GDC 2010: Monster Hunter Tri Preview

Even though I expected to have my brain stimulated at GDC, I couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed by all the tech demos and game production software on display. I love checking out giant human hamster balls and emergent physics engines as much as the next person, but whenever I needed to get "grounded" again, I would head over to the Nintendo booth and relax on their couches that included a nice little demo of Monster Hunter Tri. After getting disemboweled by giant raptors a few times, I finally started to get the hang of it and BOOM; a preview was born!

Read: Monster Hunter Tri Preview

Bottom line: If you're a Monster Hunter fan, there's no reason you should skip over this.

GDC 2010: Darkstar One: Broken Alliance Preview

A couple weeks before GDC, I had the pleasure of watching the producers of Darkstar One: Broken Alliance demo the latest build of their epic space simulation for GameShark. Hardcore PC gamers out there might remember the original game from 2006, but this time around it's been optimized for the Xbox 360. Porting a nuanced PC simulation to a mouse-and-keyboardless system is always a tricky move for publishers, but from what I saw (and briefly played) here, Kalypso Media seems to be doing a solid job staying true to its source material.

Check the link, and let me know if you're one of the few that's dying to micromanage your galactic empire.

Read: DarkStar One: Broken Alliance Preview

GameShark - Reviews

And now, for the reviews! As you can see, I was far from complacent throughout the latter half of 2008. And here are the links to prove it:

• N+ (PSP)
• Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen (DS)
• Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (DS)
• Kirby: Super Star Ultra (DS)
• Chrono Trigger (DS)
• Eternal Sonata (PS3)
• Star Ocean: First Departure (PSP)
• Animal Crossing: Wild World (Wii)

Wow! That's more than I expected. Feel free to check them out, and leave comments as you see fit!

GameShark - Previews

Throughout 2008, I was able to make it out to a handful of press events for GameShark and get a little hands-on time with some of the year's hottest games. Even though I missed out on the Mirrors Edge press event, most games were awesome enough to write about. Well, save for Damnation, but that was more the fault of the awful venue. Ho-hum.

• Saints Row 2 - Multiplayer Hands-On (360/PS3)
• Damnation - Multiplayer Hands-On (360)
• Animal Crossing: Wild World (Wii)
• StarCraft II - BlizzCon Impressions (PC)
• Prince of Persia (360/PS3)
• Star Ocean: Second Evolution (PSP)
• Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero (PSP)

That about wraps it up. Feel free to leave comments; I get none via GameShark. :(

And now, onto the reviews!

GameShark - Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon Review

After a bit of a drought, I'm back with my first of a few pieces posted over at GameShark! I've been playing Chocobo's Dungeon every second that I had for the past week or so, and I have to say that it's the most enjoyable RPG experience I've had on the Wii yet. While Opoona nudges ahead in terms of music and artistic style, the way that Chocobo's Dungeon makes the dungeon crawling experience palatable is worthy of a Nobel Prize. Seriously.

Give it a looksee and tell me what you think. I have a preview for Need for Speed Undercover coming up shortly, so stay tuned for that!

Read: Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon - Review

GameShark - Guitar Hero: On Tour Review

Well, it's finally here! My first review for GameShark has just gone live, right before the big E3 rush that will surely knock it off its pedestal within days. If the article feels a little awkward at first, it's because the longer introduction had to be cut short due to length limitations. Oops! It basically drew an analogy between real life guitar and GH:OT since they both are extremely painful and embarassing at the beginning. Once you get the hang of them, they're great, but it may not be for everyone.

If anyone wants to see the full review, just let me know. It's not a monster, but it is about 300 words longer.

GameShark: Guitar Hero: On Tour Review