I just wrapped up a game review over Shadowrun (the only cross-platform FPS for the 360 and Vista) and you don’t want to miss this one! It is by far one of the most honest and indepth review you will hear about this title. I wanted to make everyone aware that ver 47 will be out Tuesday and if your interested in this title, for Vista or the 360, this review shouldn’t be missed.
There has been so many mixed feelings about this game; the price, the levels, and the lack of single playability. Out of all the reviews we do every week on XBL Radio I don’t think we have ever had such mixed feeling on a title. So tune in Tuesday and listen to Rusty, Gui J, and myself as TheOtherGuy cross-platforms the XBL Radio staff.
And don’t miss your chance to tell us how you feel: log into our forums and register to be a part of the conversation on Live on Live.
It used to be that a man would get extremely excited for a certain time of year. No, I do not mean Superbowl Time! I’m talking about a beautiful little thing we have long known as E3. It was the time when developers, game store employees, and crazed gamers could all get together and drool about the latest tech. Those days are gone now, but they are replaced with more news, and more games being released in the summer.
These days are great for us gamers. The developers aren’t focusing all of their efforts to show us ‘in development’ games, and instead are releasing more ACTUAL product. And I don’t know how, but many developers are shifting their big press event towards fall (PAX), yet it’s not affecting the stellar holiday release schedule.
All of this culminates, and PAX is tripled in size for this year. Are you going to the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) ? If you aren’t, you really should figure a way to get up to the show in August. Time is closing in on us, so don’t be lazy… get things ready to go. This event could be a truly amazing experience this year with all of the games being shown on the floor, it’s a must see. And hey, you could bump into one of the hosts from the site… Very Nice!
Recently a new Podcast has arrived, from the Playstation camp, to get listeners interested in the PS3. There has been a lot of speculation that they are trying to do the “Major Nelson” thing for Sony. If so I have some suggestions for our fledgling audio-prise:
1. Be honest: Like Major Nelson you already have a jump start on audience appeal. You have a huge LOGO backing your cast up. Major has MS and you have SONY. What will set you apart from the MS Cast is honesty. I am not the first person to notice that their is a bias on Nelson’s Podcast. Most know upon subscription that what they will be hearing is positive feedback and interviews about the Xbox platform.
Wanna be different? Be real. If something isn’t right; discuss it! You don’t have to drop “F” bombs about Sony and bash it to show how “Edgy” you are. But honesty would be something corporate podcasts are missing. Podcasts are so worried about losing interviews, MVP Status, or in some cases their Job. However if you are truely honest listeners will continue to subscribe and tell others to.
2. HELP THE COMMUNITY: This is what will set you apart. Many times we have had guests on our show (expecially on LIVE on LIVE) but we even have the “competition”. Podcasts like Gamer Andy, Gamertag Radio, Squad XP, Major Nelson, and Achievement Junkies. Each cast has something to say. We want to let them be heard. It would be refreshing if you did the same. Don’t just make the rounds to make sure you are heard, promote them as well. After all they are not on the payroll and don’t have a huge label to get noticed.
Major Nelson has appeared on a vast amount of indie-podcasts, including ours, but has he ever returned the favor? Do we not have something to say? Would we be too immature and crude to MS? Or would it shine attention on the true Xbox fans?
He did have a former Sony employee on his cast once. But if you remember it was pro-MS. He was let go by Sony. Hmmm thats an “fair discussion” for Sony. So don’t be afraid to promote other sites on your Podcast. It only shows how you really are trying to bring the community together. Not just your Company.
So to my newest parters in the Podcasting World. I emplore you not to copy anyone. Not that you are. Major didn’t invent the gamer podcast: Al Gore did! I think.
Are you afraid of the dark? Your enemies will be. After developing the critically acclaimed Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay, Starbreeze Studios comes out in full force with The Darkness. In short, this game is excellent and a must play. Story, style, action and character all merge together wonderfully. The story slowly unravels, the action steadily ramps up, and by the time the game is finished you’re left thinking “Wow, what a great experience, I want more.”
