I'm Suddenly Excited for Guardians of the Galaxy After this Trailer

The first trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy hit the web last night after it made its debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live and its full of awesome looking space-pirate, alien prison, and ship battling action. The movie follows a space pirate, Quill played by Chris Pratt who prefers to go by the moniker, Star Lord. Quill finds himself on the run after he steals a mysterious orb from the film's villain, Ronan (Lee Pace) who desires the orb to complete his evil plans, threatening the universe. Quill is forced to join forces with a rag-tag band of misfits and become the titular Guardians of the Galaxy.

Judging by the trailer, the Marvel movie directed by James Gunn seems to follow the the same style of the Avengers movie. Combining an all-star cast of heroes for an action packed adventure with some quirky humor rubbed in for comic relief. Bradley Cooper will be voicing the animated and snarky, Rocket-Raccoon and is teamed up with the tree-like alien, Groot voiced by Vin Diesel. Ron Pearlman, Zoe Saldana, and Dave Bautista are just a few of the other stars with roles in the movie. 

Guardians of the Galaxy wasn't originally on my movie radar but after watching the trailer, I'm feeling very hyped and I can't wait to see the movie in theaters on August first. What do you think? Does this movie look awesome, or are you still skeptical. 

NECA Announces Ellen Ripley Figures

NECA, the toy company responsible for making awesome action figures like the Predator line and figures from the Alien series made a big announcement yesterday. NECA has finally gained the rights to the likeness of Sigourney Weaver and they have confirmed that Lt. Ellen Ripley action figures, plural, are on the way. NECA is planning a figure of Ripley in a Nostromo spacesuit and at least one other figure from Aliens, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see more.

This is such big news because Ripley is easily the most important and recognizable character from the Alien series. Weaver however wasn't interested in being made into an action figure and collectors were forced to be content with characters like Hicks, Hudson, and Dallas among a few others (might I note, these figures all look incredible still). NECA was recently able to get approval from Weaver though; perhaps she saw what a great job the guys over at NECA were doing and realized just how bad fans wanted the figure. NECA's Twitter feed was full of fans expressing their thanks and excitement over the news that they will finally be able to fill that gap in their collection.

As a fan of the Alien series, I am also very pleased to see that NECA will be making a Ripley action figure. I don't think there is any company that could do it better, nor any that I would prefer oversee the making of this figure. I'll be looking forward to the prototype reveal in summer during Comic-Con and purchasing them later this year hopefully. What other iterations of the Ripley figure would you want to see? 

Bioshock Studio, Irrational Games Shutting Their Doors

Ken Levine, founder of Irrational Games and one of the minds behind iconic games like System Shock, Bioshock, and Bioshock Infinite has announced that the studio will be shutting down. Levine states in a letter on the Irrational Games' website that he will be, "winding down Irrational Games as you know it. [he'll] be starting a smaller, more entrepreneurial endeavor at Take-Two." All but fifteen members of the Irrational team will be joining Levine. This means that unfortunately, the other remaining members of the team will be laid off.

Levine did express his concerns for these employees however and explained that they will all receive financial support. He also went on to explain that they will be allowed to use the studio's resources to build their portfolios and that Take-Two will be hosting a recruiting day for employees who wish to interview for positions with third-party studios.

While it is unfortunate to see such a creative mind make a decision that feels so painful, I can understand. The Bioshock franchise was great but after Infinite, it felt like a conclusion. More Bioshock games would just feel superfluous or overplayed. I think Levine made the right decision do something new. I trust that even though he'll be working on smaller projects, that he'll create great narrative stories, just like he did with Bioshock. Levine listed some of his goals in the letter explaining that he wants to develop "highly replayable" games for hardcore gamers that will be delivered digitally. So it is clear he has a vision and I'm excited to see him fulfill it.

As for the other employees who are being laid off, it's great to see that they are being taken care of and being shown the respect and care they deserve. I wish the best for them as they were also a part in crafting truly unforgettable moments from some of my favorite games. What do you think; is Levine making a mistake, or are you excited to see what's next? The future of Bioshock is unclear still but it is possible that 2K Marin, the studio behind Bioshock 2 might pick it up. I honestly hope it's just left alone though, at least for now.

