Monday, April 30, 2012

Dragon's Dogma, Trailer, Wallpaper and Popcorn

Wallpaper 1920x1200, more on Forbidden Forest


An action RPG close to release by Capcom for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, due May 22nd US, May 24 Japan, and May 25th 2012 for Eu.

An open world fantasy environment which has drawn comparisons to Capcom's own Monster Hunter series as well as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Throw in the hack and slash and survival horror elements and players can look forward to up to 30 hours of a main quest and an additional 70 hours of side quests.

During a raid on the fishing village of Casadeis, a dragon approaches you, and as dragons do,  informs you that you are the “chosen one”. It then proceeds to tear out your heart.....

I'll leave the rest for a decent preview, meanwhile sit back, help yourself to the free popcorn and enjoy.
Official Website

Alf The Helper: Does it really tear out your heart?
Elderly: Yes it does
Alf the Helper: But then you'd be dead and the game would be over.
Elderly: Yes I agree it would be a very short game indeed.
Alf The Helper: So it's a flashback thingy!! the heart tearing out bit..
Elderly: No you really get your heart torn out at the start of the game
Alf The Helper: But then you'd..... you've got two hearts!!!?
Elderly: No you've only got one heart
Alf The Helper: You get a transplant...
Elderly: No
Alf The Helper: .....?....It's a fake heart!? to fool the dragon??
Elderly: No
Alf The Helper: ....already I don't like this game...
Elderly: Patience Alf, wait for the preview

Sunday, April 29, 2012

The Elderly Gamer has Expanded


Well I'm using the royal we here, less of course I count Alf The Helper and Seamus the Leprechaun, who, much to my chagrin, is still hanging around here somewhere.

By expanded I mean of course the blog is wider, much as I would like to switch to a .com address, I'm afraid coding skills and my ludite ways are still with me.

November 9th 2005 I trudged my way through the blogger interface and managed my first post, the epitomy of brevity with a game review for the astounding "Call of Cthulu Dark Corners The Earth"

I remember the trepidiation wondering how the image was ever going fit around the text... and lest you think the image above is a likeness, though Alf would disagree, no it's that self same image I used way back then..

520,486 pageviews later, and I think I'm finally getting the hang of formatting, though why Seamus the Leprechaun's Horror Wallpaper post is the most popular post ever is beyond me.

Onwards and ...erm sideways...

Alf the Helper: I dont' get it, it's the same blog!!!
Elderly: Yes but it's wider...
Alf the Helper: Wider!?
Elderly: Yes Wider... here look!!

(Elderly takes out tape measure....)

Alf the Helper: Why you'd make it wider then?
Elderly: Because, ...erm ....because it's... Alf look back in 2005, people had 800x600 screens, now they've gotten much much bigger
Alf the Helper: The people have gotten bigger!?
Elderly: No! you idiot!! their computer screens have gotten wider...
Alf the Helper:  Ah I see now!.... same old trite just wider...
Elderly:What!!!!
Alf the Helper: gulp!. erm.. sure looks bright and wider
Elderly: Why yes it does look fresher...
Alf the Helper: Does this mean I'll be gett....
Elderly: No wage increases
Alf the Helper: :(

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Pandora's Tower Wii Game Review Summary


Wallpaper 1024x768

Released for Wii in Eu and Australia on 13th of April 2012.

Despite an online fan campaign "Operation Rainfall" to release the game for US audiences, no word to date of any such plans by Nintendo

The Plot
Your friend Elena is cursed, doomed to mutate into a demonic abomination unless you can free her from her horrible fate. Armed with the Oraclos Chain you must devour the flesh of the various monsters that inhabit the game's 13 towers.  You play as Aeron and pivotal to the game's multiple endings' is the relationship you nurture with Elena as you progress through the game. The monsters? Giant armored squid, fiery beasts and powerful pachyderms!!

The Scores
Released last May in Japan, Famitsu Magazines gave it a 77% rating, it's Western release scoring a respectable but borderline 74% on Metacritic, with the game's controls  and graphics engine coming under fire.

