First Impression: Bulletstorm Demo (Gameplay Video)

Welcome to the little shop of horrors of video games!  DigitalDpad / STLgamer go through this demo with a semi fine-toothed comb.  That way, those neon brutes feel every tooth!

Bulletstorm for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 will be out on Feb. 22nd.  For now, the demo is available.  For all those people that either can’t get enough of the game that you have to watch while away from your controller, or you don’t have access to Xbox Live or the Playstation Network then you’re in luck!  Look below for our video.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 Coming Next Winter

Square Enix announced that a second story iteration of Final Fantasy XIII is coming to Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 next winter.  And by the looks of the trailer below, Lightning and her chocobo loving friends are all better and ready for another adventure.  Maybe it will be less linear than XIII.  But on second thought, it would probably come on 7 DVDs for the Xbox version versus 3 for the original.  Guess that means I have about a year to finish up my play through of XIII.  Curse you Chapter 11!!!

Source: US Playstation.Blog

Bulletstorm Demo Coming

EA and People Can Fly announced today that a Bulletstorm demo will be reelased on Xbox Live and PSN.  The demo will be available on January 25th on Xbox Live worldwide and in North America for the Playstation Network.  Europe’s Playstation Network will get the demo on January 26th.

The Bulletstorm demo introduces a slice of Echo mode in which players traverse a collapsed building on the deadly paradise planet Stygia as ex-Dead Echo leader Grayson Hunt. Players will utilize the “Skillshot” system in Bulletstorm as they crush enemies in increasingly creative ways to rack up points using an arsenal of powerful weapons, from a futuristic assault rifle called the Peace Maker Carbine, to the Flail Gun, which fires two grenades linked by a chain, and the Screamer, a powerful revolver that turns enemies into human fireworks.

The Bulletstorm demo will give PS3 fans a chance to try before you buy the Bulletstorm Limited Edition that “will also offer additional bonus content in-game”.  And Xbox 360 fans will be able to have a look at the game before dropping down a pre-order for the Bulletstorm Epic Edition and gain access to the Gears of War 3 Beta.

Bulletstorm releases on February 22, 2011 in North America and February 25, 2011 in Europe for the PC, Playstation 3, and Xbox 360.

Kinect: What’s Next?

I have had my Kinect for a little under a week now and I am loving it. It is a really powerful piece of hardware, but you have to ask yourself: What’s next when is comes to software. Of Course there are games like Kinect Sports and Dance Central that will tide gamers over for a while, but how long will these games keep us quiet. We have heard critics speak about how Kinect is not geared toward the hardcore gamer. With it’s current line up of games, this is completely true. The Playstation Move has been integrated into games already in the PS3′s library and all I see in the current Xbox library is Harry Potter (which had horrible reviews). With this being said, I am still extremely optimistic about what is to come with the Kinect. For now I am satisfied with my experience. What about you? How has your experience been with Microsoft’s entry into the motion gaming race?

Casual v. Hardcore Gamers

I know it has been a while since we have had a chance to update the site but things have been crazy this holiday season. Fortunately things are slowing down and I have had a chance to play some games and listen to some podcasts. I also have the chance to vent a little. Ever since I was a young gamer I have heard people talking about what it takes to be considered a hardcore gamer. In the media we are portrayed as Cheeto eating, Mountain Dew drinking nerds who spend their days alone in a dark room only illuminated by our televisions.In the gaming community some think that you have to own every console and play games dating back to the 70s and 80s. I personally think this is crazy.

All gamers should have a some sort of knowledge of gaming history (depending on when they were born) but having a collection of old consoles and games is not be a reality for all people. When I was younger when something new came out I had to trade in my old games because I was broke. Now that I am older I have to trade in old games because I am broke. Money is a major issue for a lot of people out there. Especially those with children. For those who are able to have these massive collection more power to you, but don’t strip away someone’s gamer card because they can’t do the same.

