Friday Link Roundup 2/18-2/22

Posted on February 22 2013 by Roy

(Image credits)

Every Friday I make a post containing links to interesting articles I have found throughout the week. If you already follow me on Twitter, then you will have probably seen most of the following links. Don’t forget to like the Kotowari Facebook page as well. Enjoy!

• In a development still shaking games journalism to its core, 1UP and GameSpy have been shut down by the company that acquired them less than 3 week ago.  The last surviving acquisition, IGN, suffered layoffs and published this heartfelt post summing it all up.
  • Before it’s gone, here’s a great article on 1Up exploring Kazuma Kaneko’s MegaTen character designs.
• The producer of Monster Hunter explains his decision to not allow Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate to be played on the Wii U’s Gamepad.
  • Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate is getting a patch that allows the Wii U to bring a 3DS online for multiplayer!  Here’s hoping it’s headed west!
• I signed this petition to localize Braverly Default, and so should you!
• The man who popularized post-war Japanese cinema has died, but he led an amazing life.
• Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance merch is on sale on Uniqlo’s North American site.  In my experience this stuff sells out fast so scoop it up while you can!
• This Ni no Kuni comic is spot on.
• NIS America has announced plans to localize Disgaea D2, Time and Eternity (AKA Toki Towa), and The Guided Fate Paradox – all in 2013.
  

• $10 off Ni no Kuni at GameStop. (Expires 2/26/13)
• Resident Evil 6, now only $19.99 at GameStop. (Expires 2/26/13)
• $20 off Dead Space 3 for PS3 and Xbox 360 at GameStop. (Expires 2/26/13)
• $20 off Far Cry 3 for PS3 and Xbox 360 at GameStop. (Expires 2/26/13)

New Monster Hunter 4 trailer shows off the two new weapons as well as the game’s zombification of felled monsters.

I really wish Shin Megami Tensei IV looked… a lot better. I guess 2D images of laughing gods just doesn’t do it for me.

Take a look at the new world of Final Fantasy XIV, on both the PS3 and PC.  And just in case you’re interested, here’s the official benchmark for the game on PC.

This is what happens when a person tells a blindfolded person how to play Dark Souls.

10 Responses to Friday Link Roundup 2/18-2/22

1. Flip says:

   I like the little icons you have now, aslo who made the header art?

   Reply
   • kotowari says:

     Sadly, I have no source on the header art… if anyone knows please leave it in the comments! It\’s pretty much the best Sony characters ever — sad it\’s only 3.

     Reply
2. Ed says:

   Hey Roy, loving the new web design.

   I want your opinion though. Should I get Etrian Odyssey IV or Ni No Kuni? I can only get one at the moment

   Reply
   • Nutgarden5 says:

     Ed: Those are 2 very different games, it depends on what you like, if you enjoy a good story, beautiful visuals and a decent pokemon esk battle system go for Ni No Kuni. If however you want a first person dungeon crawler with crappy graphics and a story thats non of your business then go for Etrian Odyssey.

     Blind Dark Souls comment: I dont get why they were cheering when blindfold guy used a humanity.

     Reply
   • kotowari says:

     Hi Ed,

     That is a tough call, it certainly depends on your preferences as a gamer. If you spend more time on the go than on the couch, Etrian Odyssey IV is your best bet. Have you played one before? They are (as Joel mentioned) a first person dungeon crawler — not everyone\’s cup of tea. It\’s also very challenging but with a high level of reward. I personally love the intricate character development system, music, and map-drawing mechanics.

     Ni no Kuni is a horse of another color. I love certain parts of the game — monster collection, management, the lush environments, enjoyable side-questing — but others drive me crazy. Nothing is explained as well as it should be, and the focus on MP can make long dungeon crawls a contest in swallowing consumables.

     Hopefully these 2 rants give you an idea of which game is right for you!

     Reply
     • Ed says:

       Thanks a lot you guys.
       I actually enjoy Etrian Odyssey’s gameplay, but I have been meaning to immerse my self in Ni No Kuni.

       But after some thought I’ll be getting EOIV because I am a bit of an on the go gamer. And EOIV would probably be harder to find later than Ni No Kuni.

       So thanks again, and I look forward to your review of EOIV

       Reply
       • kotowari says:

         Good luck, hope you love it as much as I do!

         Reply
3. Mac says:

   I’ve stop breathing during that DarkSouls video haha.

   Reply
4. Flip says:

   Header art is by http://junkpuyo.tumblr.com/

   Reply
   • kotowari says:

     Thanks, Flip!

     Reply