Changes are afoot here at TPIB. I expect the URL to stop functioning here shortly so for now, I’d advise changing your bookmarks to:
PRIDE MODE!
That’s really all that needs to be said about G4′s advance look at UFC Undisputed 3. PRIDE mode takes you into the Japanese fighting world with head stomps, soccer kicks, and knees to the head of a grounded opponent – all those things that hardcore fighting fans loved about PRIDE and miss about those sissy unified rules.
Take a peek…
‘The Hobbit’ Video Blog #4: 3D in Middle Earth
I stared at this blank page for a while, thinking about how to set up this video blog entry. Ultimately… I think all I have to say is this: Peter Jackson shows you his 3D. Boom.
http://cdn.springboard.gorillanation.com/storage/xplayer/yo033.swf
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – Launch Trailer
It hasn’t even been a week since Uncharted 3 hit shelves and I’m already dreaming of blowing crap up in the latest in the Modern Warfare series. The game becomes available November 8, but already, gamers around the world are gearing up for hours of noob pwnage. Check out the launch trailer after the jump.
‘Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception’ Surprises and Delights
Well those who follow the site and the podcast know that Chris and I are huge fans of the Naughty Dog game franchise ‘Uncharted’ that chronicles the exploits of Nathan Drake, an entripid explorer with the demeanor of John McClane, and the grizzel of Indiana Jones. We both agree that ‘Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune’ along with it’s sequel ‘Among Thieves’ are two of the best games in existence, and luckily for Playstation gamers, ‘Drake’s Deception’ is no exception.
This third outing with Drake and his colorful cast of sidekicks is a far more beautiful game and far more interesting than our previous encounters. While Among Thieves and Drake’s Fortune introduced us to the return of character driven adventures, Drake’s Deception brings it to a whole new level. We see Drake as a flawed character more than ever. WE question his judgement, and his motives as he moves the story along inching his way towards a mythical city Iram of the Pillars, an Atlantis of the Sands sought after by both Sir Francis Drake and T.E. Lawrence.
Along the way, we have many familiar characters like Victor Sullivan, Chloe, and even Nate’s old flame Elaina. This adventure takes the player, and Nathan around the world from London, to France, to Syria, to the Arabian Desert. And needless to say, this trip is a gorgeous one.
The Uncharted series has always been known for it’s amazing graphics, and natural looking environments. Uncharted 3 takes these accomplishments and pushes the PS3 to it’s very limit! Developer Naughty Dog continuously raises the bar for what the Playstation is capable of doing with character animation and environment design. One particular chapter takes place at a hidden mountain chateau in France, and it is gorgeous! Take a look for yourself.
As you can see, the environments are richly detailed and textured to provide the player with a surreal, yet realistic gaming experience. you may also notice that Nate’s movements even seem more realistic than before. Naughty Dog has always been a leader in motion capture performances for the Uncharted series, but in Drake’s Deception, it’s pushed to a level beyond that of most major movies. The performances are great as always, and each actor keeps you thoroughly invested in each character.
Another element that Naughty Dog has pursued more than any other gaming developer is the story. The story is astoundingly good! We’re constantly learning new things about Nathan Drake and Victor Sullivan that keeps us coming back for more. The greatest drive with this story isn’t the macguffin based drama that we were used to from Drake’s Fortune and Among Thieves, instead, we have a much more personal story involving Nathan and his relationships, and how his constant pursuit of earthly treasures is destroying said relationships. The line from his former flame Elaina says it best, “You’re going to keep going aren’t you? For what?” Throughout this series, no one really asks why Nathan goes after these rare artifacts. In the first game, we assume it’s for glory and riches. The second game, it’s to stop a terrorist organization from obtaining immortality… but the third game, the motives for the “bad guys” aren’t exactly clear. So why does Nat pursue Iram of the Pillars? Especially when Sir Frances Drake and T.E. Lawrence turned back? This is the heart of the Uncharted series. Who is Nathan Drake? And why does he doe what he does?
As a whole, the game is breathtaking, and a masterpiece of not just gaming, but storytelling. Chris and I agree that this is easily one of the best games ever made, and in my opinion, one of the best adventure stories out there. I’m still playing the game, and as you can tell, I tried to remain spoiler free in this review. My final analysis, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is a masterful work full of twists and turns that will leave you breathless, 10/10!
Bruce Willis Reprises John McClane for ‘A Good Day to DIE HARD’
Welcome to the party, pal.
It is official, Die Hard 5 is on the horizon and this time, it’s official name is ‘A Good Day to Die Hard’. The film will feature Bruce Willis as the smart mouthed New York cop John McClane going up against some international baddies. Not much is known about the new film, but hit the jump to a plot synopsis and a bit on who will be playing the son of Mr. McClane…
“Sister Teresa called me Mr. McClane in the third grade. My friends call me John, and you’re neither, shit-head.”
