Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Episode 94: Tens, Tones, and Teens

Good morning gamers! Sadly I don't have any new gaming to report back on other than The Simpsons: Tapped Out again. I DID, however, finish the Treehouse of Horror event in Tapped Out and for the first time unlocked ALL of the bonus goodies!

Anywho, let's see what's coming our way this week...

Call of Duty: Ghosts is the biggest release this week coming to Xbox360, PS3, Wii U, and will be out on PS4 and Xbox One later this month. This is the 10th in the series and Stephen Lang and Brandon Routh join the cast of voices. For the first time you'll be able to create a FEMALE character. All the classic game modes are back and new multiplayer features like "Search & Rescue" which is an S&D variation, "Cranked" where you have a limited time between each kill before you EXPLODE, "Squads" where all of your created characters battle by your side, and "Extinction" is a zombie survival co-op.



Ben 10: Omniverse 2 comes to Xbox360, PS3, Wii, and Wii U this week. Battle new enemies with new powers as Ben and the array of aliens he can change into.



Zumba Fitness World Party is out on Xbox360, Wii, and Wii U this week. It's a workout game with music from the likes of Lady Gaga and Pitbull.



The Guided Fate Paradox is a PS3 exclusive this week. In this one you play as a high school student who becomes a god after winning a mall lottery.



And that about does it for this week. BIG news for FPS fans, 2 for the kids, and one to keep you moving. Until next week, get out there and get your game on!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Episode 93: Swashbuckling Soldiers Suplexing Star Wars

Good morning fellow gamers! Been a SUPER busy week so I have had ZERO time to game this week other than The Simpsons: Tapped Out on my phone. The Treehouse of Horror Halloween stuff has been a freaking BLAST though!

Before I get into the new stuff, I wanted to mention a really cool charity event going on this weekend. It's from a group called Extra Life and locally my buddy JoAnna (friedricearoni@powerupsnotincluded.com) is participating. The concept is that gamers dedicate a day and an hour (25 hours total) to play video games non-stop to raise funds for a local charity. JoAnna will be playing for Vidant Children's Hospital and has some awesome prizes up for grabs if you donate like a PS3, custom jewelry, and more. Click here to get more info and make a donation.

Now, let's take a look at some new stuff...

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag invades Xbox360, PS3, and Wii U this week. It's the 6th in the series and you play as Edward Kenway, the father and grandfather of the characters in AC3. You'll cross swords with the likes of Blackbeard, Calico Jack, and Anne Bonny in various locales in the Bahamas.



Battlefield 4 makes its way to Xbox360, PS3, and PC this week. It's a FPS but unlike it's competitor Call of Duty, this one features destructible backgrounds and vehicular warfare. This one brings back the popular "Commander Mode" that was absent in the last version.



WWE 2K14 leg drops its way to Xbox360 and PS3 this week. This one includes a HUGE roster and a "30 Years of Westlemania Mode" where you can recreate legendary matches from Wrestlemania.



Angry Birds Star Wars breaks the smartphone border and comes to Xbox360, Wii, Wii U, Vita, and 3DS this week. Same as the original with 20 new levels and competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes.



And a few other games you might want to know about this week:

Sonic: Lost World zips to Wii U and 3DS. (Trailer)

Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures haunts Xbox360, PS3, Wii U, PC, and 3DS this week. It's based on the Disney series. (Trailer)

Beyblade: Evolution is a game version of the "battle tops" toys for 3DS with 500 custom components to design your Beyblade. (Trailer)

Monster High: 13 Wishes is a Nintendo exclusive for Wii, Wii U, 3DS, and DS featuring the daughters of legendary monsters like Draculaura. (Trailer)

Football Manager 2014 is a SOCCER sim for PC and Mac.

And there you have it, huge new sequels from big franchises, a kickass charity built by our fellow gamers, and some random games to try out. Until next time, get out there and get your game on!

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Episode 92: Guitar Gods & Superheroes

Good morning gamers! My adventures in Arkham City continue. Had a big battle with The Joker recently and kicked Mr. Freeze's ass before that. I'm pretty excited about playing through the Catwoman missions when I finish with Batman.

