In honor of the spooky holiday and our latest review on Bloodrayne: Betrayal, we’ll be giving out a free PSN copy of the game to one lucky trick or treater!

Entering the drawing is pretty simple -

Step 1: Leave a comment on our Bloodrayne: Betrayal review, and mention your favorite videogame bloodsucker in the comment. Make sure to use a working email!

Annnd that’s it! But what’s that you say? You want to double your chances of getting the treat?

For an easy bonus extra entry, you can do these additional steps. (You’ll need a Twitter account.)

Bonus Step 1: Follow @Hyperfludd on Twitter.

Bonus Step 2: Tweet the exact following message -

“Trick or Treat! Win a free copy of Bloodrayne: Betrayal on PSN! http://goo.gl/5fxRD @Hyperfludd”

The contest ends on November 13th, where I’ll toss all eligible entries into a random generator. I’ll contact the winner with the code via email or Twitter handle.

Happy Halloween!

The code will only work on US PSN Accounts, there’s not much I can do about that, sorry guys!

Batman: Arkham City

Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC

Developed/Pusblished by: Rocksteady, WB Games

ESRB Rating: T for Teen

Price: $59.99 for 360/PS3 and 49.99 for PC

(Note: This review is based on the PS3 Version)

New York Comic Con, where comic buffs get together and share their affection for the comic universe. However video games are moving in bit by bit to take some of the spotlight at the huge event. One of the industry’s main players, Nintendo had an amazing booth is a lot of games, and was packed full of people wanting to play them.

The main game that had my eye at the booth was The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. This may have been the E3 build but it still nice to get the feel of the game before it comes out. This is mostly point out the small points other people may have not noticed.

First up is the flying. This section of the demo had ocarina of time horse riding written all over it, at least that is what I was expecting. At this point in the game Link is about to take is graduation exam. It consists of trying to get a “Bird Statue” that a Loftwing is flying around with. Seems simple but after you attempt to get the statue the first time, your rival stops you and his lackeys throw eggs at you on your second attempt.

The controls are simple, you hold the control by pointing at the screen and twisting the direction you want the Loftwing to turn to. Did I mention that this game uses Motion Plus, but to my surprise it actually works perfectly. You shake the controller to flap the Loftwings wings and go higher. The reason why this reminded me of ocarina of time is because the Loftwing has a boost. Instead is six carrots you have 3 wings. At first I applied the always have one boost so they reload faster rule, but i noticed that it does not affect the reload time. This is the only thing that actually disappointed me. Other than that you didn’t have much to do on the Loftwing at this point.

Once you managed to get the statue the second time, link has a “I got it, cheer” then zelda leaps off the platform hoping you would catch her, well not really cause her Loftwing follows you after.

Next we have the boss battle. The one you have to battle Demon Lord Ghirahim it may appear that he is the main villain but who knows. This is just your simple battle in Zelda but with motion plus elements. Your nun chuck is your shield, you flick it to do a shield bash, and z for lock on. All of your sword swinging is done with the motion plus. Depending on which way you swing(either upwards, downward, jab) affects the way you swing. When you do a upwards motion to do a upwards slice, downwards a downwards slice and a jab is a stab. What surprised me the most is how the Wii Motion Plus is able to clearly determine the angle at which you slice.

What you need to do is simple you need to defeat Ghirahim by countering his moves. One move that he does caught my attention the most. He creates what appears like arrow heads in a line, you can either shield bash to deflect a few, or get the angle right on your swing and deflect all of them. This I had fun doing because of how flawless the Wii Motion Plus worked.

I didn’t get the chance to play the dungeon because that would have required me to get on the long line for a third time. All i can say is that its your usual zelda dungeon with the new motion plus features added.

In total from what I played, Zelda: Skyward sword is an amazing game and I can not wait to play the full thing.

You might remember a small game called Pokemon Rumble that hit the WiiWare service a while ago. A light and solid beat-em up game with all your favorite Pokemon turned into cute wind-up toys, Pokemon Rumble Blast for the Nintendo 3DS takes that concept and expands on  it.

