mature 17+.

The trailer:



My reaction: Cover reminds me a bit of Twisted Metal. Not my cup of tea. I'm basically a nice guy and I don't feel comfortable leading an army of demons. Looks like some sort of real time strategy game where you are controlling a bunch of annoying minions. Overlord? People keep comparing it to Pikmin, which I have never played, so I don't get the connection. Interest level in this game: NIL

Next up is Asphalt Injection from Konami,  which I already know is a racing game. Price and Rating? Unknown.

The trailer:




My reaction: Yep, it's a racing game. Looks more like Burnout than Ridge Racer. I didn't buy the 3DS version of this game, so I'm very unlikely to buy the Vita one. Unless there are explosions, racing games don't interest me. Besides, I have Ridge Racer on 3DS. Why would I need another portable racing game?

Interest Level: Virtually Nil

The last game I am going to look at today is BEN10 Galactic Racing. There she ports! This game is already out on consoles and DS/3DS with the Wii version clocking in at around $15. Price: $39.99, Rated E for Everybody, and box says "Memory required".

The trailer:




My reaction: What the world really needs are more Kart racing games! Whippee! I have never watched this cartoon ever, but I am aware of the franchise and harbor no ill will towards it. This is a kid game, and what kid is going to be able to afford a Vita? Anyone that wanted to play this has already bought it. What a useless release.

Interest Level: BELOW NEGATIVE NIL

To Buy a Vita?

Sony. I love you. Ok, that's an ironic lie. I had finally forgiven you for letting my personal information be stolen about 8 months ago because of your shitty security systems (actually, did they even have a system?). I actually bought a game on PSN last week. It was the first thing I had bought in 8 months. Yep. Forgiveness.

But you've fucked up again.

What, you might say, have you fucked up? The Vita.

I was really shocked to find out that Uncharted: The Golden Abyss is going to be selling for $50. Actually, I don't know if shocked is the right word. Digusted and angry would be better. You don't even know what the hell you are doing, do you? Is the Vita a console system? Is it a portable? Because if its the actual equivalent of your PS3, why can't I use it as a PS3? Why can't I plug it into my TV and play my games there? Why not just put out Golden Abyss for PS3? What was the point in even developing this game for Vita? For $9 more can I get a PS3 version? I do not pay $50 for portable system games! I think $40 is too much to charge for a PSP or 3DS game, much less $50. Are you taking a page from the greedy bastards at Capcom with their Resident Evil game which they also are trying to sell at that price point?

You know EXACTLY what you are doing, don't you? Trying to push up the price point for your Vita games to where they ALL sell for $50.

And let's get back to the Vita itself. So the system is $249. But then you have to buy a memory card. 4GB for $20? THAT'S RIGHT, $20 FOR 4GB! You can find 4GB cards for around $5! I bought a 500GB hard drive for my PS3 for around $70. I am math incompetent but that works out to about 14 CENTS a gig. So in comparison, your card for the Vita costs $5 per gig!  When I roll this around in my mind, the sheer audacity of your memory storage pricing scam, it almost makes me physically ill.

(My mind gyrates on whether I should buy a Vita)

(I would like to have one. I have the money. But can I overcome my hate?)

(Is it a waste of money? Will it bomb and the price will fall 4 months later?)

(Why isn't anyone else outraged?)

(Are there actually any Vita games I'm excited about?)

The game I was most looking forward to was Gravity Rush, which has now been downgraded from "launch day" to "launch window", whatever that means.

Everything else just seems like the same old tired franchises they've been whoring around for years now. Why is the internet, and more specifically, "game journalists", so enarmored of this launch lineup? Yeah, there's 25 games but they're mostly just ported franchises. Reminds me a bit too much of the PSP.

Between now and Vita launch day I'm going to be taking a look at the day one titles and writing my thoughts about them. Hopefully, it will help me decide whether the Vita is even worth buying at this point. Sony needs to get its mess together about pricing and release dates at well. They are not consistent across retailers. According to Gamestop, Gravity Rush IS coming out on launch day...actually, when IS launch day OFFICIALLY, Feb 15 or 22? It just feels like Sony doesn't have a clue....but what's new?



