Coming Attractions 10.11.08: Space...of the Dead Variety

Posted by Drew Robbins on 10.11.2008

With the imminent release of both Dead Space and Saints Row 2, which one should you buy? Worry not, Drew Robbins has the answer, with another edition of Coming Attractions.

Welcome back, to the #1 rated column on 411's Games Section written by Drew Robbins. Yeah, I'm surprised it beat out my 10th Hour columns too, but I can't argue with the fans. The fans that I totally have…

- I'm a weak man. In a moment of weakness caused by the few weeks till Little Big Planet, I bought this year's version of…Madden NFL 2009. And I—I—LOVE IT!! They made a ton of improvements that made the game a mix of challenging and fun. Challenging and fun. Now, the fact that it allows me to live in a fantasy world where the Rams are headed to the Playoffs only sweetens the deal. I'm about two weeks from the playoffs in the season; my record is 8-5-1. Yeah, I'm really not that good at the game…but it has been years since I've enjoyed a football game this much. I'll just say it right now…remember when I said not to buy Madden, well ignore that. I was wrong. Special thanks to Rod Oracheski for recommending it to me a few times over back in August.

- Have you seen the new Prince of Persia videos? Holy crap, they nearly made me cry tears of pure awesomeness. Manly tears of pure awesomeness.

- Did you watch Big Bang Theory this week? I only ask because it is a great show, and this week's episode was about the "flavor of the month" back in June, Age of Conan. Actually, the episode was more about MMO's and the addiction they cause, being a victim of said addiction at one point in my life made this episode all the more hilarious. I do remember being obsessed with WoW, it feels like it was just yesterday…

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Coming Attractions – Week 14

One week until you die get your socks rocked by Little Big Planet, Fable II, Bioshock (again), Rock Band (again), Eternal Sonata (again…jeez), Spiderman, and Far Cry 2. Did I miss anything? I sure hope not, because that column is already looking lengthier than my usual. Though, I probably won't give Eternal Sonata or Rock Band big previews, if I had to pick two.

Rock Revolution (Multi) - I guess you could truly call this month…*sigh* Rocktober, with all three band games launching, if you count Rock Band's late launch for the PS3 (oh, and the Wii one doesn't come out for another month. Screw you, Harmonix). Rock Revolution is Konami's attempt to return to its former frontrunner status in the rhythm genre. Remember when Guitar Freaks was the guitar game, and Guitar Hero was a stolen idea in someone's mind? Those were the days. If you are going to buy this game, it probably won't be for the soundtrack. My problem isn't with the quality of the songs, but the amount of songs I've already played in Rock Band or Guitar Hero. Highway Star? Been there done that. Blitzkrieg Bop? Never done that one before…oh what is this "Diary of Jane" by Breaking Benjamin. I actually haven't seen that one done, and I rather like that song, so pick the pace up Harmonix.

Another feature in Rock Revolution is the music creator, soon to be seen in the new Guitar Hero. Unfortunately, Rock Revolution only allows you to save 8 songs, so you better make sure only the top material gets saved. The multiplayer options are pretty basic, and the game features Battle of the Bands…so I guess now this is standard for music games? Year by year these games are going to get more and more similar. Guitar Hero made the move to extra instruments, Konami jumped back in with a band game, and Rock Band is Rock Band. By the year 2010 I predict that this fad will die out, because people are only going to buy the same thing so many times.

My Opinion: Ehh - I'm not really a big fan of Konami rhythm games…which probably doesn't earn me any respect. Considering that this game lacks the singer position (so says EBgames), and has probably the worst instrument board, I don't see anyone buying this game over Rock Band or Guitar Hero. I don't recommend it…but maybe I'm wrong. Choosing between different Band games is like choosing between NBA 2K9 and NBA Live, I think you should probably make your own choice on which one you want.



- E3 Debut Trailer…looking pretty mediocre, but like I said, I'll let you make your own choices on the Band games.

Saints Row 2 (Multi) - When San Andreas came out and blew everyone's mind, the "brilliant" minds at THQ decided to make a next-gen sandbox game that rivaled the wackiness and gameplay. What we got instead was Saints Row, a game that only managed to beat San Andreas in the department of "glitches." The wackiness wasn't there either, and the story just came off as rather stupid, as opposed of the whimsical tale of Carl "CJ" Johnson and his brother Sweet "Sweet?" Johnson. However, the gameplay had its moments, and the game gained itself some fans. I even recall seeing a cover for Tips & Tricks that said "Saints Row – Better than San Andreas." Sure, that statement is absolutely 100% false (and if you say it I will strike you), but it just shows that a certain amount of people were endeared to THQ's take on the genre.

