The Gaming 5 & 1 01.05.12: The Anonymous Mickey Bowl Edition
Posted by Sean Garmer on 01.05.2012
Christina Hendricks is Your & 1 Model of the Week, Sonic 4 Episode 2 gets a trailer, Epic Mickey 2 is announced and Anonymous strikes fear in Sony. Plus Zelda SS faces Batman Arkham City for another round of GOTY versus, plus I go off-topic on the BCS and more.
Hello everyone, I hope everybody had a good New Year celebration, got their drink on, and hopefully did not do anything stupid. I had fun downing some mix drinks and watching my step brother and sister do badly at Dance Central 2. My step brother would have never done that without a few drinks in him either, so the New Year celebration does serve a purpose I guess. Well, it looks like the gaming world has gotten back to normal and has given me plenty of news this week. So get ready for edition number three of the Gaming 5 & 1.
Before we get started I'd like to link up my other Gaming 5 & 1 brethren. We have officially taken over the site now that this column is up. However here are the others to follow around as well. First on Monday's we have the ever busy Jeremy Thomas with the Music 5 & 1 Then we have my gaming zone buddy Stewart Lange coming from down under with his MMA 5 & 1 This column comes out on Thursdays. And then on Saturdays we get a double dip of Steve Gustafson with the Hollywood 5 & 1 And Greg DeMarco with the Wrestling 5 & 1 Man that's a lot of gossip and girls for one website to hold.
Versus: Game of the Year Edition
So for the first month I'm gonna be doing a versus to let 411 readers decide which game is in fact "Game of the Year." After 30 votes Legend of Zelda SS gets through another week and now must get through these last two weeks against the heavy hitters. This week versus will be Zelda vs. Batman in a heroic showdown for the ages. So there is nothing left to do but go and vote already!
A Look Back At Some Games
The 411 Games writers work hard each week to give you reviews and previews of your favorite titles. So why don't we take a look back and see what they had to say...
Kung-Fu High Impact is enjoyable for the first half hour or so, but then you'll grow bored, frustrated, and tired by the gameplay. The combat registers well with Kinect, but the gameplay is so boring and so bland that you'll end up flailing your arms around like a monkey waiting for all the enemies to die. High Impact is a game that's technically impressive, but there's no real game to enjoy. The story is short, the story isn't that fun to play, and the other modes are merely a distraction from the main game. Rating: 5.5
By: Mark Salmela (Reviewer, Games Zone Savant and Comedian)
A perfect score for Skyward Sword means that I recommend this game with no qualifications, no reservations, and no hesitation. Do you have a Wii? Do you have fifty dollars? If your answer to both of these questions is yes, then you should pick up this game. If you haven't taken the Wii plunge yet, Skyward Sword is the most compelling reason to own the system. Rating: 10.0
By: Justin Weinblatt (Reviewer, Resident Games Zone Fill-In Guy)
All the faults, however, still can't hold back Trine 2. It's a tough but rewarding puzzle-platform game that looks absolutely gorgeous. It nails the feel of a living, breathing fairy tale world better than any game, movie, or TV show I've seen this generation. Rating: 9.0
By: Vince Osorio (Reviewer, Writer of Bytes/Flops)
Call of Duty: Hardened Edition is the perfect gift for the most hardcore of hardcore gamers and especially first-person shooters and Call of Duty fans. It comes with a ton of extra duties and some extra special online access. It does cost over $100, but it gives a lot of bang for your buck if you are so inclined.
By Jeffery Harris (411 Games Reviewer and Features Guy)
"Overall, Apples to Apples on XBLA is a pretty bare-bones presentation of the game, but presents it nicely. Besides the single-player, a lot of fun can be had with multiplayer. If you have some friends online looking for something to do, definitely keep this game at the top of the list. Rating: 7.2"
By: Adam Larck (411 Games Editor, The Bossman if ya will)
"This game is still a great pick-up for any WWE fan out there, especially for those that love to create, post those creations online, and then use them forever in universe mode. There is plenty they can do to continue to improve the game in the future and I think that's a good thing. But for now, WWE 12 is what it is, providing the closest thing you can get to WWE TV possible, while also sharing with you some of the company's flaws as well." Rating: 8.0
By: Sean Garmer (Reviewer, Writer of the Games 5 & 1)
Games Video-A-Go-Go
The trailer for Sonic 4 Episode 2 came out and I figure it would be nice to let everyone get a tease for the new episode. There seems to be a lot of promise for this one, but I wonder why they take so long to release this. I forgot that episode 1 even got released because it has been almost a year. Sonic Generations gave us a little bit of 3D and 2D, it may have taken the luster away from the series. The best part though is Metal Sonic and Tails are back.