So the film will feature the son of John McClane, John Jr. Now if you’re like me, you probably forgot that McClane even had a son seeing as how we’ve never really seen him beyond a family photo in Holly’s office and a brief appearence in the Gennaro household… all of which appearing in the first Die Hard. Yep, he goes completely unmentioned until now.
The story revolves around John Jr. and his exploits that have landed him in a Russian prison. Seeing as how John, Sr. is known for his diplomacy, he heads to Russia to try and “sweet talk” the authorities into releasing John, Jr. into his custody. But when McClane arrives in Russia, the circumstances regarding his sons arrest become a bit more cumborsom. International terrorist shinnanigans will take over from there.
Sounds like a decent enough story for a DIE HARD sequel. I don’t think the world needs John McClane anymore, he’s not Jack Bauer (no matter what Bruce Willis says), so I don’t see why McClane feels like he has to take these guys down. I guess it falls under the category of the reluctant hero. He doesn’t want to save the day, but no one else is going to do it, so why not him.
As for McClane’s son. I think it’s a good idea to keep it in the family. We’ve already seen what happens with Lucy Gennaro/McCLane, his daughter. And the whole thing with his wife Holly is getting old, so why not his son? As long as they keep George Lucas away from the script, I think this has a pretty decent shot at being a pretty decent flick.
And the title. Well, the Die Hard franchise hasn’t been one for titles, DIE HARD, DIE HARD 2: DIE HARDER, DIE HARD: WITH A VENGENCE, LIVE FREE DIE HARD, it’s a staple of the genre so I’m okay with it. The bigger question is the rating. The previous incarnation was PG-13. With a mouth like McCLane’s, this was an insult. Hopefully producers remember the roots of the genre and bring a couple of F-bombs back to John McClanes vocabulary.
Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker.
Trailer Park: ‘American Reunion’
Somehow I missed the Red Band trailer for American Reunion getting released last week. It’s nothing horrifically dirty in it but it may not exactly be work-friendly. Looks like they’re sticking with the tried and true formula and I’ve got no problem with that.
‘Arkham City’ Launch Trailer
At long last, it has arrived. Or at least it will very soon. I got the call yesterday from Gamestop. My pre-order of ‘Batman: Arkham City’ will be available tonight at midnight.
Now, as tempting as that sounds, as someone who will be up for work at 5:30 AM, I’m going to have to pass. However, tomorrow night? That baby is mine.
And after seeing this final launch trailer, I’m more stoked than ever to play it.
Set List for Tonight’s Episode of ‘The Sing-Off’
Oddly, the NBC singing show The Sing-Off has quickly managed to work its way into my viewing pattern this season. I blame Ben Folds honestly because who can actually resist a project that Ben Folds is involved in? Plus, at times, it feels like I’m watching the Sectionals episode of Glee for two hours of performances at a time.
This week’s theme for the show is “Guilty Pleasures” and boy oh boy, have they brought the thunder.
Take a look at the set list:
Opening Number: “All Night Long,” Lionel Richie
Yellowjackets: “Wannabe,” Spice Girls
Delilah: “Flashdance…What A Feeling,” Irene Cara
North Shore: “Power of Love,” Huey Lewis & the News
The Collective: “I Will Survive,” Gloria Gaynor
Dartmouth Aires: “Jessie’s Girl,” Rick Springfield
Afro-Blue: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” Whitney Houston
Pentatonix: “Video Killed the Radio Star,” Buggles
Deltones: “Listen to Your Heart,” Roxette
Urban Method: “Poison,” Bell Biv Devoe
Vocal Point: “Footloose,” Kenny Loggins
Awww yeah. The doo wop stylings of North Shore on Huey Lewis & The News? Bell Biv Devoe? Rick Springfield? I’m so in.
Can’t wait.
The Phantom Menace Gets 3D Release Poster
Get ready for another anguished roar from fanboys around the galaxy.
It’s amusing because already at this early hour, I’ve seen people decry the lack of artistic value to this poster. And while I would have liked to see that too, it’s pretty clear to me that this poster wasn’t truly designed in a graphic design studio. It was designed in a focus group.
Think about it. If you asked a group of people off the street about the thing from Episode I that they liked the most, there’s probably a big chunk saying Darth Maul… especially if they’re young kids you’re asking. Then podracing. Yoda would certainly be in there as well as Artoo. Obi-Wan? I could buy that too, I suppose. So, if you take the most popular elements to one of the most critically-hammered movies of all time and stick ‘em on a poster… you MIGHT make people forget about the stuff they DON’T like.
Whatever. I still want to see it. So do you so stop lying to yourself.
