Even before I saw the trailer for Metal Gear Rising Revegance, I was giddy like a little school girl. Platinum Games developing a Metal Gear game in conjunction with Kojima Productions? Yes please! The trailer only solidified what I felt would be the must have game of 2012. The rest of the night, none of the other announcements at the VGAs matter. Just Metal Sweet Mother of Mercy Gear!

So I was honestly surprised when I saw some of the negative comments about the game. I was very tempted to respond to many. Some I did, while others I simply ignored. But I thought why spend my time making one or two comments to random folks on the internet when I can assemble all my thoughts in one big mega epic article. Hence this monstrosity was born!

So with that here are my thoughts on this group of dissenters.

First and foremost, can we all simmer down about the name of the game? Is “Revengeance” an odd mix of two words? Sure. The Japanese have a quirk about mixing words and sounds together. In fact the name “Konami” is a conjunction of the names Kagemasa Kozuki (current chairman and president), Yoshinobu Nakama, and Tatsuo Miyasako. Hence mashing together revenge with vengeance isn’t so abnormal. In the grand scheme of things, does the title to a game in any way make it look, sound, feel, or play better? No. Beyond that bit of logic, when as gamers did we buy video games based on “That’s such an artistic and beautiful name”? Do you remember when you first heard the name “Play Station”? I remember thinking, “What, it’s a station you play? How weird of a name is that?” Years later here we are and the name Playstation is part of the gaming lexicon and rolls off our tongue without a second thought. The same goes for Revengeance.

In terms of this not being a Metal Gear Solid game, you’re exactly right. It isn’t. Kojima and crew specifically left the “Solid” out of the title because it is not part of the “Solid” series in many ways. It is a Metal Gear game, based in the Metal Gear universe. Kojima himself stated, “We’ve only said that the period setting is several years after MGS4. Metal Gear Rising is not part of the Metal Gear Solid series.”

Now that we’ve gotten this “Solid” thing off the table, let’s move onto the complaint of “This isn’t a Metal Gear game”. Well boys and girls, last time I checked, Hideo Kojima did in fact create the Metal Gear series. So between you, me, or him, who would you think is the best candidate to decide the future of the Metal Gear series? I don’t know about you, but I’m personally going to go with Mr. Kojima.

A few complain it’s not the classic stealth gameplay they’ve come to know from the Metal Gear series. As Ed McMahon would say you are correct sir! Question being who made the rule the Metal Gear universe can only handle stealth and sneaking games? Are we as gamers so jaded, close minded, and stubborn we can’t accept a different kind of gameplay style in our Metal Gear games? In that case, someone call Nintendo and cancel Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., Super Mario RPG, or any game starring Mario that isn’t a classic side scrolling platformer. Hey I love the Metal Gear games because of their stealth. It makes it unique and fun. With that in mind I’m also open to other styles and places this franchise can explore. How truly sad we’ve become when a fun game is shot down simply because it’s not the same old same old. C’mon people, think outside of your little world for a nanosecond.

Then I’ve heard some people complain that it’s missing Metal Gear’s “serious atmosphere”. Wait….what? You mean the same Metal Gear series which featured a playable naked Raiden in MGS2 running around as he covered his family jewels with one hand and punched with the other? This was made even more weird/creepy when it was discovered Raiden had no family jewels to speak of. It’s true! If you did a flip and paused the game while he was in mid-air, you could see he doesn’t have anything there. Just a genderless void. There’s even a part where President Johnson walks up to Raiden, cups his crotch and asks, “You’re…a man?” What’s with Metal Gear and crotches anyway?

Ahem….back on subject.

I’ve even heard some say the game is too over the top and not realistic enough for a Metal Gear game. Realistic? Fortune, Vamp, The Sorrow, and Psycho Mantis explicitly had supernatural powers? (Vamp’s nanomachines and Fortune’s electromagnetic shield only amplified their innate abilities). Raiden himself stops a city-sized Arsenal Gear carrying 25 Metal Gear RAYs and hundreds of Gekkos in MGS4. This series is all about over the top and as about far from reality as it gets.

Still others say Raiden is too powerful. Granted you don’t want a character so powerful it makes the game mind numbingly easy. With games like Bayonetta, Platinum Games has proven you can have a character that looks and feels infinitely powerful, but with limitations set in gameplay and story to create a challenge. It’s the mark of a well balanced game. Though as I reminded you earlier, this was the same Raiden capable of stopping Outer Heaven with one hand. Outer Heaven is a city-sized Arsenal Gear whose hangar alone carried 25 Metal Gear Rays and hundreds of Gekkos. If he wasn’t strong enough to toss a single Metal Gear Ray into the air, I’d be a little worried.