The bowl games will be over the next time I get to write this column, so this is my chance to write about my disdain for the Bowl Championship Series before the national title game on January 9, 2012…
So Oregon, Oklahoma State, Michigan, and West Virginia have won their BCS bowls. All of them were close games too (except the Orange Bowl which was a total beatdown.) So I will anxiously be hoping Arkansas can beat Kansas State on Friday but that bowl means nothing except for the prize money. This year we had another one of the BCS´s lovely controversies because every team except LSU lost one game. I am not here to debate whether or not Alabama deserves to be number 2 in the polls because that has been done ad nauseam. I am suggesting if we have to keep this stupid system, then let´s change it up a little. My team is in the Southeastern Conference, so personally I would love nothing more than to see the SEC win the national title for another consecutive year. However, I am tired of seeing biased coaches and computers putting everything at odds, instead of coming together to make a consensus decision.
I just want to see more than one game mean something when January comes around. So what´s the point of having championship games when all you are doing is getting to another glorified bowl game? Yes, the winning team gets some money, but so does the losing team. The other bowl games are nothing more than a fantasy football consolation ladder; you are rewarded for your hard work with a game, but that is it. Why can we not have a little bit of both instead? The teams that do not make the "Elite 8" still get to go to the Gator City Bowl, or the Outback Bowl.
Erin Andrews is a wonderful reason to watch ESPN, apparently ESPN also says she cannot sell shoes, what do you think?
The committee has said that they may consider disassociating the BCS with the "Big Four" bowls starting in 2013. Hypothetically, if they kept things the same then those four bowls would be the quarterfinal games. Then you have two extra games for the semi-finals, and the national title game would take place maybe a week later than it normally does.
This way those bowls become a bigger deal than they already are, and will probably draw even bigger numbers than just the Big Ten vs. Pac 12 rivalry that it has become thanks to the BCS. The BCS can keep its computers and we do not have to change much of anything. I know they are considering "Plus One" game for 2013, but I do not think that is enough. Yeah sure, we solve most of the controversy from this year, but not all of it. I think the TCU and Boise State squads of the world deserve their shot too and that is why I think eight is fair enough. Every sport dislikes when the "big teams" do not make it, and college football is no different. It does not matter who you play, as the Green Bay Packers proved this season in the NFL, everyone brings their best game when playing an undefeated team. If a Houston, Boise State, TCU, or whoever else winds up in the top eight they should get to fight for something real, not a consolation prize. I know the athletic directors are stupid and do not want to play fair, because it is all about money to them. I just thought that since basketball gets a huge tournament, what is wrong with football getting a small playoff. It just seems like the powers that be are too scared to pull the trigger on having playoffs.
Well they like to play football too, I have no problem with it.
Now it's time for... The 5 Buttons (News Items) of the Week
5. Mickey you are so fine, you blow my mind
"Disney Epic Mickey 2 is the latest game in the critically acclaimed Disney Epic Mickey video game series. In this all-new action-platforming game available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii, Mickey embarks on an epic journey and is pulled back into a world filled with Disney's forgotten characters. Players can choose to play single-player as Mickey or for the first time players can also choose two-player split-screen mode. In the two-player mode one person can play as Mickey wielding magic paint and paint thinner to dynamically change the world and the second player can play as Oswald the Lucky Rabbit - Walt Disney's first cartoon star - with the power to fly like a helicopter and use electricity to fight or friend enemies and solve challenges. Team-up and choose your path to save this forgotten world because the choices you make will alter the story and change the end of the game!"