If I do get one, I'll probably get the starter kit, which saves you about $10 off the price of a case and a 4GB card. Maybe I'll get one of the $30 games with it.

I hate you Sony.

Oh, and "game journalists" that get your Vita shit for free? Please shut the hell up about the games you're playing. NOBODY wants to know about it. Don't be like the wanker on Kotaku who says "the pricing is ok since I didn't have to pay for any of my games or the Vita, but YOU might have a problem with it". IF you are a normal person and PAID to import a Vita from Japan, you have my respect. You're the real thing. By all means, blog about it.

Peace

New Videogame Releases Week of 11/7/11-- Sales and Bonuses

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (360,PS3, PC)
--Also available as Hardened Edition

Amazon: *$3 off the game
*American Special Forces Avatar
* MW3 wallpaper
*$10 credit towards Turtle Beach COD Ear Force Gaming Headset

Target: *$20 off 12 month xbox live subscription card,
*$50 gift card when you buy the MW3 Xbox 360 Limited Edition console

Walmart: $3 off

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (360, PS3, PC)
--Also available as Collector's Edition

Amazon: $10 credit and physical map
Best Buy: Physical map
Gamestop: Physical map
Target: $10 gift card
Walmart $10 egift card and Map

Super Mario Land 3D (3DS)

Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (360, PS3)
--Also available as a Limited Edition

Amazon: $5 credit towards Metal Gear Solid Rising
Frys: $10 off

Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7 (360, PS3, Wii, 3DS, DS, PSP, PC)

Gamestop: Dumbledore's Army T-Shirt
Target: $10 gift card
Walmart: $20 off the Xbox 360 version, listed in ad as $29.96!
Cave Story 3D (3DS)

New Videogame Releases 10/25/11 -- Bonuses and Deals!

Battlefield 3 Limited Edition (360, PS3, PC)

Amazon: $20 credit, Dog Tag Pack
Best Buy: +50% trade-in value towards Battlefield 3, SPECACT kit
Target: $10 gift card with purchase of 12-pack of Dr. Pepper
Toys R Us: $10 Gift Card, 2.5 foot wall graphic

Dance Central 2 (360, PS3)

Amazon: $10 credit, 400 microsoft points to import songs from Dance Central
Best Buy: 400 microsoft points to import songs from Dance Central
Frys: $25 off (Ad states $25 off Dance Central 2 OR Kinect Sports 2, but then implies you have to buy both)
Gamestop: 400 microsoft points to import songs from Dance Central
Target $10 gift card when you buy 2 Kinect games.
Toys R Us: $25 gift card with purchase of Xbox 360 Kinect console
Walmart: $10 e-gift card

Kinect Sports Season 2 (360)

Amazon: $10 credit, Bonus Avatar outfit pack
Best Buy: Old School and Football Avatar packs, Free 1 month of Xbox Live Gold
Frys: $25 off (Ad states $25 off Dance Central 2 OR Kinect Sports 2, but then implies you have to buy both)
Gamestop: Old School Avatar pack
Toys R Us: $25 gift card with purchase of Xbox 360 Kinect console
Walmart: $10 e-gift card, Old School Avatar pack

Kirby's Return to Dreamland (Wii)

Toys R Us: $25 gift card with Nintendo Wii Mario Kart Bundle

Pokemon Rumble Blast (3DS)

Amazon: Tornadus pokemon
Gamestop: Limited Edition Pokemon Character Pin Set
Target: $5 off
The House of the Dead Overkill Extended Cut (PS3)

Amazon: $10 off

Dragon Ball Z Ultimate Tenkaichi (PS3, 360)

Disney Universe (Wii, PS3, 360, PC)

Best Buy: Peter Pan costume, $10 off one of 3 hi-def Disney movies
Gamestop: Captain Hook suit and 2 other costumes
Target: Cinderella costume
Toys R Us: $25 gift card with Nintendo Wii Mario Kart Bundle
Walmart: Prince Ali costume

The Cursed Crusade (360, PS3)

Back to the Future: The Game (Wii, PS3)

Just Dance Kids 2 (Wii, PS3, 360)

Toys R Us: $25 gift card with purchase of Xbox 360 Kinect console

Monster High Ghoul Spirit (DS, Wii)

Amazon: Fear Squad and Ghouls Rule sticker packs