Of course this wouldn’t be complete without those whining about the graphics. I’m still amazed graphic elitists exist today, but sadly they do. Personally I think the game looks gorgeous. The art style, use of color, and design of the characters is top notch. Past that, Kojima explained he asked Platinum Games to incorporate “A Raiden that moves at 60FPS, that controls well, and looks good”. So we have not only a good looking game, but one that moves at a buttery smooth framerate. If that doesn’t sell you on it, then that’s your personal opinion…..poopy as it may be.

But then there’s the complaints about the story. The old build of MGS Rising story was set between MGS2 and MGS4. When Kojima Productions decided to go with Platinum Games, they decided it was limiting and changed it to after MGS4. Platinum’s game design demanded the story to be changed. They made it explicitly clear the gameplay comes first. May I say finally! A developer who gets it: gameplay first, everything else second. This is a video game by the way. Sound, graphics, and story are important, but should not take the place of gameplay. Kojima Productions stated the original project failed due to the previous director. He didn’t have a clear vision for the game design. They made the mistake of starting work on the story, mocap, etc. first based solely on the “cut anything” gimmick. They tried to add gameplay elements, but it always felt not enough to make a game. They made multiple prototypes, but it never really worked. Moral of the story, work on the game play first, worry about the other stuff second.

For those assuming the story will suck, please stop it. Just stop it. Unless you have direct access to the script your words are wasted. It’s been confirmed gameplay is 100% Platinum Games, while story and cutscenes will be handled by Kojima Productions. Remind me again why everyone is so worried about the story when it’s been confirmed the team responsible for story in every Metal Gear Solid game is writing this one? As they go through the development of the game, they check with one another, making sure the characters and the world are presented correctly as it should be in Metal Gear universe. It says a lot when both teams have a mutual respect for one another and work together to make one harmonious creation. I personally think the story is in good hands.

Worst of all, there are those bothered by the idea of Platinum Games developing the game. I guess I could understand this complaint to an extent. Having an outside company come in and develop a game which you’ve loved for years is a scary thought. We saw what happened when Konami allowed an outside company develop a Castlevania game. The results were disastrous. So one would naturally be concerned about Platinum Game developing a new Metal Gear game.

Well as is the case with movies, I look to the director to gauge whether a movie has the possibility to be great. I look at their past work and history to determine if I want to see that movie. In the case of video games, I look to the developer. Platinum Games might be new to some of you, but the team members which comprise this little company are no spring chickens. In fact some of your favorite games were developed wholey or in part by Platinum Games. Titles like Viewtiful Joe, Okami, and God Hand were all developed by Clover Studios of Capcom. In 2006 the Capcom Board of Directors voted to shut down the studio. The members of Clover Stuios would leave Capcom and found the studio now known as Platinum Games. This is a development team with decades of expierience and talent. They have not only created amazing games in the past, but titles such as Mad World, Bayonetta, and Vanquish have proven they’ve still got what it takes.

To those who say, “This is just Bayonetta with a new coat of paint”, have you truly played Bayonetta? Sure it’s a third person game featuring a sword as one of the many weapon you can dispatch enemies with, but to make the gross overstatement it will be just like Bayonetta is simply silly. Bayonetta’s gameplay system is deep and intuitive. Not only that, nowhere in Bayonetta can you chop enemies into thousands of bits. This is but a trailer. I’ll wait to pass judgement on the depth of the gameplay system until I can play the actual game. I’d advise everyone else do the same.

This is why I’m stoked for Metal Gear Rising Revengeance. Past the awesome trailer, past the viceral cut it all up gameplay, past the story, past the guitar ladened rock tunes, past even the title, it’s being developed by a studio that’s proven themselves time and time again. It says something of Hideo Kojima when he realized the game was at a standstill and not progressing in a forward motion. I imagine as creative person, it’s a humbling experience to admit when your work in progress has failed to meet the goals you set out to meet. This is why I have so much respect for both him and Kojima Productions. They saw the inevitable reality and put the project in the hands of a team capable of handling such a high action ninja game. This is a game that could not have been created by only Kojima Productions or only Platinum Games. Their individual talents and skills can now come together in one harmonious array of swords and bloody good action. To create something new through an exchange of ideas. A true collaboration.

