Michael Epstein, Author at We Got This Covered

Michael Epstein

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The Gunstringer Hands-On Preview [PAX 2011]

Twisted Pixel’s The Gunstringer is a very important game. Its importance has nothing to do with cultural relevance or some revolutionary game mechanic, but because it has the potential to change the way many gamers see motion control based gaming. It will be the first downloadable game for the Kinect and its success could very well lead to an explosion of small-scale titles for the platform that give the platform credibility with core gamers who have yet to embrace it, for want of “substantial” software. As it turns out, The Gunstringer is exactly what the Kinect needs – an accessible and undeniably fun game that shows that the Kinect can be used to make games that challenge players, as well as amuse them.

Portal 2 Impressions [PAX 2011]

Storytelling, not gameplay, is what set the original Portal apart from other puzzle games. Yes, the portal gun is a versatile mechanic and is the center of the game, but the game’s humor, particularly the ever-present electronic frenemy GLaADOS, was the undeniable stars of the game. Portal 2, looking to expand the series in every sense of the word, is raising the bar by adding new characters to support the rapidly expanding world. Valve’s screening of the game at PAX gave us a first look at two of those new characters.

Duke Nukem Forever Hands-On Preview [PAX 2011]

Getting my hands on the infamous Duke Nukem Forever, a game that started development during the last millennium, was a tough experience to interpret. Part of me felt like it was necessary to revere the game simply because it existed. Part of me wants to trash it because no game should ever take that long. So it is with all these thoughts in my mind that I approached the game. Looking back on it now, Duke Nukem Forever is kind of like the McDonalds of video games – fun to play, but you might feel bad about yourself afterwards. What I mean is this; Duke Nukem Forever works very hard to recreate the feeling of the original Duke Nukem games, and in that capacity it is absolutely a success.

The Darkness 2 Hands-On Preview [PAX 2011]

I haven’t played the first Darkness game so I can’t say whether it was good or bad, but either way it wasn’t a bank-breaking success and thus, I was somewhat perplexed by the fact that 2K opted to do a sequel. My confusion turned to dismay when I heard that the game was being taken away from its original developer, Starbreeze Studios, and given to Digital Extremes – a studio whose biggest lead developer credit is the aptly named Xbox shooter Pariah.

Orcs Must Die Hands-On Preview [PAX 2011]

At PAX 2011, I had the opportunity to play Orcs Must Die, a new action/tower defense game coming to PC and Xbox Live from Robot Entertainment. How can I describe Orcs Must Die? Well, honestly, the title says it all.

Hunted: The Demon’s Forge Hands-On Preview [PAX 2011]

Hunted: The Demon’s Forge has gotten a bad rap. Being an action-RPG with a Resident Evil 4-esque over-the-shoulder camera, the game was type-cast as a medieval Gears of War clone based on early screenshots. Developer InXile knows about the rep, and they aren’t happy about. “Players {here at PAX} start playing as E’lara and immediately start using the reticule, says Bethesda senior producer Darren Chukitus. It’s not that kind of game, there’s a lot more fast-paced hack-n-slashing, rapid-shooting action going on.” And rightfully so, Hunted is a lot of things, but a Gears of War clone, it is not.

Child Of Eden Hands-On Preview [PAX 2011]

Despite the fact that Microsoft has sold upwards of 10 million Kinects since launch, I have been very cynical of the platform. Aside from Dance Central, there haven’t been any show-stopping games, and even DC suffers from limited playability. Add to that the fact that you need to have a fairly sizeable living room to use Kinect properly, and there are a lot of reasons to steer clear. But just like that, I’ve changed my mind. Today I renounce my skepticism. Today, I played Child of Eden.

Angry Birds Makes The Jump To Facebook

Nintendo Announces Super Mario 3DS

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata confirmed what everyone assumed - that everyone's favorite plumber is already in the process of getting a 3D makeover. The team behind Super Mario Galaxy is developing, which may indicate that the new game may also be in a similar style. Iwata was closed-lipped about the details of the game, which, according to the logo, is simply called "Super Mario." The new logo (shown, on the screen behind Iwata) has a tail on the end of the "O". What could THAT mean...

Nintendo Releases New Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Trailer