Quick thoughts on NHL 14

I've been getting physical in NHL 14, now out for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Here are some thoughts on the game.

Yes, this is a very physical game when you hop onto the ice, thanks to the NHL Collision Physics system. Players feel weighty and move realistically. Fighting along the boards to gain possession of the puck can be a challenge, but it's very satisfying when successful.

While there are some tweaks, added polish and neat gameplay features, the casual player might not notice them that much if they played NHL 13. Annual releases of sports games like these keep feeling the same for me, especially during these last couple years as the current console generation dragged on. I'm very looking forward to an NHL 15 that's primarily focused with next-gen consoles in mind.

Check out my full review at www.theoaklandpress.com.

Get even tinier thoughts at www.twitter.com/JeffHoard921.

Quick thoughts on Rayman Legends

I've been rescuing hundreds of Teensies from the nightmares in Rayman Legends. Here are some thoughts on the game.

I've been playing the Wii U version of the game, which was initially an exclusive for the system during its launch period. One of the notable additions to Rayman Legends is the use of the Wii U GamePad for the Murfy sections, where you use the touchscreen to slice ropes, activate mechanisms and other actions to get Globox to the end of the level. Ideally, you want to play this with co-op, but the AI is competent with minor hiccups. Sometimes the AI will open itself up to certain death or skip past a secret.

The UbiArt Framework engine looks amazing and makes owning an HD television worth it. The developer utilizes a full color palette for its cartoony, hand-drawn visuals. To simply put it, Rayman Legends is a very, very good looking game.

Check out my full review at www.theoaklandpress.com.

Get even tinier thoughts at www.twitter.com/JeffHoard921.

PS4 launching Nov. 15 in North America; PS Vita price cut to $199

Sony just held their press conference at Gamescom 2013 and we finally know when the PS4 will launch: Friday, Nov. 15 in North America. I predict many three-day weekends. It will also launch Nov. 29 in Europe, and will be available in 32 countries. More than 1 million pre-orders have already been taken (but how many are from scalpers?)

In other news, the struggling PS Vita is finally getting a price cut to $199, and those expensive memory cards it requires will be dropping in price as well. This should boost sales, but it's still up against tough competition in smartphones and Nintendo's 3DS, which has seen a resurgence since its launch struggles. Sony highlighted several indie games it hopes will get the PS Vita back in the spotlight like the crazy-looking Murasaki Baby. Borderlands 2 will also come to the handheld, so hopefully that does well.

Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, N++, The Binding of Issac: Rebirth, Volume, Fez, Wasteland Kings, and Rogue Legacy will launch first on the PS4 and PS Vita. Other games highlighted include Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, from the developers of Dear Esther, and Shadow of the Beast. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag got some love, and Minecraft is making its way to Sony, too. That game is everywhere these days.

In other news, Twitch streaming is coming to PS4, and Gran Turismo 6 will launch on PS3 on Dec. 6.

This should be a fun holiday season for gamers everywhere.

Get even tinier thoughts at www.twitter.com/JeffHoard921.

Rockstar releases details on Grand Theft Auto Online

Rockstar released the official gameplay video for Grand Theft Auto Online, which will launch Oct. 1 and is free with every copy of Grand Theft Auto V, which releases Sept. 17 on Xbox 360 and PS3. It's been a major focus in the development process.

Players will be able to work cooperatively to complete missions, and participate in activities like golfing, tennis, driving around and traditional online modes. A content creator lets you create your own races as well as deathmatches. Money earned from completed jobs can be spent on character customizations and even an apartment to hang out with friends at. New characters and missions can be accessed, and Rockstar is promising to create additional content to keep things exciting and fresh.

The online video has been viewed more than 2 million times on YouTube since it published a day ago. Gamers were upset when Grand Theft Auto V was delayed earlier this year, but the long wait may be worth it.

Get even tinier thoughts at www.twitter.com/JeffHoard921.

Rayman Legends to feature Mario and Luigi costumes on Wii U version

Rayman Legends will finally be releasing on Sept. 3 for the Wii U, PS3, PS Vita, Xbox 360 and PC. Exclusively to the Wii U version will be Mario and Luigi costumes, with Rayman dressed up as Mario and Globox as Luigi. A trailer Ubisoft released shows the costumed heroes in action, along with demonstrations on how the Wii U GamePad works with the game.

Quick thoughts on Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

I've been hopping into Luigi's dreams in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team for the Nintendo 3DS. Here are some thoughts on the game.

This is the fourth game in the Mario & Luigi series, and the gimmick in this one involves Luigi's dreams. It's a fun one, where you hop into dozens of dream worlds filled with surreal colors and music. This opens up a variety of special Luiginary Attacks and Luiginary Works you need to perform to solve puzzles and save Pi'illo characters. While the game plays similar to previous ones, this unique twist on dreams keeps things fresh.

The story takes roughly 40 hours to complete, not including side content like solving picture puzzles and other mini-games. However, it drags sluggishly in the beginning and near the end when you just want the game to finally end. Knocking away several hours of story would have been fine.

Check out my full review at www.theoaklandpress.com.

Get even tinier thoughts at www.twitter.com/JeffHoard921.

Quick thoughts on Pikmin 3

I've been commanding hundreds of cute, colorful Pikmin in Pikmin 3 for the Wii U, which releases Aug. 4. Here are some thoughts on the game.

To simply put it, Pikmin 3 is the best looking Wii U game to date, and probably will be for a while. While the ground textures aren't anything special, everything else is polished beautifully. Fruit looks very realistic, the lighting effects are superb and the frame rate doesn't miss a beat.

While the game can be controlled using just the GamePad, the most efficient way to play is with the Wiimote and Nunchuck. Pointing at the screen to aim Pikmin and round them up with the whistle is much smoother this way. But the GamePad does have its uses. You can see a map of the area on the touchscreen and it's a great way to send your explorers to a location automatically.

Check out my full review at www.theoaklandpress.com.

Get even tinier thoughts at www.twitter.com/JeffHoard921.