The Darkness is as much about first person shooting as it is about exploration. Between firefights you’ll spend your time visiting sections of New York. You’ll talk to residents and engage in some optional, yet entertaining, side quests. These interactions do a good job of keeping the story moving. The story is told through in-game conversations, text messages, phone calls, and loading segments. When you transition from one section of NY to another the game has to load, but Starbreeze took advantage of this. Instead of watching a loading bar fill, you’re given a short cutscene in which Jackie, the main character and victim of the Darkness, talks about himself. Some of these will be generic reflections on himself and the city; others will help propel the story. These are excellent and really help give the game its dark and gritty atmosphere. The story that is told, its twists and turns, and the general feel are its biggest strength. You don’t need to be familiar with the comic to enjoy it, I wasn’t. Starbreeze must have realized this isn’t a commonly known character, so as a bonus there are a couple issues to unlock, giving you a chance to familiarize yourself with Jackie. Read the rest of this entry »
Silent Cypher joins Rusty Ranchero to host
LIVE on LIVE The Gamers Roundtable™
Topics include… Taking a walk around Shadowrun: Was it the negative hype that demised this innovative FPS? “The word on the Street”: Better know as hype. How loyal are we to it and is it losing credibility? Playstation Blog: Watch out Major!? Manhunt 2 captured but not released? And wii were looking fwd to this one too! (Spin-off topic: Is the ESRB losing credibility?) Rock Band: For the price, it better include groupies. The Darkness brought to light with great detail. Will we ever see the end of the $60 game era? YAY or NAY™: Overloard, Two Worlds, Project Sylphed, Bio Shock
Show Wrap-Up… You can be on LIVE.5, but please keep in mind it’s a WAITing list. Rusty’s final thoughts about Rock Band. The XBLRadio Video Minute gets a new identity. Top 10 current games, are your favorites in there? Is this our first Summer without a drought? Are we happy about it? And-Now-For Outtakes™ and more…
LIVE on LIVE™ guests (regular gamers, just like you) are
Thrillhouse17, JaeVicious, Racingfreak92, Dark Nightmare and X3R0 9.
Direct Download ver 46.5 - The Gamers Roundtable™, Right Click here (and save as… for best download experience).
Name Change
Microsoft Xbox 360 Reliability Issues
Cracked PSP Firmware, ver 3.5
Austin Powers for Free on Xbox Live
Konami’s E3 Announcement for Game Releases
No Playstation 3 Games From Square Enix Till April Next Year
Most Popular Video Game Websites
FASA Studio’s Says, “I think the reviews on my game suck ass”
Sony’s Confirmed E3 Lineup
Video Game Exclusives for All 3 Systems
Nintendo Wii and DS’s Lineup for E3
Win a Free Tansformers Xbox 360 Faceplate
and more!
To subscribe:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/XBLRadioDailyMinute
One of my favorite sites, GamingTalkHQ is giving away several Transformer faceplates, its free to enter and you can walk away with a new and awesome looking faceplate, so why don’t you go check it out.
Me and my wife ventured out to the movies today and she made me sit through 1408 based on a story by Stephen King. I am not one for scary movies, but I must say this movie put chill bumps on my skin that stayed there until the credits started rolling. No gore porn here the director (Mikael Hafstrom ) put together a great suspenseful movie with out nudity, blood and guts (some blood but not to much) and crude language. The movie did not need it to survive. John Cusack (Michael Enslin’s in the movie) played his part to the hip, I don’t think anyone else could have masted the role as well as he did. All of the other parts in this movie were small by nature compared to John Cusack role. Samuel L Jackson’s was in the movie for all about 15min. I think. If you want to stay on the edge off your seat you must go see this movie at the theater. They did a outstanding job using the surround sound in this movie. Only one word of advice make sure you stay away from the trailer cause it will spoil on off the plot twist in this movie. That was a bummer. This is a 5 out of 5 for me. I can see myself going back to the theater for this one.
Taking a walk around Shadowrun: Was it the negative hype that demised this innovative FPS?
These are all on a user tip, Konami will announce this release lineup during E3 so we beat them to the punch.
TOG out!