bifuteki-All things AWESOME

Alan Wake’s American Nightmare Releases today

2012-02-22T16:52:38Z

The single player campaign comes from the darkest corners of the ‘Night Springs’, a Twilight Zone inspired fiction. American Nightmare is an exaggerated and gritty rendering of that world – where the horrors of reality have the all too easy habit of coming true. When Wake becomes stuck in the alternate shadowed world of Night Springs, he must hunt down his evil doppelganger, Mr. Scratch, to find the answers. A supernatural serial killer, Scratch has his evil mind fixated on Wake’s wife, Alice, and even more horribly, Wake’s demise. To survive and thrive in the darkest of nights, Wake must learn to control reality itself and unravel the secret to Mr. Scratch’s demise with a trusty flashlight by his side and whatever weapon he can find.

The brand new “Fight till Dawn” arcade mode places Wake in the battle of his life. Players are tasked with surviving a full night of brutal onslaughts while racking up their score. With a myriad of new enemies to battle, Wake won’t have any trouble since he’ll have plenty of deadly options within his arsenal: old stalwarts like the flare gun, wild new favorites like the nail gun and old school Remedy favorites like the Uzi. Thankfully, safe havens and unlockable weapons litter the landscape, allowing for a momentary respite from the darkness. Surviving until dawn is only the beginning though, as online leaderboards pit friends head-to-head to see who the real champion of light is.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise Pt One

2012-02-22T16:08:50Z

I have to say that I fell in love with the Avatar series one long weekend, Nickelodeon had a marathon on and I pretty much got hooked. I always wished that they would have finished the series a little better, there were so many unanswered questions. So I was super excited that Dark Horse was going to be releasing a series of books that are after the original series. It’s a shame that the original creators didn’t make this series, however they were closely involved. This series is written by Gene Luen Yang, author of the National Book Award-nominated American Born Chinese, Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise Part 1 marks the continuation of Airbender and the link to its upcoming sequel, Legend of Korra!I got the chance to read the first part of the book, I have to say that it was pretty good. I don’t know if I really cared for some parts of it, but the main story line is geared around the restructuring of the nations and trying to restore balance. I can’t wait to see where the rest of the series goes!

Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Promise Part 1 is a must-have for any Airbender fan! This is the latest release in an ongoing partnership between Nickelodeon and Dark Horse to bring you the very best in Airbender books.

Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Promise Part 1 is on sale now!
Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Promise Part 2 is on sale May 30th

Top 10 Most Anticipated PC Games of 2012

2012-02-22T15:29:47Z

So we don’t really do PC games, not because we don’t like them but because the only computer we can really use is our streaming machine, which is always streaming. So we got Marcus Morris a gaming enthusiast who owns the site Computer Game Design, to give us a list of the top 10 most anticipated PC games for 2012. Tell us what you think.

Check out the list below.

1. Mass Effect 3 (March 6) – As the finale of the popular Mass Effect trilogy, this game follows the events of Mass Effect 2 in Commander Shepard’s mission to save the universe from the Reapers. This game also has some new features compared to previous versions, including a multiplayer mode and melee combat.

2. Prototype 2 (April 24) – This sequel to Prototype features a new hero who is seeking to destroy the Blacklight Virus, which killed his family in the outbreak. Kill enemies by shape shifting, taking on weapons, and using a Spiderman-like ability to shoot tendrils and make webs. Players can also enjoy the flexibility of making their own missions.

3. Dota 2 (TBA) – This standalone sequel builds on the mod from Warcraft III. Online players work together to defeat an opposing team’s stronghold by using real-time strategy. The game also uses the RPG system of leveling to make play more complex. The game is currently in beta development and expected to be released early this year.

4. Spec Ops: The Line (June 1) – As the ninth game in the Spec Ops series, The Line is a third-person shooter. Players control a Delta Force squad on a mission to rescue a colonel in Dubai. They must battle harsh sandstorms, which can dramatically change the terrain and open or close paths for them. The game will also feature a multi-player mode.

5. MechWarrior Online (Summer) – The BattleMechs from BattleTech return in this free-to-play online game. This is a real-time game that takes place in the year 3049. Players control BattleMechs and have the option of teaming up with a House, making a Corporation, or going solo.