Now with a few years gone by, THQ has prepared a new (multiplatform, for those Sony and PC fans that felt snubbed) Saints Row. I don't know a tremendous amount about this game outside of…

1.) Gameplay is largely the same, which can be completely co-op.
2.) You can make your character as a boy, girl, or something in between? Wow.
3.) Shoot up people in a hot dog suit…well, they just got my money.

My Opinion: Thumbs Up - Saints Row 2 will probably just be a fun experience, and co-op certainly doesn't hurt the replay value of this game. Also, hot dog suits, you know you want it.



SOCOM: Confrontation (PS3) - SOCOM has always been synonymous, for me at least, with the Playstation 2. Whenever I think back to the beginning of last generation, I remember watching Tech TV (remember that?) and seeing a bunch of guys in a room play SOCOM talking to a bunch of people in a different room. The internet at its finest! That was back when I thought the idea of playing console games online was insane. Who knew that in a few years people bought consoles only based on their online capabilities?

Anyways, SOCOM is a realistic third-person shooter about the Navy Seals. The Navy Seals…yeah I don't really know anything about this game. But guess who does?! Former B3yond the Report writer and current fill-in extraordinaire, Mark Salmela. Let us see what the Salms has to say about this new SOCOM.

"Confrontation is the first SOCOM game to hit the PS3, and it's by Slant 6, makers of the two PSP SOCOM titles. But don't be fooled because Confrontation isn't by Zipper, because Confrontation plays just like a traditional SOCOM game. SOCOM has always been a team-based tactical shooter, and if you're willing to put some time into it, SOCOM can really become one of the most addictive multiplayer games of the year. 32 players online, and for only $40 *$60 with the headset* Confrontation will do a good job of holding PS3 users over until Call of Duty: World at War and Resistance 2 next month. While the lack of single player is disapointing, the multiplayer is very solid and I might even go as far as to say it's the best multiplayer game releasing in October *there's not much competition*.

I give it 4 Robert Downey Jr's in Tropic Thunder out of 5."



Special thanks to Mark, for saving me from looking like a *complete* moron.

My Mark's Opinion: Two Thumbs Up - A next gen experience for SOCOM fans, not from the original creators but great nonetheless.

I guess Zipper was too busy working on M.A.G....that name is still dumb, even three months after that press conference.



Blitz: The League II (Multi) - Years ago, there was a football game named NFL Blitz. EA, in their hatred for all things good, claimed the exclusivity rights sending Blitz and the 2K series into a dark hole. A dark hole that good things never come out of. Surprisingly enough, Blitz resurrected (as did 2K, but to a really mediocre extent) as Blitz: The League. The League is a look at the dark side of football, a game where you can actually use steroids. Now all we need is rape in games, and then the medium will truly reach its all time low!

In case you live under a rock, I'll run down the basic gameplay for the Blitz series. Take Madden, now make everything more arcade-like. Also, running plays are for women, so pretty much just throw those out the window. Scores often get out of hand and players get the crap beat out of them, repeatedly. Speaking of repeated hits, they are bringing back late hits, so you can give Lawrence Taylor the atomic leg drop. Something that I know everyone wants to do…I know I do~!

What Blitz brings to the table is a story mode, which is written by the same man who wrote Playmakers, a controversial show that used to air on ESPN. Maybe I'm just crazy, but I've never liked anything that has come from ESPN, and I can't imagine Playmakers would be any different.
My Opinion: Ehhh(rental) - These games are usually fun…for a few days. Getting a touchdown on every other play is only exciting for so long.

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This Week's #1 Pick

Dead Space (Multi) - What has happened to EA? They haven't done anything too despicable as of late, they aren't even releasing that many bad games anymore. First Mirror's Edge, and now this?

Dead Space is a survival horror game, which usually only scares me in the fact that the gameplay usually ends up pretty lousy. EA looks to fix that here with some pretty grand ideas. Detach your enemy's limbs? Check. Telekinetic abilities? Check. Zero-G gameplay? Check. Honestly, I haven't read anything about this game that doesn't seem awesome.

