Random news – Oddworld HD remake, Sega games on sale and some game called MW3?

This post also could’ve been called the “I’m throwing together random, interesting news bits because I’m still playing Skyrim and working on a review.” And if you aren’t playing Skyrim – what the hell is wrong with you? Stop playing Gears, the 3^rd or 4^th reiteration of COD4: MW, and that ridiculous Saint’s Row 3 and pick up what will undoubtedly win GOTY. Now. Seriously. Go do it.

“Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath” HD remake complete and ready for release soon…on PSN

Younger gamers, hell maybe even most my age, might not remember the “Oddworld” series from the PS1 and PS2 era. Set in the strange yet endearing Oddworld, the first few games of the series were primarily puzzle games. “Strangers Wrath” changed up the formula a bit, adding action elements and a new main character.

I don’t know a whole lot about “Stranger’s Wrath” because sadly, I never played it. It was one of those games that just slips by, only to be discovered once it’s too late. I played the first two Oddworld games, “Abe’s Oddysee” and “Abe’s Exoddus,” but never got around to “Stranger’s Wrath.” I had originally found out about the HD remake a few months ago and was very excited at the thought of finally being able to play it.

Much to my dismay, however, I recently learned this remake was going to be a PSN-only downloadable title. Despite the fact that “Stranger’s Wrath” was an Xbox-exclusive title. Such is life. Perhaps I’ll be able to enjoy its updated character models, enhanced audio, and its 60 frames-per-second, 720p widescreen capability someday. Someday.

Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/oddworld-strangers-wrath-hd-complete-release-date-coming-soon/

Sega games on sale

Sega, the company that used to make awesome consoles that were ahead of their time but no one appreciated them and so they decided to stop and only make games, is having a sale on PSN and XBLA games this November. While many great games are on sale, the same sales won’t be available on both PSN and XBLA, so pay attention.

Through Nov. 29, PSN users can snag “After Burner Climax” for $5 along with “Streets of Rage 2,” “Comix Zone,” and “Golden Axe 2” for $2.99.

The XBLA sale begins Nov. 22 and lasts until Nov. 28, offering “Crazy Taxi” for 400 points, “Sega Rally Online Arcade” for 400 points, “Streets of Rage 2” for 200 points, “Outrun Online Arcade” for 400 points, “Happy Tree Friends” for 400 points, and “Phantasy Star 2” for 200 points.

My personal recommendations would be for “Streets of Rage 2” and “Golden Axe 2,” as they are classic beat-em-ups that would make great additions to any library. “Crazy Taxi” might have some nostalgia value but, to me, the arcade cabinet was where that game really shined, and from all I’ve heard stay far away from the “Happy Tree Friends” game. As it’s really, really bad. Allegedly.

Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/lets-go-save-some-crazy-money-with-sega-psn-xbla-sales/

A COD game breaking sales records is news? Apparently so.

I’m not a big fan of COD – if you couldn’t tell. “Modern Warfare 2” reeeaaally soured me on the series and I haven’t really enjoyed a COD since 4 (the original “Modern Warfare”). Infinity Ward/Treyarch have allowed COD to become the Madden of the FPS genre – a big selling series where each new installment is basically nothing more than cosmetic changes. The latest release in the series, “Modern Warfare 3,” is more of the same – not much difference in the format (a globe-hopping campaign centered around a devastating conflict coupled with the same multiplayer you’ve played before) and sold about a bajillion copies in the first day.

Ok, maybe not a bajillion – that’s not a real number. Try these numbers on for size, though – “MW3” has brought in over $775 million in the first five days of its release, beating any five-day sale number for every book, movie, or video game that has come before it. To put that into perspective, COD:BLOPS brought in $650 million in that same amount of time, and its predecessor, “MW2,” raked in $550 million.

So despite amazing games like “Batman: Arkham Asylum,” “Deus Ex: Human Revolution,” and “Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” all being available now, the highest selling game this year will be one that pretty much hasn’t changed since 2007. Gamers, I am disappoint.

Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/activision-modern-warfare-3-sales-reach-775-million-in-five-da/