The Lone Gamer

Just this past weekend, I went by the local Data Blitz over at my local mall and saw an XBox One sitting in the display window. The price was Php36,500 (about $830) with the box containing the console, the bundled Kinect 2, one controller, HDMI and power cables. No game included (games cost about Php2.5K).

Pretty pricey when you consider previous consoles were in the 20K++ prices. This new Xbox comes with a non-replaceable 500 GB Hard Drive, which will surely run out of space quickly if you buy whole games (which are pretty huge) from the online store.

Conceivably I could have gotten myself a console, but the available games weren’t calling out to me- XB1 version of Assassins Creed: Black Flag? Meh (just got it for PS3). Forza 5? Nope. Call of Duty Ghosts? Maybe as an extra game but not as my first game. If they had Dead Rising 3 in stock, maybe I would have considered a buy. Yeah, Killer Instinct would probably be available online, but I wasn’t sure.
This was a US XBox, and would need to run on the US XBL. I guess it would be playable, though i would need to make a new account. It’s still all pretty new and scary for me right now. Can us Pinoys use an Xbox One the the fullest at this point in time? I’m just not sure yet.

Anyway, I’ll do a little bit more research and wait it out for now. Maybe I’ll have my new console (PS4 supposedly will be out this week) in late Christmas or Early 2014. With no game really urging me to buy, I think I’ll take my time a wee bit more.

UPDATE: Apparently if you log onto XBox Live (US) using the XBox One, you can set the region to your own (well, ours at least) and use your local credit card. That will make getting games easy, although the downloads may take days for big games. This makes me want to get my Box even more now… hmmm…

Yet another round of battle for this excellent 2D fighter…

In yet another sordid affair in the storied and colorful saga of Lab Zero and their crowd-funded fighting game, Skullgirls, Konami recently requested the game be de-listed (removed) from PSN and XboxLive. Lab Zero and Konami, their publisher, recently parted ways- obviously not on the best of terms. The whole story is a bit sketchy but you may find more info on it here.

Fortunately, the Steam version of the game is unharmed and is the version to get, I say- sadly there are probably more beat ‘em up fans on consoles. Still, get it on PC if you can. In any case, Lab Zero is seeking another publisher with which to release the game on console- although this will involve yet another round of development time, a new build and all that awkward jazz.

All this and the game is still awaiting release of several more additional characters and content funded by countless fans on IndieGoGo. Wishing Lab Zero success from here on. More as it happens, people.

This spot should send chills of delight through the spine of any Elder Scrolls fan.

There are mods and expansions, and then there’s THIS. For the longest time, there’s been an effort by fans and modders to convert the land of Morrowind- as in, the whole package of the Elder Scrolls IV Morrowind- into the Skyrim engine. Well, that seems to be going along very well, since the team has just released a new trailer showing off their work. The spot is patterned after the classic Skyrim trailer, albeit set to the more subdued but no less enchanting musical score of Nerevar Rising, the Morrowind theme. What can we expect from this expansion/retro-installment of Morrowind into Skyrim? We can expect a whole continent of new quests, a whole new epic storyline that’s just as dense and probably far more complex than Skyrim’s as you take on the role of the Nerevarine.

And it will all look far better on the more advanced engine. Oh, and it will all be FREE.

Keep that copy of Skyrim handy. This one is something really, really special.For now, bask in the trailer and dream of giant mushrooms.

The first ever VF intro shows just how far fighting games have come.

Man! Has it really been 20 years? This week, Sega of Japan started their commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of their flagship fighting game, Virtua Fighter. This classic beat ‘em up is pretty special- it was the first 3D brawler, using polygons instead of the usual 2D sprite work of the time, which was unheard of. Yes, the characters looked like marionettes with their blocky bodies and it all looked kinda silly in stills, but whoa- when you first saw this game in action, the movement and animation (then at 30 FPS) conveyed the kinetic power and movement like nothing else. VF didn’t need blood or fatalities- the weight and power of the throws, punches and kicks seemed to hit and feel REAL. That was so awesome.

Since then, Sega released other fighters along the way, but their number one beat ‘em up was always VF. To date, Virtua Fighter has seen five chapters, many of which fortunately have come home to consoles- the original VF and VF2 to the Sega Saturn (and much later to PS3), VF3 to the Sega Dreamcast, VF4 to the PS2 and VF5 to the Xbox360 and PS3. The latest and best version of VF5, Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown was released as a downloadable title for PS3 and Xbox360 and is a MUST for any true fighting fan (and a bargain at its price), and one of my absolute favorite fighters.

