Substance TV – Video game reviews with substance

Pursuing around my Twitter feeds, I noticed the announcement from DICE that Battlefield 1943 will be only 600 points (a measly $7.50) on December 31st only.

Hey followers, please help us spread the word, this Dec 31st on XBLA BF1943 is only 600 MS Point!

I can’t tell you the number of hours I’ve put into this game. Well I guess I could, but I’m too lazy to check and partially scared of how much actual time I’ve spent on this game. This is an amazing game and worth the original $15 price point, so it’s certainly worth half of that. I bought this game not only for the 360 at full price, but for the PS3 as well so I could play with Erik and other friends on PSN making it the first game I own on more than one next gen console.

For those of you who own a 360, and you don’t have this game already, get to it. You won’t regret it. I know Modern Warfare 2 is all the rage now, and I love that game to pieces, but this is still worth the purchase.

- Brian

2010 will be a great year for gaming. I can’t remember a time when I was looking forward to so many great games. Since the new year is just around the corner, I felt it appropriate to cover some the best upcoming titles in January.

First up is Bayonetta on January 5th. Created by former Clover Studios employees, known today as Platinum Games, Bayonetta is a crazy 3rd person action game. You play the role of a witch with four guns (2 in hands, 2 strapped to feet) and you fight against some pretty impressive looking monsters. The gameplay is very similar to Devil May Cry with the slowdown feature of Viewtiful Joe. The game will be released on the PS3 and Xbox 360 and demos for both systems are available now on their respective online services.

Then, we come to January 26th. On this blessed date, we will see the release of No More Heroes 2 for Wii, Mass Effect 2 for Xbox 360, and my personal favorite, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom for the Wii. It seems I just can’t get enough of that insane vs. gameplay. Now Capcom is promising the game will be online enabled, which is a rarity for Wii games.

The other possible late January early February Wii release I’m keeping my eye on is Data East Arcade Classics. The collection will be only $20 and feature (deep breath) BurgerTime, Peter Pepper’s Ice Cream Factory (the rare sequel to Burger Time), Bad Dudes vs. Dragon Ninja, Burnin’ Rubber, Caveman Ninja, Crude Buster, Express Raider, Heavy Barrel, Lock ‘n’ Chase, Magical Drop III, Secret Agent, Side Pocket, Street Hoop, Super Real Darwin and Wizard Fire. WHEW!! I’m sorry about the unconfimed release date, but every site I checked gave me a different date. Majesco’s (the game’s publisher) website says February 2010 and Amazon.com says Feb. 9th, so be looking out for it.

Oh, and lastly, Sega is having a temporary price reduction on their best-selling Virtual Console games. The following games will be available for 500 instead of their normal 800 points through Jan. 6th, 2010: 

Sonic the Hedgehog 1-3
Gunstar Heroes
Toe Jam and Earl
Puyo Puyo 2
Shining Force
Golden Axe
Altered Beast
Streets of Rage 2.

This is just the beginning of 2010 and OMG I need a lot more money.

Till next time everyone,

- Erik

After hearing months ago about the Castlevania’s epic return to a 2D non-Metroidesque action game, I couldn’t help but be excited. I would hear sparse rumors about a release date, but nothing confirmed. I was more than surprised to wake up this morning to find Castlevania is upon us with no hype or fanfare before its release. OMG!

First off, I love the Wiiware and virtual console service. Downloading new games and ones from years past is a good thing. However, the one thing that (use Peter Griffin voice) “grinds my gears” is that Nintendo does not give out release dates for games released weekly. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one surprised that Castlevania came out.

Enjoy this great title today for 10 measly greenbacks. You’ll be glad you did. Consider this article the fanfare the title deserved.

- Erik

The blessed time is now upon us. This Christmas, my family bestowed to me the final key to complete the current-gen trinity. Opening the container the relic had been stored in, I thrust my hand to grasp what my heart had yearned for. Bathed in a white sheen of heavenly radiance, I beheld a beauty like no other. I deciphered the ancient text to reveal the mysteries within, and how to harnass the power of this device. As I interfaced the monolith with electrical power and established audio and visual connection, my journey into the abyss began.

So yea, I’m pretty excited about the whole deal. Now I can finally play some of the more amazing games I have yet to play. Now I bid you all farewell as I start my fantastic journey (a.k.a. play some Wii goodness).

- Brian

I couldn’t have said it better myself. So I won’t. As always, you rock GoodieBag.

I saw these a few months ago on a fellow employee’s desk and my nerd jealously kicked in. Seems these are a one of a kind custom painted pieces. They all look faithful to the original cast (expect for Scotty who looks more like a drunk Brad Garrett). Past that, they spelled Scotty with a “k”. Seriously WTF? Here another question, where in the blue blazes is Bones?! Even with all the oddities, they are still pretty cool. And you’ll see this action packed story only on Substance TV. Yes indeed, turn to Substance TV for all the hottest nesting doll news and scandals!

- Brian

Remember the first time you saw Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Back to the Future or Raiders of the Lost Ark? You probably did not see some of them in the theatres, but always wanted too. Avatar is one of those movies.

Avatar just released on Friday, December 18th is extremely impressive. As a fan of classic science fiction, I know James Cameron has the gift of giving us movies that he himself would want to see. The Terminator movies are a great example of how Cameron pushes the boundries of filmmaking to new levels.  Avatar is no different. The story is cut and dry and very easy to understand. The characters are easy to relate to and yes, there are a LOT of special effects. So many, in fact, that it was hard to tell what was real and what was a CG image. That’s a good thing. Furthermore, the movie is presented in RealD 3D, which adds a new dimension to the art of storytelling. You might find yourself swatting fireflies that float in front of your face.

The music of Avatar is also top notch. I have been a fan of James Horner’s music since I was a child. The soundtrack is a mix between Willow, Apocalypto and Aliens. Quite a score, indeed.

So everyone, I beg, no plead with you to see this masterpiece today you will not regret it. Recommend.

- Erik