August is a holiday for a certain group of sports gamers that await the yearly release of their Super Mario Brothers, Madden NFL Football. While I’m an NCAA kinda guy, Madden will always hold that special place in my heart as one of the first sports games I ever played on the PC. That was A LONG time ago.

There’s also Darksiders II, the sequel to the cult favorite (apparently) under appreciated adventure game. I may have to give that one a looksee one of these days.

On to the releases:

Week of August 7th
Persona 4 Arena

Week of August 14th
Sleeping Dogs
Darksiders II

Week of August 28th
Port Royale 3: Pirates & Merchants
Harry Potter for Kinect
Damage Inc., Pacific Squadron WWII
Madden NFL 13

Week of August 14th
The Last Story

Week of August 28th
Madden NFL 13

No notable releases for the Nintendo DS

Week of August 14th
New Super Mario Bros. 2

Week of August 28th
Rollercoaster Tycoon – I thought this game was supposed to come out last month, but either way, I still think this could be a killer 3D game.
Planet Crashers

Week of August 14th
Disciples III Gold
Legends of Pegasus
Sleeping Dogs [Download]
Darksiders II

Week of August 21st
Transformers: Fall of Cybertron [Download]

Week of August 28th
Port Royale 3: Pirates & Merchants
Damage Inc., Pacific Squadron WWII
Guild Wars 2 – I know I’m not the only one here that lost countless hours to Guild Wars, but I have no desire to play this game. Maybe that will change after I see reviews or give a demo a try? I’m not sure.

Week of August 7th
Persona 4 Arena

Week of August 14th
Darksiders II
Sleeping Dogs

Week of August 28th
Damage Inc., Pacific Squadron WWII
Journey Collector’s Edition
Ratchet & Clank Collection
Madden NFL 13

Week of August 21st
Ragnarok Odyssey

Week of August 28th
Madden NFL 13

No notable releases for the Sony PSP

What are you picking up?

(Note: As always, all Amazon.com links have our affiliate code embedded in them. If you purchase something through our link, we get a little commission. It’s appreciated.)

Joysitq.com recently reported that CBS Movies has picked up the rights from Square Enix to create a Deus Ex cinematic feature presentation. CBS asserts that they will be working closely with developer Edios Montreal to ensure that the movie stay true to the vibe of Deus Ex: Human Revolution. This news fills me with giddy anticipation as I am a fan of both the original Deus Ex and the aforementioned Human Revolution. More than anything, I look forward to see how the art direction will be translated into motion picture since this is significant characteristic of the game – a visual vibe that appeals to me greatly.

The next day Joystiq.com reported that a God of War screenplay has been written – and re-written – by writers whose style would perfectly match a God of War movie. The production details are still hazy. Likewise, a co-producer that will be working on Deus Ex is also responsible for the movie based on the Edios’s Hitman. It is also worth noting that the soundtrack for the motion picture Mortal Kombat is pretty much the greatest soundtrack ever; I remember Super Mario Bros. losing my adolescent interest about 45 minutes into it; Mortal Kombat 2 held my attention but only because Sonia wore a very complimenting form-fitting white tank top; Doom; Tomb Raider; etc.

As of late, big production studios have been harnessing the latest advancements in cinema production and flaunting them (rightfully so) with movies based on comic book characters. These movies have personally held only marginal interest because I am not necessarily the world’s most enthusiastic comic book/superhero reader. So, it’s nice to see that the video game realm, of which I am much more vested, get some Hollywood attention. Although, admittedly, many of these game-to-movie efforts have only produced sub-par results.  But that can all change…

Upon reflection, it blows my mind right out the sides of my skull that there has not been a METROID: The Movie. Not even pre-production efforts, or rough drafts of screenplays; not even the faintest whiff of rumors on message boards. This is wrong. If there is any video game series/franchise in the history of gaming in the entire universe that could redeem not only past game-to-movie failures but of mankind’s shortcomings as a whole it would be Metroid. And I say this not just because I think Super Metroid is the greatest game ever but because, if handled properly, the game’s unique characteristics are as such and malleable enough to translate into different mediums. To an extent this is what makes the PRIME series so successful. Retro Studios recognized what made the original Metroid games awesome and translated the game into a FPS that isn’t stupid. Despite the changed POV the games stayed true to the characteristics of the original Metorids; characteristics that modern cinema production would greatly compliment.