The game takes place around a central hub dubbed ToyTown, where you move around as whatever little monster you pick, talking with the townsfolk and checking out different building. It’s from this hub where you get access to most of the games features like multiplayer and streepass as well as in game vending machines where you can buy new moves for your cute little toys.

After finishing up in town, head towards the entrance to find trampolines to move across different stages and the levels associated with them very quickly. Each stage has about 3-5 levels, in which you take your collection of Pokemon into various beaches, forests and caves  to beat on plenty of other toys. Not included in that level count is each levels specific Battle Royal challenges, which is basically a giant free-for-all battle on a tournament stage.

The gameplay is similar to it’s predecessor, which works well because of it’s simplicity. You move around with the slidepad, the A and B buttons are reserved for the 2 moves you teach to your little toy. X gives you quick access to your toybox, where you can swap your Pokemon with another real quick. As you take down other toys, you’ll pick up new friends. This is honestly the only time I actually noticed the game’s 3D, as any picked up toy just flies towards you.

With the help of a Nintendo rep, I also gave the game’s cooperative multiplayer a shot. The player count has lowered from 4 players to 2 for Rumble Blast!, but otherwise the game remained just the same. The added benefit of playing with a friend is increased chances of getting toys per Pokemon takedown, as well making those giant boss battles easier.

Pokemon Rumble Blast is a little bit more simple compared to your average Pokemon game, but that’s not a bad thing. With over 600 Pokemon and what seems like a great chunk of stages to wind up those toys in, Pokemon Rumble Blast seems like a great pick up for Pokemon fans and those who want a relaxing beat down and collection game.

Mario Kart is Mario Kart. What else is there to say? The seventh iteration in the ever-popular kart franchise races on the 3DS with a few new tricks up its sleeve. The playable build presented to me at NYCC seemed to be same as the older ones from previous events, so there isn’t much new to talk about.

Regardless, I walked away from the build with a smile on my face. Picking my main man Luigi, I messed around with the kart customization. Pretty much everything but the default set of parts seemed silly to me, so I went along with the classic kart style. Plugging in my headphones, classic tunes and sound effects tug at my strings as things started to begin.

I raced across 3 tracks, all 3 showing off the 2 new kart add-ons. The glider controls just like you expected it to, and you can reach huge airtime if you game it just right. The underwater propeller allows you to slip underwater with full control, just as it looked like in the trailers. It isn’t radically different from racing on land, but if you time your jumps and boosts with mushrooms right, you can float right over everyone real quick.

Sure, all of that is fine and dandy, and the game is shaping up to be just as solid as the other games in the series. What really made me smile and go ‘wow’ however was how smooth the game looked and ran. I was told that Mario Kart 7 ran 60 FPS (frames per second) and boy, does it ever! The game looked fantastic as I raced, even in 3D! It’s really something I can’t describe so if you’re at NYCC, I suggest you check it out.

If this was just an early E3 build, I simply cannot wait to check the full game out when it releases on December 4th.

You can preorder Mario Kart 7 for the 3DS by clicking right here.

]]> http://www.hyperfluddmedia.com/2011/10/14/nycc-2011-mario-kart-7-impressions/feed/ 0 http://www.hyperfluddmedia.com/2011/10/13/nycc-2011-phoenix-wright-nova-join-the-fray-in-ultimate-marvel-vs-capcom-3/ http://www.hyperfluddmedia.com/2011/10/13/nycc-2011-phoenix-wright-nova-join-the-fray-in-ultimate-marvel-vs-capcom-3/#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:44:16 +0000 Hyperfludd http://www.hyperfluddmedia.com/?p=295 Read More »]]>

Oh man! I am completely surprised by this reveal of the spikey haired lawyer and Marvel’s Cosmic defender! Prods at the Capcom leak aside,  seeing these characters in action for the first time is quite the experience, I suggest you watch these trailers right now!

Our favorite videogame lawyer – Phoenix Wright

Cosmic Marvel’s finest – Nova

They have been confirmed playable on the show floor, so I’ll get in some cosmic justice today. Look forward to Saturday, where I’ll check out the Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3 Panel and write out my full impressions then.

