- Uncategorized
Here’s Red Dead Redemption‘s Most Modern Town Re-Made in Minecraft
Blackwater was the newest part of Red Dead Redemption‘s Old West, the section of Rockstar’s hit game that pointed the most to the 21st Century where people were playing it. It was a bit of time travel, if you will. That time travel gets another twist with a recreation of the RDR location in Minecraft.…
By Evan Narcisse Published January 30, 2012 -
UncategorizedOvercoming World of Warcraft Addiction, or Six Years Single
While doctors and psychologists continue to debate whether or not such a thing as online video game addiction exist, those of us that have been through it continue to chronicle our tales. Anthony Rosner’s short film IRL demonstrates what happens when World of Warcraft becomes your life. While the movie is a bit tongue-in-cheek in…
By Mike Fahey Published January 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
How We Will Review Games
We’ve changed the way we review video games here at Kotaku. That makes this a perfect time to explain our approach to reviews and how the new system will work. Two things will stand out to those who have read last week’s Resident Evil Revelations review and this week’s review of Final Fantasy XIII-2: They…
By Stephen Totilo Published January 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
Dear Game Developers, We’re Not All Idealized Androids (Some of Us Are Wizards)
You know how in many video games with character creation your attempts to make an older, wizened sort of character always result in the buffest old man you’ve ever seen due to their only being one body model for all male characters? In today’s Speak Up on Kotaku, commenter jacobgermain points out how ridiculous that…
By Mike Fahey Published January 30, 2012 -
UncategorizedSpoiler Alert: Giants Win Super Bowl, Says Madden
The New York Giants will claim their fourth Super Bowl title on Sunday, according to EA Sports’ official Madden NFL 12 simulation, which has New York defeating New England 27-24 on a 40-yard field goal as time expires. For the third consecutive year, Madden‘s simulation has picked the Las Vegas underdog (the Patriots are three-point…
By Owen Good Published January 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
This 48-Hour Game Lets You Fly Through The Galaxy and Into One Man’s Mind
How can a game made over the course of a weekend remind me of Rez and Crayon Physics Deluxe? By sending me soaring through the universe with simple controls and quirky hand-drawn artwork. Made by a team of 5, The Universe Within puts you in control of a pixelated dot that you need to steer…
By Evan Narcisse Published January 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
Talk Amongst Yourselves
There’s no time like the present to gather around Kotaku‘s official forum and talk video games with your fellow interactive entertainment enthusiasts. Drat, we lost another one to Pan1da7, this time linking up our TAYpic with a little Zelda action. Thanks! Join in the fun and submit your own TAYpic. Please do your best—or your…
By Mike Fahey Published January 30, 2012 -
ReviewsFinal Fantasy XIII-2: The Kotaku Review
In an epic tale of time-traveling heroism, Square Enix travels two years into the future to rectify the mistakes it made with Final Fantasy XIII. Have they found redemption with Final Fantasy XIII-2, or is history doomed to repeat itself? What ever happened to Lightning? Something horrible has happened to the main character of 2010’s…
By Mike Fahey Published January 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
12 Bucks Is A Lot for an Old Game
Rayforce was first released in Japanese arcades in 1993—when I was fifteen. The game is now out on the iOS. For $11.99. I honestly think this is the most expensive iPhone game I’ve played. (I’m not counting all the money I stupidly sucked into Tiny Tower. Those were dark times, so let’s not speak of…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 30, 2012 -
UncategorizedThis Dragon’s Dogma Trailer Teases… Another Trailer
Yes, it’s the most tiresome practice in all of hype-dom: the clip that promotes another clip. Still, Capcom’s been very quiet regarding its Japanese-developed, Western-styled action/RPG so any new look at it is worth paying attention. We really haven’t known how to feel about Dragon’s Dogma around these parts. It’s got some cool things and…
By Evan Narcisse Published January 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
Because Nothing Says “I Love You” Like a Pearl Pink Nintendo Handheld
Put down those chocolates, son! Delicious candy should be an everyday gift. And you, in the lingerie store! Has he really seen you naked so many times that getting dressed seems sexy? Look, all you need for Valentine’s Day is a pearl pink Nintendo 3DS, available February 10. How can a pearl pink Nintendo 3DS…
By Mike Fahey Published January 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
The Phoenix Wright Meets Professor Layton Mash-Up Has Bones
Bones | TOKYO, JAPAN: Anime studio Bones is doing the animated scenes in the upcoming Wright-Layton collaboration. (Photo: 4Gamer) Everything About This Game Is So Buddhist! Professional game artist Richmond Lee Chaisiri grew up in a Buddhist household in Thailand, a devout Buddhist nation. So what’s Buddhist about Asura’s Wrath? Everything! The Characters, the environments,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
Phoenix Wright Movie Props Answer a Mysterious Question
This isn’t a first look, because if you’ve seen the film’s trailer (watch it here if you haven’t), then you’ve already seen the movie’s props by default. At the Capcom Phoenix Wright event this weekend, there was a glass case full of items used in the upcoming flick, such as a case file and mock-up…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
4Chan Used to Promote a Japanese Manga (Well, Sorta)
In Japan, it’s not uncommon for books and manga to be promoted with Japanese internet forums, such as 2chan. Retailers and publishers might put stickers or banners that say something is popular online. But, as website World Three pointed out, they’ve expanded. At the bottom of Japanese manga It’s Not My Fault I’m Not Popular,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
Nintendo’s New Voice Recognition Software Being Tested in Japan
Nintendo is working with mobile phone carrier NTT on new voice recognition tech that can convert spoken words into text. The tech is aimed at students with disabilities. Words are converted to text, and the data is stored and accessed through the cloud, allowing students to also review and study later as well as see…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
How a Mickey Mouse Parody Killed a Fan Game
In Japan, “doujin” titles are the video game equivalent of fan fiction. A very, very small percentage of doujin game developers go pro. The vast majority is confided to making fandom for fun. Because of that, many Japanese game companies look the other way. Disney is not a Japanese game company, and Disney is so…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 30, 2012 -
UncategorizedIs This the Smallest Game Boy Ever Made?
The original Game Boy was big enough to fit in an enormous pocket. This Game Boy is big enough—make that, small enough—to clean your teeth. Measuring 0.02mm by 0.1mm, this Game Boy cannot play video games of course, but it does have drawn on buttons and a screen. It’s smaller than a one yen coin…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
A Shirtless Man Holding Large, Pointy Objects
Elffi is the pride of Finnish cosplay. The 23 year-old, who is currently studying business management, represented his country at the World Cosplay Summit in Japan—which is like the Olympics of cosplay. Whether it’s Final Fantasy: Dissidia or Bleach, Elffi finds a way to bring these Japanese creations to life by either taking off his…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 30, 2012