So, what does this 20th Anniversary business mean? Sega recently set up a new website for this event, and there will supposedly be new VF content posted there for fans and players to enjoy. But what else? Supposedly the AM Team is working on the next chapter- Virtua Fighter 6- but we’ve yet to see real, solid signs of this. All I can say is that if VF6 is coming I hope and pray it comes to PS4 or XBox One. For now, all we can do is wait. Happy Anniversary, VF!

Next-gen? Now-gen, actually… so which way will we go?

Okay, this is actually a bit of a trick question. To be honest, I will most probably be getting BOTH consoles in the long run, so the question, to be more exact, would be- where do I go FIRST?

At this point, the answer (so far) for me is pretty clear- Xbox One. Which may be a bit of a surprise given that I have always had a Playstation in all previous gens. But this time its kinda different. Really, for me, it has nothing to do with tech stuff, guts, graphic quality and processor speed- all that is jargon and at this point there is basically near-parity between the competing sides. It all comes down to the GAMES.

I’ve always looked to Sony for the bread and butter titles that I love- Tekken, Metal Gear Solid. Sadly, Namco-Bandai has chosen to muffle its fighting game development and for now focus on Free-to-play crap (and doing it rather badly, I may say). I have no doubt that a Next-Gen Tekken will eventually be revealed, but for now let Harada dish out whatever he wants on Twitter. Tekken X Streetfighter is still supposedly coming, and there’s that Hadoken Cab business as well. For now though, it’s all vaporware until we see the goods. Metal Gear Solid V is still months away (and will probably be delayed anyway) and after that, nothing else makes me spine tingle.

XBox One though, has some pretty cool games now. Dead Rising 3 has had some mixed reviews, but you can’t argue how awesome it is to see literally hundreds of zombies onscreen for you to rip, tear and crush- plus the cinematics really show pretty wonderful character models.

Then there’s Killer Instinct. It’s about as bare bones as Spinal, but it looks promising- if they put in a healthy roster with all the classics and some slick new faces, fill in the gaps like a good Story mode and more content like costumes and customizations, this may be a great title overall. So far the response to it has been very good, so it will most probably continue onward. Definitely a title I’ll be having on the Box from day one.

And well, it may be a bit embarrassing to say, but I am interested in getting Fighter Within (yeah, and a Kinect 2). Again, reviews are mixed- some very harsh, some promising. The controls look wonky but you can get used to controls- irritatingly game sites have so far insisted on showing the damn players looking like idiots flailing about instead of the actual game itself, which looks pretty slick. I actually like the character models and fighting animations, and if this gets me to sweat a bit and have some exercise while having fun, all the better.

So far though, neither XB1 or PS4 have shown up locally, but again, it’s all just a matter of time. Hoping the starting price isn’t too high, but heck, like that’s ever stopped me, or any true-blue Pinoy Gamer. We’ll be next-genning it soon enough. My body is ready. CONTINUE!

The killer robot (and KI Posterboy) makes his return in this new trailer.

It seems like fight fans have been waiting forever, but Killer Instinct for the XBox One is pretty much here. Of course, we outside the US have to wait a while, but hey, when XB1 finally arrives at my digs, it will hopefully bring with it a more complete KI. To celebrate their launch, Double Helix released this spiffy new trailer showing off the initial roster of characters, as well as the first two DLC fighters who will be available post-launch; Spinal in January and then Fulgore in March. For now, check it out!

Darn, when will the XBox One be available in Manila? I wants one!

DOA’s newest girl shows her stuff.

Sorry for the lull in postings- been rather preoccupied in my just-concluded trip to Thailand, and with all the walking about on tour I’ve haven’t had time to post (also, WiFi spots were disturbingly hard to connect to). Anyways, I’m back and here to stay!

There have been quite a few vids posted online of Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Arcade’s location tests, and some of them featuring the new character, Mary Rose. Contrary to my earlier assumption, this cute little maid is actually eighteen years old(!) which I guess should kinda put down any pedo-issues. Still, she LOOKS like she’s little more than half that age, though she really is not that far away from the size of girls like Kasumi or Ayane. In any case, unlike Yoda in SoulCalibur IV, she won’t be immune to certain throws or go under high hits by default. Her fighting style, based on the Russian Systema, looks interesting and is at least unique to her.