New York Toyfair: NECA Reveals Booker DeWitt, Team Fortress and More

Out of all the Bioshock fans out there, I was probably one of the most desperate when it came to waiting for NECA to reveal their Booker DeWitt figure from Bioshock Infinite. I've been tracking their Twitter page where they are always answering the questions of fans and posting updates on all the different figures they're working on. Day after day, since August, I checked their Twitter feed with no luck. It wasn't until this past weekend that photos of the Booker DeWitt figure surfaced on the internet from the NECA showroom at the 2014 New York Toy Fair.

After finally seeing it, I finally feel the satisfaction I've been yearning for. The figure is very impressive complete with details like the embroidery on Booker's vest, the leather shoulder holster and even the tie. They all work together to make the figure come alive. The face resembles Booker's character model perfectly and I couldn't ask for any more on this figure. It looks like he'll come with a shotgun and a Murder of Crows vigor but these may not be final. There's still no release date for the figure but hopefully it isn't far off. 

Booker wasn't the only reveal though. Video game fans will also be happy to see that a Red Spy and Red Engineer will be joining the collection of Team Fortress figures that NECA has been steadily rolling out. I would have liked to see a turret for the Engineer but who knows, it could be in the works. A prototype of Master Chief from the Halo series was on display as well, but is an early work in progress. Heath Ledger's Joker from The Dark Knight will be getting a 1/4 scale figure which captures the true menace of the character and looks great, even standing next to a 1/4 scale Batman from Arkham Origins.

There were also a slew of reveals for NECA's more popular lines like Predator and Alien. From the Alien series, Dallas in a Nostromo spacesuit, an indisposed Kane in a spacesuit with a face hugger, the android Bishop, and a Dog Alien are all looking phenomenal. The power loader from Aliens made an appearance and NECA has confirmed that figures can fit inside to operate it!

You can see almost two hundred images here that show just about everything NECA had presented in their showroom, check it out and go follow them on Twitter for updates and news on their figures. 

Review: Gone Home (Spoiler Free)

Gone Home is an indie first-person interactive adventure game developed and published by the Fullbright Company. In the game, players take control of Kaitlin Greenbriar, a young woman returning home from a long trip in Europe to find no trace of her parents or sister. The game relies on the exploration of players as they move about the house and collect clues.

Kaitlin's parents inherited the secluded mansion in which the game takes place from a recently deceased uncle and have been living in it for about a year when she returns home. The game does a great job of setting the mood; the game takes place at night during a violent storm and the house is alive with creaks and moans as you move about. It provokes a very unsettling feeling as you explore and dive into various notes, drawers and cabinets all while hearing footsteps and creaky floorboards just behind you. It's incredibly eerie and had my hairs standing on end quite a few times. Gone Home is also great looking visually. It does a fine job of crafting realistic looking environments and objects, all of which you can investigate up close and maneuver as you search for clues.

Gone home takes place in the year of 1995; a blast to the past when I was still playing Super Nintendo games and watching VHS tapes. In Gone Home, you'll find stacks of VHS recordings of the X-Files and audio cassette tapes, also reminiscent of my childhood. The focus of solving the mystery however lies in notes, letters, journal entries and newspaper clippings scattered throughout the house. Scavenging for these items and trying to determine what they mean is the core of the game.

The notes do a great job of getting players to know Kaitlin's family, almost to a point where you feel you know almost as much as Kaitlin herself. As you hover over certain clues, Kaitlin will occasionally make some kind of comment or remark. For instance, discovering a dirty magazine belonging to her father hidden under some books will prompt an "oh gosh, dad" on screen. As a player, I felt somewhat the same way and it was fun to see Kaitlin's realistic reactions to some of her discoveries. Digging through her father's books and VHS tape collection, you'll learn very fast that he's a sci-fi junkie. Going through the belongings of the mom and sister reveal characteristics as well but I'll leave that for you to discover.

There is no fighting in Gone Home nor is there any use for weapons or a flashlight. You have a map and will find keys to unlock certain locked doors in the house or combinations to unlock various compartments. You use the intricacies and details of the house to learn about members of the family and search for clues to learn of where they are. This was one of my only gripes about the game. I didn't need any fighting or weapons but for an interactive story based game, I felt it was lacking any challenging puzzles. Anyone with a good sense of direction and the ability to read can play the game without any trouble. Maybe that's what Fullbright was going for though. A game that just about anybody could play and enjoy.