But for now, let's see what's coming this week...

Rocksmith 2014 hits Xbox360, PS3, PC, and Mac this week. The Rocksmith series differs from plastic guitar games by having you play a REAL GUITAR OR BASS connected to your game console. There are 85 lessons to increase your abilities as well as games where you use chords to kill zombies or race cars. The game includes tracks from Alice in Chains, Avenged Sevenfold, System of a Down, Nirvana, and tons more. Plus 200 songs available for download.



LEGO: Marvel Super Heroes comes to Xbox360, PS3, Wii U, and PC. This includes over 100 Marvel heroes from X-men, Avengers, Fantastic Four, and others battling Loki, Magneto, and Dr. Doom.



Batman: Arkham Origins saves the day on Xbox360 and PS3 this week. This takes place 5 years BEFORE Arkham Asylum and features Black Mask as the main villain with a $50 million bounty on Batman's head. This one features an online multiplayer mode as well.



Here's a few other games out this week you may want to look into:

How To Survive is a co-op survival DL for Xbox360, PS3, Wii U, and PC where you're shipwrecked on a zombie infested island.

Raven's Cry on Xbox360, PS3, and PC is a pirate game where you're out for revenge on those who killed your family and took your hand.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Plankton's Robotic Revenge lands on Xbox360, PS3, Wii, Wii U, 3DS, and DS with you searching Krabby Pattie formula Plankton stole.

Just Dance Kids 2014 on Xbox Kinect and both Wii's has 30 new songs from the big names in pop music.

Wii Party U is a Wii U exclusive with 80 mini games and comes with a Wii Remote Plus and a stand for your GamePad.

And that wraps it up for this week, another adventure into the Arkham files, more LEGO fun, a rockin way to learn to play, and a grab bag of assorted others. Speaking of Rocksmith 2014, click here to register to win a copy of the game before Oct. 27th or listen today thru Friday, Oct. 25th for chances to win in the Safety Helmet Challenge at 5p! Until next time, get out there and get your game on!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Episode 91: Lions, Muppets, and Pokemon (Oh My!)

Good morning fellow gamers. My adventure into Arkham City continues. I've been having a blast exploring and grabbing up side missions but lately have been back on the main story and up next is Ra's al Ghul's "Demon Trials" which sounds like all kinds of fun. On the handheld front, The Simpsons: Tapped Out and Zombie Diary have been my favorite time wasters.

Now, on to the new stuff...

Cabela's African Adventure brings the safari to Xbox360, PS3, and Wii this week. It's a hunting game where you'll be after the Big Five: lion, leopard, white rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, and elephant. Comes bundled with Top Shot Elite Firearm gun controller.

Wipeout: Create & Crash smashes its way to Xbox360, Wii U, Wii, and 3DS this week. John Henson and John Anderson from the TV show host new over the top courses or create your own.



Skylanders Swap Force mixes it up on Xbox360, PS3, Wii U, Wii, and 3DS this week. In these games you use character figurines to access new playable characters in game. This edition allows you to mix and match top and bottom halves of new Skylanders to combine their powers. Starter Bundle includes a handful of characters to start your collection.



Pokemon X and Y is your 3DS exlcusive this week. New features include "Mega" forms for fully evolved Pokemon, Sky Battles for flying types, and like other versions some Pokemon will be exclusive to X and some exclusive to Y.



Valhalla Knights 3 is your Vita exlcusive this week. It's a Japanese RPG where you create a 7 man team to battle others.



And there you have it, hunting, racing, something for the kids, and 2 handhelds. Lots to choose from and more to come as the holidays creep ever closer. Until next time, get out there and get your game on!

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Episode 90: Dance, Dishonor, Darkness, and Dafoe

Good morning fellow gamers. Arkham City continues to be my main gaming focus lately. I recently kicked The Penguin's ass and rescued Mr. Freeze but have had a blast doing random side missions and just exploring the massive city. I have also been playing the hell out of The Simpsons: Tapped Out on my smart phone. It's a really fun city builder type of game and right now is the Halloween "Treehouse of Horror" event which are always entertaining. Up next for me will be Grand Theft Auto V since I WON A COPY last week!

