Paul Brownlee

Gonna take that crippling debt down to zero.. over time. 

“We all need the D. Even me!” Yes we do, honey. Yes we do.

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If you go third party, XCOM 2 Digital Deluxe can actually be cheaper than Standard Edition at Steam Store.

Read XCOM 2 Deluxe with Season Pass Cheaper Than Standard on Siliconera!

IKEA isn’t just the largest furniture store in the world. It’s also the amusement park of shopping malls – or a claustrophobic shoppers’ hell, depending on both your mood and how mobbed the winding labyrinth of Swedish goods happens to be on any given day.

But did you know that there are secret shortcuts for those who just want to get in and out? The public is allowed to use the shortcuts, but there is no map on where they are. In fact, the shortcuts frequently change so that savvy customers don’t get used to them and bypass the megastore’s intended walkway.

The walkway, by the way, has a code name: Long Natural Way, aka Long Natural Path. Speaking of codes, if you hear an employee announcing “Code 99!” there’s a lost kid roaming the path. If you hear an urgent “Code 22!” blasting through the speakers there are long lines at the registers and help is needed.

If you’re a confused customer there isn’t a code – you’ll have to find an employee and ask for help. Employees are told not to approach customers to see if they need anything (this is the Swedish way).

After hours IKEA actually does become an amusement park, with employees moving the walls (yes, the walls move) to play hide-and-seek and compete in pallet jack races. To add to the merriment, at the end of the year employees receive awesome holiday gifts including electronics and even plane tickets.

Many more Behind the Scenes Secrets of IKEA Employees can be found here. Makes IKEA almost as intriguing as Disneyland!

Thanks Mental Floss!

Yeahhhh, Ninja Senki DX on Vita ⊟

And PS4 and Steam! Tribute Games is releasing this updated remake of the original freeware PC game in February. Here’s the deal on the extras, etc.:

• Fight your way through 16 deadly scenes!
  
• Discover multiple endings!
  
• Test your speedrun and superplayer abilities with a brand-new Challenge mode!
  
• Remixed soundtrack by Patrice Bourgeault (Mercenary Kings, Curses N Chaos).
  
• Unlock 2 secret modes!
  
• Supports cross-buy on PS4 and PS Vita.
  
• Price: 4.99 USD.
  

I don’t want to say that this game is great because Tiny’s in it. I’ll merely say that Tiny is in it (or was in the original, anyway) AND it is great, and you can draw your own conclusions.

CHECK OUT Tiny Cartridge's Holiday Gift Guide

Moss has been teasing Raiden V since last year as an Xbox One-exclusive vertical shoot ‘em up title, and they've recently shared a new trailer that gives us a look at the upcoming vertical shmup.

Read Raiden V Trailer Shows Us The Latest Of The Upcoming Vertical Shmup on Siliconera!

Dracue Software has released the third official trailer for Assault Suit Leynos, its upcoming PlayStation 4 remake of the 25 year-old Target Earth. Here’s a rundown of the story, via the trailer: It began when Earth’s outcasts returned in great warships from the darkest reaches of space. They attacked the planet and all her galactic […]

Read Assault Suit Leynos third trailer in full on Gematsu.

I had three passions growing up: games, movies, and really bad movies. I’d come home from school, spend a few hours exploring Final Fantasy VI or slicing through Knights of the Round, head out with some friends to see The Rock or Independence Day, and then come home and nod off to a Mystery Science Theater riffing of The Creeping Terror or The Beginning of the End (with a little homework squeezed in somewhere, sometimes, maybe).

Primitive and cheesy as they usually were, those old movies had a certain… gumption to them, a sort of earnest overconfidence you couldn’t help but smile at.

The 16-bit console wars were in full swing back then, and while I loved all the advances games had made since the old-old days, I imagined what games might look like ten or twenty years down the road. As fun as it could be to hurl buildings in King of the Monsters, I wanted a game that could show you how huge the monsters really were. As much as I loved blasting my way through Contra III, I imagined a game where that one soldier had a whole army backing him up, and where he had the freedom to explore the battlefield with whatever guns and vehicles he wanted.

And then along came Earth Defense Force.

Not to be confused with the old-school scrolling shooter of the same name, the Earth Defense Force series casts the player as a heroic soldier, part of the eponymous military outfit, out to stop a horde of alien invaders. Yeah, the story’s just about as old as gaming itself, but these games aren’t about story. They’re about joy.

If you’ve ever dreamed of flying up in a jetpack to land that perfect shot on the alien mothership right before it fires its main cannon, or calling down a full-scale airstrike to destroy an onrushing swarm of ten-foot bugs, or charging into single combat against a giant fire-breathing kaiju beast, this is the series for you.

Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space on PS Vita, an enhanced re-release of the original Earth Defense Force 2, plays out the whole scenario as a classic B-movie, with flying saucers, warbling synth sound effects, and just a hint of cheese. (Speaking as one of the guys who supervised the voiceover recordings, there’s nothing quite like seeing a respected, professional actor deliver the line, “My God, it’s the ultimate Buggernaut!”) If you happen to enjoy the sci-fi matinées of old, no other game out there captures their spirit more fondly.

Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair for PS4 is an expanded, polished remake of Earth Defense Force 2025. Taking several steps beyond its B-movie roots, 4.1 has more of a Pacific Rim/Starship Troopers vibe, with full platoons of human soldiers throwing everything they have (and then some) at all kinds of aliens, starships, and robots, all presented with top-notch production values and tons and tons and megatons of explosions.

You’ll fight alongside your fellow troops and tanks through collapsing cities and burning battlefields, pilot all kinds of vehicles, stop in the middle of combat to lead your men in an impromptu musical number (if you feel like it; your men follow your commands, and “dance” and “sing” are perfectly valid commands), and of course, buckle up inside a giant robot and punch out an alien dinosaur. 4.1 enhances the framerate of Earth Defense Force 2025, adds new features, missions and weapons, and remixes many of the old ones.

Both games offer more than 500 different weapons and vehicles, with almost 100 different battle scenarios each and five (Or more?) difficulties to tackle however you see fit. You can bolster your favorite soldier class by finding new weapons and armor, take that soldier online to level up with friends on tougher versions of your favorite missions, and then bring back the loot from those missions to level up some more back home.

4.1 also has a two-player split-screen mode (both versus and co-op) for offline multiplayer, while EDF 2 has an online “Rumble Mode” where up to four players can each bring their best soldier into a showdown.

These are games I wished for way back when, and not only do I get to play them now, but I’ve had the honor of helping to bring them to you guys!

What games do you wish for?

In 2001, together with my team at Sega, I made a game called Rez.

It was not your typical game. It’s a bit hard to explain in words.

Well, to be honest, when the original Rez came out back in 2001, not everyone understood what we were trying to do with the game — but the few people that did “get it,” really got it. A dedicated and steadily growing number of fans called it visionary. Revolutionary. Ahead of its time.

With Rez Infinite, I feel like that time has finally come.

Now, almost 15 years later, it feels like the perfect time to introduce our game to a whole new generation of PlayStation hardware, and to a new generation of gamers, who I know are more open to experiences that don’t fit the traditional molds (and with today’s more flexible game pricing at retail and online, at a price that we can all feel good about).

And, of course, very soon — and most personally exciting — we will have excellent quality, truly mass-market VR with PlayStation VR.

When I started working at Sega in the 1990s, I got involved in some arcade game VR projects like “Virtuality” and “Sega Rally Special Stage.” VR in those days was bulky, blurry, and slow. It was clear the technology wasn’t ready yet, but even that small taste had me dreaming of what might someday be possible.

Speaking of bulky and blurry, Rez was released at a time when most home console games were played on small 4:3 ratio tube TVs, with fuzzy pictures and sound that was barely stereo. It’s only playing Rez Infinite on a PS4, especially in VR mode but even on a nice, big, modern flat screen (Rez Infinite can be played both as a normal game or in VR, your choice), that the game comes closest to what we saw in our heads when we were creating it: vivid colors that blend seamlessly into one another, crystal-clear textures, and razor-sharp lines only possible at full 1080p HD, all swimming around you at the speed-of-life 60 frames per second (120 frames per second in PS VR), with full 3D audio (PS VR) or 7.1 surround sound (PS4) that, well, truly surrounds you.

I know to some people that’s all just a bunch of numbers and technical mumbo-jumbo — and in a way, I agree. The only thing important about that technology for Rez Infinite is how it makes you feel; hopefully, it makes it easier to forget the fact that you’re sitting in front of a TV playing a game, and instead lets the real world melt away into a swirl of incredible sights and sounds that could only ever exist in your imagination.

That’s exactly how we want players to feel — that they aren’t just playing Rez Infinite, they’re living it. Rez Infinite is the futuristic “synesthesia” experience I’ve wanted to create from the beginning.

Engaging all your senses was also the idea behind the original Trance, an optional peripheral we designed to plug into PS2 and pulse along to the beat of the music and sound effects in the original Rez. Since we’re now making the ultimate version of Rez with Rez Infinite, we thought, why not also make the ultimate version of the Trance Vibrator? And thus, the Synesthesia Suit was born.

This one you don’t just need to see and hear, but also really need to feel for yourself. This is a special promotional item and there will only ever be one of these in the world. If you’re one of the lucky few, you can try it at PlayStation Experience!

If not, hopefully there’ll be other opportunities in the future — as there will be to talk more about our plans for (and all the features of) Rez Infinite, very soon.

Our time is coming, my friends. I hope you’ll be there for it.

Hello, everyone! My name is Adam Milecki, Game Producer at DegiGames. I’m here to talk to you about Dariusburst Chronicles Savior, the latest entry in the long-running, classic arcade shooter series.

Darius began as an arcade game in the late 1980s and was notable for its large arcade cabinet with super-wide screen, gigantic monster battleships, and branching levels.