A casual gamer (in my opinion) is someone who really doesn’t play many games outside of a group or social setting. I would compare them to a casual or social drinker. They play games because they are there or because other people are playing at the moment. Real hardcore “Video Game Nerds” would disagree with me. I have heard SOME of these self proclaimed video game aficionados label those who spend most of their time playing Call of  Duty, Halo, or any sport game as a casual gamer. I can’t get jiggy with this. I feel that if a person devotes a certain amount of time and dedication to a single game and all of its mechanics, that is considered hardcore. I have never heard anyone call a world of WarCRACK player a casual gamer and anyone who can snipe me in the face while spinning off of the top of a building is definitely hardcore.

With that being said, I think that there are many different types of hardcore gamers. There are hardcore gamers that only play one game like Street Fighter or Halo. I cannot justify calling someone who makes a living off of only playing Madden or Unreal Tournament a casual gamer, but in the eyes of many that’s what they would be. A hardcore gamer to me is anyone with a genuine love for games. I don’t have a problem with someone sticking to on genre as long as they are playing games.

Of course, everything that I have said is my opinion. I know that there are those out there that won’t agree with what I say and that’s okay. With that being said…..what are your opinions on the subject?

Bulletstorm Epic Edition $59.99, Early Access to Gears of War 3 Beta

EA announced today that they are releasing a  Bulletstorm Epic Edition that will be available only on the Xbox 360 for $59.99 when the game releases on February 22nd, 2011.  Oh yeah, and the Epic Edition will grant you early access to the Gears of War 3 beta.  Yeah, that’s right.  Double barrel shotguns anyone?

Mike Capps, President of Epic Games, says, “Epic is poised to break new ground in 2011 with Gears of War 3 and Bulletstorm.  With these two highly anticipated triple-A experiences comes a unique opportunity to do something to really excite players, and that’s what we intend to accomplish with the support of Microsoft Game Studios and EA. This is for the shooter fans.”

I guess this is why Gears of War 3 got pushed back, strategy.  Let’s just hope we don’t have another day one debacle like the Halo 3 beta that was accessed through Crackdown.

Bulletstorm Epic Edition will be limited, so you better go out and pre-order it now if you want access!

Bulletstorm is being developed by People Can Fly and Epic Games  and is published by EA.  The game will be released on February 22nd, 2011 on the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and the PC.

New Batman: Arkham City Trailer featuring Hugo Strange

There’s a new Batman Arkham game coming out Fall 2011. I don’t have much to say about the games because I’ve never played them before. But this one looks pretty good and It’s got me thinking of getting the others so I’ll be caught up in the storyline. Maybe Hugo Strange will be the new villian in The Dark Knight Rises too!

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Reveal Trailer

This past weekend the new Elder Scrolls game was announced. Here is the trailer for those who have not seen it yet. I have not had a chance to play an Elder Scrolls but this makes me want to change that.

Bioware’s New Game Confirmed: Mass Effect 3

Well everyone, our wildest dreams have come true. It has been confirmed that Bioware’s new game is (drum roll please)…….MASS EFFECT 3.

The teaser trailer showed the soldier from the infamous screen shot taking refuge in a clock tower. He is beaten up and wielding a sniper rifle. As the camera zooms out, we see that we are in England with alien spaceship raining down destruction. Wait….what did I just hear…did he say SHEPARD…..yes he did. Towards the end of this teaser trailer we see Shepard looking down upon earth. I know I am excited…how about you? I wonder if it will make it to the PS3. This game is set to release Holiday 2011.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Dated

Bethesda Softworks recently announced the release of the fifth game in the Elder Scrolls Series on the Video Game Awatds. The predecessor to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is named Skyrim.

The teaser trailer displayed an epic scene on a stone wall filled with dragons, fire, and action. For the RPG lovers out there, this looks to be a definite buy. I predict the Christmas list of many gamers to increase by one next year. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is set to release November 11, 2011 (11.11.11)