REMEMBER ME - PREVIEW

Remember Me
May 2013
PC, PS3, Xbox 360

Developed by Dontnod Entertainment
Published by Capcom

I came across a Tweet from IGN this morning, "Check out 10 minutes of gameplay for 'Remember Me.'" I had never heard of this upcoming title (the first release from Dontnod Entertainment), but the name intrigued me and I was willing to surprise myself. Glad I did because "Remember Me" looks pretty and neat. It's on my radar now. "Remember Me"? Yes, I will.

While the game is still a ways off (Q2 2013) the level on display in the video above looks remarkably polished. The majority of the 10 minutes has Nilin, a memory hunter, escaping aeriel fire across the rooftops of Neo-Paris circa 2084. Imagine a third-person "Mirror's Edge" (with red pipes to shimmy and all) with a heavier dose of sci-fi and more room for melee combat. This might be the most bullets ever fired at someone who never takes a hit as she runs, jumps, climbs and grapples her way along a linear route, but that's what our action adventures are allowed occasionally - especially if the "cool factor" is met. Watch the way Nilin totally dismantles a pair of guards she meets in the hallway. And whatever is she doing with their heads as a finishing move? Something regarding their memories, which leads into the story of the futuristic action game (with hopefully little-to-none gunfire).

There is something special about "chase levels" in games. Yes, they can be infuriating trial-and-error exercises, but when you pull it all off in a single go there are few moments quite as satisfying. While we keep our fingers crossed for a sequel to "Mirror's Edge" (thoug I guess I should get around to finishing the first game before I deserve that) "Remember Me" might just be the next thing we've been waiting for. High concepts from the likes of "Inception" also seem on display here. Those are two fine influences, but "Remember Me" also looks to bring plenty of its own style and substance to the party.

Live on. Game on.

GAMER PIX: ANATOMY OF A CREEPER

via Reddit

For "Minecraft" players the Creeper has fast become one of the most loathed enemies in all of video games. They creep up on you silently, whether you are mining meters under the ground or picking flowers in the forest... Then you hear that "Ssssssssss!," a fuse-like sting of doom. Unless you act fast enough or have yourself a fancy set of armor, it is almost a sure way to die - or sometimes worse, a blow to your establishment. The simple design of this monster has become iconic in the past couple of years, but until now nobody has considered what it is that makes creepers tick... or in this case, tick, tick, boom! Well, now with the above anatomy of the Creeper we can understand how they work. This creative fanart actually makes the Creeper even creepier...

GAMER VID: SKYRIM BEAR LUTE

This edition of Gamer Vid comes from the "The Elder Scrolls IV: Skyrim" modding community, particularly a creative fellow in Russia. Just sit back and enjoy the bear lute show! Surely this beast graduated from bard school with full honors. I could imagine this conjuration spell definitely coming in handy during a skirmish. Bandits, necromancers, giants, and dragons will be stopped in their tracks at the surf music and entertainment. What other fun "Skyrim" mods have you seen?

Live on. Game on.

NEW SKYRIM DLC: HEARTHFIRE

This morn Bethesda released the above trailer/ad for the second official batch of DLC for their uber-popular title, "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim." Basically, this is for those who revel in the home management qualities in Bethesda's games. There are a number of existing houses you can acquire throughout your adventures but "Hearthfire" is the ultimate experience, allowing one to pick a plot of land, design your home, and furnish it with dozens of addendums. Watch the trailer and you will see what I mean. One aspect I geeked about was the ability to add "trophies" to your hall (a la "Fable"). Slaying a troll is always satisfying, but being able to display his corpse in your home, priceless. Let us hope you can have room big enough to put a dragon skeleton (or am I being too hopeful?).

Yes, there have been mods and PC add-ons (made all the easier by "The Elder Scrolls Construction Set") that grant you similar abilities, but for us console users this a very big deal. Besides, there is an undeniable polish involved when something is released by the developers themselves.

