It might be a case of simply playing a PS3 game, in a PS3, while using a tube television. But, either way, I have been enjoying the visuals for "Batman: Return To Arkham". Game play is good, but that was expected given how enjoyable I found them the first time I played. "Batman: Arkham Asylum" was always the darker, grittier instalment, but even that looked upgraded. Still dark and gritty, just looks crisp and clean if that makes sense. The second instalment, "Batman: Arkham City", was a big upgrade the first time around, looks even better now.

The delay in release feels "worth it" now. Although I get why "Batman: Arkham Origins" isn't included, was inferior to the games before and one after. But, I still enjoyed it and am sure that I will wish it was part of the package once I am finished "Batman: Atkham City" (already completed "Asylum"). Or will be left wondering if there will ever be more.

LATE RELEASES

I was hoping to get some games for my oldest daughter and myself for Christmas. Figured our shared genre (comic books) would supply us with something, especially with "Batman: Return To Arkham" and "Spider-Man" slated to drop in 2016.

And they are dropping in stores in 2016, the very last day of the year. I would think that it was tradition to release games right before Christmas, as to cash in on the millions of shoppers. Sure, I could pre-order them all, but opening a voucher or something isn't the same as opening a physical copy. Now I am really hoping that "Suicide Squad" will come out on Blu-Ray so I can use that as my gift from Santa haha As it will also give myself AND my lady something to do after we're exhausted from trying to give the girls a great day, mixed with the effects of yummy, delicious turkey.
On a positive note, a New Years Eve release does give me something to do after my girls crash after midnight. The plan is to actually play "WWE 2K17" together since we spend the time with the kids too. I just hope that I don't get my a$$ handed to me like my girlfriend use to do in "Smackdown! Here Comes The Pain" on PS2. Play that while we eat pizza and our traditional "Oriental Pack" from M&M Meats, turn to the countdown, give my girls a kiss at midnight, tuck them in, and either roam around Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, Gotham City, and/or New York City haha
But, is this the future? Games released after Christmas as to get that Christmas money from kids? I had heard PS5 was looking to be purely digital games, which I am against, but is this what it will be, "Here's a piece of paper for Christmas?" haha

Guess we shall find out. And yes, it is August and I am already planning out Christmas. What? There's already Halloween stuff out in some stores out there. I'm not a monster, I'm just ahead of the curve.

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COMIC BOOK VIDEO GAMES: WHERE ART THOU?

I will admit that I don't know what goes into the whole decision process in regards as to what gets made into a video game. I am sure that there is a lot that I am completely unaware of, but like many, I can have ideas of what I would want to see come to fruition. I am mainly a comic book and wrestling nerd, and since WWE has the wrestling under control with their 2K series, I'll focus on the comic book stuff I would like to see in video game form.
Batman is tops for me, and the Batman: Arkham series was definitely something myself and others yearned for. A great comic book video game in basically all aspects. After four installments we are left wondering if there will be another Batman game, or even better, other comic book games. From the Marvel side of things, Spider-Man was doing well until Amazing Spider-Man 2 (which lacked substance for me). We know that there is another Spider-Man game in the works, but what about other Marvel characters? I thought the success of Batman and Spidey would translate into other superheroes getting at least a shot. Now, I am not talking about the various movie adaptations, I mean completely unique story like they did in the Batman: Arkham universe. We are still in the middle of a comic book movie boom, so they can still use the success of that to promote interest in the games, which again would not be movie adaptations. Skins only via DLC haha

Here are who I would like to see on the shelves one day, next to both the new and old Batman and Spider-Man video games...

Justice League

Again, not a movie adaptation, but a unique universe. If anything, they can connect it with the Batman: Arkham video game universe. This allows for more heroes and villains to make their way into the game. Both as regular game play selections and via DLC. I would somehow break the heroes down into categories, perhaps something like Human, Meta Human, Alien type of thing. This way they can say swap playing as Batman with Green Arrow, or Superman for Supergirl, etc. In summary, I basically want variety with the same style of story and game play as Batman: Arkham games.

