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Facebook’s Favorite Games of 2012
There are what Kotaku thinks are the best games on Facebook, and then there are the games Facebook’s game curators and players think are the most playable pieces on the social network. I find their lack of Robot Rising disturbing. For the most part the official Facebook list contains the usual suspects. There’s a couple…
By Mike Fahey Published December 27, 2012 -
A Glimpse At One Of The Dungeons In The New Final Fantasy XIV
This one is called the Tam-Tara Deepcroft, an instanced dungeon from Final Fantasy XIV. The above video footage shows what this dungeon will look like in version 2.0 of the game, A Realm Reborn, which will launch next year for PC and PS3. Cool music. Reminds me of Final Fantasy Tactics Square plans to start…
By Jason Schreier Published December 27, 2012 -
Tank! Tank! Tank! Makes a Little Kid Cry on Christmas Morning
Everyone, say hi to Reese. He got the thing he really, really wanted most for Christmas. And yes, it’s Tank! Tank! Tank!, which was … not exactly the best launch title for the Wii U. When Reese’s dad sent us this video, we first thought, “Well, wait, surely he’s crying because Tank! Tank! Tank! is…
By Owen Good Published December 27, 2012 -
The Best Games for Your New Nintendo Handheld
There’s a reason Nintendo owned the on-the-go gaming market for decades. From the Game Boy to the 3DS XL, the House of Mario consistently packs a one-two punch of great software and clever hardware in its portables. Want proof? Take a gander at our compilations of the best games on current Nintendo handhelds. You’ll see…
By Evan Narcisse Published December 27, 2012 -
Touch Detective on Android, What Took You So Long?
After a highly successful stint on iOS, the stylish 2006 Nintendo DS game Touch Detective finally lands on Android. If anyone needs me I’ll be playing it all day. KotakuMobile is your one-stop shop for all of Kotaku’s Android, iOS and Windows Phone 8 game coverage. Follow @KotakuMobile on Twitter and stalk us on Facebook
By Mike Fahey Published December 27, 2012 -
A LEGO Cortana That Actually Shimmers Like A Hologram
OK, if we’re going to be honest, at face value, this LEGO depiction of Halo star Cortana doesn’t look that great. It’s “2D”, and in places looks more like ASCII art than a portrait. But there’s a reason for that. This isn’t supposed to resemble Cortana’s 3D model in the games. It’s meant to resemble…
By Luke Plunkett Published December 27, 2012 -
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…
By Luke Plunkett Published December 27, 2012 -
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…
By Luke Plunkett Published December 27, 2012 -
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…
By Luke Plunkett Published December 27, 2012 -
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…
By Luke Plunkett Published December 26, 2012 -
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…
By Luke Plunkett Published December 26, 2012 -
“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…
By Luke Plunkett Published December 26, 2012 -
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…
By Kirk Hamilton Published December 26, 2012 -
‘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…
By Patricia Hernandez Published December 26, 2012 -
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…
By Owen Good Published December 26, 2012 -
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)
By Evan Narcisse Published December 26, 2012 -
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]
By Tina Amini Published December 26, 2012 -
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,…
By Patricia Hernandez Published December 26, 2012