Any of you who follow the twitter feed connected to this blog may have been noticing some odd posts recently.
I might as well explain whats going on!
I am in the process of moving Pixelated Palace to another blog service and platform. The good news is that I've purchased a domain name and already started the process of getting things set up. From what I've been told by my #1 Blog Adviser Terry using the domain name and moving to this blog to another platform will really only help me get the word out and simply be seen be more like-minded people.
This is a pretty sweet gain, right?
The bad news is I seem to be unable to import any existing posts into this new platform. These posts will live on at the current url pretty much until I can either import them into the new blog, or Google suddenly decides it's cleaning out blogger/blogspot blogs.
Does anyone actually think that 2nd option will happen any time soon? Yeah... I didn't think so.
SO! Anyone who'd like to get a jump on things, and take a sneak peek over at the VERY STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION blog - Feel free to take a look, update your bookmarks and RSS feeds... whatever! The design right now is 100% temporary as I get a feel for this new set up (I think it's safe to say, we're going to tumblr). With any luck, it'll be looking awesome in no time. Then we will officially launch and posting here will stop.
(If by chance you're reading this and not someone inside my whole social/social media circle - Please follow me to the new site! I will not be changing the sorts of things I post - just where I post them! I'd love to have you continue to read!)
Monday, November 21, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
VIDEO: Touch My Katamari
Well, what can i say? It's a new video trailer for Touch My Katamari.
You either like this series, or well... you're the sort of person who punches babies. Let's have a look:
You either like this series, or well... you're the sort of person who punches babies. Let's have a look:
Monday, November 14, 2011
Video Games, Recovery & Where the hell I've been
Well now. It's been some time since I last wrote about what I have been playing - and to be more direct, I've been kind of slacking off on the blog.
There's a perfectly valid excuse though - I spent some time in the hospital at the end of September and have been recovering from some silly medical crap. (To the handful of people who do read this blog regularly - DON'T WORRY! I'm fine now and ultimately will recovery 100%)
The previously mentioned medical silliness has required that I go to some out patient physical therapy in order to regain some motor skills. Early on I discovered that playing video games made some drastic improvements to my finer motor skills, so of course I ran this all past my wonderful Physical Therapist who seemed thrilled with the idea. I must say, it's actually kind of rad to be told playing video games is HELPFUL.
So, again - I am fine, and will continue to get better with each day, so DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME! Now, that said... Let's talk about what I've been playing recently!
First up - immediately upon being discharged from the hospital, I picked up a copy of Gears of War 3. I then proceeded to play through the entire game (a large chunk of it with a good pal of mine, co-op), and found it to be the best and most satisfying Gears game yet. As always, Gears is a sort of interactive sci-fi/action movie - and really any fan of the prior games in the series will enjoy this outing. The gameplay was super smooth and the graphics were pretty top notch. While Gears 3 seems to end the Gears of War trilogy - I hope this is not the last game we get within this universe. It's just too great of a game engine and style of play to let it collect dust. I'd even be fine with a whole new cast of characters!
But - as I said, played this one straight to the end, mostly on co-op. Once it was over, my pal and I decided it would be a good idea to co-op our way through Gears 2 and then 1. So we did. All in the name of helping me get better. (Big big big shout out to CH. Can't thank you enough for our "Lunchtime Gears".)
It was actually very cool to see how the games had progressed technically by playing them in this order. It's actually kind of jarring how stiff and unforgiving the original Gears of War was. Some of the refinements made with Gears 2 were really rather key to not getting overly frustrated with the game (like the addition of the ability to be revived. The lack of the revival mechanic in Gears 1 made it quite a bit harder than 2 or 3. No matter - we pressed on.
Was it just me, or did Gears 2's final stages just seem like a breeze? I actually said to my pal when Gears 2 ended "Did we just beat the game?!"
Anyway! Not long after this little Gears of War adventure ended, a copy of Batman Arkham City (PS3) arrived at my door (thanks to some VERY kind people who heard video games had been helpful and wanted to ensure I had something to play).
Holy Crap!
I am really unsure how deep into this game I am at this point, but I am well along the main storyline. There are so many side-quests it's not even funny. Batman, in an open world, with these kinds of graphics is simply amazing. I find myself having so much fun just moving around the city, shooting from building to building - sometimes getting the drop on some roaming bad guys. This very well may be both the best Batman game created to date AND the best super hero game made to date.
It's kind of crazy because this game wasn't really on my radar until it landed in my lap, so I feel I must spread the word. Sure, it's gotten a ton of hype (and rightfully so!), but DO NOT PASS THIS ONE UP! Even people who may not be fans of Batman or super heroes - this is just a fantastic video game. Add it to your Christmas/Holiday wish list at the least!