To create the widescreen effect, Darius creator Taito actually utilized three whole CRT monitors side by side. This was a clever technique that allowed for a widescreen display using readily available technology. Combined with its super widescreen cabinets, Zuntata’s unique soundtrack made for an audiovisual experience that helped ensure Darius would never be forgotten.

This week, we’re bringing the Darius arcade experience to PS4 and PS Vita with Dariusburst Chronicles Savior. Dariusburst Chronicles Savior brings a lot to the table. Between the brand new story mode with hundreds of stages covering Darius history and the 3000+ stages unlockable by global players in AC Chronicle mode, you’ve got a wealth of stages to blast your way through. Not only that, but they branch, allowing you to choose your own path and challenge level. This adds a ton of replay value!

You’ll need some serious firepower to destroy the enormous, robotic seamonster battleships (including new DBCS exclusive bosses). Good thing you’ll have nine playable ships to choose from, including classic Silver Hawk variants, a new DBCS exclusive ship, and gameplay-changing Burst modes. Choose the ship that works best for you, or challenge yourself to try something different. You may like what you find!

Dariusburst Chronicles Savior supports cross save, so share your progress between PS4 and PS Vita, along with Trophies and leaderboards. PS4 owners will enjoy console-exclusive features such as up to four-player local co-op and Darius Odyssey, a digital art book. (Note: Art book text is in Japanese.)

If you’ve ever seen a Darius arcade cabinet, you know they’re huge. We’re happy to bring you Dariusburst Chronicles Savior in a form that won’t force you to rearrange your home. Thanks for reading, everyone!

A classic Mallory Ortberg humor column sets out a day in the life of an "empowered female heroine," a fictional staple on whom society (and literature) project a huge amount of aspirational demands. (more…)

Preview the Legends of Localization book ⊟

After we posted about the preorders opening on Legends of Localization: The Legend of Zelda, Fangamer sent us over a new high-res preview image (above), and a PDF preview (below).

Want to know, specifically, what it would be like to have this book in your life? This is a really good way to find out. And if you like the way “complete knowledge of Zelda localization” looks on you, you can get the book at Fangamer.

Legends of Localization Preview

Attention, PlayStation Plus members! We have another set of great PS4 games for you to enjoy, just in time for the holidays. Whether you prefer a good ol’ fashioned romp through a dungeon, or maybe a light-hearted story of adventure, we’ve got you covered with two reimaginings of classic gaming goodness.

Up first is Gauntlet: Slayer Edition on PS4. Plunge into the dungeons on your own or with friends in this action-packed RPG. Face monstrous hordes of enemies, prowl crumbling catacombs for gold, and unearth incredible weapons. All in the name of fame and fortune!

Also on offering is the critically-acclaimed first chapter in the new King’s Quest series, titled A Knight to Remember. Journey through the memories of King Graham as he recounts his adventures to become a knight of Daventry.

For the full list, head below. These games are free starting on the first Tuesday of December. Happy holidays!

Full Lineup:

• Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, PS3
• Freedom Wars, PS Vita
• Gauntlet: Slayer Edition, PS4
• King’s Quest — Chapter 1: A Knight to Remember, PS4
• Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken, PS Vita
• SSX, PS3

Before you go, we want your feedback! Please leave us a comment below and tell us what you think of the lineup. Thank you for stopping by.

Until next time! Enjoy.

This amusing criticism of game rating inflation is doing the rounds. Who can deny that game ratings are inflated? And that if it gets less than 7, it's gonna suck.

But the suggestion that this inflation is a phenomenon of the 2010s; now, that is suspect. I cracked open a 1990s copy of ACE magazine—one of the more popular British general-purpose gaming mags of the 16-bit era—and it had the following scores. (They're normalized to "out of 10"; ACE rated games out of 1000)

Issue 15:

Operation Wolf 9
Joan of Arc 9
Powerdrome 9
Bombuzal 9
Rocket Ranger 8
R-Type 9
Space Harrier compilation 7
Typhoon 7
Menace 7
Hostages 7
Albedo 7
Action service 6
Mad Mix 5

The only game that gets less than 6/10 is a promotional merch for a drink mix. Basically, every credible commercial product gets at least 7/10. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose!

In addition to special Black Friday Nintendo 3DS and Wii U bundles and discounts, Nintendo will hold sales in the 3DS and Wii U eShops.

Read Nintendo Will Hold A Black Friday eShop Sale on Siliconera!

Makes me want to hop on a fucking plane to NYC right now. (mediocrefilms)

Spelunker World is out on PS4 ⊟

I did everything I could to get people to try Spelunker HD on PS3, short of actually buying copies of it. Now I can comfortably demand that everyone with a PS4 try the sequel, because it’s free! (well, free-to-play, but I think it’s all cosmetic stuff?)

I have yet to actually play this, so the recommendation is somewhat tempered by, uh, my total lack of experience, but hopefully it continues what HD did. There’s a Vita version in Japan too; hopefully it follows.

BUY PS Vita, 1-year PS Plus membership, upcoming games