However, the play doesn't last long. Even after I took plenty of time to read every note and scrap of paper I found and search every nook and cranny of that house, I finished the game in just two hours. The other sad thing is that there isn't really any point in replaying the game; you won't experience anything different. Gone Home normally retails for twenty dollars (thankfully I bought it for eight) which feels like a lot for a two hour game, so be wary if you plan to purchase.

Now don't get me wrong. I really enjoyed the game despite the ease and the short play through. The game has a great story and a twist unlike any other game I've played before. It's unconventional but at the same time, refreshing and fun. Gone Home has a good message and it is definitely worth  playing. I sat down to play for only a few minutes but found myself unable to put it down. I'd recommend playing it all in one sitting for the best effect. After playing, I'm looking forward to seeing more games from the Fullbright Company in this exploration style. I believe they executed it well, but they have the potential to do even better.

Dark Souls II Gets 'T' Rating: Is ESRB Becoming More Lenient?

Dark Souls II, now less than a month away has received an official rating from the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board). The surprise however is that the game has only received a 'T' (teen) rating for blood and gore, mild language, partial nudity and violence. Its rating is particularly interesting because the title's predecessors, Demon's Souls and Dark Souls where both rated M. It is also worth noting that Dark Souls II has all the same content descriptors as the first Dark Souls with the addition of mild language.

Based on game-play trailers and other demonstration videos, Dark Souls II doesn't look any less violent or gruesome than it's predecessors. Even The ESRB's description of the game notes content that is very similar to the first Dark Souls game.

ESRB Description:

This is a role-playing game in which players assume the role of an undead fighter in the realm of Drangleic. Players traverse dungeon-like settings and battle a variety of fantastical enemies (e.g., ghouls, zombies, skeletons, giant rats) to gain souls. Players use knives, swords, and arrows to defeat enemies. Combat is highlighted by cries of pain and small splashes of blood. Some locations depict instances of blood and gore: a giant snake boss holding its severed head; a giant boss creature composed of hundreds of corpses; dead ogres near a pool of blood; a torture device with streaks of blood. During the course of the game, a boss creature appears partially topless (e.g. hair barely covering breasts). The words 'bastard' and “pr*ck” can be heard in the dialogue.

With plenty of blood and gore and even the presence of nearly exposed breasts, it is a wonder why the game is only rated 'T'. I'm not disagreeing with the rating nor am I upset about it, just confounded. Could this be a sign the ESRB is taking it easy with the 'M' rating? Perhaps the 'M' rating is being reserved for games with more gun violence?

 I wouldn't worry about what this means for Dark Souls II however. I'm sure the game will deliver the same experience that fans love and expect from the series despite the 'T' rating. It'll be interesting however to see how this effects the future of other game ratings and if the ESRB will be more tolerant in their upcoming ratings. 

Moments: Solving the Mystery of Boone's Wife in Fallout New Vegas

This is another type of new article I will publish occasionally that takes time to remember truly unforgettable moments in video games. Whether these moments be exciting, heart breaking, terrifying, or especially tense, they deserve our attention and I'll write about as many as I can recall right here.

One of the new features in Fallout: New Vegas was the companion system. Throughout the desert wastelands of Nevada, you could find several individuals with specific skills and perks to accompany you on your adventures. One such companion and my personal favorite was former NCR sharpshooter, Craig Boone. When you find Boone in the small town of Novac, he's keeping his skills sharp serving as the town's night shift sharpshooter. Talking to Boone, you learn that part of the reason he seems so resigned from the world is his deceased wife.

Boone explains that she was taken by slavers from Caesar's Legion and he suspects one Novac's citizens is responsible for selling her into their custody. This begins a mission to gain Boone's loyalty named "One for My Baby." Boone tasks you with talking to several townsfolk to find out who sold his wife into slavery. After handing you his NCR beret, he tells you to wear it with the suspect in range of his rifle to signal you found the guilty individual. I set off to put my sleuthing skills to work and approach my prime suspect, Boone's former friend and NCR brother in arms, Manny Vargas. Manny is the one who had invited Boone to move to Novac after he had married Carla. However, Manny wasn't very fond of Carla. Carla hated Novac and was in a constant state of discontent. Manny certainly has the motive to have sold off Carla but I'm not convinced; it seems too simple.

