I've been hearing about this film for for quite some time. It was announced back in 2006 but hit some rocky roads due to constant cast changes and issues with the budget. But now the film is nearly finished, and the trailer has reared its hairy head on the internet. If you ask me, I'm happy with the look of the film. Del Toro was a good pick to play Lawrence Talbot, the Wolf Man. Aside for him, the rest of the cast is just as good. The film will be unleashed on February 12th next year.





So here's the trailer!

So I picked up 1600 Microsoft Republican Credits today in anticipation for Shadow Complex, which releases Wednesday. And since its 1200 points, that left me 400 to do whatever I pleased. I didn't want to to buy more stupid avatar clothing (I already bought a 400 point lightsaber, which looks cool but thats it), and so I looked through the current list of Arcade games. Nothing worth 400 points really caught my eye until I got to the Sega Vintage games. "Most of these games are already in the Ultimate Genesis Collection" I thought. But then I saw Comix Zone, my all time favorite Genesis game in the history of anything. I remember when I was nine and staying up WAY past my bedtime to get farther in the game. I also remember it being a pain in the ass. There was a lot of trial and error involved. So I began to memorize the game, and eventually had it down to almost a speed run level. But then I got my hands on something new, and I never touched Comix Zone again.

That's when I decided to purchase it. I spent the next three hours in nostalgia heaven. Remembering all the short cuts, playing through with the different styles, even remembering which items to use where and how to beat all the bosses (I forgot how easy the final boss was). Of course Comix Zone was never known for its replay value, so in three hours I had beaten the game four times and earned all 200 achievement points. I'll probably won't touch it anytime soon (I'm gonna guess years), but it was a nostalgic rush totally worth five bucks (or 400 MS points for you fuckheads).

Remember your favorite game? Replay it, and live that high that is nostalgia.

Now I'm usually the guy who enjoys dicking around with fighting games, but I rarely spend the time to master them. I just play them for simple minded fun. I pick a character who I feel comfortable with and has projectile moves that are easy to pull off. King of Fighters ws a series that i enjoyed doing this with, and I found my niche in this series in Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui.

They are quick, awesome, and have accessible moves sets that work for a guy who doesn't want to spend 100+ hours on mastering moves. There are some other characters I enjoy using, like Iori Yagami and Ralf Jones, but Mai and Terry have always been my go-to guys(as Ryu and Ken are in Street Fighter games).

But in King of Fighters XII, I only get half my awesome sandwich. First off, Mai is missing. Where has she gone? Where can I find her? Not in this game. Gamers have speculated that SNK will release her via DLC for the game, but that's bullshit. I don't want to have to WAIT, and then PAY 800 Microsoft Moon Dollars for her. And Terry, well, Terry is just fine. Actually, he's great. He's literally untouched (except now his sprite looks more badass than ever).

Sexy

Iori became a heavy character overnight (and he sucks now), and many of the new characters are both fugly and suck to boot. And this isn't the only thing wrong with this game. God-awful presentation weaken the whole package. The menus are ugly and the options limited. For this series' comeback they really didn't try very hard. I think most of the work went into the new HD sprites, and SNK just threw the rest of the game together. As I mentioned earlier, the character selections sucks compared to other entries in this series. There is a huge lack of modes (even more so than in Street Fighter IV), and don't even get me started on the online multiplayer. OHHHH GOOODDD!!!!! It's quite bad.

How bad? Let's just say that Super Smash Bros. Brawl runs at a god-like super speed compared to this. Its like watching your characters attempt combat while swimming through maple syrup. Do what I did and just stick to local multiplayer as with most fighting games its much better. If you feel like taking the online for a spin, just smash buttons in rapid succession as soon as you see the word GO! Who knows, maybe you'll actually win.

So KoF XII isn't terrible, but its sad that this is what we get on its 15th birthday. Its worth a look if you absolutely adore the series, or if you have an interest in boys that look like chicks. Either way, its still better than BlazBlue.