6. Prey 2 (Fall) – This Prey sequel is a first-person shooter from the point of view of a U.S. Marshall who gets taken to an alien planet called Exodus. Although this version has no multi-player mode, it features an expansive adventure as a single bounty hunter in a new part of the Prey universe.

7. Tera (May 1) – Tera stands for The Exiled Realm of Arborea and it is a MMORPG with third-person action. This makes fighting much more interesting, since it involves much more that clicking on a target until their health bar runs out. You can dodge enemy attacks so that you aren’t damaged unless they hit you. The game also features many typical MMO components, such as dungeons, quests, and leveling.

8. Diablo III (Summer) – The hype for this game has been building up for four years, and it’s been over a decade since the previous version was released. It combines hack ‘n slash with dungeon crawl, as a new generation must fight the evil threatening the Sanctuary world. With all the development behind this game, you can expect a vast area to explore and loads of things to find and customize.

9. Borderlands 2 (TBA) – This is a loot game like Diablo combined with the action of a first-person shooter. Choose one of four characters and fulfill various quests as you amass weapons and gain skills. This version also encourages cooperation with non-enemies in order to beat smarter enemies.

10. BioShock Infinite (TBA) – This is the third installment in the BioShock series, though it takes place at an earlier time in a different place. You play an agent in 1912 who visits a city in the sky to find a gifted woman and help her escape. There are some differences from previous BioShock games – your protagonist will be much more vocal and the combat settings have several new features. Still, you can expect another intriguing storyline, amazing graphics, and lots of challenges.

Trailer: Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack

2012-02-22T03:38:54Z

Today the mad scientists at DrinkBox Studios are delighted to share with you a story of slime, sweat, and tears with the opening cinematic trailer to their latest PlayStation®Vita creation, Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack.

SEE a Mutant Blob’s insatiable hunger for destruction!
FEEL the pain and rage that burns inside a science experiment from outer space!
HEAR the shrieks and cries from puny humans as they run for their lives!

Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack is available now for download on the PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system from the North American PlayStation®Store for just $7.99, and will be available across supporting PAL territories, Wednesday, February 22, 2012.

Toy Fair 2012: Kotobukiya

2012-02-21T05:54:38Z

Kotobukiya has the word ‘Craftsmanship’ above it’s name and it is a well deserved description of the work they put into their product. From their frighteningly detailed Yoshimitu statue all the way down to their line of genre related ice cube trays you will find some amazing pieces from Kotobukiya. Check out some of the new stuff Koto was showing at this years Toy Fair in the gallery below. My favorite piece? The ‘Alien’ Facehugger chopsticks…MUST. HAVE. NOW.

Alan Wake’s American Nightmare: Official Trailer

2012-02-17T17:25:19Z

In Alan Wake’s American Nightmare, Wake finds himself stuck in an altered reality filled with dangerous shadows as he pursues his evil double, Mr. Scratch towards the town of Night Springs. Wake must learn to control reality itself and unravel the secret to Scratch’s demise.

In addition to the expertly crafted single player campaign, the game also includes a heart pounding action arcade mode called “Fight till Dawn” where Wake must battle and survive a full night of enemy onslaughts while racking up a high score.

Alan Wake’s American Nightmare will be published by Microsoft Studios and will be available for Xbox Live Arcade’s House Party on February 22, 2012 for 1200 Microsoft Points. The game is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.

Alan Wake on PC now!!

2012-02-16T19:40:58Z

Remedy Entertainment Ltd. is excited to announce that Alan Wake has finally made its way home and is available now for PC through Steam, Valve’s digital distribution platform. Remedy is also working with Nordic Games to bring the PC version of Alan Wake to retail shortly. With their rich history of PC games, with titles like Max Payne, Max Payne 2 and Death Rally, Remedy has always wanted a PC version of Alan Wake, and now, it’s here. This critically acclaimed game has been revamped for the PC with stunning high-resolution graphics and enhanced PC features. Head over to the Steam store right now for a special offer and get the collector’s edition DLC free until February 23! Otherwise, you can grab the normal edition for $29.99 and the limited collector’s edition for $34.99.