I continue my investigation with Cliff Briscoe, the odd man selling dinosaur toys inside of the T-Rex. Perhaps he knows something that may help my investigation. I find out he isn't Carla's biggest fan either but beyond that he doesn't provide very much information. Outside, Ranger Andy also concedes that Carla wasn't popular among the townsfolk of Novac. Eventually, I find out that basically, everybody hated Carla. Well now, that doesn't really narrow things down. I review who I have left to interview for the mission and I remember a man near the entrance of the town who had been muttering nonsense when I arrived. It's No-Bark Noonan, the village idiot and I don't have high hopes he'll give me any good information.

But I figure it's worth a shot, so I go to talk with old No-Bark Noonan. In our conversation among some incomprehensible ramblings, he reveals some strange men had stopped in the lobby of the Motel. Finally, we're getting somewhere. I head inside and talk to Jeannie May Crawford, the Motel owner. She's a pleasant lady and when asked about Carla, she compares her to a cactus. She's nice to look at but hurts when you get close. So she feels the same as everybody else. I begin to explore the lobby looking for clues left behind by these strangers when I spot a safe behind the counter. The safe intrigues me not because of my investigation but because I tend to let my fingers wander where they don't belong. I wait for Jeannie May to leave before I indulge my obsession for robbing people of their caps.

The safe is a cinch to crack and I loot the items inside. Unfortunately it only contains some rubbish and a handful of caps. But I look again and see an item named "Bill of Sale." What's this? I investigate further to learn it is a receipt from the Legion in which Jeannie May had sold Carla, and her unborn child into slavery! My head is whirling with disbelief. One, the guilty was one of the last people I would suspect. Two, Jeannie May sold Carla and her child. This lady is going down! With the town of Novac still shrouded in darkness I find Jeannie May and tell her to follow me to the dinosaur so I can show her something. What a fool! I walk with the wench until we're in range of Boone's rifle and I slip on the red beret.

Quietly, I wait, as Jeannie May stands, peering into the never ending black of the night, unaware that she's about to meet her untimely de- BAM! Her head explodes and fragments of her skull litter my TV screen as I jump like a little girl watching a horror movie. Her body, lifeless crumples on the sandy ground. I look up to the mouth of the dinosaur and see Boone with his rifle and I feel confident that justice has been served.

Keep an eye out as I will update my blog with more unforgettable moments.

Thief: Explore the Possibilities in this New Trailer

Over the past few months, I have been skeptical about the Eidos Montreal reboot of Thief. I played the original Thief games on the computer back in the nineties and the fantasy and fun that they created for me will be hard for this reboot to follow up. If you've been keeping up though, Eidos Montreal has flooded the web with walk through videos and demonstrations showing a variety of new possibilities in the upcoming reboot. Now, a new trailer released earlier today ties them all together for one big trailer filled with plenty of thieving.

The new trailer has me anticipating Thief more than I had been but I'm still cautious. Incredible looking visuals made possible by modern technology certainly breathe new life into the series. The last Thief game, Thief: Deadly Shadows was released nearly 10 years ago in 2004 so the jump of an entire generation of game consoles is quite the face lift. Eidos Montreal seems to have done a great job with the environments which capture the pivotal dark, steampunk atmosphere. They also seem to have adopted the ever popular free running style of navigating buildings and rooftops which is appropriate for someone in Garrett's line of work. Garrett's arsenal of tools and weapons at his disposable also seems to have been expanded allowing for plenty of ways to reach your goal. 

My main concerns aren't with visuals however, the size of the city or how many tools Garrett has in his inventory. I could return to the original Thief games on the computer and enjoy it for hours. What matters to me is the story and the true feel of Thief. Many have pointed out it looks Bethesda's Dishonored when in fact, Bethesda has admitted to having been heavily inspired by the early Thief games. I don't want Eidos Montreal to feel like they have to live up to Dishonored. 

No, Eidos Montreal needs to live up to the original Thief games by crafting Garrett as the character he was originally conceived as. He's a true anti-hero; a cynical loner shrouded in mystery. He does things his way, because he wants to. His interests serve only himself. He doesn't steal because he needs to, he steals because he wants too. He craves the challenge and the excitement of stealing. He's been compared to Robin Hood but he's more like a medieval Han Solo if you think about it. I think if Eidos Montreal can pull off the creation of Garrett the game will be a success. 

I'm sure many early fans of the Thief series feel the same way and they will have very high standards for this game. What do you think, fan or not are you looking forward to Thief? The game will be available on the Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4 and PC February 27th.