X-Men

It would be done like it would with "Justice League". Especially the non-movie adap situation. There are enough characters within the X-Men to be separate from a Marvel Universe gathering. Can again break them into categories, as to swap people around.  The title may be X-Men, but of course X-Factor, X-Force, etc will be in there. The DLC's would be high in the costume departments of course. There would even be a bone claw version of Wolverine, even though they would never seem to break or if they did healed super quick.

Marvel Universe

I would just call it "The Avengers", but this would include basically all of the Marvel Universe. Perhaps break them down into teams as well as categories. The Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic 4, etc. The story could either cover the massive crossover stories from the comic books with their own spin on them. The Infinity Gauntlet, Civil War, etc. Since it isn't a fighting game I would perhaps avoid "Secret Wars", although that would make for a good combat game perhaps.

Spawn

Sure, he is neither DC Comics nor Marvel Comics, but I think this one has potential to be an amazing game. Visually alone would be quite the sight to see, although I am sure a suitable story would be there via creator Todd Mcfarlane.

Superman

Sure, I mentioned the Justice League in the beginning but I think Supes needs to be mastered via consoles and pc worldwide. I thought for sure that there would be a game based on the Kryptonian after the success of Batman with the Arkham series. Even with Superman leading the way in the DC Comics movieverse with "Man Of Steel" and "Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice", nothing. Is it another case of the original superhero being "too perfect"? It is hard to have him appear weak on a steady basis, but adding citizens in peril and side missions could help make things challenging.

There are others that I would like to see, such as something lightly based on DC Comics television universe via The CW. But, baby steps. In all honesty, I would settle for another Batman game. It wouldn't have to be a part of the Arkham series, but  matches or surpasses it in caliber.

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The Amazing Spider-Man 2

I waited for the price to drop on this one. Which I do for anything I don't have high hopes for. The Batman: Arkham games were the only ones that I had to have immediately these past few years. I waited on Grand Theft Auto V because I didn't care for GTA IV and wanted to get it after I got a PS4. Got distracted early with the online aspect, but was good until I picked up The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

Which I am glad that I waited for a price drop. It isn't that it is an absolute atrocity, but I was expecting a lot more. The games on both the PS2 and PS3 were pretty good in my humble opinion. Although some were movie adaps, they made them their own with story and characters. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was also an adaptation, and also tried to do things their own way, but lacked substance as well as inferior game play compared to previous Spidey games. Was it perhaps a "thrown together at the last minute because they are once again revamping the movie franchise" deal?
Positives of the game were the photo challenges, well, mainly J. Jonah Jameson's. And of course, I liked the variety of costumes that were unlockable through game play.  Although some favs were only open via DLC, which I am normally open to, but money is tight and this game isn't worth the extra cash right now. Perhaps later on as I wait to save up for a PS5 and play the PS4 games to kill time. But, perhaps not as there are still some Batman: Arkham Knight DLC's that I would still like to get, and hopefully some new games coming out would be nice.

I think I had read something about a new Spider-Man game in the works. Hopefully, it will have that slick game play feel to it. I am hoping for the same treatment in regards to the costumes, with a lot more options being available for both free and DLC. It would be nice to see some other Spider-Man related characters join the mix as playable characters. Perhaps similar to what was done in the Batman: Arkaham series where each had their own unique style. Venom, Black Cat, etc, etc.

ROCKSTEADY, AND THE GODDAMN BATMAN

While Rocksteady continues to develop and release more and more DLC (downloadable content) for "Batman: Arkham Knight", it is hard not to wonder what will be the next game. Or more aptly, will the be another installment in the "Batman: Arkham" franchise. Warning for those who have yet to play "Batman: Arkham Knight" as there is some possible spoilers coming up.