]]> http://www.hyperfluddmedia.com/2011/10/13/nycc-2011-phoenix-wright-nova-join-the-fray-in-ultimate-marvel-vs-capcom-3/feed/ 0 http://www.hyperfluddmedia.com/2011/10/13/new-york-comic-con-2011-the-revenge/ http://www.hyperfluddmedia.com/2011/10/13/new-york-comic-con-2011-the-revenge/#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:10:16 +0000 Hyperfludd http://www.hyperfluddmedia.com/?p=289 Read More »]]>

We keep leaving, but the beast keeps on pulling us back! Welcome to the start of Hyperfludd Media’s coverage of New York Comic Con 2011. The beast is now bigger, badder and meaner than ever with a new day to feast upon! The entirity of the HFM crew (which is just me and drzgamer!) will hit the Comic-Con floor for all 4 days! Look forward to coverage on games such as Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Mario Kart 7, Resident Evil and much much more! More than just previews, we’ll also be attending game-related panels and doing write-ups on what we hear as well as film any sort of crowd reactions..because those are always fun!

As always, we’ll take a ton of pictures and share them all on our gallery at the end of each day. During the weekend, I’ll also be giving away some swag and some reviews will pop up. (Including one where you can win a copy of said game!)

Keep this page tabbed for our coverage, and we’ll reward you with even more! I have to start getting ready to go, so stay tuned, true believers!

Don’t miss the review train!

Monster Tale

Developed by Dreamrift/ Published by Majesco

Nintendo DS/ Rated E for Everyone

Buy it on Amazon

A game that most of you have probably missed due to it launching right before the Nintendo 3DS, this gem of a game should be played by anyone who likes 2D adventure sidescrolling games. You play as Ellie as she finds herself in a world of monsters, now troubled by 5 other kids. Finding herself a monster companion named Chomp, the duo sets off on a journey to free this world of monsters from the controlling kids. The game plays out in the very familiar style of other Metroidvania-type games, but with a significant twist in that while you find items and defeat enemies on the top screen, the bottom screen is where you can take care of your monster friend Chomp, training and feeding him for use in battles on the top screen. You control on which screen you want to Chomp to hang around in. If he’s hovering around with Ellie on the top screen, he’ll help her in fights and solve puzzle elements, while Chomp on the bottom screen will use items and send them up to attack enemies, and build up experience as he is doing so. As you explore various segments of the game’s one continuous world, you’ll defeat bosses and gain new abilities that will allow you to reach and discovering new pathways in older areas you’ve visited. This is where my only real issue with the game comes up, backtracking is a huge chunk of this game and it just gets real tiresome seeing the same areas over and over again. But if you can get over such backtracking, you’ll be rewarded with fun, inventive boss fights and a nice tale involving children and power.

Pokemon Black & White

Developed by Gamefreak/ Published by Nintendo

Nintendo DS/ Rated E for Everyone

Buy it on Amazon

Here we go, another generation of the ever-popular Pokemon franchise ushers in a new bevy of critters and features. But is it worth the upgrade, or is it for the best stay with HGSS and wait it out? My answer is far from that: Pokemon Black & White is the best main Pokemon game to date in the franchise. Aside from the typical boost in Pokemon number, BW brings a bevy of new features. From cosmetic ones such as the completely animated Pokemon battles, to technical ones such as streamlining the game perfectly for quicker battles and movement. Pokemon BW also brings along 2 new types of battle: Rotation and Triple Battles. Rotation Battles let’s you swap one of 3 Pokemon constantly in battle before any attacks are made, adding a new strategic twist. Triple Battles are exactly what you think they are. New Pokemon, new battles and new slick looks aren’t the total driving force behind my shining opinion of the game. Unlike pretty much every installment of the core series, the plot of the game actually matters and makes playing the game even more fun. You still have the 8 gym badges to collect and a team of villains to defeat, but they definitely feel integral to the story. Our villains drive the story (instead of just waiting to get beaten by you) and question the morality of capturing Pokemon while the Gym Leaders are no longer lifeless husks that await your arrival and continuously get involved in the story. Add the slew of great and easy to use wireless/multiplayer features to that and you get why I consider this the best games in the core series.