The PC version includes the original game along with the two pieces of downloadable content (The Signal and The Writer) and everything you’d expect from a PC version and more. Players will experience Alan Wake’s Pacific Northwest with higher resolutions and even higher fidelity. Players will experience the interplay between light and darkness like never before. With plenty of graphical customization options, every player can get the most out of their rig. Other refinements include a fully configurable mouse and keyboard setup as well as Microsoft gamepad support. Fan sought-after options such as field of view adjustments and “hide HUD” have also been include. Finally, the game supports multiple screens and stereoscopic 3D.

“Since our roots are firmly placed in PC development, we’re delighted to finally be able to bring Alan Wake to the PC” says Matias Myllyrinne, CEO at Remedy. “We’ve worked hard to reward those faithful PC players and did everything we could to make it worth the wait. I hope the fans agree with us, the PC version looks absolutely stunning.”

In Alan Wake, players assume the role of Alan Wake, a best-selling suspense author suffering from writer’s block. Wake escapes to the small town of Bright Falls, only to experience the mysterious disappearance of his wife. Players will unravel the riveting plot through multilayered character interactions, unique problem-solving and intense combat against the darkest of enemies. In this nightmarish world, where the boundaries between reality and fiction become increasingly blurred and ambiguous, Wake must use a variety of weapons to survive, including his most powerful ally against the darkness – light itself.

Alan Wake on PC is available now for PC via Steam. The normal edition costs $29.99 and the limited collector’s edition costs $34.99.

Toy Fair 2012: Tokidoki Update

2012-02-16T19:27:38Z

The people over at Tokidoki sent me some more images from the booth. Enjoy the extra pictures!

Max Payne 3: Trailer # 2

2012-02-16T17:38:18Z

Can’t wait for this shizzle! Max Payne 3 is out Max 15, 2012 in the US for PS3/Xbox 360, and May 29 for PC.

Alan Wake’s American Nightmare: Dev Diary # 3

2012-02-16T17:21:02Z

When Alan Wake disappears at the end of the first game, a legend was born and it was repeated over and over again until it turned real. It is a classic bogeyman story and Mr. Scratch, darkness shaped in Wake’s image, is a byproduct of this. Check out the latest dev diary as the guys talk a little about this and a new heart pounding arcade mode called Fight till Dawn. Don’t forget to stick around to the end for a killer (literally) surprise!

Minecraft x LEGO Micro World Sets Revealed

2012-02-16T16:09:58Z

This is a pretty cool set coming out of the LEGO CUUSOO project, this is their third set.

Each box includes parts to build four cubic modular vignettes that you can connect to recreate the Minecraft experience in LEGO bricks. One Minecraft block is equal to one 1×1 LEGO plate with a tile on top–not a perfect cube, but the best approximation at the chosen scale.

The set includes two of Minecraft’s most iconic characters, Steve and a Creeper, represented as “Micro Mobs.” The surface of the modules comes off to reveal mines and hidden resources beneath. You can build your own landscapes, stack cubes on top of each other, and build the world of Minecraft as you wish. LEGO Minecraft Micro World presents a modular standard for building a Minecraft world that can be configured any way you like.

Pre-order here or here.

Toy Fair 2012: Hape

2012-02-16T05:45:44Z

I have always liked Hape, I guess its because I’m a mom and I like good quality toys. Hape is no exception when it comes to quality toys. This past Christmas I think I have become an even bigger fan because we got one of their play kitchen sets for our daughter and she LOVES it! Hape always have great things to offer and they definitely showed it off at Toy Fair. They premiered their new cars, play kitchens, games, dollhouses and new their line of bamboo toys. I can’t wait to get some of the cool stuff I saw for this Holiday season.

Check out some of the stuff that we saw in the gallery below.

Toy Fair 2012: BrickStix

2012-02-16T05:35:17Z

After writing about them recently we finally got to see BrickStix at the Toy Fair, and previewed their brand new ‘Mod’ line of stickers. They haven’t even been released yet and we got our hands on some of them!! There were a lot of cool sets that they had at their booth, especially the comic set that had dry erase word bubbles! We’re really excited to see what else BrickStix has to offer in the coming year!

We will be following up with a product review for the Mods sets early next week after all the Toy Fair excitement.

Toy Fair 2012: LEGO

2012-02-16T05:35:05Z

When does LEGO not disappoint? This year at Toy Fair is no different. There was a life size giant HULK, Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman. There was by far the coolest Batman LEGO set I have ever seen, with Bruce Wayne turning into Batman right before my eyes! I got see the new Jabba the Hut sets, Lord of the Ring sets, The Hobbit sets, new Star Wars “planet” sets, Marvel sets, DC Comic sets, Batman sets (yeah I said it again) and the new Minifigure sets. All and all LEGO never disappoints and they always seem to leave me in awe!

