Battlefield 4 Open Beta (PS3) - "First Impressions"

I fully realize that this game is still in the "Open Beta" state, and that changes are likely coming in the days leading up to the game's release date. Even so what I have experienced while playing the Open Beta leads me to believe that many more patches will have to be put into place following the game's official release in order for it to even be a near flawless experience. As far as complaints go I'm finding a lot of glitches pertaining to the use of the knife as well as the sensitivity of the knifing effect. Other gripes include the poorly rendered map (Siege of Shanghai), and the less than current-gen look of the game as a whole. I know that some of you will disagree about the graphics, but in all honesty the game's visual points are basically glamorized current-gen lighting, and reflection applications. Nothing more, and nothing less.

Painkiller: Hell & Damnation (PS3) - "A To Hell With It Review"

Painkiller: Hell & Damnation, for those of you who don't know it was previously a PC exclusive that had amassed a cult following from the PC gaming community. It included several different DLC oriented spin-offs that each added to the mythology of Daniel Garner, and his unfortunate time in Limbo. In the console version of "Painkiller: Hell & Damnation" we the gamers are blessed with a very nicely rendered series of opening CG cutscenes explaining exactly how it is that Daniel ultimately ended up as one of Lucifer's pawns. It seems that during one fateful night while driving the roads with his new found love Catherine, Daniel's world is literally turned upside down as Death appears suddenly in front of his vehicle. Flipping his car several times over Daniel, and the love of his life end up dying, and parting separate ways on their journey to the hereafter.

While Daniel knows exactly where he is at in the grand scheme of things his beloved Catherine is nowhere to be found. Hoping for the best Daniel sojourns on killing the denizens of the damned letting the hope that Catherine has gone on to a better place fill his hollowed heart. After having enough of Daniel's relentless demon blasting, and luck driven survival though Death himself intervenes, and uses Catherine's whereabouts as a bargaining tool to get Daniel to harvest 7,000 souls for him. In return Death promises him that he will reunite him with his beloved Catherine. This is of course where the flashbacks end, and the gameplay begins.

MTG Theros Intro Pack Review

Yesterday evening my Mother invited me to go to the local Targets store with her, so I figured I'd pick up some of the latest MTG Theros cards while I was there. Targets actually carries an impressive selection of MTG cards, and packs. Since it's the only real source of MTG for me I was thrilled to see what they had in stock. What I found when I visited the designated card section was the usual booster pack assortment, as well as some Theros Intro Packs. Naturally I went for one of the $14.99 Intro packs since it's an overall better deal. For $14.99 you get a 60 card deck ready for playing, and two booster packs. Along with the package is also a poster insert containing detailed information on all the available Intro Packs including the card list associated with each. The Intro Pack I ended up choosing was a Green & White deck titled "Anthousa's Army". Being the Green deck player that I am I could not resist.

Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness (PS3/PSN)

Disgaea is one of those exceptional video game experiences that is deeply cherished by those who have played it, and often times passed up by gamers who are into the more casual gaming scene. In layman's terms Disgaea is what we RPG gamers call an "SRPG", or strategy based roleplaying game. Some even call it a tactical RPG, or a JRPG. Whatever it is referred to though it is one of the the most involved video games that the RPG genre, or any genre for that matter has ever seen. It is filled to the brim with anime inspired content, and a hundreds of hours of time filling fun.

Nippon Ichi Software, or NIS as you likely know them have in essence developed their own netherworld based mythology within the constructs of the series. This applied netherworld mythology is both expansive in nature as well as humorous in a variety of ways. The series' unique mythology is part of the reason the game has stayed alive for so long in the RPG unfriendly market. With a cast of otherworldy characters that all anime fans can relate to it's hard to not get lost within the quirky dialogue driven tales that are provided with each new release. The fact that the main set of protagonists involved in the plots often times find their places in follow-up games of the series only makes diehard fans want to return for more. By sticking with their tried, and true game design NIS will no doubt continue winning over gamers, and return fans for a long time to come.

OtakuDante's Spooktacular Halloween Giveaway!!! (Oct. 1 - 31)

Welcome all ye witches & warlocks! I know it's been a long time since my last giveaway, but as promised here's another giveaway to whet your appetite before year's end. In this particular giveaway there are some rules for the two "M/R" rated prizes that I will be giving away. First, and foremost you must be at least 18 years of age, and must include a statement in your entry submission that you are of such an age. Trust me when I say that these two prizes are meant for a mature audience. As far as the theme of the giveaway goes it is going to be Halloween oriented. Seeing that Halloween is only 30 days away I could not help but incorporate the holiday spirit in the event.