Think about it:

– A foxy protagonist who is like a cross between Laura Croft and Lt. Ripley. Indeed! An interstellar amazon warrior woman sealed within a wicked cool space suit fitted with all the fixins to capture her bounty. I propose (and I will conveniently ignore anyone who thinks otherwise) that the role of Samus be filled by Laura Prepon. She’s got the eyes, and the physique. Her voice is a little manish, but that’s OK because Samus doesn’t talk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Flying neon energy-sucking parasites that, once they’ve latched on, only get angrier and more vicious the more you struggle to shake them loose;

– Teams of technologically advanced space pirates who are addicted to a rare radioactive mineral and will do anything necessary to obtain it;

– Huge, ominous caverns, lit by winged luminescent octopods, that undoubtedly house little alcoves and nooks in where powerups are attained;

– Ruins of an extinct noble alien civilization situated in a snowy canyon under a sapphire sky

– Haunted spaceships, eons after crash landing, that are home to indigenous creatures and flora both beautiful and deadly…

Basically, the game has an overall perfect melding of futuristic technology, extraterrestrial geography, and alien biology. Put in the right hands, the cinematic production of these locations and characters would catch the attention of anybody with a set of eyeballs and even a rudimentary understanding of what makes stuff awesome. The movie’s vibe will operate more on spatial terms in a minimalist fashion than it would in bombastic revelry – that is, until a boss fight. Metroid would be a more unique piece of cinema and one that I would welcome with open arms. And don’t even get me started on what should be on the Soundtrack; that’s a pandora’s box that should not be opened right now.

It’s that time again, the long list of monthly releases. July brings its yearly edition of NCAA Football and not a whole lot else. The 3DS has some interesting titles and The Secret World looks promising, but I think I’ll be spending most of my July playing Diablo III and NCAA 13.

On to the releases:

Week of July 3rd
Test Drive: Ferrari Legends

Week of July 10th
NCAA Football 13 – I seemed to have fallen into a pattern lately of buying the NCAA game every other year, and I think I’ve enjoyed them much more this way. I skipped 12, so I definitely will be picking up NCAA 13.

Week of July 24th
miCoach by Adidas

Week of July 31st
Risen 2: Dark Waters Special Edition

Week of July 31st
The Last Story – I have to plead ignorance on this, but I’ve heard a lot of people talk about The Last Story, I just don’t know what the fuss is. If you’re picking this up, I’d love to hear what this game has in store.

No notable Nintendo DS releases for July.

Week of July 3rd
Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy

Week of July 10th
Rhythm Thief and the Emperor’s Treasure

Week of July 17th
Heroes of Ruin

Week of July 31st
Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance – Collector’s Edition
Myst – I’m really thinking that a full 3D version of Myst could be KILLER.

Week of July 3rd
The Secret World

Week of July 17th
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic I and II PC Bundle Pack

Week of July 31st
Legends of Pegasus

Week of July 3rd
Test Drive: Ferrari Legends

Week of July 10th
NCAA Football 13

Week of July 24th
miCoach by Adidas

Week of July 31st
Risen 2: Dark Waters Special Edition

No notable Sony PS Vita releases for July.

Week of July 31st
Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time

What are you picking up?

(Note: As always, all Amazon.com links have our affiliate code embedded in them. If you purchase something through our link, we get a little commission. It’s appreciated.)

Nick is a new contributor to ButtonMashing.com. He’s thrilled that Tony – out of a whim of inspiration or folly – gave him a login ID and password to the site. He prefers to use 3^rd person when introducing himself, even though he blatantly abuses 1^st person in the proceeding post which functions in part as a personal introduction. He thinks that using 3^rd person is a method to avoid narcissism, but pretending to be someone else introducing yourself seems pretty frikkin’ narcissistic to me – and now I’ve gone and confused myself, not even sure where I’m going with this anymore. So, let’s just talk about video games.   

PLAY DARK SOULS, THEY SAID! IT’LL BE FUN, THEY SAID!

 

With Dark Souls the power is truly with the player;  a pure, ‘ol timey power that seems to have been eclipsed with technological achievements and expectations. The game has been out for almost a year now, and a review at this point would be moot. I aim for this to be more of an editorial, a good ‘ol fashioned blog post about a fantastic game. Likewise, Dark Souls developer FromSoftware has announced a PC edition to be released sometime late summer, as well as additional console DLC available later this year – and the rumor mill is buzzing oh-so-fervidly about a possible sequel in the making, which may or may not have been confirmed. Therefore, I deem this post as a relevant opportunity to accomplish two things: 1) Bring the game back to the surface; bring it to the attention of gamers who might have overlooked its release or have been spooked by the game’s menacing pathos, 1.5) To debase and reorient the reputation that Dark Souls has earned within the internet community, and 2) To introduce myself as a gamer through my experience of playing Dark Souls.

