Who is Adam Jensen? He's an attractive cybernetically enhanced man who enjoys arm blades, gunplay, hacking, and stealth tactics. When he's not busy breaking into the high security Sarif skyscraper headquarters, he models and takes part in cybernetic fashion shows.
Indeed, Adam Jensen is a man's man and a cyborg's cyborg. And for all his artificial enchancements, there's one place that's never quite needed any enhancing, if you catch my drift, ladies.
Interested in learning more about Adam? Here's his bachelor video log, courtest of Deus Ex: Human Revolution.
The Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Final Fantasy Type-0 trailers revealed at Square Enix's event from a week an a half ago have gotten their HD treatment, and I really think you should watch them. Why? Because I said so, that's why. Also because they look really good.
I was previously a little down on Final Fantasy Type-0, the former Agito XIII, mostly because of the decision to keep it on PSP, but I admit that it looks like it's going to be a whopper. Especially knowing that it's coming on 2 UMDs, meaning Square Enix has no reason to skimp on graphics, voice acting, and content. I may have to dust off my PSP for this one.
And for those who are really looking forward to Final Fantasy XIII-2 (shame on you) here's HD Lightning:
Today is all about the Final Fantasy news, hot on the heels of a big Square Enix production event. Firstly, it was announced that the Final Fantasy XIII-2 is definitely happening, as last weeks domain registration alluded to. As direct sequels in the Final Fantasy world should not, and will not exist (to me, anyway) I won't mention it any further. Just know that it's due for release in 2011 in Japan, on Xbox 360 and PS3, with no western release mentioned.
Secondly, the mysterious FinalFantasyType0 domain registered a few weeks ago, belongs to a game of the same name, which is the new name for Final Fantasy Agito XIII, the PSP 2-UMD exclusive. Final Fantasy Type-0 is dated for this summer in Japan, again with no mention made of a western release.
Finally, Final Fantasy Versus XIII. It's something we've known about for what seems like an eternity now. Then why is it that no one has any real solid information regarding the title, no heavy screenshots or trailers? Odds are Square Enix are just being super tight with this one, minimizing leaks while they attempt to get the Final Fantasy series back to the legendary status that the past few games have missed completely. Today though, we get a nice dose of Versus XII.
A good 7 minutes of trailer is the reward for Final Fantasy fans who've been patiently waiting Versus XIII out. A lot can happen in 7 minutes; you can make out with an ugly chick in a closet at a junior high school house party, or you can watch Noctis, Versus XIII's protagonist do everything from being emo, to fighting groups of soldiers, to piloting mechs, to taking a stroll in a grassy field. No matter what Noctis is doing, it looks incredibly good. Don't let the low quality of the trailer deceive you, the CG and the engine footage, are beautiful. If you doubt it, just give it a week or so when the video will be clear, sexy HD, as opposed to a second hand recording.
I'm loving Versus XIII's modern fantasy feel. Part of the allure to me is that I could see all of this happening in the middle of Shibuya on my next trip to Japan. It's an interesting direction to take the series, one that I think will pay off in its broad appeal. And in case you're wondering, Final Fantasy Versus XIII will remain a PS3 exclusive.
The next episode in the Deus Ex saga, Human Revolution, has just been delayed. Instead of March 2011, the hotly anticipated title's release slides back, to the broad area of anywhere up to Spring 2012. Square Enix says that the delay is necessary to add more 'polish' to the game.
That guy at the desk is our hopes, and Adam Jensen's kick ass arm-blade is a cold serving of reality.
Since its first few glimpses, Deus Ex: Human Revolution has been establishing quite a setting for itself. The latest look ups the ante, by showing a bit of cinematic we've seen before together with some brand new footage. All in all, the trailer weighs in at a hefty 5 minutes.