No matter your opinion of the game, have the decency to at least rent or try it when it’s released. If I can get past my jadedness and play both Dark Souls and Skyrim, I hope the rest of you can do the same.

Here is an in depth video covering the truth behind the history Metal Gear Rising Revengeance.

Of all the games on my radar, Ace Combat Assault Horizon hit me in the face like an angry blue marlin (It makes sense if you don’t think about it). I’ve never been a huge fan of the series. Was always more of a Air Force Delta kind of guy. Though a few months ago a trailer for the game changed all that. Sporting a brand new combat system with dynamic camera angles and arcade like gameplay, I was certainly intrigued.

After gleefully downloading Radiant Silvergun…wait, you didn’t know it was out? Go on, do it. I’ll be here waiting for you to do your gaming duty. You done? Alright let’s continue. Anyway, I perused the rest of the new releases and what do you know, there was a demo for Assault Horizon. Would it be everything the trailers made it out to be? I was about to find out…

The game opens with an elaborate cutscene about bombs and bad guys and who’s the bigger doo doo head blah blah blah. Now I’m sure this will all be pertinent and interesting in the full version of the game, but I’m simply interested in how it plays. After the opening you’re put into the seat of an F-22 Raptor. The game starts things off easy enough by acclimating you with the basic controls. Then things get interesting.

The first thing I noticed was a new “Optimum” control option. This differs from the original control method in that it prevents the player from doing full rolls but it gives you the stability needed to engage in ‘Close Range Assault System’ (CRAS). Once you engage your first baddy you’re told to activate the CRAS by pressing both the left and right bumpers. The camera instantly slams tightly against the top right wing of the plane making the action much more dynamic.

At this point you’ve got two options: fire your machine gun and shred the plane to bits, or lock on with missiles and blow them away. The closer you get to the enemy, the more frequently you can shoot off your missiles. This mode has the added bonus of making both your machine gun and missiles more accurate and deadly. As the enemy tries avoid your attacks the camera automatically follows and leads you in the direction of the enemy. This can lead to some white knuckled weaving through city buildings and shipyards.

Once you land the killing blow, a spurt of gas and oil erupts from the enemy plane and splats onto your windshield. They weren’t kidding when they said “make metal bleed”. It adds a very visceral effect to the whole experience. Got an enemy plane on your six? No problem. Slow down while pressing both bumper buttons to pull a Top Gun and turn the tables on your foe.

Now someone on the Ace Combat team has got to be a fan of old school arcade games because this next trick is ripped right from the After Burner handbook. If you find yourself in the thick of multiple enemies, press ‘X’ to equip what can best be described as mega multiple lock on missile. Firing this bad boy sends up to four missile careening into your enemies.

There’s also another mode where you’re given the chance to pilot a helicopter, a first for the Ace Combat series. These levels are a bit slower paced but hey, a helicopter isn’t exactly the fastest thing in the air. You’re tasked with more escort like missions firing from on high at targets on the ground. While not as balls to the wall as the fighter jet portion, it was a nice distraction as these levels will be interspersed throughout the campaign.

All in all this demo has me psyched for the game. Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.K.S. was the last flight game I enjoyed. By the looks of this demo, Assault Horizon looks to up the ante. Go check out this demo if you haven’t gotten the chance. It’s out for both PS3 and Xbox 360.

I’ve been more then a little excited about the announcement of both the Metal Gear Solid HD collection and the Zone of the Enders HD collection coming to the PS3 later this year. Though it’s just been announced at TGS, and confirmed via Konami’s Metal Gear Solid fan page, that both collections will also be coming to the PS Vita! This is huge news for me as the ability to play these titles portably sounds supremely epic. That and the possibilities of linking up with your PS3 via cloud saving to play on the go and at home makes me happy like a little French school girl.

Now before you all get too excited, this has only officially been announced for Japan. Though if I were a betting man I’d say these games will also be coming Stateside. Until then I shall pray unto the golden statue of Kojima.

BTW: If Sony can keep putting out great games for the Vita, I’ll be hard pressed not to buy one. Nintendo take note, this is how you get people excited about a system. Not gimmicks and gizmos but good games.

GAME TIME! Well, if you like Madden that is. Madden 2012 hits stores this week and some retailers are trying to get it in your hands for a little less. Other than that, there are some pretty nice hardware bundles, as well as a few other notables.