This past January I procured a PS3 rather compulsively and with very little detriment to personal finances. I am, by nature, a PC gamer, and given that I have a background steeped almost exclusively in dated RTS games the purchase of a PS3 was to be my first foray into modern, hi-def gaming. Indeed, between January and the end of April 2012 I played through Portal 2, Uncharted 2, Deus Ex: Human Revolutions, and played a good 30 hours into Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. I worked my way through each of these games lumped in the comfort of a plush big boy recliner, in the reclined position so that sometimes I would shift focus to my awesome moccasins and think about how awesome they are and how comfortable I am and how enjoyable the games are played in the reclined position and how buying a PS3 to serve as the ultimate leisure device was the smartest thing that I could have possibly done.

As a point of contrast: May 2012 through the present, 97% of my experience with Dark Souls has been spent in an upright position, feet firmly on the floor, controller rigidly held, elbows bruising my quadriceps, pupils dilated and focused intensely on the television. I may even play with my mouth agape. Now, many conclusions can be drawn from this exercise of comparing Dark Souls with the aforementioned games – of which I will confidently lump together with most other contemporary titles. I’d like to, however, come straight to the point: Believe the hype that surrounds this game. You may have to dig a little bit but once you catch a glimpse of the cult of players it is impossible to stay on the fringe. Get caught up in the hype (I did) – but do not be misled by players who have failed. Dark Souls is not notoriously, unmercifully difficult; it is demanding. And this is the key; this is where the power is handed to the player. PLAYER POWER! What you get out of this RPG is equivalent to what you put into it. Many players will not meet the game’s high level of expectation, and they fail, blaming everything and everyone but themselves. As for myself, the average gamer fairly inexperienced with HD 3rd person RPG: I went in flabby and proud (ignorant); I came out chiseled and humbled. It is this process of transformation that I found gratifying; a gamer transformation that most other modern, hi-def games simply do not facilitate. It is a transformation that is earned, and treasured with reverence.

It was once asked of me, and asked in a rather haughty tone: can you change difficulty level mid-game? As if to suggest that this is a favorable and strong suit of gameplay mechanics. This question came whilst I was mid-way through my own grueling journey of Dark Souls. Battered, emboldened, a little wiser, but still tasting blood from the previous night’s round of battles I could not help but let out a chortle of pity for my inquisitor. There is but one “difficulty level” in Dark Souls, and that level is called SURVIVAL! The game is designed so that the player is constantly required to stick his neck out. On the first run through your precious jugular is at the mercy of not the enemies but your own aptitude, which is waxed stronger death by death by death. Dark Souls will pit you face to face with monstrous uncertainty. There is a constant sense of immediacy. Your HP is so, so very precious. Keep your resolve, be measured in your actions and you’ll make it through without too many frustrated flings of the controller. But the second you get cocky or ham-fisted Dark Souls will #^@& you running…

I assert that optimum player power and control can only come in purposeful playing. This is not a game to be played for hours at a time. Gameplay operates on a bell-curve. When you are in-tune there is a natural progression of warm-up and apex. Sometimes there is a gradual downward slope but it is often trumped by sudden quits (not rage quits, because you’re better than that), moments when you wisely walk away with integrity intact and faculties still operable. This measured approach compliments the design of Dark Souls, on many fronts, because it is a game that reveals all aspects of itself piece by piece – and perhaps not fully in the first play through. The story does not evolve in a linear fashion, through chatty dialog or an abundance of decision prompts – a false approach to player power. The jaded NPC’s speak succinctly, often cryptically. They inhabit a world whose story is directly connected to the mechanics of the gameplay not narrative. Take multiplayer for example; it is not just an added feature – it is a functional part of the fabric of reality. Each player is inexorably tapped into the games of others’ and one may choose his own level of involvement. The player power you exert does not entirely become scripted code that triggers events further in the game (character alignment? psh). In a world that is as binary as survival/demise, the power within is your livelihood.

I first watched this video when I was well into my first playthrough of Dark Souls, and I have watched it many times since. Not only is it a fantastic video but it is true to the game’s immense presence. I watch with wonder and pride. But mostly, the video fills me with validation that my efforts – my successes and failures – are mine. Indeed, there are others playing in realm of Lordrain, others like you, but this journey is yours… and yours alone. I love the short bonfire scene at 1:05, with the knight turning from safety, drawing the attention of others, and thrusting his fist confidently into the air – as if to suggest, ‘I’m going in’. Yes. This game is the great equalizer; it levels the gameplaying field and empowers the player through its imposed limitations. Dark Souls relies on the player for it to succeed as a gaming experience – and there is no grater power that can be given.