Quote of the bunch:
"Yet if at times it seems ugly, confused and repetitive, at others it's creative, gripping and wonderfully atmospheric. ." IGN

Reviews Summary
A true mature story of illness and love, a dark, and deep tale wrapped in old-school game design.
Some clever ideas at work here, but a lack of gameplay refinement and bland storytelling fail to make the most of it
Not as monumental as Xenoblade Chronicles but nonetheless you experience an exciting and moving adventure.
This a clunky action title – albeit one with a flicker of genuine emotion at its heart.
Clumsy it may be, but this is the perfect pick-me-up for Wii owners with post-Skyloft blues
With an identity of its own, some clever ideas and a well written story, Pandora's Tower can be quite charming
Pandora´s Tower is a game that takes its time to reveal its own charm and qualities
An average-to-good hack and slash  hobbled by some off the shelf RPG elements and ultimately tiresome - girlfriend management system
 
 
Alf the Helper: Hey mr.Elderly the Amazon guy is back again!!!!

(Elderly enters, delivers a well placed slap to the back of Alf's neck, then leaves...)

Alf the Helper: Ouchhhh!...What!!! What did I do!!?? right!!! well that's the last time I'm telling you about the Amazon guy..... jeescchhhhh!!!!

(Elderly re-enters... Alf runs for cover.... to be continued...)

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Max Payne 3 post preview, preview

Widescreen Wallpaper 1366x768

Max Payne 3 Mulitplayer trailer

Max Payne 3, due 18th May For PC, Xbox 360 and Ps3

Ah yes my first ever game, post preview, preview, which gives me another opportunity to explore the hidden treasures on the Max Payne Site and watch some youtube eyecandy.

Alf the Helper: So what's new in the Post Preview, erm... Preview mr. Elderly
Elderly: I'm glad you asked that Alf

Well apart from the detail in the last Max Payne 3 Game Preview,  news that a three part Max Payne comic, will available for free "in the next few weeks" from the official Website.  The comic provides an insight into how Max got to be Max 3.

Then there's Eurogamer, who have kindly provided the  Max Payne 3 Achievements and Trophy list

The especially wide widescreen Wallpaper above and criminally missing in my last update, a quick overview of the much hyped multiplayer element.

Job done for another day on the Elderly Gamer.

Alf the Helper: Well how do you think it went?
Elderly: Okay, but I don't remember an "erm" in the script I handed you!!!
Alf the Helper: ... Well I had no idea what my motivation was so I decided an adlib would add much needed authenticity.
Elderly: I dunno, in future stick to the script, Okay?
Alf the Helper: Okay...

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Geralt of Rivia Witcher 2 Assassins of Kings Twitter Icon






Having written his first ever game review Summary, my assistant Alf the Helper, went off and made these quite useless Twitter icons, specially sized at 250x250 for twitter compatability.  For the Witcher enthusiast amongst you with a Twitter Account.

Contrary to popular rumour, Alf's rations have been increased.

Geralt of Rivia

Geralt of Rivia aka Gwynbleidd (white wolf) is a "Witcher".  Witchers are monster-hunters who receive special training and modifications at an early age to provide them with supernatural abilities.

Geralt is said to be one of the world's best witchers, his abilities allowed for more experimentation and as a result he has lost all body pigmentation. Abandoned by his sorceress mother, he is at times both cynical and noble.

Full Profile on Wikipedia

See also latest "Forum Avatars"

Monday, April 23, 2012

Retro Music 1959 Paul Anka "Put Your Head on My Shoulder"



Okay so I'm begining to get the hint that my Retro Music post is as popular as a Referendum on the European Fiscal Treaty,  and that by now I should really just pack them in.  But something continues to draw me to these flickering, grainy black and white images and crackling monaural sound.  Perhaps it's my age or indeed signs of early dementia.

This time I at least attempted to stay on subject, as "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" featured in the game, Hitman: Contracts, Level 2 "The Meat King's Party".

So apologies while I inflict another Retro Music post on my beloved 4 followers....

