Day 15: Video Games on the Horizon

I'm in a bit of a lull with video games at the moment (playing Battlefield 4, DBZ: Attack of the Saiyans, and X-COM: Enemy Within only intermittenly). The future, however, has several titles that I am very much looking forward to. In an unusual move, I'm going do this in order, starting with what I'm most looking forward to:

inFamous: Second Son

PS4 - 3/21

This series was the reason I picked up a PS3 and I'm very excited for a new protagonist, a new setting, and a new range of powers. From the few videos I've seen, this looks very promising and will make me very happy (finally) to have picked up the PS4 when I did.

Want all the things!

It's an open-world superhero game, set a bit in the future of a world I've already come to love. And I'm excited to be picking up the Collector's Edition so I can add Delsin's beanie to Cole's backpack that I got from the inFamous 2 Collector's Edition. Also looking forward to the prequel DLC that shows what's happened since Cole's run.

The Wolf Among Us: Chapter 2

PC/360/PS3 - First Week of February

While I don't care for the obscure release date, I suppose it doesn't matter since I can simply download it and play as soon as it is finally out. I enjoyed the first chapter, have gotten much farther in the Fables comic series, and look forward to looking with new eyes at all the coming character interactions. THEN I look forward to doing a new run through both episodes, back to back. Which is something I'll repeat every time another episode is released...

I'm sorry, a story-driven, tactical game with VIKINGS? Take my money!

Banner Saga

PC - 1/14

Ok, this one already came out, but I just heard about it. I need to do some more research before I take the plunge on it, but it seems perfect -- a Norse setting with grid-based combat and a story telling method that seems as if it might be similar to soThe Wolf Among Us (speculation, I haven't done more than watch a teaser video, but either way the art was gorgeous.). After a bit more research (and probably waiting for an eventual sale), I think this game will hit a lot of my favorite genres. If most of them somewhat well, it's a shoe in for one of my favorite games of all time...


We'll see.

Titanfall

XOne/360/PC - 3/11

While I don't have an XOne and am unlikely to pick this up on PC, I am incredibly interested in this shooter. FPS action AND giant mechs? Infantry vs Infantry vs Piloted Robots? Yesyesyes. Only reason I want an XOne at all, to tell the truth.

I'll be watching this one with more than a little interest when it eventually launches.

Final Fantasy X/X2 HD Remaster

Vita/PS3 - 3/18

One word: Blitzball. I've missed it and wished they'd done more with it (a perfect spin-off, if you ask me), but I'll settle for replaying it on my Vita.

Always room for more Blitzball.

Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition

PS4/XOne - 1/28

I didn't pay much attention to the previous release of the game, but after stumbling on a few videos, I think I may have made a mistake in ignoring this title (and all my friends who raved about it). I'm glad their releasing it on the PS4 now as well -- I've been a bit unhappy lately by all the games I've forgone playing until I re-purchase a PS3/360, which isn't something I plan on doing any time soon. At least this title won't be on THAT list.

Namely, I've always associated Tomb Raider games with adventure games. Several of the videos I've seen of THIS one, however, make it seem as if it has a much more action-oriented bend, and it seems to have been done very well.

Maybe more co-operative than I care for, but it could work.

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z

PS3/360/Vita - 1/28

First, this game looks like a Tenkaichi game with multiple fighters on screen at the same time. A DBZ battle royale, if you will, that should have happened
ages ago. I doubt I'll actually enjoy the game play of this title, but the concept is something I'd love to see worked on more. Also, I sincerely doubt I'll be able to fully enjoy this title on my Vita (fighting games and handhelds are NOT my preference), so it might be something I follow more than pick up, but I like the idea and could be convinced to change my mind. Maybe.


...And, eventually, the new DICE Star Wars: Battlefront that was teased at E3. No real chance to see it this year, but it's out there...

Someday.

The Wolf Among Us

Some time ago, I mentioned reading a bit into the Fables comic book series. I have been very impressed and, while I've only finished the first three trades, I am certain this is a series that will remain in my favorite-series-ever list that I am very happy to announce that I've recently just finished the first chapter of the video game prequel, The Wolf Among Us.

Remember those guys who brought you the very interesting The Walking Dead point-and-click game that was a refreshing take on interactive storytelling? Well, they've done it again with the Fables series. This time, the medium is even more effective because the source material is normally found in a image/literature hybrid as comic books. Adding some really incredible animation and player interaction, and you've got an amazing comic book experience.

Being a prequel, you do NOT need to know anything about the Fables universe to enjoy this game. It gives you what you need to get by pretty darn well. I'm definitely enjoying it more because I've read about these characters already, but I'm sure someone who has read the entire series is probably getting different levels of enjoyment as well. This doesn't stop a newcomer from appreciating the game, it just means that there are, potentially, many ways of interpreting the characters your meeting. I can't wait to play through the whole game again (once all of the five chapters are release, of course) AFTER I've finally caught up with the comic series.

The game does a good job of introducing you to important members early.

There's a point there I've glossed over a bit -- the game releases in chunks, broken up by chapters. Similar to waiting for issues to release, we can only play the parts of the game that are released -- at this time, only one chapter (Faith) is out. However, you can already see many possible branches where the choices you make will dramatically change how the story unfolds for you. The good news is, you can have multiple saves, so there's no need to worry about messing up your "good run" to see how other choices would have changed things.

The story itself is a murder mystery and you're playing Detective Bigby, who was the Big Bad Wolf before the Fables came to New York, as he tries to uncover who is killing off other Fables (the name of the magical folk), all the while trying to redeem himself in the eyes of the others or dealing with the bad history he has with some of them.

Bigsby and the Woodsman (from Little Red Riding Hood). Not the best of friends...

Gameplay is point-and-click, mostly selecting from a series of choices, though there are crime scene investigations a la LA Noire, and there are quick-time action sequences that actually get pretty damn intense. I'm playing on PC, but the game is also out on 360, PS3, and (I just found out and wish I had got it for) PS Vita. Unfortunately, no PS4 action, which would have been my preference (maybe I'll do my views on the new console, but I'm sure it's mostly been said by now).

I don't normally mention sound in games because... Well, I just don't care. But the menu music, effects, and voice acting is all spot on. I was a touch worried at the prospect of having voiced characters conflict with how I imagined the comic book characters, but so far I've loved each and every cast member (which is rare -- kind of like the Harry Potter movies stomping all over the books for me).

If you like the comic series, GET THIS GAME. If you are interested in the comic series, GET THIS GAME. If you liked the Walking Dead game, GET THIS GAME. If you enjoy taking candy from children but hate the taste of strawberries, GET THIS GAME.

Seriously, get the game already. It's awesome, cheap enough for a season pass ($20, I think), and has a lot of room for replay-ability (imagine if the Mass Effect series had been done right!).