Score: 6/10

Since summer started I've been playing a lot of games. Some good, some bad, and some vomit inducing. So here's a taste of what I've played and my two cents on if you should or shouldn't play them (because I'm controlling like that). This is part one of two (because I wanna play more Punch-Out!).

The Conduit (Wii)


What's it about? Aliens (that appear to be from a Disneyworld ride I took once) attack Washington D.C. and you play some suit that gets caught up in a conspiracy featuring two warring sides. Yes, the plot is screwy and dismissible, but you get to shoot things!
Should I play it? Its a rental. If you can get over your right (or left, you weirdos) arm pulsing with pain from holding the Wiimote up, then its fun. The design is pretty standard. 1) Shoot things that move. 2) Solve all puzzles by pointing the silly globe object with a stupid name at it. 3) Repeat. Its also really short. The multiplayer is throwaway but can be distracting for short periods of time. So if you're starved for a decent Wii game, give this a try.
Score: 6/10

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (PS3, 360)


What's it about? Its based on the movie which is based on the book which is based on scribbles on a napkin. Its Harry Potter, and since this is Destructoid I'm going to assume that everyone knows the plot and how it ends. I will also assume that everyone here knows that most games based on films tend to be shittier than you grandma's Depends. This game is no different.
Should I play it? For the love of Christ NO!!! Its an utter waste of time and effort. You'll spend your time following Nearly Headless Nick (your guide, because I haven't got the brain power to remember where shit is) to one of three repeating events. Quidditch, where you simply guide Harry through rings until he catches the snitch or whatever. There's potion making, which isn't terrible but lacks challenge. And then there's my favorite past time, Dueling. To sum up this event; go ballistic on you right analog stick until your opponent is no more. Some will argue that there is strategy involved in dueling, and I guess there is some. But if you want the whole mess over with (i.e. this game), constantly pushing the stick forward is the way to go. Repeat these three events (none of which are fun in the least), and three or four hours in you eventually beat the game. Hooray. Go you. Kill yourself.
Score: 3/10

Punch-Out!! (Wii)


What's it about? Its the classic NES game remade with shitty motion controls. But, since there is a higher power, Nintendo decided to let you hold the Wiimote on its side and play it like the original. Hallelujah!
Should I play it? If you own a Wii, you should immediately stop what you're doing and buy this now. Its by far one of the best games I've played in a while. It feels and looks just like the original, but now in 3D. The graphics are crisp and colorful, and the voices are fitting and often hilarious. Your opponents are given more personality. And the Wiimote controls...smooth as butter (or something else that's smooth and edible). The only real nitpicks I have are that some of the new opponents aren't as memorable as the classic ones. And Little Mac's extreme tan might bother some purists. Also the multiplayer is somewhat disappointing, as both players can only be Little Mac instead of picking from the roster of characters. I would have loved to have been able to play as King Hippo and beat the living shit out of Disco Kid (fuck I hate Disco Kid). As a Wii owner you really owe it to yourself to play this fantastic game.
Score: 9/10

Ehhh, its creative. I'll give it that. But non-fans won't be attracted to it at all. Some will even be put off by artsy depiction of blowing one's brains out. It needs a few more guys, or guns, or anything really. Well, it could have been worse, as it was made like this to appease to a certain crowd.

So until October 20th hits, watch this video over and over again until you die.

P.S. I bought a lightsaber for my avatar this morning! How wasteful am I?
.

If you keep up with Robert Rodriguez and crew, you've known that there's been a film based on his fake trailer Machete in the works. But now its got a cast, and DAMN is it weird.

-Robert De Niro,
-Jessica Alba,
-Michelle Rodriguez,
-Steven Seagal,
-Lindsay Lohan,
-Cheech Marin,
-Don Johnson
-Jeff Fahey
-Danny Trejo (of course)

Its about time we see some Rodriguez craziness. Also, his new kids film Shorts is in theaters August 21. It actually looks pretty interesting, as I enjoyed his Spy Kids films (except for 3-D, Christ that was awful). Look for Machete in theaters sometime next year. Until then, watch the original trailer to get yourself pumped up.