(PS- Batman Arkham City has easily earned the Pixelated Palace Seal of Approval:
Next...
...yeah.
What can I say? The Multiplayer is exactly what you'd expect from Call of Duty. It was really nice to see a game launch with no server or game issues on Day 1. My friends and I had no trouble playing and joining games that first day. In terms of the campaign, it's epic as always and again feels like you're playing an interactive military themed action movie.
If you enjoy CoD, you'll dig it - but I feel MW3 won't win any new fans to the series.
Last, and certainly not least (just simply the most current) - Super Mario 3D Land has come out and I am so happy to have something fresh and new to play on my 3DS.
To me, Super Mario 3D Land feels like the logical place to take Mario post-New Super Mario Brothers. It's got a fantastic hybrid of old and new school game mechanics and really should make any Mario fan smile (even the old ones!). The levels themselves seem to really be in the same vein as Super Mario Brothers 3/Super Mario World. There is loads of classic Mario Brothers music through the game so far. The first boss encounter is a total throwback to your run ins with Bowser in Super Mario Brothers 1. The 2nd boss encounter is a throwback to the ship boss/mini boss stages from Mario 3. I anticipate later levels following suit in being throwbacks to prior Mario adventures (I wonder if there will be anything from Mario 2/Mario USA...).
I look forward to playing this game quite a bit more.
And with that - we're current. There are several huge games I've not played or talked about as of yet, but with any luck I'll find myself with several gift cards over the holidays to help me catch up (Uncharted 3 i'm looking at you!).
Until next time!
There's a perfectly valid excuse though - I spent some time in the hospital at the end of September and have been recovering from some silly medical crap. (To the handful of people who do read this blog regularly - DON'T WORRY! I'm fine now and ultimately will recovery 100%)
The previously mentioned medical silliness has required that I go to some out patient physical therapy in order to regain some motor skills. Early on I discovered that playing video games made some drastic improvements to my finer motor skills, so of course I ran this all past my wonderful Physical Therapist who seemed thrilled with the idea. I must say, it's actually kind of rad to be told playing video games is HELPFUL.
So, again - I am fine, and will continue to get better with each day, so DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME! Now, that said... Let's talk about what I've been playing recently!
First up - immediately upon being discharged from the hospital, I picked up a copy of Gears of War 3. I then proceeded to play through the entire game (a large chunk of it with a good pal of mine, co-op), and found it to be the best and most satisfying Gears game yet. As always, Gears is a sort of interactive sci-fi/action movie - and really any fan of the prior games in the series will enjoy this outing. The gameplay was super smooth and the graphics were pretty top notch. While Gears 3 seems to end the Gears of War trilogy - I hope this is not the last game we get within this universe. It's just too great of a game engine and style of play to let it collect dust. I'd even be fine with a whole new cast of characters!
But - as I said, played this one straight to the end, mostly on co-op. Once it was over, my pal and I decided it would be a good idea to co-op our way through Gears 2 and then 1. So we did. All in the name of helping me get better. (Big big big shout out to CH. Can't thank you enough for our "Lunchtime Gears".)
It was actually very cool to see how the games had progressed technically by playing them in this order. It's actually kind of jarring how stiff and unforgiving the original Gears of War was. Some of the refinements made with Gears 2 were really rather key to not getting overly frustrated with the game (like the addition of the ability to be revived. The lack of the revival mechanic in Gears 1 made it quite a bit harder than 2 or 3. No matter - we pressed on.
Was it just me, or did Gears 2's final stages just seem like a breeze? I actually said to my pal when Gears 2 ended "Did we just beat the game?!"
Anyway! Not long after this little Gears of War adventure ended, a copy of Batman Arkham City (PS3) arrived at my door (thanks to some VERY kind people who heard video games had been helpful and wanted to ensure I had something to play).
Holy Crap!
I am really unsure how deep into this game I am at this point, but I am well along the main storyline. There are so many side-quests it's not even funny. Batman, in an open world, with these kinds of graphics is simply amazing. I find myself having so much fun just moving around the city, shooting from building to building - sometimes getting the drop on some roaming bad guys. This very well may be both the best Batman game created to date AND the best super hero game made to date.
It's kind of crazy because this game wasn't really on my radar until it landed in my lap, so I feel I must spread the word. Sure, it's gotten a ton of hype (and rightfully so!), but DO NOT PASS THIS ONE UP! Even people who may not be fans of Batman or super heroes - this is just a fantastic video game. Add it to your Christmas/Holiday wish list at the least!