Portal 2

Developed by Valve/ Published by Valve/EA

PC, PS3, 360/ Rated E 10+

Buy it on Amazon

Starting from it’s humble origins as a project by a group of students to a surprise favorite in the Orange Box, the leap to Portal 2 is pretty incredible. Taking the same physics puzzle concept from the first game, you still play as Chell as she attempts to escape Aperture Laboratories. I really don’t want to talk too much about the game plot wise, since it’s so incredible. Like I said earlier, this aspect of the game is leaps and bounds superior to the first game. Personality just oozes out of everything in this game, from the companion you meet early on in the game to the very levels themselves. Portal 2 does great work on introducing you to new gameplay elements at a good pace, making sure that you fully well know how to use gels, light bridges and launch pads before pitting you in incredibly deadly tests with them. The puzzles are challenging, but not hard enough to make you think it’s impossible at any point of the game. While the emphasis on plot is greatly expanded over the first game, you might want to give the single player campaign a break just to play Portal 2′s cooperative multiplayer. Taking the role of either Atlas or P-Body (pictured), you and a friend tackle on rooms of specially designed tests that are obviously exclusive to this mode. The personality found in the single player campaign isn’t lost here, as the 2 robots emote and have fun very much at GLaDOS’s dismay. While not arguing on how to solve these challenging and fun rooms, you’ll be listening to GLaDOS making dark humor towards the bots, as well as slowly reveal more of the game’s overall plot. Running by both the single player and the co-op campaigns will take you about 12 hours, 12 top-notch, fun-filled hours that I fully recommend to anyone who likes games in general. Not to mention that promised free DLC will extend the life of this incredibly fun game. Don’t miss out on Portal 2, it’s one of 2011 best gaming experiences.

Nintendo provided first class treatment to it’s fans as they braved the cold winds to cement their place in line. From staff members with 3DS systems hooked to their hips to let the standees play, to free Nintendo 3DS Tacos and other warm foods to keep the belly warm throughout the night. Fans socialized with each other, gave pimpin’ interviews to newsfolk and helped one another, thus proving that gamers can truly band together in the face of the hobby they adore.

Check out the video above for a quick tour of the action outside! Outside of the main area for the line was a huge demo area with a giant eyecatching 3DS, which had tons of systems, photo ops and even a game of cornhole/beanbag toss! As  cold as it was, Nintendo and Best Buy found a way to warm the crowd right up: Bringing in the Reggienator! Out of the 3 times he went out to speak/meet with the crowd, the place exploded with cheer. Stopping every few moments to chat and sign fan’s items, he even gets a blast from the pass when he sees his high school picture passed around with his famous “My Body is Ready” quote.

After Reggie graced the line with his presence, Best Buy staff came out and gave out tickets for raffles, gave out tons of goodies (some of which you might win for yourself, check out for future articles!) and finally, started the countdown. As the clock ticked away the final few minutes, Reggie and Micheal Vitelli (President of Best Buy) came up on stage as classic red and cyan 3D glasses were given out to the crowd with no instruction. Reggie and Micheal want to give the old way of 3D a proper send off and..well, maybe you should just watch the video!

As 3D glasses fall to the ground at the stroke of midnight, the line starts moving into the Best Buy, where multiple tables were set up with tons accessories and games loaded on them. The well known Nintendo launch legend, Isaiah “Triforce” Johnson was once again first in place to get his system, as well as get his due from Reggie, who signed his trademark Power Glove. After the media onslaught was done and over with, the rest of the line went up and got their hands on the new handheld as well as be entertained by a live show from the band The Hot Cakes.

The event, while not having as big a turnout as Pokemon Black & White’s, it was still a fantastic experience for fans and new gamers alike. With the 3DS now officially launched everywhere in the US, you can go grab yours now! I’ve got mines here with 2 games, which I’ll talk more about in another article. After you’re done checking out our gallery of photos below, feel free to discuss in the comments on how your midnight launches went if you attended one!

Gallery