I am glad to hear they are making another one of these games. It is a great thing to see this going multi-platform as well, as this could make it easier to port to the Wii U. The first game had so much potential but did not do so well in its fully realized version. Disney is doing a smart thing by adding cooperative play to the mix too. Kids love playing with their friends or parents and this will add some extra replays to the game. I love that Oswald is the second character and not Goofy, Donald, or Pluto. Not just because they are already used in Kingdom Hearts, but because Oswald matches the vision of the game a lot better. People may not know Oswald as much, but flying like a helicopter and shooting lighting is pretty awesome. The best part may be that "your choices alter the story" and that is always a welcome sight in my book. Disney has proven they know how to make some good games in the past with Spectrobes and Split/Second being recent successes. Just from the improvements they have made to the first game it looks like Epic Mickey 2 could be another good one.
Here is the intro to the first game, just in case you never bothered to see it…
4. Modern Warfare is too Real
The Guardian is reporting that the combat simulators are so out of date that troops who play modern shooters are starting to become distracted by the simulation's graphics.
Currently, the UK uses Virtual Battlespace2, which was developed by Bohemia Interactive, the same company behind Operation Flashpoint.
I think it is good for the British government to update their simulation machines. Games such as Battlefield 3 and COD MW3 are said to carry the blame. I do not envy anything the military has to do and I cannot imagine the things they have to go through to defend our country. I do imagine that having better simulators can only help the military though. Having graphics that represent more of what we see in our modern video games would help their understanding of what they could face in combat. I like reading about how video games can impact the real world in a positive manner. Video games have helped in hospitals, in schools, and why not in the military as well. The US forces developed their own video game a few years back, and it is about time the rest of the world gets with the program.
Graphics are all nice and pretty, but this is what I call a distraction
3. Oh no! Price Drop Central
the PS Vita sold 325,000 units in its first 48 hours on sale, slumping to an underwhelming 72,479 additional units during its first full week on sale (December 19-25). It now seems that a Japanese retailer has taken the measure of slashing the high price of the 3G model to kick start sales. Gamesradar is reporting that some retailers have begun reducing the price by as much as 20%,
If Sony´s home country is not sold on the PS Vita, this may mean bad things for the European and American releases. I do not think lowering the price of the 3G model is really going to help anything. The WI-fi model is already carrying the price tag many were unwilling to pay for the 3DS. So it might be a good idea to at least drop the wi-fi model to 200 bucks if they want this thing to sell. Also, having a big exclusive game that everybody wants around February 22 might be another option for Sony. As things currently stand, if Sony does not do something to change its outlook before the Vita comes out. Then this is going to be another bad year for Sony. They cannot have the launch fail everywhere around the world, or they might as well quit the portable gaming market all together.
2. Nintendo Says Nothing New
Nintendo is planning to show the Wii U at CES in a few weeks and says there will be no new information about the system at the press conference.
Some part of me is hoping Nintendo is just trying to keep the media from leaking new information about the system before the show. Denial can be your friend in marketing as long as you don't prove the media right in the end. Nintendo cannot go into this show with nothing. If the system is really supposed to be coming out in the summer or fall of 2012 then you can´t wait until E3 to show us everything. What if Microsoft or Sony decide to show off their new systems in June? Then all the press about the Wii U will be dead. I am not saying reveal everything but showing a few games that truly showcase what the Wii U can do is not too much to ask. I also might like to know more about the tablet controllers as well. Again, I am thinking this is Nintendo trying to keep things on the down low, but if they really are going to show us nothing, then why should I care about the Wii U at all?
1. SOPA is Bringing Some Action from Anonymous
First, Anonymous says they are going to attack the PSN. As a result, Nintendo, Sony and EA decided to remove their names from the supporters list. The list still includes Sony´s music divisions and the National Football League as the only major sports league to support the act. After that, Anonymous says they were only going to attack Sony executives. However, the Entertainment Software Association that is similar to the governing body of video games, says it still supports SOPA.
It is good that Anonymous is not making gamers have to suffer for corporate decisions, but I do not think this is a good idea for Anonymous. If anything, this is only going to prove why SOPA needs to be enacted. The ESA says it stands by SOPA´s true intention, which is fine. However, it is not going to end there and we all know it. This is why there is such a big uproar about this law being enacted. To me, Anonymous did their job by getting EA, Nintendo, and Sony electronics off the list. Do they need to hack into executive accounts to prove something? Hell no. I am glad that no gaming company is on the list and that the WWE is not on it either. I do not understand why the NFL decided to support the act, but whatever. I hope Anonymous winds up making this an open threat for the sake of all gamers.