(PS- Batman Arkham City has easily earned the Pixelated Palace Seal of Approval:
Next...
...yeah.
What can I say? The Multiplayer is exactly what you'd expect from Call of Duty. It was really nice to see a game launch with no server or game issues on Day 1. My friends and I had no trouble playing and joining games that first day. In terms of the campaign, it's epic as always and again feels like you're playing an interactive military themed action movie.
If you enjoy CoD, you'll dig it - but I feel MW3 won't win any new fans to the series.
Last, and certainly not least (just simply the most current) - Super Mario 3D Land has come out and I am so happy to have something fresh and new to play on my 3DS.
To me, Super Mario 3D Land feels like the logical place to take Mario post-New Super Mario Brothers. It's got a fantastic hybrid of old and new school game mechanics and really should make any Mario fan smile (even the old ones!). The levels themselves seem to really be in the same vein as Super Mario Brothers 3/Super Mario World. There is loads of classic Mario Brothers music through the game so far. The first boss encounter is a total throwback to your run ins with Bowser in Super Mario Brothers 1. The 2nd boss encounter is a throwback to the ship boss/mini boss stages from Mario 3. I anticipate later levels following suit in being throwbacks to prior Mario adventures (I wonder if there will be anything from Mario 2/Mario USA...).
I look forward to playing this game quite a bit more.
And with that - we're current. There are several huge games I've not played or talked about as of yet, but with any luck I'll find myself with several gift cards over the holidays to help me catch up (Uncharted 3 i'm looking at you!).
Until next time!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
So about that #GTAV trailer...
What a tease.
At least we know it'll be set in San Andreas, which could be very rad. It looks liked a fairly modern era, and it seems the main character is a little older than we're use to.
I hope Rockstar doesn't hold back on the details in the coming weeks/months!
At least we know it'll be set in San Andreas, which could be very rad. It looks liked a fairly modern era, and it seems the main character is a little older than we're use to.
I hope Rockstar doesn't hold back on the details in the coming weeks/months!
HEADS UP: Grand Theft Auto V Trailer incoming! #GTAV
...and the final countdown begins! As of this writing, we are T minus 3 hours till this trailer goes live. Rockstar has been kind enough to provide this embeddable version you see below, countdown and everything! I'll follow up with my reactions once this goes live and I've viewed it several times
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
UH OH: Here comes GTA5
Rockstar has announced Grand Theft Auto 5.
I do hope the use of the "V" is a hint that we're headed back to Vice City... in High Def...
Can't wait to see this trailer!
I do hope the use of the "V" is a hint that we're headed back to Vice City... in High Def...
Can't wait to see this trailer!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
PS2 titles coming to PSN/PS3
Well, so much for the slim PS3 being unable to run PS2 software!
In a move expected by well... pretty much everyone... Sony has announced the first batch of downloadable PS2 titles for the PS3. Odin Sphere, God Hand, GrimGrimoire, Maximo: Ghosts to Glory, and Ring of Red will all be available starting today (10/4/2011). PSN+ members will see a 20% discount on these titles.
First off, I'm glad Sony is opting to go for some of the hidden gems of the PS2 library. These titles simply never got the attention they deserved, and with any luck they now have a shot at gaining a bunch of attention.
Second - C'mon, wtf Sony? Would it really kill you to push this PS2 software out to all slim consoles via a firmware update so I could say... slip one of my many PS2 dvds into my slim and have a go? Anyone with half a clue realized the "no PS2 on slim PS3" was an artificial limitation, and I'm sure a lot of good will from the user base could be gained by adding this to a firmware update.
C'mon Sony... do the right thing and make it happen.
In a move expected by well... pretty much everyone... Sony has announced the first batch of downloadable PS2 titles for the PS3. Odin Sphere, God Hand, GrimGrimoire, Maximo: Ghosts to Glory, and Ring of Red will all be available starting today (10/4/2011). PSN+ members will see a 20% discount on these titles.
First off, I'm glad Sony is opting to go for some of the hidden gems of the PS2 library. These titles simply never got the attention they deserved, and with any luck they now have a shot at gaining a bunch of attention.
Second - C'mon, wtf Sony? Would it really kill you to push this PS2 software out to all slim consoles via a firmware update so I could say... slip one of my many PS2 dvds into my slim and have a go? Anyone with half a clue realized the "no PS2 on slim PS3" was an artificial limitation, and I'm sure a lot of good will from the user base could be gained by adding this to a firmware update.
C'mon Sony... do the right thing and make it happen.
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