Review: Hyperdimension Neptunia (PS3)

ESRB: T (for Teen) Genre: Role-playing Game Developer: Idea Factory Publisher: NIS America Release Date: February 15, 2011 PASS Editor’s Note: Despite the game’s “Teen” rating, it has some mature content that will be discussed in the review. Just when I think I’ve seen everything I can in a video game; Gamefly recently sent me Hyperdimension Neptunia instead of Bulletstorm.  This game is the perfect example of the kind of sexist drivel that gives anime style art a bad name.  The game is rated “T (for Teen)” with several content descriptors, there is bad language, sexual situations and partial nudity in the first ten minutes of the game.  It should probably have been rated “M”.  Moms beware: the cutesy packaging is deceptive. All that said, there is some professional looking artwork in Hyperdimension Neptunia.  The use of colors is eye popping and effective.  The costumes are – interesting.  But, the

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Review: Mass Effect 2 (PS3)

Rating: M (for Mature) Publisher:Electronic Arts Developer: Bioware Release Date: January 28, 2011 (PS3) RENT Mass Effect 2 was released for Xbox 360 and PC back in the beginning of 2010. It is getting pretty tired that it takes games like this another whole year to come out on the PS3. Why they have to continue with the annoying exclusivity rights and other delays that make PS3 releases take forever is beyond me. The focus should be on the consumer experience, and that would mean good customer service. If we don’t have a game for a year, then that is literally not serving the customer. That may all be in the past if Mass Effect 3 which is said to be dropping this fall, becomes cross platform. This game had the distinction of winning several Game of the Year Awards, which did not make not getting it on time any

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Interview: Lesley Yuen, Bar Star Intern

Lesley Yuen was an intern at GlitchSoft during the production of our game, Bar Star. The iOS game which was aimed towards the 18-24 year old female demographic was the project she worked on. Lesley’s insight and contributions to the game were invaluable to the small development team. As an intern, she contributed to the games writing and scripting. She was responsible for all of the pop culture references that are found in Bar Star. She was also integral in identifying phrases and celebrities that would resonate with 18-24 year old females. These features were a major factor of Bar Star’s success. Lesley also handled a considerable amount of marketing activity surrounding Bar Star including the management of the game’s online presence, review submissions, and social media communities on Facebook and Twitter. Geek Woman: Where do you go to school? Lesley Yuen: I go to Carleton University in Ottawa and

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WoW Clone Coming from Gameloft

Order and Chaos Online will be a new World of Warcraft clone coming to iDevices and other formats. Gameloft has been teasing everyone with this fantasy MMO. They have been gradually releasing screen shots and this teaser trailer.

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PAX East 2011 – Hands on with The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile

I went to the Ska Studios booth not knowing much about The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile other than it was a sequel to their previous game The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai and that they had also made the amazing I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES 1NIT!!!. But when I left I was smiling and really excited for yet another game coming out on Xbox Live Arcade. The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile stars Yuki, the sister of the Dishwasher from the first game, who is trying to escape prison after being wrongfully put there. There are new environments and new weapons to use (like the massive scissors) which are all very fun and done in a great art style. In fact, the art style of the game is what really got me interested when I was looking at the game and it was just made even better with the ease of picking up and

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Meeting Felicia Day

Emerald City Comicon came fast for me and I did not have a chance to officially request some time with Felicia Day in order to interview her.  Believe me, I was a very sad panda about this.  So, when I decided to get Felicia Day and Amy Sakuda’s autographs, I tried to make that moment count. Before I joined the line, I had just experienced the awesomeness that is meeting Wil Wheaton.  He was very nice, down to earth considering he is a lord of geekdom, and above all sweet.  We had a brief conversation and he signed a headshot for me.  In my Wil Wheaton induced haze, I stumbled onto Felicia and Amy’s line.  Before I realized, the line was huge! I looked at Wil’s and it was just as long.  I stood there waiting, looking at my phone as I overheard what the people in line were saying.

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Opinion: A Mother’s Thoughts on the MAVAV Organization

First, I am a Mother, and as a Mother, I feel it is my personal responsibility to monitor my children’s activities.  From the time they wake up in the morning until they go to bed.  When it comes to games, I enjoy all types and I consider myself a gamer.  Since I enjoy this as a past-time, so does my family.  I personally play games with any ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) rating however, I decide what is and what is not appropriate for my children.   I do not rely solely on ESRB ratings or game reviews to make those decisions.  I read reviews, I ask opinions and if I buy a game, I usually try it out first.  Seeing organizations like MAVAV (Mothers Against Videogame Addiction and Violence) makes me question, what type of parent would start such an organization?  My opinion, a parent without responsibility.  One who does

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THQ at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference

During the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference Wednesday, THQ’s Brian Farrell told investors that in order for the firm to realize the potential of its new pricing model – which debuts with MX vs ATV: Alive – console makers need to “adjust their business models.” According to Farrell, THQ’s experimental packaged goods pricing model will help bring new people into the market, which reiterates his stance on the $59.99 game price point.  Thus, allowing third-parties to control their own micro-transactions on consoles, something Xbox 360 does not allow, it would become much easier to offer games at lower cost with more content available for purchase online. “What we really need, and we’ve been talking to them about it, is for Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo – if they really want to stay at the cutting edge of the games industry – they need to adjust their business models to allow

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Review: Glee Karaoke Revolution (Wii)

If you've got a “Gleek” in your home, this wonderful collection of sing-along hits from the infectious TV shows first season is a no-brainer!

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Ricochet HD Comes to PSN

Today are new PSN game has been released. Ricochet HD from Tikgames is set in space. And the galactic Brick-Breaking Title launched for the PlayStation3 is available now for download on the PSNetwork in North America for an introductory price of $7.99. Ricochet HD is an action game, set in extraterrestrial adventure. It promises to have a comprehensive feature set with dynamic and interactive brick busting levels. There is strategic play, power-ups and 24 different ships. Each ship has unique weapons and customizable balls. Players can choose from four unique game modes to play alone or with a friend, including Solo, Head-to-Head, Co-Op, and Tail Gunner.

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