See all the deals after the jump!

Hardware

• Nintendo Wii Mario Kart bundle is $129.99 at Target (savings of about $20)
• Nintendo Wii Mario Kart bundle is $134.96 at Walmart (savings of about $15)
• Xbox 360 250GB model comes with $75 gift card at Best Buy
• Xbox 360 4GB w/ Kinect bundle $249 at Walmart (savings of about $50)
• Xbox 360 4GB w/ Kinect bundle comes with $60 gift card at Target
• Xbox 360 4GB w/ Kinect bundle comes with ANY 360 game for free at Toys R Us
  The ad doesn’t mention anything about bundles or collector editions

XBOX 360

• Buy Madden 2012 and 2 bags of Doritos to get a $10 gift card at Walmart.
  (Because gamers like their controllers covered in Doritos cheese powder…)
• Buy Madden 2012 and get a free NFL Figure at Toys R Us ($15 value)
• FEAR 3 is $34.99 at Toys R Us (savings of $25)
• Mortal Kombat is $34.99 at Toys R Us (savings of $25)
• Mortal Kombat is $39.99 at Best Buy (savings of $20)
• Cars 2 is $34.99 at Toys R Us (savings of $25)

Playstation 3

• Buy Madden 2012 and 2 bags of Doritos to get a $10 gift card at Walmart.
  (Because gamers like their controllers covered in Doritos cheese powder…)
• Buy Madden 2012 and get two gaming coupons from K-Mart
  A $20 gaming coupon, valid from September 4 to October 15.
  A $5 gaming coupon only good for EA Sports games
• Fallout: New Vegas is $14.99 at Best Buy (savings of $5)
• SOCOM 4 is $39.99 at Best Buy (savings of $20)
• Mortal Kombat is $39.99 at Best Buy (savings of $20)
• Homefront is $39.99 at Best Buy (savings of $20)
• Select Playstation Move games $9.99 at K-Mart: High Velocity Bowling, Kung Fu Rider,
  TV Superstars, The Fight: Lights Out, Eye Pet, Start the Party, & The Shoot.

Nintendo Wii

• Buy any TWO Nintendo Selects (greatest hits) video games and get a $10 gift card at Toys R Us

Handhelds

• Buy any Nintendo 3DS title and get the 2nd half off at K-Mart

As always be sure to check out these retailers full adds for more details on the deals. If there is some great deal though that we left out, leave it in the comments and we will update out list! Thanks and cya next Monday for the next installment in Weekly Bargains!

- Landon

I first heard about Dead Island a few months ago in passing. I didn’t think much of it at the time. I watched a few cinematic trailers and was mildly interested. Though any curiosity I had quickly fizzled once I did a little research. On the surface it’s yet another FPS style game with zombies. The main twist is the introduction of an open world element with co-op. Alright sounds fine and dandy, but there are some glaring issues I have to address.

First and foremost, I’m so sick of zombie themed games. If you’re desperate for a hot theme to base your game on, look no further than zombies. It’s slowly becoming the gaming de facto. It’s almost a surprise when a game either doesn’t have zombies, or at least has zombie themed DLC. Just get it over with and release a 3-D zombie game. Kill two fads with one stone.

Now let’s back up the hype train and look at the most important factor very few people have really focused on: the developer. Dead Island is developed by Techland. Techland? Seriously, this is the game company deserving of all this hype and adoration? Let’s take a quick look at Techland’s illustrious resume of games:

- Crime Cities
- Speedway Championships
- Pet Racer
- Pet Soccer
- FIM Speedway Grand Prix
- Chrome
- Xpand Rally
- Chrome: SpecForce
- GTI Racing
- Crazy Soccer Mundial
- FIM Speedway Grand Prix 2
- Xpand Rally Xtreme
- Call of Juarez
- FIM Speedway Grand Prix 3
- Nikita: Tajemnica Skarbu Piratow
- Speedway liga
- Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
- nail’d
- Call of Juarez: The Cartel
- Dead Island

The only thing worth even mentioning is the Call of Juarez series, but even that is a mediocre romp through FPSville lost in the shuffle of much better games. The rest is trash or mediocre at best. Wait a second, nail’d wasn’t too bad either. Though compared to what else is offered in the racing genre, it’s nothing to write home about. Please tell me what game from that list screams “AAA developer here!” I can hear it now, “What, the developers of Pet Racer are making an open world zombie themed FPS!? Hot diggity dog, count me in!”