Toy Fair 2012: Dark Horse Comics

2012-02-16T05:34:46Z

Dark Horse Comics had some really cool stuff, like their new Domo set, the new Camilla piece, and the Treasure Troll prototypes! We didn’t get a chance to talk with anyone because we were running late to an appointment, but here is a sneak peek of things to come from Dark Horse Comics! Enjoy!

Toy Fair 2012: Playmobil

2012-02-16T04:53:49Z

I have some fond memories of playing with Playmobil figures when I was young so I was excited to visit their booth at Toy Fair 2012. One thing that immediately struck me when I walked into the booth was that these were not the same toys I remembered. In fact these were BETTER than the Playmobil figures of my youth. This year’s line up has some very expansive and detailed playsets that should really get kids out there fully engaged with their imagination. Our favorite playset was the ‘Soccer’ stadium set that was actually a fold-up travel case so the whole set can be packed up at a moments notice. All the sets are so detailed it looks like they thought of everything, as evidenced by the inclusion of a little field mouse hiding amongst the bales of hay in the ‘Farm’ set. There is also a series of collectible blind packaged figures that will feature unique outfits that can be interchangeable. There are a lot of great stuff coming from Playmobil this year, and there’s something fun for everyone, not to mention their Olympic set! Check out some great stuff in our gallery below.

Toy Fair 2012: Tokidoki

2012-02-16T05:03:52Z

It was great to see Tokidoki at Toy Fair this year, it was exciting as well to see all their new pieces that are coming out this year. I asked if there are talks about another run of the Tokidoki x Barbie, which I think should totally happen, but I couldn’t get a definite confirmation on that. They did tell me that there will be more Marvel apparel later this year, so that is great for all you boys out there. I can’t wait to see what other things come out of Tokidoki later this year and especially for the Holiday season.

Cross Assault Contestants Announced!

2012-02-15T20:53:56Z

And the winners are:

Team Street Fighter:

Dr Sub-Zero
Sherryjenix
TS NerdJosh
Renic
TFA Hornet

Team Tekken:

Tasty Steve
DMG Kor
Superyan
200Yen
Bronson

Cross Assault begins on 2/22 with grand finals in Atlanta’s Final Round XV on March 3. Brought to you by iPlayWinner and Team Spooky.

Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack Invades PS Vita System

2012-02-15T04:06:46Z

Independent developer DrinkBox Studios confirmed today that its PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system title Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack is through final testing and on target to make launch. The gameis officially set to be released on the North American PlayStation®Store on February 21, 2012 and in supported PAL territories on February 22. DrinkBox also revealed that the game will be specially priced at just $7.99 in North America.

“We’re thrilled to have Mutant Blobs Attack as one of the first PlayStation®Vita downloadable titles, and for us to have hit our day-one launch goal,” said Ryan MacLean, CEO of DrinkBox Studios. “Everyone at DrinkBox Studios is super happy with the end product and we decided to sell it for only $7.99. It’s a crazy low price point. Insanely low. I’m insane. HUUAGGGGH Backflip!

In celebration of the release of Mutant Blobs, DrinkBox Studios also revealed that they have created a new premium bundle for the game’s PlayStation®3 system predecessor, Tales from Space: About a Blob:

“We’re also going to start selling the original About a Blob for $7.99 and a new bundle pack with About a Blob and bunch of DLC for $9.99. I’m crazy for setting these prices, but you’d be crazier for not taking advantage of them. Don’t be like me.”

Toy Fair 2012: Kikko Pilo

2012-02-14T06:04:18Z

Even though this post is not for everyone, but it could be. We ran into this booth while we dragged our lifeless bodies around the Toy Fair floor. It’s called Kikko Pilo. Its a great product made by a mom for moms everywhere, especially ones that travel a lot. It’s basically a mat for travelling children to either sleep on or sit on, and then could be used for adults too as a neck or lower back support pillow.

I think its a great especially when travelling, airplane seats aren’t exactly comfy all the time. Check out more information or even purchase your own Kikko Pilo here.