The story sets you aboard a mining ship known as the Ishimura, which ran into an alien artifact in the depths of space. You are tasked with repairing the ship, but you won't like what you see! Aliens, and lots of them. Your main goal is to return the artifact to the planet, and escaping from that ship without being ripped apart by aliens.

While the story doesn't seem entirely original, it has some great potential. System Shock 2-like potential. This is most certainly a good thing.
My Opinion: Two Thumbs Up - Scary game + good gameplay = success! Cheers to the new EA!

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Quick Previews

Golden Axe: Beast Rider(Multi) - I'd love to pretend this will be good…
My Opinion: Thumbs Down - But SEGA? Dangit…

FIFA Soccer 2009 (Multi) - Soccer…woo!
My Opinion: Ehh - Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Pro Evo or Winning Eleven the big deal for soccer games?

Tak: Guardian of Gross (Wii/PS2/DS) - I thought they stopped making these…
My Opinion: Thumbs Down - These games weren't too bad…but now it is a cartoon I think, so this is probably based on a show. Now it will be terrible.

Boogie Superstar (Wii) - Why a sequel to this?
My Opinion: Two Thumbs Down - $60 for shovelware, sheesh.

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Console War Scoreboard

I skipped last week because…I felt like it. Not much of an excuse, but eh.

Xbox 360 7
PS3 5
PC 4
Wii 3
DS 3
PS2 2
PSP 0

Oh PSP…you just make my week!

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Yesterday's Attractions

This week I'm returning to the "well," so to speak. I'm doing another Top 10 list, in honor of another sports game (Blitz), and my current addiction to the latest Madden. Top 10 Sports Games coming right up…One last thing, racing games do not count. So don't ask.

10.) NFL Blitz (N64/Arcade) - While now it has become somewhat stale, NFL Blitz was the thing back in the day. It came out on the 64, it was in the arcades, you could even bring your 64 memory pack to the arcade and bring your player data wherever you go. Many quarters were spent, and are still spent to this day (arcade in a place I regularly visit has Blitz…and the Royal Rumble arcade game. Heck yeah.), trying to beat down the other team. Most games of Blitz devolve into who can get the first turnover, or who scores first, because the defense is pretty difficult. It is already tough in Madden…but in Blitz, it is soul breaking.

9.) Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (PS1) - Tony Hawk breathed life into an untapped genre, the skating genre. The second iteration in his franchise brought along with it more polish and generally better level design. Tony Hawk is one of the only games I'm actually really good at; Derek and I both can stack up a ridiculous amount of points in almost no time. I don't know if this game had the revert, but it doesn't matter, this game had some awesome features. Spiderman in Skater's Heaven still makes me weep…

8.) Smackdown 2 (PS1) - Smackdown was another attempt to overtake the 64 wrestling games. While popular opinion has this game falling below No Mercy, I hold it a bit higher. Simply put, Smackdown 2 had the best modes of all time. Hardcore mode allowed you to travel backstage, ‘I Quit' matches were there, and the timed Hardcore matches were incredible. Usually when a new Smackdown vs. Raw comes out, I'll pop this one into my PS2 (now PS3…yay backwards compatibility) and play a few months through the story mode. It still holds up well, to this day.



7.) Super Mario Strikers Charged (Wii) - This is a pick that will probably get me a lot of crap, but I loved the latest Mario soccer game. Last summer I was addicted for months, just playing random matches on wi-fi. The game was simple but the matches were always exciting, and the wi-fi is still running well…which is good to know. It is my first (and only) option when I get the thirst for a soccer game.

6) Super Punch Out!! (SNES) - Punch Out was awesome, and Super Punch Out was able to retain that incredible level of awesome. The point of view changed from right behind your boxer, as to make your opponent look more intimidating, especially when they are twice your size. Super Punch Out is also extremely hard, the last division you fight in is so unbelievably tough that it manages to kill me each time I play.



5.) Tie: Madden NFL 09/NFL 2K5 - I didn't think it was possible, but Madden has finally equaled 2K's unbelievably awesome NFL 2K5. When it comes to simulation sports games, these are about as good as it gets. The presentation is nearly perfect, with some decent announcing, a feat that needs to be repeated in wrestling games. The gameplay is polished to a tee, and every match I've played has been extremely fun. I even enjoyed losing to the Patriots…but not too much.