It’s also already been confirmed that this Loli-girl will be heading to consoles in a future update, though a release date and pricing (if she’s paid or free) is as yet unknown. I’m sure that announcement alone has made quite a few fans happy. More on this as we get it.

Okay, Team Ninja… I am SURPRISED.

WHOA. I knew I said that if the all-new female character to be introduced in Dead Or Alive 5 Ultimate Arcade had small breasts, I’d be pleasantly surprised (so I guess I kinda sorta called it)… but this is kinda off the wall.
The mysterious Marirose or Mari Rose has been revealed in the pages of the latest Famitsu Magazine… and she’s a Loli. A little girl, compared to the teenage to older longtime ladies of DOA. Man, she can’t be more than 14 or 15. Or 13. What the heck? Now THIS is out of left field.

Contrary to thoughts that she would be fighting ala Lili Rochefort (whom she resembles in at least fashion style), Mari will use the Russian martial art of Systema which saps the opponent’s strength (according to the Famitsu article) as well as her blinding speed. She is apparently (well, kinda obvious) the smallest character in DOA. Interesting!

On the OTHER hand though- there may be those who will find it weird to see big bruisers like Bass or Bayman putting the hurt on this innocent-looking little girl? Granted, the leather straps kinda give away she’s not quite all lace and softiness but still… well, I guess we can say the same for Eileen in VF5FS (though she’s supposedly a bit older than she looks, I think).

Well anyway, any cries of outrage or objection regardless from the forums and sites from here on in, I’m very sure gamers will be asking one big question of Tecmo… WHEN is she coming to consoles? Heheh…

For a good look at Marirose via a Famitsu scan, head on over to FreeStepDodge.

Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise, but the upcoming Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Arcade version will debut a totally new female challenger in its roster. This latest revision of Tecmo’s brawler had been announced some time ago to have an extra fighter, but it’s only now been revealed what gender and name this newbie will have.

According to Siliconera, the new fighter will be named Marirose (Mari Rose?), and will be voiced by VA Mai Aizawa, whose previous roles in anime include Ayano from Lucky Star and Lapis from Rune Factory Frontier.

Aside from that though, nothing else has been revealed- no info yet about her fighting style, background or any glimpse of this new DOA Girl. But I’m pretty sure she’ll be as buxom as all of the rest (but heck, if she suddenly appears with small breasts I will be pleasantly surprised and happy).
Location testing for the arcade version is set to start soon in Japan, though no word yet whether Marirose will be jumping to console versions later (she had better). More on this as it comes.

So, apparently the Playstation 4 is launching very soon- this week leading up to next week; then afterwards its the Xbox One. We’re all on the cusp of the release of these new big boy toys, and here I am… underwhelmed.

Perhaps I’m getting old. Or perhaps, I’m kinda jaded about being too much of an early adopter.

I remember the past several console launches- Playstation 2, Dreamcast, Playstation 3- I was totally excited for these new boxes. I made it a point to get them by doing special out-of-office gigs and jobs. Money was a bit harder then, so I had to work a bit harder to afford that shiny new console. But ultimately, what happened? Every time I did, I’d make do with the inevitably lackluster first-gen games. Granted, all these consoles (well, aside from DC) game me long years of playing pleasure after, but that came quite a bit after launch. The PS3 I have to say, is STILL a viable console today. But it goes to show that the launch glitter is easily blinding but in that way, deceiving.

But heck, now we’re at the even of the PS4 Launch, and I have no intention of getting a PS4 soon. I don’t care about specs, memory, graphic capabilities- it’s all about the GAMES. And well, the games on the launch lineups frankly bore me. Where are my Next-Gen Tekken or Streetfighters? My big RPGs and action titles? Resogun? Knack? What?

Down the line though, there are titles I know will drive me to buy- Metal Gear Solid V is one. On XBox One, Killer Instinct is promising, but at this point- that’s all there is- promises. With a small dev team overworked and pushed to the limit, content is scarce and really, a barebones fighter is not something to upgrade to.

At this point in time, I have to admit- I play more games on my iPad or phone than on the console- or more on my PC. It will take quite a few really good exclusives to get me into the Next-Gen Consoles. But I know they’ll arrive- somehow, some way, eventually.

For now though, my butt is firmly planted on this comfy fence. But I got the cash to spend in a moment. Just give me a reason.