So this is the developer who’s garnered all this hype and praise? Am I missing something here? In a day in age when venerable developers such as Treasure and Platinum Games have amazing games glossed over by the general public (Sin & Punishment: Star Successor and Vanquish respectively), it annoys me to see this no name mediocre developer get the attention and praise for stitching together a tired worn out concept.

Now I may be wrong. This game could warp the space time continuum with it’s pure awesomeness, cure all diseases known to man, and give Ashlee Simpson the voice of an angel. Though as a betting man who looks at the odds, it’s very doubtful. There are a lot of great ideas the developer has implemeted into this game, but just like I wouldn’t trust Kim Jong-il to bring about world peace, I’m not looking to Techland to pull this one off.

- Brian

So we’re trying some new things here at Substance TV. This is issue one in our weekly bargain series of posts, where we will inform you on some of the current deals on the market video game wise. Coming off of last weeks epic fail of misinforming everyone of the insane sale Toys R Us had on music game bundles and Tony Hawk bundles (everything for $9.99!?) we don’t want to let that happen again.

If you were ever on the fence for buying a Nintendo 3DS this might be the week for you! Obviously the system is reduced dramatically now to a low price of $179.99, but on top of that many retailers are having a sale on their games as well. See all the deals after the jump!

Hardware

• XBOX 360 4GB unit comes with a free $25 gift card at Target this week.
• Playstation 3 320GB Infamous 2 bundle comes with Resistance 2 for free at Target and K-Mart.

XBOX 360

• Gears of War Triple Pack only $19.99 at Best Buy
• L.A. Noir and Brink $39.99 at Best Buy
• Dues Ex: Human Revolution comes with a $10 gift card from Target
• All Kinect titles are $10 off MSRP at Toys R Us

Playstation 3

• L.A. Noir and Brink $39.99 at Best Buy
• Dues Ex: Human Revolution comes with a $10 gift card from Target
• Socom 4, Infamous 2, and Motorstorm Apocalypse are $39.99 each at Kmart
• $20 off a Move Sharpshooter with the purchase of Killzone 3 or Socom 4 at Kmart
• LittleBigPanet 2 is $39.99 at Gamestop

Nintendo Wii

• Wii uDraw Game Tablet Bundle comes with a $20 gift card to Toys R Us
• EA active 2 bundle is $10 at Target
• Buy 1 Get 1 Half off all Nintendo Wii games at Toys R Us

Handhelds

• Resident Evil The Mercenaries 3D for Nintendo 3DS is $19.99 at Best Buy
• Dead or Alive Dimensions for Nintendo 3DS is $19.99 at Best Buy
• Ghost Recon Shadow Wars for Nintendo 3DS is $19.99 at Best Buy
• Buy 1 Get 1 Half Off at Toys R Us on all Nintendo 3DS and DS games
• One 3DS title for $9.99 with purchase of Nintendo 3DS system at Toys R Us

Be sure to check out these retailers full adds for more details and more deals. Their are more
deals out there but these are just some of the highlights. Most notables are the 3DS game sals at
Best Buy and Toys R Us. Target is currently the only retailer doing anything for Dues Ex: HR that
comes out this Tuesday, maybe others will have a sale next week.

If there is some great deal though that we left out, leave it in the comments and we will update out list!
Thanks and cya next Monday for the next installment in Weekly Bargains!

- Landon

Like the bone breaking punches from this trailer, Asura’s Wrath hit me from out of nowhere. Developed by Cyberconnect 2 (developers of the .hack series and laundry list of Naruto games) and published by Capcom.

The trailer itself looks epic with enough punching, violence, and teeth bearing angry screams to make Dragon Ball Z blush. You even face against a ginormous space Buddha who’s very finger is the size of a country. Sounds like a party to me.

The game will use the Unreal 3 Engine. I’m also really digging the art style and character designs.

No release date has been set, but I’m interested to see what CyberConnect2 can do outside the confine of RPGs and anime adaptations.

Clover Studios is like a hot chick that got her heart broke by that jerk of a boyfriend Capcom a few years back. She got over it, changed her name to Platinum Games, and is dating a nice fella named Sega. It’s nothing longer term, but they’ve had a few beautiful kids together. First was MadWorld, then Infinite Space, and then Bayonetta. Now Platinum Games is pregnant with their newest bundle of joy named Vanquish. I know, I’m sorry about the dating/pregnancy analogy. Give me a break here. I’ve just had a kid so it’s the first thing that came to mind.