Paul Anka Official Website

See all "Retro Music" posts

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Witcher 2 "Assassins of Kings" Xbox 360 Game Review Summary



Hi Alf The Helper here!!  :)

...unfortunately mr.Elderly is too busy at present getting to grips with the Witcher 2 control system to blog himself.  In fact between you and me, his game tutorial retention was so bad the game started him on Easy mode.. hee hee...!

Okay first off, the bits you already know, Witcher 2 Assassins of Kings is a third person non-linear RPG based on a series of books by Polish fantasy writer Andrzej Sapkowski.

And it's for Adults... containing as it does, "very strong language, strong sex (I have no idea what that means) and bloody violence".  As described in mr.Elderly's earlier post, the game comes in two shades Enhanced and Dark Editions, with the Dark Edition amongst other extras including a very cool wolf medallion.

Elderly: Whadda doing.. I can't be dead!! I annointed my bloody blade!!!..

Sorry just a second....

(Alf closes the door to the elderly gamer's room...)

Originally a hit on PC, Witcher 2 Assassins of Kings is actually the second instalment in the RPG saga about the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia. (that be him above).  Indeed some of you may even remember the 2001 film The Hexer again based on the antics of our hero.

What it says on the tin
"The game features an original, brutal combat system that uniquely combines tactical elements with dynamic action. A new, modern game engine, responsible for beautiful visuals and sophisticated game mechanics puts players in the most lively and believable world ever created in an RPG game."

The Plot
You play as Geralt Rivia one of the few remaing Witchers.  Witchers are essentially monster hunters for hire, master swordsmen, possessing (with the help of the odd herb, brew and incantation) superhuman abilities.
A sumptous opening fmv, precedes a brief but weighty tutorial which introduces you to the game mechanics, following a trial to test your newly learned skills, the game sets it's difficulty level based on how well you did.  Following a strange dream you awake to find yourself chained in a prison facing an interrogation, there then follows a thoroughly engaging romp across two discs with many different paths and storylines, along with multiple endings.

With 42 critic reviews in so far, Metacritic have awarded the game a magnificent 90% But is it all that?
Quotes of the Bunch:

"makes Skyrim look like something you'd find in the Early Learning Centre"
Bickle77


 "...characters that have a depth and complexity that makes them really come to life..."
Games from the Void

Reviews Summary:
Treats sex like a mature theme and not a juvenile goal. It's not to be missed.
One of the few adult video games that doesn't feel like it was made purely for teenagers.
One of the most engaging and immersive games of this console generation.
An unforgiving and challenging RPG, refreshment amongst a market of identikit RPG's afraid to take risks
The best fantasy RPG on Xbox 360.
The Witcher 2 is a tough game, no doubt. Dare I say it, too tough.
The pros more than outweigh the cons.
A steep learning curve that is not for the uninitiated or faint of heart.
The Witcher 2 on the X360 is a masterpiece.
Most crucially, the journey is worth every minute of effort

Official Website
So there we have it, a masterpiece RPG for adults.....
  
Elderly: Godammmtttt.... who designed the interface... it's wrecking my head.. I'm starting again...

....with a steep learning curve, and ...

Elderly: Alf!!! get in here, I was nearly through the trebuchet scene and they go and launch another wave... damitt I'll beat this if it kills me!!!!


..a rich and colourful backstory and characters...


Thank you for listening :)

(Alf The Helper, is new to the game blogging scene, an orphan, left behind by a group of blog decorators he was later adopted by the Elderly Gamer.  To date he has made some stunning avatars and written some essential pieces on the Elderly Gamer.  Alf is currently paid very little for his sterling work, and is looking for anyone who will put his considerable skills to use.... for a living wage )

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Video Game Fanart Tulio Minaki

Cammy Street Fighter

Shiva Final Fantasy vii
Shiva Final Fantasy viii

Tifa Lockhart Final Fantasy

Game Character Fanart from talented Brazilian  Tulio Minaki

Low res images here only, full size and more on his

Behance page
Deviantart Page
Blog

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