This week I guest starred on Evil Avatar’s Shotgun Podcast, a podcast about the wonderful world of video games! I first met up with Ben from Evil Avatar at PAX East 2010 when I tried to smash him over the head with a wrench while dressed as a Bioshock Splicer…

This latest episode covers games like Limbo, Lego Harry Potter, Infamous, Transformers: War For Cyberton and Deathsmiles.

When it was released in 2004, Far Cry was initially seen as a tech demo for Crytek’s CryEngine, which produces beautiful graphics even by today’s standards. The game itself wasn’t bad either, merging sandbox-style gameplay, spot-on FPS action, and enemy AI. You step into the shoes of Jack Carver, an ex Special Forces operative who is attempting to escape his troubled past. When escorting a female reporter named Valerie Constantine, his boat is attacked by mercenaries and she goes missing. Jack must search the island to find her, and discover why these mercenaries are attacking him. The journey will take him all over the island, from lush jungles, to deep forests, beaches, and canyons. The game’s graphical engine makes these visuals seem realistic as possible, and at times you may even forget that you’re being hunted down by mercenaries. Players can approach a confrontation any way they choose, be it an all-out gun approach, using stealth, or even setting traps to avoid confrontation altogether.
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‘Nuff said.

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Okay, maybe a little more said. Do agree with these picks? Why or why not? What would you have chosen?

Leave a comment below!

…but should they have stayed hidden?

Resurrecting the Sands of Time series that inspired the upcoming Jerry Bruckheimer film, Ubisoft announced today that their next installment will not be a follow-up to the “new” Prince of Persia series. This change-up shouldn’t be much of a surprise, since it was reported almost two months ago that the name had been reserved for “game-related use”.

While a tie-in makes sense fiscally, will gamers (literally) buy it?

Read the press release, and reactions, after the jump:

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The new theatrical trailer for the Prince of Persia movie has been released on YouTube for the world to see. The trailer looks pretty good; similar to Pirates of the Caribbean in terms of special effects and overall-feel. What I’m digging is the subtle influences from the game that they actually have put into the movie, such as honest-to-god wall jumping, and the activation of the Dagger of Time making the Prince (Jake Gyllenhaal) look something akin to the Dark Prince’s form from “Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones“. If the entire movie has such influences and easter eggs that were prominant in the games, there might actually be hope for the film.

Although this game was a flop in terms of sales, its clever gameplay, awesome musical score, bright atmosphere, zany characters, and deep storyline have seen this game earn itself cult status amongst fans, as well as high praise amongst reviewers and gaming critics. It was created by Michael Ancel, who also created the Rayman series. It was because of this game that movie director Peter Jackson handpicked him to develop the video game tie-in to his remake of King Kong. Players take the role of Jade, a female photojournalist. Using her camera, she and her pig-uncle Pey’j earn a living anyway they can until one day, when they get caught in a conspiracy involving mysterious alien creatures, government manipulation, and a resistance group.

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Ubisoft showed this scene with no set up and no announcement at their Ubidays Conference today. While clever game journalists were quick to identify “The Pig” as Uncle Pey’j from Beyond Good & Evil, theres very little happening in this preview. Is the unseen woman with the umbrella Jade? Wheres the aliens? Wasn’t their world mostly covered with water?
Its possible that the game isn’t not going to be called “Beyond Good & Evil 2” but without a doubt, we’re actually getting a sequel. Fans, you actually won this one. Ubisoft listened to demand and now even though BG&E wasn’t a platnium seller, we’re going to get a next gen follow up. Lets make sure this one sells well so we won’t have to spend 4+ years worrying about whether the story gets told.

It has been over TWO YEARS since I spoke about Beyond Good & Evil 2! I’d forgotten about it, and simply chalked the lack of news to it being a bad rumor.
Well creator Michel Ancel hasn’t forgotten, and according to JeuxVideo (another French site!): Beyond Good & Evil 2 en préproduction. Why hasn’t it been officially announced? Ubisoft hasn’t given it the greenlight. This cult hit from last gen didn’t make the publisher the kind of money they wanted so they’re hesitant. I think gamers are getting more savvy and a theres not reason a cult game can’t become a big hit, like Bioshock did only a year ago.

Never played the classic original? You’re in luck. GameTap has it available now, and its available on PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, and PC, so you have to be able to play it on something you’ve got there. Its an action adventure in the same mold as Zelda with great characters, puzzles, acting, gameplay variety, and art direction. Its actually better than Wind Waker.