Though no gameplay this time around, strictly story, setting, ambiance, and Adam Jenson making good use of his cybernetics. Show off.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution has intrigued me for a while. I think it's fair to it's got the attention of of both fans of the series and newcomers alike, and why not? Slick graphics, in-depth and lengthy gameplay, and a strong history backing it, sort of. The original Deus Ex is a legendary, ground-breaking game, but the series has since lost some of the people who have made it so good. The sequel, Deus Ex: Invisible War, was still good, but gets flak from many fans and journalists as taking the series in the wrong direction.
It looks like Human Revolution is doing it's damnedest to change the mind of Invisible War's detractors. The latest trailer shows a substantial amount of gameplay, and most of the game's four pillars in action. These pillars represent different ways you can progress through the story; combat, stealth, hacking, and social intereation. The combat looks on point. The weapons shown in the trailer seem to do a little of everything; silenced pistols, EMP grenades, an area-of-effect stun gun (?), and a laser that goes through walls for God's sake. Also, arm swords. Hell yeah. We also see a bit of the upgrade system in action, as protagonist Adam Jensen combines a revolver with something else to create a fucking hand cannon. Sweet.
Stealth is shown, but not much. Adam goes see-through to get past some laser detection security, and to sneak up on a couple unassuming enemies. We don't see him use his stealth to overcome an entire area or mission, but I suppose that would take too long. Hacking is used on a few occasions, with Adam hacking a security drone to turn on its allies, and also using a mini-game to complete some sort of objective. No sign of any social interaction to complete objectives, but as the first meaty chunk of Human Revolution gameplay, do we really wanna see lots of talking? I think the choice to show people getting blown up was the right call. However when the social aspect comes into play, we can be relieved to know that the voice acting seems top notch.
If you choose to explore all four pillars of gameplay, there's over 40 hours of Revolution to be found. Should you stick with the basics of combat and stealth, you'll still find a more than respectable 25 hours of play. A deep, sexy experience, coupled with multiple endings and different ways to play reaffirms the belief that Deus Ex: Human Revolution is one to keep your eyes on.
One of the game-related stories of New York Comic Con that might have slipped under your radar was some new information about Square Enix’s Deus Ex: Human Revolution line of comics. Due in the first quarter of 2011 from DC’s Wildstorm imprint, the series will run for six issues and have a same-day and date digital release on both the DC and PSP comic apps. For anyone not initiated on the nuances of the digital comic book marketplace, it is still very uncommon for titles to be released digitally on the same day that they are released in stores, making this a significant feature of the release.
Writer Robbie Morrison stressed that the comic is not an adaptation of the game, and that it would revolve around the back-story of Adam Jensen, the series’ protagonist. Only a select few “very important” events from the game will appear in the comic; otherwise, the story will run simultaneous to the game, but feature all-original content.
The creative team seems well suited to the franchise. Morrison is best known for his work in 2000AD, a British science fiction weekly, and the Judge Dredd franchise, so he knows his way around a dystopian sci-fi setting. Editor Ben Abernathy has also worked on a significant number of licensed franchises, including Gears of War, Starcraft, God of War, Ratchet & Clank, and Fringe. While these titles have had varying degrees of quality, they have typically been about as good as their source material, rarely elevating above the cloth they’re cut from. So while it’s a virtual lock that fans of the Deus Ex franchise will enjoy the comic, the audience will probably be limited to existing fans.
Kyle is a comic book geek. He's been gaming long enough to know how to cheat at NES Track & Field and that CLVVRCEK is the password for the last level in Sega Genesis' Jurassic Park, but these days he can tell you more about Luke Cage's home life than Solid Snake's last mission.
I know the Deus Ex games have a nice little cult following, so they must be pretty good, right? To be honest, I've never played one. Why, I'm not sure, but I know I'll probably be playing the upcoming Deus Ex: Human Revolution.
Eidos Montreal developed title doesn't show any new game play, but if the Tokyo Game Show trailer is any indication, I can say without any reservations: God damn. Awesome trailer is awesome. We'll see if the game can live up to the standards set here.
Friday, February 4, 2011 at 1:58PM 