I actually have yet to add "Dawnguard" to my "Skyrim" experience. I have hardly played the game at all in recent months (which has more to do with not getting around to it than not wanting to). However, with "Hearthfire" on the way I will definitely be heading back to "Skyrim" soon. As cool as the features in "Dawnguard" sounded, it is the ability to finally really leave your mark on the already meticulously crafted realm of Skyrim that is most appealing to me. Playing house may sound far from exciting to some of my fellow gamers. Yes, it has more in common with "The Sims" than an action RPG, but one of the biggest draws of this series as always been living in a mythical world--this will only add to the effect for me.

The best part of this announcement is two-fold. First, this DLC will be a mere $5! Second, this will be released a week from today (September 4th)!

Live on. Game on.

GAMER VID: THE IMPOSSIBLE GAME X MINECRAFT

Assuming you are familiar with "The Impossible Game" and "Minecraft," which most gamers today probably are, you will thoroughly enjoy/appreciate this mashup. Enjoy/appreciate.


Live on. Game on.

GAMER VID: PORTAL IN REAL LIFE

via Vimeo

Besides Dan Trachtenberg's marvelous "No Escape" (which I realized I have not covered in The Video Game Tome as of yet, but will soon) this is one of the best fan-made "Portal"-inspired shorts I've stumbled across. It is going viral in a major way today. Jason Craft posted this to Vimeo just over a day ago and the major gaming sites are already sharing it.


This is an enjoyable look at what it would be like to have a Portal gun in real life, y'know, the stuff geek reveries are made of. What these guys lack in acting they definitely make up for in special effects. This 3-minute clip has better special effects than some Hollywood productions! As a faux-home movie it reminded me a lot of "Chronicle," which hit theaters earlier this year. Anyways, enjoy! This is inspiring to indie filmmakers and "Portal" gamers alike.

PRE-E3 2012 BUZZ

E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) commences tomorrow! This is widely considered the biggest week in video gaming every year. While there are many gaming expos in many lands and at many times, this is often where developers (big and small) flock towards in order to showcase what they've been working on. Furthermore, it's where the Big Three (Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft) hold press conferences to give us an idea of what to expect in the next year of gaming. While E3 is for industry insiders only, the internet gives each and every one of us access to the latest announcements and demonstrations. Gameinformer has the E3 2012 Press Conference Schedule so you know where to watch live!

Nintendo actually held an earlier press conference about the Wii U this afternoon. If you want the latest details on this latest innovation head over to IGN. Or you can just watch the proceedings here.

GameSpot reveals 15 of their most anticipated games for E3 2012. 12 of which are sequels, add-ons, or reboots. It is always fun to see more from a series that has already captured your interest and heart, but I find myself more intrigued by brand new IPs. The three that fit this criteria are "Dishonored," "The Unfinished Swan" (first time I've heard of it, but very compelled), "The Last of Us," What games are you most excited to see? Please share in the comments below.

As if those promising titles were not enough, gamesradar shares "The 51 Biggest Games We Expect to See at E3 2012."

The editors at OXM share 21+ Xbox games they are excited to see at the expo. A little game called "Halo 4" anyone?

Also, OXM fantasizes "7 Dream Xbox Games We Want Announced at E3 2012." Only a couple of these are ones you'd actually expect. Of course, this is yet another reason to bring up "Half-Life 3." Number 7 was especially a surprise, but how great would that be? Seriously Rare, time to shine again!

Finally, this week Kotaku has had an interesting series looking back at last year's E3 and deciding if the Big Three kept their promises. In turn, here is their analysis of Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. The next few days are going to very exciting for us gamers. I'll be sure to provide a wrap-up of sorts of the event, but most importantly to continue highlight and preview upcoming games. After all, that is what this is all about!


Live on. Game on.


Updated 6.3.12

DEADLIGHT - PREVIEW

Deadlight
Release: Summer 2012
Platform: XBLA


Developer: Tequila Works
Publisher: Microsoft Studios


As you may know, I am a huge fan of XBLA. Xbox 360's downloadable market has a rich pool of great games, many I constantly go back to and probably an equal amount that I still need to catch up with. One of my all-time favorites is Playdead Studio's debut, "Limbo." A recent favorite would be "The Walking Dead" adaptation by Telltale. Well, mix the two of those and you'd get something that looks like this...