But enough about me, let's talk about new...

Just Dance 2014 cha cha's to Xbox360, PS3, Wii, and Wii U this week. As the title suggests, it's a dancing game. There's a new "On-Stage Mode" where one person dances the lead part and the others do backup routines. I'll pass on this one.



BEYOND: Two Souls is a PS3 exclusive this week. This one has had a lot of talk since it stars Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe and includes great looking cinematic scenes and voices from both. Ellen's character, Jodie, is linked to a supernatural entity and Dafoe plays a government scientist who protects and analyzes her as you play as Jodie from ages 8 thru 23.



Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness is another PS3 exclusive this week. This RPG sequel takes place 10 years after the original as Laharla, a Netherworld overlord, tries to bend his subjects to his will.



Dishonored: Game of the Year Edition lands on Xbox360, PS3, and PC. It's a steampunk style shooter and the Game of the Year Edition features The Knife of Dunwall, The Brigmore Witches, Dunwall City Trials, and Void Walker's Arsenal expansions.

And that does it, something to get you moving, something to blow your mind visually, a fun little RPG, and a blast from the recent past. If you're gaming and want to connect find me on Xbox Live as "BlandoRoxx" or on The Simpsons: Tapped Out as "Blando13". Until next week, get out there and get your game on!

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Episode 89: NBA-HD-DLC

Good morning fellow gamers. Lately my gaming has been focused on Arkham City which has been EXCELLENT so far. It's obviously very similar to Arkham Asylum but with a MUCH larger area to cover and I feel like the fighting has been simplified which is fine, I play for the puzzles.

Anywho, let's see what's new out there...

NBA 2K14 hits Xbox360, PS3, and PC this week. Lebron James graces the cover and selected this year's soundtrack. New stuff includes Signature Skills that let you grab rebounds and throw behind the back passes and Crew Mode let's you create a logo and face others online.



The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD hits Wii U this week. It's a remake of the Gamecube classic with better graphics, upgraded controls, and a harder difficulty.



Rain is your DLC on PS3 this week. You play as an invisible boy who is only visible in the unending rain as you chase after a young girl.



So there you go, something for the sports gamers, a remade classic, and a really neat looking DLC game to keep you going. Next on my agenda is to pick up Diablo III for Xbox360 and get my girlfriend hooked on it. I did PC for a while but I prefer console gaming personally. Until next time, get out there and get your game on!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Episode 88: Soccer Double Dose

Good morning gamers! I got started on Arkham City this past weekend and I'm hooked already. It's got a lot of the same features as Arkham Asylum but with a MUCH bigger map and I feel like it's a lot easier to navigate the outside world than the first game. I'm just getting started thus far but I'll keep you updated as the story unfolds.

Now, let's see what's "kicking" this week...

FIFA 2014 hits Xbox360, PS3, PC, and Vita this week. This is the most popular sports game IN THE WORLD and this year's version adds Ultimate Team mode, a Global Transfer Network for Career Mode, and creative celebrations. Rated E for Everyone.



Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 lands on Xbox360 and PS3 this week. This is the other big name in soccer gaming and this edition adds Motion Animation Stability System that COULD mean the most realistic soccer game ever. MAYBE. Rated E for Everyone.



Armored Core Verdict Day comes to Xbox360 and PS3 this week. 90 new missions and over 150 customization options for your giant robot are the new additions in this 13th game in the series. Rated T for Mild Language and Violence.



Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure is on Wii U and 3DS this week. It's the 5th in the Scribblenauts franchise and features THOUSANDS of DC comic characters like Batman and Superman who aid Maxwell in his adventures thru Gotham, Metropolis, Atlantis, and more. E10+ for Cartoon Violence.



Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle: Out of the Shadows hit Xbox360 LAST month but is just making it to PS3 this week. It's a 4-player downloadable game. Rated T for Violence.



The Apocalypse map pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is out on PS3 this week.



And that wraps it up for this week. Plenty of soccer, some great combat gaming, and even something for the kids (or DC geeks). I'll keep plugging away at Arkham City and update as that moves forward. Until next time, get out there and get your game on!