4.) Fight Night Round 2/3 - Fight Night almost never gets the credit it deserves. Nowadays games will throw in the right analog stick and it will just ruin the game, Fight Night made it the prominent button and the game thrived in that. You controlled every punch with the flick of the right analog stick. My personal favorite feature is probably still the punch-cam after you knock someone out, which has yet to get old.

3.) Tecmo Super Bowl - Tecmo Bowl may have come first, but Tecmo Super Bowl polished the game and added some really great features. Instead of playing randomly selected games, you would play through an actual season. Super Bowl also added a load of new teams (including the Rams…of LA), and more plays were made available, increasing on the original number of 4. That number just seems so small compared to the gigantic playbook in Madden.



2.) Mike Tyson's Punch Out - The original Punch Out still holds out over the original, as the game featured some of the most memorable showdowns of all time. King Hippo, Soda Popinski…and most of all, Mike Tyson. Punch Out is returning on the Wii with a more NES-like version of Little Mac, and I'm pretty sure King Hippo is coming back too. Let us join in prayer, for a Mike Tyson final boss fight…then it would just all come full circle.



1.) NBA Jam - It should come as little surprise to see this on the top of a list for great sports games, because the original NBA Jam was nothing short of phenomenal. Midway took everything we knew about basketball and turned it up a notch, with ridiculous dunks and some outlandish shots. Jam is also well-known for its great quotes, such as "He's On Fire!" or "Boom shaka-laka."

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Reader Feedback

I'm going to change up how I do reader feedback, changing it to the way Mark did it in B3yond the Report. Takes much less work…yes I'm lazy.

David R. - I, too, will be sticking with 2K. While apparently their hockey games aren't up to snuff, the basketball games are still held within a higher regard. Not sure when I'll buy this, but I'm pretty sure I am.

Rod Oracheski - Apparently 2K does also have the 365 thing, but the addition of new animations makes it really awesome. I guess Live was one-upped again…

Csonkaholic - Both have a 365 system, and 2K is almost always better with the gameplay. Glad to see they have at least one sport where they still reign supreme.

Gerhardt - Both have regular roster updates, which is pretty much a must nowadays. Speaking of roster updates, I didn't know any better and started franchise without moving Brett Favre to the Jets. This bugs me to amazing extents, since I can't fix it without starting a new franchise. Which I'm not doing.

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The 411

The 10th Hour by Rod Oracheski. Rod fills in and lists his favorite intro videos. I really liked WoW's intro, and I also liked intro for Warcraft 3. Call me a sucker, but Blizzard nailed the intro CGs.

Working Title by Jordan Williams. This week is about how to kick Smackdown in gear…I think it has been, because they were led to believe that TNA Impact would be good. Too bad that ended up being garbage.

Fact or Fiction starring Sean Garmer and Joe Roche. I might actually buy a DSi…yes, I'm a consumer whore. I own an E-reader, and three of those GBA to GCN link cables, Nintendo could crap in a box and I'd probably buy it.

The PC Spotlight by Chris Vicari. This week details on the KOTOR MMO are unleashed and all I can say is NOOOOOOO. I want KoTOR 3, not an MMO. Curse you Bioware!

The Hall of Shame by Vincent Chiucchi. Plumbers don't wear ties, and apparently porn games don't need nudity. What?

The Full Circle by Joe Roche. They are bundling Sega Superstar Tennis with the Arcade systems…which is the only way I can imagine someone buying it. Isn't that game like…$2 now?

The PC Centric Extravaganza by Chris Evans. Valve put out a Left 4 Dead blog that I read with great anticipation. This game is almost done, time for celebration!

Nintendophiles by Theo Fraser. Little known fact: a Klonoa Wii-make was announced at the press conference as well, marking the millionth time this week I was brought to tears by a game…god dangit.

B3yond the Report by Mark Salmela. Mark returns to what he does best, for one week only, to talk about all the latest in Sony news. Mark is probably the only person excited about RE5's lack of the typewriter save system…it doesn't bug me too much, but that is kind of breaking tradition. Also, watch some of the newer trailers…looks like Jill finally became a "Jill sandwich."

Select and Start News by Vincent Chiucchi. Just when I had about given up on Nintendo, they held a press conference that blew my mind. My jaw is still on the ground…I should probably call a doctor or something.

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That's all for this week, email me at [e-mail] or leave a comment below!