Is it that time again?

Oh SNAP!!

Too right buddy. Yea, get excited cause it just got real around here!

First of all, a big apology for the hideously obvious lack of upkeep regarding this blog. I've had so many things to write about but have been too busy doing things that actually pay (real life money - I know, it's hard to take in). In all honesty my Xbox gets used for nothing but LoveFilm, Netflix and Game of Thrones now - not at the same time - and the last new game I bought and played was Injustice: Gods Amoung Us literally just because it had Batman in it -save your money unless you think the idea of superheroes really needs support to stay popular. There are a lot of dashes in this paragraph ---

The reason I am excited is because of screenshots of Batman: Arkham Origins! I have been hearing about the next instalment in the series for a long time and it really didn't get me going but something about seeing these initial screenshots for the first time just got me so excited. I know that I'm probably way behind with the info on this but I don't care, I saw them today and now I'm excited, that's what's important.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting it to be an amazing game, I'll actually be surprised if it's any good at all - but the reason I still get excited goes all the way back to Arkham Asylum, arguably one of my favourite video game experiences. I enjoyed Arkham Asylum so much that the idea of another game in the same vain just brings me back to sneaking through the sewers trying to keep my footsteps quiet enough to go unnoticed by Killer Croc. I don't think Arkham Origins will be amazing because:

1. I hate origin stories that are told more than once

2. Arkham City was good but didn't leave me jumping with joy (like Asylum did) so now I feel like everything else is just an attempt at former glory.

3. No Rocksteady

4.It's clearly just an attempt to cash in on a franchise within a ridiculously over popularised franchise.

From what I can see so far, Batman: Arkham Origins will feature Black Mask and Slade (Deathstroke) as nemeses (yes that is the plural) and you play a younger Batman who isn't quite as grounded as the loveable leg-breaker we've come to know.

October 25th is the release date. I will definitely buy this just because it is a Batman game and I am obliged to at least check it out.

No this post has not been proof read.

It's Not Just Me!!

My excuse was that I was a late starter. I was embarrassed to see that my entire friends list had long since moved on to save the universe as Commander Shepard, or to massacre maniacal midgets while searching for treasure across Pandora, while I was still getting kicked out of mead halls for shouting at locals in Tamriel's northern territories nearly a year after release. Skyrim's relentless, vice-like grip on my time refused to loosen for more than a day, occasionally letting me out for some Minecraft if I had been a 'good little Dragonborn', before reeling me back in for weeks on end.

For months I thought I was alone in my struggle, and when Resident Evil 6 busted my chains and broke me out, actually allowing me to play co-op with friends and interact with other human-beings, I thought I was finally free!

Until I bumped into an old friend on the way home from an evening of light debauchery.

During a short chat he cautiously commented that he was on his way home to play Skyrim, dubious as to whether or not I knew what it was or had even heard of it as we had never known each other as gamers and operated on different consoles (so no gamertags had ever been exchanged). At that moment I realised: there were others! In an attempt to contain my joy, I casually explained that I was still doing nothing but side quests to build up my level 50 character, inadvertently incurring a simultaneous 'geek-fit'. He told me of others who had suffered the same blight yet wore it proudly as a badge of honour rather than hiding from it in disgrace and inspired me to do the same.

After a forceful strut home I decided that I had fought it for long enough and it was time to give in to my inner callings. Flinging aside RE6 I restored the fifth  instalment of the Elder Scrolls series to it's rightful throne - the tray of my Xbox 360. To my delight, that old familiar ping neglected to tell me that I couldn't sign in to windows live, but instead plastered across the top of my screen 'You have 1 friend playing Skyrim'.

Regardless of whomever that random loner was, forget humanity! Faith in myself was officially restored.

Mel Gibson ... Is that you?

Here are some screenshots of Ubisoft's upcoming Assasson's Creed III taken from allgamesbeta.com:

It will be set in 18th century North America during the American Revolution

You will hunt for supplies adding a survival element

There has been focus to include more platforming/puzzle sections

Reminiscent of that iconic scene from The Patriot

The combat system has been improved for more fluidity and control

Prominent historical figures such as George Washington will be featured

Looks like horses finally won the rights and equality battle to be allowed in to cities

Press Start!

Live by the Creed!

The date has been set, the setting confirmed, now consumers play the ever familiar waiting game for Ubisoft's latest mouthwaterer: Assassins Creed 3!

Tuesday 30 October 2012 is the date that has fans of the increasingly extensive franchise wetting themselves in eager anticipation. Yves Gillemont revealed that this game has been in development for three years and that the latest installment will round off the story of running protagonist Desmond Miles. The development team aim to cincide the in-game doomsday date of 21 December 2012 with the real life date which sounds amazing though it is dubious whether or not they will be able to pull it off properly, and what are the implications for price and for players who save up to buy the game in the new year? AC3 has been confirmed for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii U.

Ezio Auditore was loved by many followers of the series, his charming Italian accent, historically notable friends and companions, and his ridiculously Batman-like back story and modus operandi. After three games however he does seem to be hogging the spotlight a bit, poor Altair only got one game - he's sat in the corner waving his hands for attention while Ezio does his fancy tricks for the crowd and gets all the treats.

Eurogamer.net tells us that our new assassin is the half Mohawk half English: Connor ( with Irish name but apparently no Irish blood ... ). After being raised by Native Americans on the US Frontier, Connor's story is set to be centred around 18th century Boston and New York and to feature some rather prominent historical figures such as George Franklin and Benjamin Franklin - but would you expect any less from the name-dropping team that featured Leonardo Da Vinci as your BFF.

Screenshots to follow.

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The Hawk Returns

The Band Of The Hawk: the mercenary group known as Death On The Battlefield lead  by the White Hawk Griffith whose Raiders are lead by the 100-man-slayer Gatsu, will be featured in Capcom's upcoming sandbox Dragon's Dogma.

Smack the Pinata didn't go down as well as planned

I don't know if you can tell, but I'm a huge fan of the Berserk franchise and extremely excited at the idea of being able to hack and slash through dragons and griffins while playing as my favourite sociopath: Gatsu. The ill fated allies were announced last month as news of the crossover between Capcom and Hakusensha broke, but the screen shots of the mercenaries have just come in:

I really hope that as well as the poster boys being featured, some old favourites will make appearances as well. I'll wet myself if they include the Immortal Zodd (aka Nos Feratu Zodd) somewhere in the open world

As well as featuring a demo for Resident Evil 6, there will also be a Japanese special edition that includes a statue, a bookmark, a booklet and presumably non-exclusive downloadable content. Hopefully there will also be a similar special edition in Europe, I really need a new bookmark!

Honestly can not wait!

Press Start!