I hadn't heard about "Deadlight" until yesterday when I stumbled upon this trailer and was happily surprised. The shadow-y side-scrolling mechanic that "Limbo" pioneered is altered a bit to create a world with more depth. The dying city backdrop adds to the game's name and tones. Like "Shadow Complex," arguably the best XBLA title ever released, the side-scrolling is fast paced and action-packed. Graphic novel-esque cutscenes add to the game's flavor, making this a chaotic, violent, but altogether stylish game.

AMONG THE SLEEP - PREVIEW

(Author's Note: Hey gamers, long time no word. My apologies. As I've stated in earlier posts, this is a blog that I may not update regularly but also one that I don't want to forsake. I am so interested in these things we call video games that I know I want a place to talk about them. I may be starting a new place for such desires, but more details on that when it's for sure. Until then enjoy what I post in the meantime, like this exciting new computer game, "Among the Sleep"!)

* * *

Among the Sleep
Release Date: 2013
Platform: PC / Mac


Developer: Krillbite Studios
Publiher: Krillbite Studios

Creepy and wonderful, am I right? "Among the Sleep" lets players control a two-year child in a survival-horror romp. You may want to read that sentence again.

Newcomers Krillbite Studios describe the experience with the following:


"In 'Among the Sleep' you take on the role of a young child. You have yet to develop a full sense of reality, making you weak and susceptible to the horrifying creatures inhabiting your nightmares.

One particular night a dramatic event occurs, forcing you to flee from your home and enter a surreal world. Only accompanied by Teddy, you must overcome many hardships to stay alive and find a way home."

I don't know about you, but that makes me very interested. I hope Teddy is similar to the one in Spielberg's "A.I." That would make a great companion for a protagonist that cannot speak. If you ever played "Fallout 3" you got a brief taste of playing a baby in a first-person game. (Hell, that one even let us relive our own birth sequence!) Thankfully (for multiple reasons) Krillbite has announced that this is not a first-person shooter.

The trailer is actual gameplay; it is looks adequately terrifying. The house-shaking physics are a very nice touch. Such realism consistently impresses me. Look for "Among the Sleep" sometime next year!

Live on. Game on.

GAMER PIX: 8-BIT LAST SUPPER

via Patheos

Fellow gamers, Happy Easter. Enjoy this Da Vinci-NES mash-up.

Game on. Live on.

GAMER VID: MODERN DOVAHKIIN

GAMER VID

Just like "Gamer Pix" (where I present a "picture of the day") this is a segment of The Video Game Tome where I will highlight a "video of the day," typically a short one at that. Do not let the name deceive you however, this probably won't be a daily thing. In the least I hope to share a VOTD on at least one of my main blogs, this being one of them. When I started "Gamer Pix" last november it was with a screenshot from "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim." It is only fitting that the first video I share is "Skyrim"-related too. Enjoy the videos.

Do yourself a favor and start following the Warialasky channel on YouTube. These are the guys behind the "Lazy Jedi" video and clearly they have a thing for video games. I'm sure I'll highlight some of their other stuff in due time. Today they posted "Skyrim: Modern Dovahkiin" (see above). "Skyrim" was widely considered last year's (which was a very good year for games and films alike) best. I consider it one of the best I have ever played. 

Just one of the elements that brought that game to greatness was the fully orchestrated music by series veteran Jeremy Soule. The main theme of which, "Dragonborn" ("Dovahkiin" in dragon tongue), was rendered by a barbaric choir. It's the stuff epics are made. Watch this video to see a neo take on the theme, with the manly vocals we've come to recognize (courtesy of BYU's own Men's Chorus). Besides the rockin' music the visuals feel right at home to anyone who has trudge through Skyrim's harsh tundra. Kotaku is already raving about it this morn. Yep, that's Provo in the winter... I don't know how I didn't know this was going on right in my town, but at least I can enjoy the final product. I hope you do too!