The Japanese PS2’s Last Game Gets A Release Date

A couple of months ago, I wrote about how the Japanese PlayStation 2 has one unreleased game left. For the longest time, this title, Final Fantasy XI: Seekers of Adoulin, had been simply labeled as “Release date: 2013.” Now, at last, it has an official release date. Seekers of Adoulin is in fact the first…

Ixion Saga DT is One of the Funniest Anime I Have Ever Seen (And It’s Only Half Done)

Tell me if you’ve heard this one before: A teenager from our world is magically transported to a fantasy world where he/she is the key to saving the kingdom—or perhaps the entire world. Of course you have. Ixion Saga DT is an anime built around this most common of themes, seeking to deconstruct it piece…

Here’s What Solo Gameplay Is Like in Lightning Returns: FFXIII

By now, most fans have seen the trailer for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII and are at least partly aware of the new game system that will involve a limited time of 13 days in which Lightning must save the world. Video from the trailer shows Lightning in her new outfit running, fighting, climbing and…

PC Gamers Choose Their Favourite Mods From 2012

I’ve already sounded off on what I thought were the best mods for 2012, but a second opinion is always welcome. And there’s no more authoritative second opinion than the “Best Of” winners at mod specialist site ModDB. In addition to an overall winner and awards for sub-categories, the site’s community (the awards were determined…

Sony’s DVR System Goes Portable On The Vita… Only In Japan

“Torne?” “Nasne?” If you’re wondering what the Hell these terms are, don’t worry. Sony’s PS3 compatible DVR systems currently have no announced release outside of Japan. Just for an overview, torne (pronounced “TOR-neh”) and nasne (pronounced “NAS-neh”) are Sony’s digital recording systems to record HD TV. torne is the name of the interface software, while…

The Soviets Made a Hobbit Movie In 1985. It’s So Terrible it’s Incredible.

And you can watch it right here. It’s missing characters like Beorn, and entire sections of the story like the trolls, but you can still catch the gist. Well, sort of. If you speak Russian. The project was unlicensed by Tolkien’s estate, and its full name in English was “The Fairytale Journey of Mr. Bilbo…

Everyone In Far Cry 3 Looks Absolutely Crazy. Everyone.

The images you’re about to see are the work of Bruno Gauthier Leblanc, an Ubisoft artist who we’ve previously featured for his contributions on Splinter Cell: Conviction Today, though, we’re looking at things a little more tropical in nature. Namely, his work on Far Cry 3 As you can see, many of these designs made…

Download Your Own Copy of Grand Theft Auto’s Colourful Maps

Despite the ease of Steam and the comfort of my couch, I still own physical copies of both Vice City and San Andreas on PC. Why? Because of the maps It’s long been a tradition with Rockstar’s open world games, right through to GTAIV and Red Dead Redemption, to include physical maps of the game…

An Exquisite Replica Of Corvo’s Mask From Dishonored

This isn’t an exquisite 3D render of Corvo’s mask from Dishonored. It’s an actual mask, put together by the team at Technically Magic Effects. Sadly, it’s not available to buy—it’s a one-off made for a competition—but that only makes it that much more of alluring. The accuracy is a result of the source material: developers…

One Real Good Incentive Just To Work At Blizzard

It’s not just those who have worked at Blizzard for 5, 10 or 20 years that get awesome presents. A lot of other people do as well. The statue you see was the company’s “2012 Holiday Employee Gift”, something only those on Blizzard’s payroll were eligible to receive. Sculpted by Blizzard’s Brian Fay, the same…

“Wii U Kid” Gives “Nintendo 64 Kid” A Run For His Money

The internet-famous Nintendo 64 kid is about as perfect a summary of Christmas morning excitement you can get. For a more contemporary take, though, here’s AJ opening his Wii U yesterday morning. What he lacks in blood-curdling terror he makes up for with heart-warming affection. Seriously, that’s maybe the longest hug I’ve ever seen. Wii…

Gerry Anderson, the creator of Thunderbirds and Space: 1999, has passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 83.

2012: The Year The PC Showed Everyone Who’s Boss

For years it slumbered in darkness, deep within the earth. An Old God, maybe even the First God, its hibernation marked by rattling breaths reverberating in the deep like cinderblocks dragged across wet asphalt. Sleeping… resting. One day to wake. And in the year 2012, the day of awakening arrived, and the great PC Gaming…

Midweek Moneysaver: 364 Shopping Days ‘Til Christmas

This Wednesday edition of Kotaku’s The Moneysaver catches all the offers, promotions and bargains that can’t wait until the weekend. The Midweek Moneysaver is brought to you by Dealzon. • This week Toys ‘R’ Us has a “Buy 1, Get 1 40% Off” sale on 349 games for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS, and Wii…

‘World’s Laziest MMO’ Is Possibly One Of The Sleaziest MMOs, Too [UPDATE]

Meet Tweeria. It’s one of those web 2.0 social games where your real-world actions translate to in-game stuff. As the name implies, the game takes information from Twitter. Any retweets, favs, even Tweet number and follower count affect things in the game. You’re playing it right now if you have a Twitter account, actually. The…

The Year in Controversy

Studios may close, servers may crash, projects may be canceled and bankruptcies filed, but these are the given in the video games industry. No matter how regrettable, they still won’t be the No. 1 heated controversies in any given year for video games. Here’s a look back at the scandals, outrages, foofaraws and kerfuffles that…

Don’t Turn Your Back on Santa Claus in Dark Souls

The good news is that Kris Kringle still gives out presents in Lordran. The bad news is that he hands out beatdowns instead of coal. But a man with as much loot as Santa has enemies. Watch your back, fat man. (via Twitter)

Super-Chess Wins Just For Megachessatron Alone

The rules of this super-Chess game aren’t too clear, or at least their limitations are nowhere to be seen. But it’s hilariously amazing, and I would play this BBC-invented version in a heartbeat. Extreme Amazing Super-Chess! (Chess.) [YouTube via Buzzfeed]

Starbound Is Like 2D Minecraft Meets Borderlands…In Space

“Like 2D Minecraft,” you say, “But that kind of sounds like Terraria!” About that. At least one of the devs on Chucklefish, the studio behind Starbound, hails from Terraria. This would explain some of the overt gameplay/aesthetic similarities between the two games. The premise here is that you’re fleeing your destroyed homeworld in a shuttle,…

This Manages To Make Hitman: Absolution’s Stealth Seem Hilariously Broken

I adore YouTube user Criken. I don’t understand how he manages to break games the way he does. Here he is playing Hitman: Absolution, making me feel like I put too much effort into trying to be sneaky when apparently Hitman is more hilarious when you’re sloppy about it. I’ll have to test this out…