I would not be able to post this picture of Olivia Munn if SOPA was around
So, Here We Go Everybody's Favorite...
She did motion capture and gave her voice to Need For Speed: The Run as the person that tells main hero Jack Rourke where to go. She also stars in Mad Men and has starred in the SCI-FI show Firefly.
The 411 Games Section and other sections of the site have some magnificent writers and it is time to honor them here. There are many other great columns on 411, if I did not link your favorite writer, it means right now I do not read their column or news report because I probably don't have time. There are a lot of damn columns on this site. If you want to explain to me why I should read more 411 stuff, by all means go right ahead.
Sundays:
My buddy David Martell and the guys at the Triple Threat I filled in for Zach this week.
A female wrestler has her own column on this website, her name is Terra Calaway and it's all about the Hot Stuff
I'm usually on this, but this week I'm not. Check out the Music Top 5 Most Anticipated 2012 organized by Ben Czajkowski
Here´s a music zone special check it out Top 10 of 2011 The Music staff picks their top 10 albums of the year.
Wednesdays:
Lee Price going retro with Retronomicon This week he looks at Rainbow Islands an arcade classic.
Stephen Randle also organizes the Four Player Co-op Randle has everybody talking about Wii U nothing new, Sonic Episode 2, and the Ocean PR issue plus more.
Music Fact or Fiction organized by Joseph Lee. Me and Tony Acero face off talking about Katy Perry´s divorce, Kanye West´s new album, Blink 182´s new video and much more.
TV's Rants and Raves is great! And usually stars Ben Piper. This week Dimitri Dorlis is filling in for him talking about two of my favorite shows Glee and New Girl. He also mentions a little bit about Saturday Night Live as well.
Matthew Sforcina also does Ask 411 Wrestling Which is always an interesting read and he also has one of the coolest banners out there.
James Wright Brings You The Heel Report Ranking the Heels in wrestling is a hard thing, but you know he does it in style.
Thursdays:
Of course you have to read the Games Top 5 I mean seriously it's all about 2011's worst gaming moments for goodness sakes.
Vince Osorio is kind enough to give us hisBytes And Flops Each week
Besides this column, you also have Wrestling Fact or Fiction Dimitri Dorlis and David McGregor battle it out in this one
I'm a big music guy so I'm always interested to know the next great thing Ron Martin will uncover for us in Ask 411 Music
Jeremy Thomas is a very busy guy around here, he does a ton of stuff like organizing 411 Music Buy Or Sell Wyatt Estabrooks and Adam Hill go at it to rate the best of 2011. Adele´s Rolling in the Deep, Nicki Minaj´s Super Bass, and Foo Fighters Rope are some of the tracks on here.
I love Joseph Lee's look at Horror Movies in A Bloody Good Time Read as he gives you big name actors that got their start doing horror films. It was really interesting.
Fridays:
Jordan Williams brings another round of Working Title Winners in his column this week.
Dan Watson also brings you his year in review in the Average Gamer
The 10th Hour is done by a guy named Armando Rodriguez. Enjoy his Top Ten games of 2011.
Al Norton has one of my favorite columns on all of 411 with his Two Tivos to Paradise I would know nothing about the ratings on TV if it wasn't for him. Here are his end of the year awards.
Movies/TV Fact or Fiction is always fun, The one that hit 411 this Friday has Me vs. Ron Martin for one half and then it's Me against Larry Csonka once again for the other half. I just can't escape Larry this week.
Saturdays:
Shawn Lealos is a really good writer and he makes my weekends with Alternate Takes This time it's about The Ultimates.
Don't forget to check out my friends and co-writers out over at New Game Plus as well. Drew Robbins, John De Large, and myself do some awesome stuff over there.
Well I think that's all for this week. I hope everyone has a good week. My first week in Miami has been lots of fun, I´m hoping we get some good NFL playoff action this weekend. I´ll be rooting for the Lions, Broncos, Bengals, and Falcons to win the wildcard games. Let´s go Hogs on Friday night, and let´s go LSU on Monday night as well. Well, I´ll see y'all next week folks.
Don't forget to follow me on twitter @SeanGarmer and check out my Facebook page Sean Garmer