With the success of the franchise, why would one wonder if there will be future installments? Honestly, the only reasons have to do with how Arkham Knight concluded story wise and how poorly "Batman: Arkham Origins" was done (although by a different studio). Is that still Bruce Wayne as Batman at the end of Arkham Knight? Or was it someone else stepping into the mantle? Regardless, does this mean that the story (and game) will continue on, or was it just a way to end things while showing that "Batman" lives on regardless of who is under the cowl? All good things usually come to an end, but we're only four games deep. Look at Final Fantasy and other game franchises. There is room for more Batman. It wouldn't be unheard of to perhaps "forget" and forge a new origin installment.
Better yet, there are the other options that come to mind. First, with the brief moments in story mode, as well as via the DLC, it would be nice to see characters like Catwoman, Nightwing, etc play an even bigger part of things. Not a fan of being "forced" to play as other characters, but the option would be nice. Something similar yet bigger than what Catwoman did in "Batman: Arkham City", where we were at least able to use her openly "after" the game ended. Of course there would be an abundant on DLC with just the character skins alone, but imagine being able to play as your favorite version of Batgirl or Robin. The second option is along the same line, except with Villains playing a bigger part. Surem we've got a taste of what it is like to play as The Joker and others, but it would be nice for them to be at par with Batman in the main game.
Will we instead see a new franchise emerge from the ashes of "Batman: Arkham"? A brand new story, and new direction. With The Joker dead, roasted, and gone it would make sense. Not saying Mr. J needs to be at the forefront, but in the mix simply to simply bring in his fans.

There is also the chance that Rocksteady would begin to create other comic book character game franchises. They "saved" Batman in the video game world, perhaps it is time to save Superman. Or perhaps bring other characters to the world of gaming. Wonder Woman comes to mind, but also with the success of television shows like "Arrow" and "The Flash" hard to not want to see them get a shot too. Guess we'll have to wait and see....as with the movies and were doing with the new seasons to television shows.

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DC UNIVERSE ONLINE RIPPING OFF PS3 USERS

It wouldn't really be an issue for "free" players, it would be more of an annoyance. A great online game, with an occasional glitch. The current glitch is one that freezes the game, causing players to reset not only the game, but systems as well. It only seems to affect those still using a Playstation 3 for their gaming, with PS4 gamers going without a hitch (glitch). This all upgrades from an annoyance, to a rip off the moment anyone spends money on DC Universe Online. From memberships, to even a purchase of a replay badge.

What makes it worse, is how there seems to be zero issues for those playing on a Playstation 4. A system, that is still somewhat "new" to the market. So, there are a variety of groups that haven't yet gotten one. Those who wait for the system to work out all of the production glitches and release "less likely to break" systems, those who simply can't quite afford one yet, and others with their own reasons. All of this is besides the point though. DC Universe Online is still offering services and items through the Playstation 3 platform, and thus receiving money through it, yet are not delivering on their end. There is almost always an issue with every update, but those are usually resolved quickly. Not the case this time around. Which is what negates the typical "just get a PS4" comments (which also begs to question; new system? Wouldn't you rather a new DCUO?)

Again, it is a great game. People wouldn't be playing it, let alone complaining about not being able to play it, if it weren't. It is basically a matter of business, and with how things are going, why would anyone want to download this game onto a PS4? The money spent by all the players on PS3 (and PC) is what made it possible for DCUO to continue onto PS4.


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VIDEO GAME FAMILIES

Keeping with Canada's holiday today, Family Day, here is a short list of some of the families within video games through out time. From blood relation, to families based on nothing more than love and respect. Here they are...

The Mario Brothers

(Super Mario Bros. franchise)

Have they ever given us Mario and Luigi's last name? Or is Mario's legal handle, Mario Mario? Most likely Luigi stuck in his brothers shadow. As is the case in some families.

The Lee Family

(Double Dragon)

Billy and Jimmy Lee. Or if prefer the Americanized version, Hammer and Spike. Twin brothers, who fight together, and respawn together.

The Kong Family

(Donkey Kong franchise)

We'll focus more on Donkey Kong's clan, even though everyone seems to have the same last name. First there is Cranky Kong aka Donkey Kong Sr. (DK's grandfather) and his wife Wrinkly Kong, Donkey Kong Jr (DK's father....Sr and Jr), and of course Donkey Kong himself.

The Koopa Family

(Super Mario Bros. franchise)

There would be almost no need for Mario and Luigi if not for Bowser and his crew, or Koopalings rather.


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