What’s the best way to describe Vanquish? Take the core gameplay Gears of War, the speed of Outrun, jets of Virtual On, add one part slow-mo, mix in a liberal dash of color, a dollop of style, lighting quick action, guns galore, a pinch of God Hand melee, and one of the coolest mechanized suits this side of Evengelion, and you’d kind of have an idea.

You’d like a more detailed description? Well fine! Read on for more ramblings on the game.

From the get go, Vanquish is not your ho hum standard third person shooter wannabe. Everything about this game screams speed and action. You could huff it and run like a punk, or you could slide on your knees like a possessed guitar player mid solo with jet packs strapped to your boots. This ability greatly changes the gameplay. Going from cover to cover or long range shooting to up close melee is quick and easy. Gone are the clunky transitions between up close melee and shooting that plagues most third person shooters. The first time I slid on the ground, firing my weapon at full throttle in slow mo, hurdling my body towards an enemy under a rain of bullets, and unleashed a volley of melee attacks upon my foe, I was hooked.

For those familiar with the trappings of third person shooter, you’ll feel right at home with the payload of weapons. Automatic main gun, heavy machine gun, shotgun, and grenades fill out the roster. The weapons may be standard in name, but there is nothing slow or sluggish about any weapon. Firing off any one of these bad boys gives you a very satisfying stream of bullets. Each weapon also changes your type of melee attack from a back flip kick, punch combo, or charge.

Graphically this game has a style all its own. It does resonate the played out space marine vs. alien kind of vibe, but it’s in the details where things become drastically different. Your suit is made up of an array of bladed metal pieces that morph and shift in shape as you shoot, slide, and move. Frankly, it all looks awesome. There were times I couldn’t believe all the action and mayhem unfolding before my eyes.

Someone at Platinum Games must have heard my grumblings about camera speed and control. You can not only adjust the speed of the camera when in third person view, but also the camera speed when aiming, and the camera speed when zoomed in. This allows the player to select a higher speed when in third person mode, but a slower camera speed when precise aiming is needed.

Both the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions look and play identical (though the PS3 gets a slight edge because of the better controller). In light of the botched PS3 version of Bayonetta, I sincerely hope this means Sega got the message and will port Vanquish correctly.

As amazing as Metroid Other M is, Vanquish takes things to an entirely new level. I will be there day of when the game is released October 19th, 2010. I’m still amazed Capcom let this group go more than three years ago. I’d say Vanquish is the big middle finger to Capcom while Platinum Games says, “See what you missed baby”.

So go download the demo and play the goodness for yourself. For those who have played the demo, post your thoughts and opinions.

The God of War III Ultimate Edition is hard to come by these days, but thanks to the laziness of others, you may prosper. Many who pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition at Gamestop have not picked up their copies. After 48 hours, Gamestop is required to release these games to the general public. In a move that confuses and elates me, Gamestop has lowered the price of the Ultimate Edition from $100 to $80. We’re talking about a $20 price drop on a hard to find version of the game that’s a little over a week old. Huh?

But who cares. Now you can possibly get your grubby little hands on this sweet set. Here’s the scoop, the Ultimate Edition is not on Gamestop’s website, so forget about trying to do a store locator or find it online because you won’t. Call your nearest Gamestop and ask if they have any copies in. Make sure they actually check and ask if any pre-orders have not been picked up. If they have none, politely ask them to check their system for any copies at other Gamestops in the area. Take note of the stores showing the game in stock, but don’t take their word for it and go sprinting over there. Call each store up to make sure. Ask them to hold it back and take your happy self on down to pick it up.

For those who took advantage of the 50% trade in offer earlier this year, this is a supreme way to spend your leftover spoils. If you’re lucky, they may have saved back the pre-order bonus. Ask if they happen to have any around. They might just be swell enough to hand one over.

The sooner you call, the better your chances of scoring a copy so get to it! Happy hunting and enjoy.

From the creators of Substance TV comes Extra Joy!. A weekly show covering everything from video games, toys, comic books, movies, TV, music, art, design, culture, news, and much more. Every week Brian and Erik will pick three things they are playing, watching, listening to, reading, or thinking about and give you the quick rundown. Enjoy the first edition!