SNK's upcoming KOF installment shows the competition how it's done. 

Is it so wrong of me to feel drawn to the upcoming King of Fighters XII? I don't think so. In my opinion, the video showcased at AOU 2008 represents everything that SF4 should be. True 2D high-res bliss. Don't get me wrong, in the right hands, a 2D engine meshed with 3D elements sounds ideal and innovative. This my friends is a truly BEAUTIFUL game. 

Sorry, but I am just not totally sold on what Ono and his team have been working on. The latest videos showcase a very floaty flow. It doesn't look intense enough in spite of the fact interviews suggest this will be the most offensive fighter in the franchise. I also don't get why the classic characters couldn't sport some new outfits. After all these years, I am supposed to believe that Ryu and company never felt a design to change their wardrobe?!? C'mon. Namco, Sega, and SNK have done it - why does Capcom insist on being so non-creative with what should be the turning point for the series? Where's the bold charge to be try out some new ideas? I can't be the only person who's been pondering this. In fact, I know that I am not. Ever since this trailer of KOFXII has hit the web, I know a lot of people went back and looked at SF4 with great skepticism.

This is a sign to head back to the drawing board and start of with something fresh. Something that's really going to resonate with the fans, appeal to newcomers and ultimately make that fourth moniker represent more than just another number slapped on the title. Of course, we know the reality of Street Fighter 4. It's going to continue as planned; and that actually disappoints me because I want to really love what Capcom is planning to roll out, but somehow I think that over time that I'll lose interest and look elsewhere for entertainment. Somewhere like where many 2D enthusiasts will flock to later this year: to King of Fighters XII!!!! Woo! 

This blog article should be recognized as the sole opinion of the editor and does not necessarily reflect GotNext's official position on the subject.

What's it all mean? 

Man, it's been a while since I've slapped up some commentary here on GotSpace. A while back I had vowed that my feisty post was supposed to be indicative of a return of my old column, the B-Side, but work and school obligations have kept me… Busy. That isn't to say that I haven't had plenty of free time. I've just chosen to spend it playing a lot of games; probably more than I had been playing in years. I'm not sure what triggered this sort of renewed vigor — maybe it was the slew of fall releases — but the new year ushered a new beginning for my unhealthy love affair (or obsession…) with "chasing the critters on the digital wonder-box." At least that's what my father would call it.

(more…)

Enigmatic, amnesia and out to kick some ass.

Call me bitter, but the more info we get about Street Fighter IV, the more my emotions get all mixed up with skepticism and a compulsive desire to be cynical. It's out of place, I know — the game hasn't even hit stateside, no one here (besides Shane at EGM) has actually played it and I am cutting it down to size. Perhaps it's because the art style just REALLY just doesn't sit too well with me. Chun actually looks pretty cool (folks at the Capcom-Unity boards find her to be fugly, go fig) and the other classic SF2 crew look awesome too. Ryu and Ken? Eh - the jury is still out on those two. Those expressions… blech.

Anyways, getting back on track here, AOU just ended recently and Capcom revealed a new character in the SFIV cast. The brawler is Abel, describe as "a man without a past". (Hm, wasn't Q like that?). Reportedly he has a really bad case of amnesia and has been traveling throughout the world attempting to gather clues from the remaining members of Shadoloo. Was he some secret project created by Bison? Is he somehow linked to one of the classic SF2 characters? Most importantly — will his awkwardly sized feet get fixed when you defeat the final boss? Yeah, I said it — those feet are hideous. LOL. Peep these new screens and enjoy. I am off to enjoy a good 'ol game of Bomberman to get over my current jaded state. :p

Gratuitous profanity included for your reading pleasure.

The infamously opinionated (and potty-mouthed) David Jaffe, of Twisted Metal and God of War fame, has managed to once again ignite an Internet brouhaha, this time due to his comments in a recent interview with Wired.  The discussion began as follows:

Wired:  Apparently when Miyamoto first went to Retro Studios, they were making a car combat game, he said, "Why would you make that? Why would you put a gun on a car?" And they stopped development on the game. So maybe you should answer that question. Why would you put a gun on a car?

Jaffe:  You know, honestly, I've been too busy recently trying to figure out why the fuck go-karts shoot banana peels.

Well, well, well.  He might be slamming one of the most celebrated and accomplished figures in gaming, and he might be flame-baiting the legions of overzealous Nintendo fanboys, but the man does have a point…

As could be expected, this little snippet made the rounds on gaming sites, including the ever-reliable Kotaku.  Comments ranged from utter indignation to hearty chuckles to reverent admiration for a man who has no problem calling things as he sees them.

Fast-forward a couple days, and Jaffe is now attempting to quell the tempest.  In a video posting on his personal page, he decisively puts the throngs of humorless, online-enabled crybabies in their place.  The best line of the video sums it up perfectly:

"The fact that anybody out there actually thinks that I put my design skills in the same league as Miyamoto's, or I'm insulting the father of video game design, it's like, 'Go fuck yourself, man.'  And to the people that think I use bad language because I think it's cool, I think that's your fucking problem."

Well, I'm glad that little clusterfuck is all sorted out.

This blog article should be recognized as the sole opinion of the editor and does not necessarily reflect GotNext's official opinion on the subject.

A new digital interest has begun, and it's not developed by Hudson.

Our content updates are going to start picking up soon as we draw closer to the spring seasonn. Ok, well there's still well over a month to go, but you get the drift. The past few days has been very exciting on my 360, and it's from playing Bomberman Live. yeah, I said the unthinkable. I have not been playing Bomberman Live. What could have possibly dethroned my #1 cherished game of 2007?

Say hello to my newest addiction: Burnout Paradise. 

Now I know a lot of you were already planning to pick this up after getting a taste of the playable demo. Personally, that didn't do TOO much for me, but I was intending to pick it up anyways. Now that I own the full version, it's all I want to play. All I talk about, and it's the only game that any racing fan should be playing RIGHT NOW. I can't get into too much detail right now because a review is forthcoming from yours truly; plus, I'll be joined by a fellow Burnout fan. No, I am not going to reveal who that is — you'll just have to tune in later this week to find out.

In other news, I must apologize our blog updating hasn't been as consistent. Rest assured, once Rich, Aaron and I can actually find things we feel are relevant to discuss - we'll post more. We're also looking for some new talent to join the ranks. If you're interested, please send us some samples of your writing. Contributors are always welcome! Now if you'll excuse me, I have events to clear.